Chapter 3 Devastation

Still on the king-sized bed, Sofia looked him in the eyes going into her thoughts once more

"Is something bothering him? He is not the type to be quiet in bed." She wondered as she looked him straight in the eyes.

"Babe, is everything okay?" She asked.

He sighed deeply, looking at her without saying anything. He tried distracting her with a warm kiss on her lips, but she pulled away. She needn't concern herself, but it is obvious that they have passed the level of ignoring each other's problems. David knows everything about her business just the way she does about his. They shared every light detail together.

She leaned into him and rubbed her hair while resting on the headboard, and his head on her chest.

"The allure of your kisses is irresistible, but talk to me about what is going through your mind," her gentle words carried a touch of worry, softly wrapping around the room.

"Do you really want to know?" He said with uncertainty on whether to speak up or not. He was silent for some moments then he spoke.

"The woman who ignites an irresistible desire every time she's near, ever present in my dreams, the one I've passionately cherished and loved for the past fifteen years, is back in town"

Sofia was confused and she tried making sense of it but couldn't.

"Huh...come again please?"

"Her name is Tracy Andre." He said with his voice wavering.

"We met at university years ago and were very close friends"

David paused, lost in memory for a moment.

"Then without warning at the start of the next semester, she was just...gone no text, no call, nothing at all. I didn't even get the chance to tell her how I truly felt. Eventually, through a mutual friend, I heard she had moved back home to Germany. I thought time and distance might erase my feelings, but...they never did. So, when I met you, it was like seeing her all over again. That's why I chose you. And now, out of the blue, Tracy called tonight. She's back in Newyork and wants to meet up."

"And you really want to see her?" Sofia asked quickly, her heart beating fast in fear of him giving the wrong answer.

"I long for her presence while avoiding the sight of her."

He uttered in a strong voice years of buried emotions etched on his face, putting her in a state of fear. Sofia moved away from him, needing distance to process her now swirling emotions. Her heart racing, she struggled to catch her breath, finding it hard to believe that David could be so direct,

uttering these words without a hint of emotion. It was as if she had meant nothing to him all this while, and what they had shared was nothing more than what was contained and signed on the paper.

With the weight of the revelation dawning on her, which had left her in a disoriented mix of disbelief, hurt and a sense of betrayal, she asked

"D..DD..Do..you still love her?" She asked in a very low tone.

"I've always been crazy about her." The room was absolutely silent, her heart thumping loudly, feeling this shape of pain from her heart down to her stomach that she couldn't explain. All this while she thought she meant something to this man, only to find out that she is just a replacement of the woman he couldn't have. A face for his imagination and urge.

How did she end up in such a chaotic predicament?

"You are such an amazing human, Sofia but the only woman that my heart beats for is back, and I believe you understand. Now with Tracy's unexpected return, I see a chance to break free from this charade, to find a genuine partner without the constraints of pretense and family expectations. What we had was only a planned marriage."

His words cut through her like a bitter wind, leaving her shattered and questioning the authenticity of the emotions she believed they shared.

Not minding how much what he said hurt her, David continued.

"Just as it was stated on the contract, you'll be paid, not just for the five months but for the whole year, as agreed. But with a condition that you will seize to exist in this city. I won't be happy if you spoil my relationship that I want to build with Tracy. And I don't want to take the risk of letting my family find out the truth about us. Tomorrow I will make inquiries for a driver to take you to the airport with your full payments being made so u can start a fresh beginning with your life".

Sofia was confused because she didn't see the man she fell in love with. All she was seeing is a cold businessman she met five months ago at Lexcorp auditorium.

"Offering compensation for my relocation seems like an attempt to conceal your unsavory truths." She allowed her anger to get the best of her but David didn't mind.

"Yes, Sofia. I have credibility to safeguard, and I won't lose the woman I love for the second time because of an employee that signed a contract".

Sofia felt a profound ache in her chest as his harsh words sank in, a gasp betraying the deeper hurt she now experienced.

Her voice wavered as she struggled to articulate, a silent battle to retain the remnants of her dignity evident in the tension of her bitten lip.

Given the agreed-upon terms and the contractual arrangement they entered, it seems unfair for her to place blame on him; after all, she willingly played a concealed aspect of his life in exchange for financial support.

Falling in love with him was not part of the contract and she knew better than anyone. Empowered by the pep talk, Sofia stood up, and resolved to cut him off totally.

"I'm okay with it. I'll collect my salary and depart tomorrow."

Despite not anticipating a reply, his silence inflicted deeper wounds as she exited the room, making her way to the living room to speed the night. Suppressing the urge to release the tears that hovered on the brink, she remained herself not to weep for him.