Chapter 3 3

The next few weeks were like a nightmare to me. I had no motivation to do anything so I took a break from work. I was waking up, eating and sleeping on a loop for the whole week. Thanks to our maid, I never had to worry about the cooking. She was the one providing everything I needed to eat the whole week.

I felt devastated!

It felt like I had lost my passion for everything that used to excite me, including work. The betrayal from Oliver and Chloe still hurt like a fresh cut.

I found out from our maid that my dad was aware of the affair between Oliver and Chloe,but acted like it was nothing. I knew he did that out of preference, Chloe being his favorite.

"I should have told you this a while back but I was scared of losing my job" the maid said.

It pained me more that my father could watch that happen to me. No wonder he never had a second thought about Oliver while he was talking about the contract. I connected the dots and the picture got clearer. I was being used the whole time.

They never cared about my feelings. Nobody does!. I knew I couldn't continue staying at home,else depression might set in. And I wouldn't consider going back to work at my dad's company.

Not a chance in hell!

My only resort was to accept the proposal from the Smith's family. So I made up my mind to face whatever fate brings my way next. I went to my dad immediately after he got back from work. He seemed to have been exhausted from the day's work but I couldn't care less. He acted like he hadn't noticed my absence from work the whole week.

"Hey,Dad," I greeted him.

"Hi, Sophia. How have you been doing, my baby girl?"he said. His expression unreadable.

Is he kidding right now? And when did I become his baby girl again?

"I've been doing really great. I really have." I replied sarcastically, shooting him a deadly glance. "I need to have a discussion with you."I said to him.

"Well,I'm all ears, I had a really busy day at work today attending to business partners from across the country. The only thing I need right now is a good rest,but what harm can a few minutes of discussion with my baby girl do?. Compared to the stress I've gone through already."

I scoffed internally.Can he stop with the "baby girl" pretence already? Ugh!

"So get to it. And by the way, have you decided yet? He asked impatiently .

"Well, that's why I'm here." I took a deep breath, as if trying to reconsider my decision one more time.

"I'll do it. I'll marry Lucas." He nodded with a satisfied grin. That statement seemed to be the most interesting part of our conversation so far to him.

"Good,this is the best decision for our family."he said excitedly. "I'll arrange a meeting as soon as possible. We need to have a formal introduction before you move in'

The next day, a dinner meeting was arranged at an exclusive restaurant with the Smiths. We arrived at the venue a bit late,and they were already seated. The restaurant was bathed in dim golden light,the kind designed to enhance the illusion of exclusivity. Richard Smith,a business tycoon and billionaire sat dominantly on the seat. Beside him was his son,Lucas trailing silently,his presence commanding yet brooding.

I had seen pictures of him before,but they hardly did him justice. He wasn't just handsome -he was 'arresting',with sharp cheekbones and a confidence that radiated even in silence. I couldn't stop looking at his perfectly carved physique as I approached them. He was properly groomed,his hair styled with precision and carved with attention to every detail. Sleep edges,defined lines and not a single strand out of place.

God damn!

He didn't seem to notice us until we got closer to the table. He stood up to greet my dad,his posture casual but tense, followed suit by his dad. He barely acknowledged my presence as he pulled his chair and got back on his seat.

Mr. Richard cleared his throat as we took our seats. "I appreciate you both meeting us tonight,"he began,his tone carefully measured. "Lucas,meet Sophia."

Lucas let out a quiet scoff, swirling the drink in his glass before taking a slow sip.

"Hi," he said coldly. All I could hear was a baritone throaty voice. I stole a glance at him, searching for any emotion in his gaze -but there was none. He remained unreadable,his fingers tracing the edge of his glass absentmindedly.

I felt an immediate shift in the atmosphere. Was he forced to come? I have heard from different sources that he broke up with his ex-girlfriend a while ago. Was that the reason for his nonchalance?.

His dad gave him a warning glance,but he didn't seem concerned. Richard leaned forward, resting his forearms on the polished wood of the table. "Sophia,"he said,his voice rich and authoritative. "I understand this might not be what you envisioned for your future. But I want to assure you that Lucas is a good man. Despite his business struggles,he is still my son,still worthy of the kind of marriage that holds value beyond money."

Lucas set his drink down,his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Let's not sugarcoat things. We all know why we are here- my financial struggles,her mother's condition and my supposed role as the solution."he said,his gaze steady but indifferent.

"What I need to know is-are you doing this because you want to, or because you feel you have no choice?."

The question caught me off guard. Was there a right answer?

I swallowed hard. This wasn't about him,it was about my mother. The cost of backing out of this deal wasn't heartbreak;it was my mother's life. I hesitated,then met his gaze.

"I wouldn't be sitting here if I didn't think this was the best decision." I clenched my jaw, refusing to let his attitude get to me. If anything,he confirmed what I already knew -this wasn't about love.

My dad cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the conversation. "Sophia is an intelligent, capable woman. She understands the reality of this situation and she has made her decision."

I inhaled deeply before speaking again. "I'm not expecting romance,Lucas. But I am expecting respect."

He held my gaze for a moment,his expression unreadable. Then,he nodded slightly. "That,I can manage."

Richard let out a relieved sigh, turning to my father. "We'll ensure she has everything she needs. The transition will be smooth as silk. Now let's discuss terms", he said, resting his back comfortably on the luxurious chair.

I listened as they negotiated the deals but barely absorbed the words. My mind drifted to Oliver,to the betrayal,to Chloe sitting naked on his couch -a cruel reminder that love,in its purest form, was a fragile illusion.

Maybe this wasn't love. Maybe this was survival!

And maybe, just maybe, Lucas Smith was the exact kind of distraction I needed.