Chapter 7 NOT A TREASURE HUNT

Sebastian's POV

I stormed toward the garden, spotted Sophia near the fountain,she was casually leaning against the stone edge with a cigarette between her fingers.

"Sophia," I called out as I approached.

She turned slowly with a smirk on her lips as she took another drag from her cigarette.

"Sebastian, darling, I have been looking for you everywhere but you don't seem to have my time, you look stressed," she said grinning before blowing out another cloud of smoke.

"Should I help you ease your stress or cigarette might help you relax you know.

I ignored her offer, stepping closer with my gaze fixated on her.

"Where is she, Sophia?"

Sophia arched an eyebrow.

"Who? Your bride to be? What's her name again? I don't know, Sebastian. Why ask me that question?"

"Don't play games with me, Sophia. I saw the footage. You took her to a car. Where did you take her?"

Sophia chuckled softly, flicking the ashes from her cigarette.

" Are you being silly right now? I took her to the car, I didn't drive the car, moreover I was just being helpful.

She looked like she needed a break from all the excitement so I escorted her to the car when the driver came to take her home.

She didn't seem too thrilled about staying, you know, I guess she is not familiar with settings like this"

"Bullshit," I snapped, "I didn't send her any driver and I am so sure she is not dumb enough to go with a stranger."

"The guy said he was from you." Sophia shrugged

"You expect me to believe that she willingly got into that car without her phone either, without telling anyone? Who was the driver, Sophia? Where did they take her?"

She tilted her head with a playful expression,

"You are awfully concerned about her, aren't you, Sebastian? I never knew you could be so attached to anyone, you are making me envious."

I took a step closer, making my voice intimidating as possible.

"Stop dodging the question, Sophia. If you don't tell me where she is, I swear..."

She cut me off with a laugh, shaking her head as she took one last drag from her cigarette before flicking it into the fountain.

"You are so serious all the time, Sebastian. Isn't it exhausting? Maybe that's why she wanted to leave because I don't believe an adult would get lost in a party like this."

I grabbed her by the arm, yanking her closer until our faces were inches apart.

"Enough with the games," I growled. "Where. Is. She?"

Sophia's expression shifted and she suddenly adopted a more vulnerable tone.

"Sebastian." She called out " I swear I don't know anything okay, the guy came and said he was acting under your command and she jumped at the opportunity alli did was escort her."

I searched her eyes for any sign of deceit but all I saw was the flicker of fear she was trying so hard to hide and I couldn't afford to trust anything she said, not when Alexa's safety was on the line.

"Who arranged the car?" I demanded, loosening my grip just enough to keep her talking.

Sophia shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

"As I said, I don't know, Sebastian. I just assumed it was part of your plans since you were too busy to spend time with her . Please, believe me I am telling you the truth."

I released her arm, disgusted by the act she was putting on.

"If I find out you are lying, Sophia, you will regret it," I warned.

She took a step back, rubbing her arm where I had grabbed her with tears now streaming down her face.

"I am not lying, Sebastian. I would never do anything to hurt her. I just thought I was helping."

"Helping?" I echoed with disbelief. "You call taking her away from the party without telling anyone 'helping'?"

Sophia looked down, biting her lip as she shook her head.

" You still don't believe me."

"Stay out of my way, Sophia," I said, my voice hard. "If I find out you are involved in this in any way, you will regret it."

Sophia's tears fell faster now as she reached out to grab my arm.

"Why, Sebastian? Why can't you love me? Won't I fit Into your homes' aesthetic better?"

"Sophia," I began, trying to stay calm and pull away but she

held onto me more tightly, her nails beginning to dig into my skin,"

"I have consistently supported you," she went on, "I have done everything you asked, everything I think you wanted,

I have remained calm, I have been patient... yet you never acknowledge my efforts! You are always so focused on other things, other people, and now... now it's her. Why her, Sebastian? Why not me?

She choked on her last word and buried her face in my chest.

"Sophia, listen to me," I said firmly as I gently but decisively pushed her away from me.

" To be honest there is no nicer way to say this." I paused

" I basically don't love you enough to add you to my homes'

She let out a choked sob, stumbling back as if my words had physically struck her.

"You're cruel," she whispered. "You're so damn cruel."

" I am sure that cruelty is something you have always known but never wanted to accept."

" But I love you, what should I do with it?" she moved closer again

" Sadly you don't, so trash whatever emotions you think you are feeling." I took a little step backwards

She snickered, " Maybe this is why I love you, that raw coldness in your heart gives me butterflies that I will gladly dig for any love left in it."

" This is not some treasure hunt." I said in disgust

" You don't have to place a name on it but I will take whatever scraps you throw my way, Sebastian. Anything is better than this emptiness." she smirked while I just stared at her wondering how someone could be so pathetic, is this really the only purpose she could find on earth.

Seeing as I won't say anything she continued,

"But I want you to know, Sebastian, that I won't stop caring. Even if you push me away, I will always care."

She said and started to walk away

" And Alexa?"

" Good luck finding her."

I sighed in frustration, she is such a waste of time.

Alexa's POV

"If someone took their precious time to kidnap me and kill me, I guess I am not that worthless."