Chapter 14

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Sofia woke up in the morning with puffed up eyes and throat as dry as the Sahara desert. She reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and drank it up in one go. She picked up her phone and was shocked to see a few missed calls and messages from Simon.

She got up from her bed and did her morning routine. She wore her tracksuit hesitantly because she knew Simon would meet her in the park like every day and would know that she'd been crying.

Sofia reached the park and saw Simon doing his regular exercise. She put her water bottle on the seat and sighed as she sat.

"Good morning to my love," Simon said as he took his towel and wiped off any sweat from his forehead before he kissed her forehead. Sofia smiled.

"My love? Someone's really sounding cheesy today." Sofia remarked. Simon laughed as he pulled her close. Sofia was exceptionally quiet and Simon noticed that. She didn't even wish him good morning. Sofia would never do that unless her mind is occupied somewhere else.

"What's going on in here?" Simon said as he lightly knocked on Sofia's head. Sofia came out of her reverie.

"Dreaming about me, huh?" Simon asked as he winked.

"Me and dream about you? No way!" Sofia replied as she playfully shoved him away. But he was too strong to move by her little shove. Instead of going away Simon pulled Sofia to him and rested her head on his chest as he stroked her hair. Sofia closed her eyes and relished in the wonderful feeling. She could feel his powerful heart beating under her cheek.

"Simon, if the time ever tests our relationship, would you leave me?" Sofia asked as she looked right into his eyes. He looked back into her eyes.

"I wouldn't ever leave you for anything, princess." He said as she lowered her gaze and looked away.

"Next week is my engagement party," Sofia said as fresh tears sprung into her eyes. Simon's body stiffened.

"Engagement party?" Simon repeated.

"Yes. With Calvin. My parents and his parents are friends as well as business partners. His father wanted me and Calvin to marry so that both the families could be united." Sofia told him. Simon was still processing the information he'd gotten just now.

"No this can't happen. I talked to your father. He said I wasn't the man for you because I'm poor. I don't have a degree yet and no career. I respect his choice but you should do what you think is right. How could he do this to you?" Simon asked in disbelief.

"I can't do anything. I talked to Calvin also but he laughed at me because I love a common man. He said he'll marry me if I like it or not. He already forced me to wear his ring and the party is to announce our engagement. The wedding is within three weeks after the engagement party. He'll take me with him to Australia where he's got to handle some business." Sofia said as tears continued to pour out of her eyes like a never-ending river.

"This means that in three week's time you'll be gone?" Simon asked shocked.

"Yes. I don't have a choice but I'm going to talk to mum and dad today. I'll tell them that I don't want to marry Calvin. " Sofia said as she drank some water.

Sofia came home and ate her breakfast quietly. Her mother announced that she'll be staying home for the day as some designers were sending clothes for her to select for her wedding and engagement party.

"Mum, dad please keep sitting. I want to talk to you both." Sofia said as she pushed her unfinished breakfast away. She had lost her appetite. She had to talk to her parents and get this over with.

"I don't want to marry Calvin," Sofia said as she toyed with the end of her napkin. Her mother's eyes widened.

"I knew something like this would happen. You should be grateful that Marianne didn't object to this wedding. She could've had any girl as her daughter in law but she chose you because you're well bred. You know how to behave in social gatherings and places. But most of all she accepted you because you're our daughter. And you're running after some poor assistant? What a shame!" Bella said as she kept her napkin on the table and stood up.

"Mum..." Sofia said but was cut short in between by her father.

"Don't attempt anything foolish. You have a reputation to maintain. Now you are responsible for our reputation and prestige. It's in your hands. Make sure you don't mess it up."Jeremy said as he stood up too.

"Take her to her room!" Jeremy bellowed. At once, Mrs. Clarke came in.

"I love Simon! I don't want to marry Calvin! Please, dad! Mum!" Sofia cried.

"My dear princess, you love Simon. Don't you? So now you will do as we say. Do we have a deal??" Bella said as Sofia nodded her head.

"Then you will marry Calvin and forget Simon. I will ruin Simon and his whole pathetic family. I will bring them onto streets and leave them like beggars begging for every penny. I will ruin Simon's career before it even starts." Jeremy said as he paced around the room. Sofia's head spun from all the talking.

"No!!! Please, dad! Please don't do anything to him or his family!" Sofia said as she fell on her knees in front of him.

"He made you weak. You loved the wrong person, Sofia. Falling in love is the best thing that ever happens but you fell for someone who doesn't belong in your life." Jeremy said as he came closer to her.

"Our staff earns more than his father," Bella said as she scoffed. Bella gestured Mrs. Clarke to take Sofia away. Mrs. Clarke took Sofia to her room. Sofia let her body drop on her bed and cried.

She felt helpless and numb. How will she face this challenge in her life without her father? Every time when Sofia had a problem Jeremy would help her sort it out. She was confused and broke. All she wanted was a fairy godmother who would end the problems in her life with the wave of her wand.

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