Put Me in Jail and He Came Begging

Chapter 4: The Other Woman

Sophia Castellano was everything I wasn't. She was beautiful, with flowing auburn hair that shimmered under the sunlight, piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through everyone, and a smile that could charm even the most stoic of men. Her confidence was palpable, and she moved through life with the assurance that everything she wanted would be hers. And it often was. In the high society circles of New York, Sophia was a queen bee, commanding attention and respect with her mere presence.

My first encounter with Sophia was at a charity gala hosted by Leonardo's company. It was one of those glamorous events where the elite gathered to sip champagne and exchange thinly veiled barbs disguised as polite conversation. I had been excited, not because I cared about the event itself, but because it was a rare opportunity to see Leonardo up close. I spent hours preparing, choosing a sleek black dress that flattered my figure, and styling my hair in loose waves. I wanted to look perfect for him, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he would notice me.

But when I arrived, it was clear that Sophia had already claimed the spotlight. She stood beside Leonardo, her arm casually draped through his, laughing at something he had said. She wore a red dress that clung to her curves, a stark contrast to my modest black attire. As I approached, I felt the eyes of the crowd shift towards her, and suddenly, I was invisible.

I watched them from a distance, my heart sinking with every passing moment. Sophia's laughter was a melody that filled the room, and Leonardo seemed captivated by her. She leaned in close, whispering something in his ear that made him smile – a rare, genuine smile that I had only ever dreamed of being the cause of. It was a smile that pierced through my soul, leaving a wound that would never heal.

Feeling defeated, I retreated to the edge of the room, nursing a glass of champagne. I was trying to blend into the background, to disappear. But Sophia had other plans. She caught sight of me, and her eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and disdain. She whispered something to Leonardo, who glanced briefly in my direction before nodding. Sophia then sauntered over to me, her steps deliberate and graceful.

"Alina, isn't it?" she asked, her voice smooth and honeyed.

"Yes," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I've heard a lot about you," she said, her smile widening. "Leonardo mentioned you once or twice."

My heart skipped a beat. "He did?"

Sophia laughed, a sound that was more mocking than mirthful. "Oh, don't get too excited. He just said you're one of his employees. But I suppose you already knew that."

I felt a flush of embarrassment creep up my neck. "Yes, I work for his company."

Sophia took a sip of her champagne, her eyes never leaving mine. "You know, Alina, Leonardo, and I have a special connection. He's not like other men. He needs a woman who understands him, and who can keep up with his world. A woman like me."

The implication was clear. She was marking her territory, letting me know that I could never compete with her. I wanted to argue, to tell her that she didn't know the depth of my feelings for Leonardo. But the words stuck in my throat. Sophia was right – I was just an employee, a nobody in Leonardo's world.

As the evening wore on, Sophia continued to flaunt her relationship with Leonardo, making sure I saw every affectionate gesture, every intimate whisper. It was torture, and I felt my heart breaking all over again. By the end of the night, I could barely hold back my tears. I left the gala feeling more hopeless and defeated than ever before.

But Sophia wasn't done with me. Over the next few weeks, she made it her mission to remind me of my place. She would send me pictures of her and Leonardo together, accompanied by cruel messages. "He's mine," she would write. "You'll never have him."