Chapter 4 Public Debut

Chapter four:

Public Debut

Theme: Appearances vs. Reality

As Adrian and Sophie entered the packed charity event, they could hear cameras snapping all around them. Sophie automatically tensed up, putting a smile onto her face as the dazzling flashing lights hit her.

Adrian whispered, "Smile," as he put his hand securely around her waist and led her through the crowd.

Sophie was starting to lose her nerves. She made an effort to appear relaxed, but it all felt strange. The bright lights, the clinking of glasses, the sound of laughter-all of it was too much. She had the impression that she was on stage, performing for a crowd that had predetermined her behavior.

Sophie whispered to herself, looking up at Adrian for confirmation, "This feels like a performance."

Adrian's attention was on their way through the crowd, not on her. "It is," he stated in a calm, nearly aloof voice. "And you're doing all right."

The words were supposed to be consoling, but they didn't make her chest feel any less tense. As guests welcomed them, Sophie continued to nod and grin broadly. Her thoughts were racing, attempting to cope with the situation's unfamiliarity. Why had she come here at all? She had not imagined living this life.

But at this point, she had few options.

Sophie couldn't get rid of the sensation that everyone was observing them as they moved around the event. That every action, every word, was being watched.

Adrian heard her uneasiness and added softly, "Just follow my lead." His fingers gripped her waist a little tighter.

Sophie nodded while attempting to concentrate on the discussion at hand. When a deep-voiced man complemented her on her clothing, she quickly and courteously thanked him. However, her mind kept straying, returning to the odd messages she had been sent and the secrets Adrian was keeping.

"Slow down," Adrian spoke in a forceful but gentle tone. "You're not doing this alone."

She allowed herself to believe him for a time. As they went from group to group, Adrian introducing her to people and Sophie trying her best to keep up, the tension in her shoulders gradually subsided. However, she was soon drawn to something that made her stomach turn.

A crisp, distinctly feminine voice with a vicious edge broke through the cacophony of the crowd. "Well, if Adrian Blackwell's new wife isn't involved."

With a lurch in her stomach, Sophie spun around to see a woman standing with a group of people. The woman was attractive, with sharp features and dark hair, and she was wearing a sophisticated gown that exuded elegance. Her eyes glinted as she examined Sophie, and she carried herself with a sense of superiority.

"Victoria Kingsley," she replied, her smile icy and endearing. "I have a long history with Adrian."

Sophie's anxiety flared up again, and her heart fell. She felt nervous when Adrian's past was brought up. She knew there were aspects of his life that she didn't understand and that he wasn't sharing with her, so she wasn't naive.

Sophie attempted a courteous grin and gulped hard. Despite the growing tension, she said, "Nice to meet you," in a steady voice.

Victoria's eyes lingered a bit too long, and although her smile didn't reach her eyes, it did widen. With a bitter edge to her voice, she remarked, "I'm sure we'll see more of each other."

As Sophie turned, she could feel the woman's gaze on her, but Victoria didn't appear interested in continuing the conversation. She left a lasting impact on Sophie before turning her focus back to the other visitors.

With her gut still constricted with pain, Sophie exhaled slowly. It felt more comforting than ever to have Adrian by her side.

"Are you alright?" Adrian's voice was low as he asked. He didn't have to inquire. As the woman stepped away, he could see the strain in her stance and the way her eyes remained focused on Victoria.

Even though the uneasiness was still bothering her, Sophie nodded. Indeed. I simply didn't anticipate that.

Adrian tightened his jaw. "Victoria is a former acquaintance of mine. You shouldn't be concerned about her. Simply avoid interacting with her.

Sophie wanted to ask more questions, but Adrian's expression warned her that was not the right moment. She just nodded, swallowing the words.

Adrian took her arm and steered her away from the crowd, saying, "Let's go somewhere more private."

Throughout the evening, Sophie couldn't get rid of the uneasy feeling she had about Victoria. It seemed as though Victoria was claiming her territory by the way she had looked at her and the abrasiveness in her voice.

Sophie made herself ignore the thought. Her issues were more serious. Adrian had been very clear that he didn't want her to know about his history. And she had to follow his rules if she wanted to live in this new world.

Later that night, Adrian discovered Sophie whirling a glass of champagne in his palm at the bar. She was buried in concentration, gazing into her own drink.

Leaning at the bar next to her, he watched her with a casual stance and keen eyes.

"Didn't Victoria corner you?" He asked in a calm but slightly abrasive tone.

Sophie took a moment to look up. She was still trying to make sense of the event and was still processing it. "Do I need to worry?" The tension she had been suppressing began to show in her voice, and it trembled slightly.

Adrian's eyes darkened and his jaw tensed at the inquiry. "Remain away from her," he warned in a hard, icy tone. "She is trouble." It has always been. Just try not to think about her.

Though she couldn't help but feel uneasy, Sophie nodded. She didn't get the assurance she was hoping for from Adrian's warning. Her curiosity in the woman and the history Adrian seemed so desperate to keep her away from only grew as a result.

However, Adrian's tone was definitive, and Sophie could sense he wasn't open to discussing this.

Adrian added, his voice gentler this time, "Don't worry about her." Consider your purpose for being here. We work as a team. Don't allow her or anybody else to divert your attention from it.

Sophie made an effort to grin, but it fell short of her eyes. "All right. We work as a team.

As the night went on, Sophie discovered that she was torn between Adrian's world's glistening exterior and the evil that was hiding behind it. If she could trust anyone at all, she had no idea who to put her trust in. Although Adrian appeared to be in control, she could sense the burden of unresolved questions and secrets that hung between them, and she wasn't sure she was prepared to face them.

She was going to leave the bar when she noticed a movement in the crowd. A man with his back to Sophie was talking animatedly with Victoria. But she felt a sharp jolt of recognition as he turned to face her.

Sophie stopped.

The face of the man standing next to Victoria seemed too familiar.

Her dad.

her father, whom she no longer sees.

For a brief period, Sophie was unable to breathe as her heart missed a beat. Why was he in this place? He was speaking to Victoria, but why?

As her mind raced, she automatically took a step back, attempting to blend in with the throng. She was unable to comprehend this and cope with it at this time. The space was oppressive.

Years had passed since her father disappeared from her life. He lived far away from her world, on the opposite side of the nation, when she last heard from him. Now, however, he stood next to the woman Adrian had forewarned her about.

One question after another piled up. What brought him here? How was he related to Victoria? What did this signify for Adrian and her?

As Sophie struggled to restore emotional control, her heart pounded in her chest. But despite her best efforts, she was unable to shake the sensation that her world was slowly falling apart and that she was enmeshed in something much more perilous than she had anticipated.