HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

CHAPTER 30

Alexa's POV

I barely have time to finish my breakfast and skip out of the patio when one of the maids comes to tell me that Sofia is waiting for me in the living room. I hesitated, clinging to my cup of iced coffee while silently debating whether to go up to my room and change or just go see Sofia like that.

Sofia and I haven't been friendly. She was there to help me when I was getting married but that was just it. Besides, she made me slightly uncomfortable with her numerous questions. 

After a quick deliberation, I decided to just go see her while still wearing my pajamas. After all, it will be very nothing she hasn't seen before. With a cup of melted coffee in hand, I proceed to the living room where Sofia is seared, waiting for me.

The petite woman with wavy curly brown hair rises to her feet when she sees me approaching. There is a small friendly or polite smile on her face. I stop in front of her, not quite sure how to go about things. I still do not understand why Xander felt the need to call her but it warms my heart to see that he thought of me.

“Hi,” I mumble. 

Sofia's smile broadens. “Hi, Alexa.” 

I nod. “Uhm, sit down.” I point to the couch where the petite woman takes her seat.

“You seem surprised to see me,” she points out. I guess I am still an open book if she can see it on my face that easily. 

“Yes. Xander only informed me that you were coming a few minutes ago.” I explain. “And now, I'm left feeling confused on what to do.” I chuckle nervously.

Sofia regards me silently for a few seconds while I gesture to one of the maids around to come over. “Would you like breakfast?” I ask.

She sits up, shaking her head while her curls bounce. “Oh, no. Dave made sure I ate before leaving the house this morning. Thank you though,” she smiles at the maid.

I watch the maid leave before looking at Sofia again. “So…” I drawl,  still not quite sure what to say.

Sofia chuckles quietly for a few seconds before moving to the edge of her seat, leaning in. “Okay, so I know that we started off on the wrong foot. You were getting married and my curious ass was being nosey and trying to understand what was clear. It's just…I've known my husband for as long as I've known Xander and from the past circumstances, he didn't strike me as someone who would want to get married again.” She explains while I nod.

“And it just all came out of the blue. When the media started talking about you and Xander, I didn't think much of it, yunno? But then one evening he comes to inform us that he is getting married and all that and I just couldn't wrap my head around it. The point is, I was an asshole to you on your wedding day and I shouldn't have. It was your wedding day and I let my nosey self disrupt your happiness. I will forever be sorry about that.” She continues, her eyes holding a genuine apology.

I stare at her for a few seconds, awed by the articulate and sincere woman in front of me who isn't afraid to own up to her mistake. It makes me respect her a little more.

“It's okay. You didn't ruin my big day.” I clear my throat.

“Oh, I'm definitely too inconsequential to count. But it doesn't mean that I'm not sorry. I was going to come to you anyway, whether your husband asked me or not. My husband and I have been out of the country since your wedding, took a little vacation ourselves.” 

“That's alright. I can see you enjoyed yourselves,” I mutter, pointing to her tanned skin which only makes her giggle.

“You haven't gone on your honeymoon, have you?” She asks.