SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)

.....Once you're in, there's no going back.

Sophia's eyes followed Mr. Lee's retreating figure, her mind racing with questions. What did he mean by "prove it"? What did he want from her?

° Haven't i passed the test? °

As she turned to leave, a hand grasped her arm, spinning her back around. Mr. Lee's eyes blazed with an intensity that made her heart stutter.

°.........°

"You're mine, Sophia," he whispered, his breath cold against her ear. "Body and soul. I won't let anyone take that away from me."

Sophia's eyes widened. "What are you talking about, Lucian? You're scaring me."

°OMG°

Mr. Lee's grip tightened. "Fear is good. It keeps you loyal. And I need you loyal, Sophia. Especially now."

"Especially now?" Sophia repeated confusedly.

Mr. Lee's expression turned grim. "Samantha's family is pushing for the wedding. My wedding."

Sophia's says. "Your wedding? Oh yeah"

Mr. Lee's eyes flashed. "Yes. I'm contractually betrothed to Samantha. A promise made to my mother before she passed away."

Sophia felt a pang of surprise. "I didn't know that part tho'."

Mr. Lee's voice turned cold. "You wouldn't. It's none of your concern. What matters is that you're mine now."

° Please oh abeg! Am i sure i'm not dreaming.?°

Sophia's mind reeled. She'd been living with Mr. Lee for months, but she never imagined he was promised to another.

"Why did you bring me here, Lucian?" Sophia asked.

Mr. Lee's gaze burned. "Because I wanted to. Because I can."

Sophia's heart pounded. She felt trapped.

"You can't marry Samantha," Sophia whispered.

° Well you can°

Mr. Lee's smile was cruel. "Watch me."

Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside the room.

"Samantha," Mr. Lee muttered with a smirk.

Sophia's eyes widened. "What is she doing here?"

Mr. Lee's grip tightened. "Play along, Sophia. For my sake." As she scoff.

" For your sake" She repeated.

And with that, Sophia's world turned upside down.

---

"Samantha, darling," Mr. Lee said, his voice dripping with fake affection.

° I can't believe i'm doing this° He thoughts.

Samantha's eyes narrowed. "Lucian, I've been looking everywhere for you."

" You weren't home"

Mr. Lee's smile was charming. "I was just discussing business with Sophia."

Samantha's gaze turned icy. "Your...P. S?"

Sophia felt a surge of jealousy.

° Call it with respect°

"Yes," Mr. Lee said. "Sophia has been invaluable to me."

Samantha's eyes flashed. "I don't pay you to obsess over your P. S, Lucian."

Mr. Lee's expression turned cold. "You don't pay me at all, Samantha. I don't even need your pay since my wealth is beyond boarders."

° No need for the boarders thingy° Sophia thoughts

The tension was palpable.

Samantha's face paled. "You'd do well to remember our arrangement, Lucian."

Mr. Lee's smile was ruthless. "I'll do what benefits me. And right now, that's Sophia."

Sophia's heart raced. She was caught in a web of power and deceit.

Samantha's eyes narrowed. "You're making a mistake, Lucian."

Mr. Lee's expression remained icy. "I don't make mistakes, Samantha. I make decisions."

Samantha's gaze turned venomous. "You'll regret this, Lucian. You'll regret choosing her over me."

Mr. Lee's eyes didn't waver. "I don't feel regret, Samantha. I feel nothing."

Sophia's heart pounded. She felt like a pawn in their game.

Samantha's eyes flashed, but she turned and stormed out.

Mr. Lee's gaze snapped back to Sophia.

"You're still here," he stated.

Sophia's eyes met his. "You didn't dismiss me."

Mr. Lee's expression didn't change. "I didn't think I needed to."

Sophia felt a shiver run down her spine. Mr. Lee's coldness was unnerving.

"What do you want from me, Lucian?" Sophia asked.

Mr. Lee's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. "I want your loyalty."

Sophia's heart skipped a beat. "My loyalty?"

Mr. Lee nodded. "Yes. And I'll get it, no matter what it takes."

Sophia felt trapped. Mr. Lee's intensity was suffocating.

"I'm already yours," Sophia whispered.

Mr. Lee's expression didn't soften. "Prove it."

Sophia's eyes locked onto his. "How?"

Mr. Lee's smile was cold. "You'll figure it out."

And with that, Mr. Lee turned and walked away, leaving Sophia feeling frustrated and desperate.

---

Sophia couldn't shake off the feeling that Mr. Lee was hiding something.

She approached him later that night, determined to get answers.

"Lucian," Sophia whispered.

Mr. Lee's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Sophia?"

Sophia's heart pounded. "I want to know what's going on."

Mr. Lee's expression remained cold. "You don't need to know."

Sophia's frustration boiled over. "Stop shutting me out!"

Mr. Lee's eyes flashed. "You want in? Fine. But be warned, Sophia: once you're in, there's no going back."