Puri

2 | The Bachelor and his Coachman

After the fitting, the two mothers left Sofia and Antonio to each other's company, under the supervision of the Colombo Family's youngest coachman, Felipe. Doña Elena reasoned that the two should "start getting comfortable with each other" since the wedding is around the corner.

So now, Sofia is strolling the crowded market with the cocky Antonio beside her and his coachman following at a distance behind them. She wished Lilia was there with her. Alas, her mother insisted that they are left alone together. Filipe was there to make sure that there are no funny businesses.

Sofia resorted to the comfort of her silver owl pendant. Her father gave it to her when she was younger. He said it symbolizes wisdom, which is the meaning of her name. He wanted her to grow with the wisdom of an owl.

She managed to do just that, along with other qualities such as grace, beauty, self-esteem and snobbishness.

"So," Antonio said after a while of silence. The bachelor walks with springs on his shoes and hands behind his back. "What do you do for fun, Binibining Sofia?"

Sofia wanted to roll her eyes. His first question sounds like it's ripped straight out of a cassanova's playbook. Nevertheless, Sofia answered in forced courtesy. "I love to read, Ginoo."

Antonio nodded.

They are heading to a less crowded area now, where a newspaper printing press is located beside a pawn shop and a bookstore. Sofia's eyes lit up at the sight of a familiar figure. The merchant in buri hat from a while ago winked at her from the pawnshop. Sofia flushed, opening her abanico to hide her smile.

"Did you see something of interest, Binibini?" Antonio asked, peeking at her abanico-covered face. He must have sensed her change of mood.

"Ah," he exclaimed, noticing the bookstore nearby. "Do you wish to see browse some books, Binibini?"

Sofia composed herself. The merchant had turned their back on her and is now talking to the pawnbroker. She removed the abanico from her face and nodded to Antonio. "I wish to find new books for my collection," she said before walking ahead.

Antonio watched her with awe. Her demeaning personality did not affect him a bit. He looked back to Felipe, who was standing at a safe distance from them. He winked at the coachman, a crooked grin on his face.

The coachman shook his head in disbelief. Antonio was actually enjoying himself. He is really determined to annoy the Chief Justice's daughter until she snaps and asks her father to withdraw from the silly wedding engagement.