Chapter 8 A HOUSE DIVIDED

"Ah, there they are," Tom said as we both came down the stairs as a lovely couple.

Bran took his seat at the table, and I sat next to him while Tom sat opposite us.

"I am still quite surprised that you two ended up getting married. If I recall correctly, you both faced a difficult issue years back," Tom said, pretentiously concerned.

"It was not quite difficult enough to put an end to the love we have for each other, Uncle Tom, the past shouldn't matter, but the future," Bran said and caressed my hand gently, and I smiled back.

"You're right, I was just being concerned about Sophia ... you know she had it worse during that time," Tom continued.

Bran quickly glanced at me and hoped what his uncle said didn't trigger me to act out.

"Thank you for the concern, Tom, but I can tell you that we have resolved those differences and now I hope to create a future with Bran," I said and smiled at Bran as he smiled back, satisfied with my response.

"Well, I wouldn't press further if you feel so. But remember, you can always come to me if you have any issues about Bran, he's been more of a son to me ever since my brother passed," Tom said cunningly.

I responded with a closed smile as Tom stood from his seat and took his leave, while Ken walked in.

"What was he doing here?" Ken asked as he took his seat.

"Nothing of importance, you know how he is," Bran said and took a sip of his coffee.

I remembered him, I remembered Ken. He was and is still Bran's most trusted friend and confidante. I met with him a few times when I was with Bran a couple of years back.

He finally saw that I was at the table.

"Oh my goodness, pardon me, Sophia, I am sorry for my negligence. Top of the morning to you," Ken said with a smile as he stretched out his hand to me.

"Does he not remember me? Why the sudden awkward way of greeting?"

"Good morning, you must be Ken?" I acted along and asked as I shook his hand.

"Bran must have said a lot about me, I hope they weren't bad things," Ken said as he laughed.

"Hmmm," I muttered.

"There is no need to act like it's your first time meeting her, Ken".

"Oh, my bad.... I figured you two would want to start all over on a clean slate," Ken apologized.

Pierre, Bran's P. He also walked into the main living room with a couple of documents as he approached the table where we all sat.

"Good morning, sirs, good morning, ma'am," Pierre said.

"Morning," Ken and I responded with a smile.

"What do you have for me for today?" Bran asked directly without responding to Pierre's greetings.

"Here, sir," Pierre said and handed over the documents to Bran at the table.

"How many times have we tried to meet with the MD regarding the Grekka project?" Bran asked as he glanced through the documents.

"About four times now, sir," Pierre said.

"And do you think the fifth time would be a success?" Bran asked as he looked up at Pierre.

"Possibly, sir, I guess we just have to keep trying till we are able to get in touch with him".

I suddenly remembered that my Dad called to meet with him today.

"Pierre, is there a chance that I don't have any activity to carry out with Bran today?" I asked as I hoped for a positive answer.

"No ma'am.....well not that I am aware of," Pierre said as he made eye contact with Bran, whose eyes could pierce his soul.

"Awesome!".

"I'll be waiting for you outside -I'll-I'll take my leave now, sir," Pierre said and exited the main living room.

"I see you are eager to have the day all to yourself and be out there," Bran said as he put all the documents together.

"Who wouldn't?" I said, ready to retaliate.

"Who are you off to see?" Bran asked, curious to know.

"Who I see or where I go to is none of your business, Bran. The earlier you realize that, the faster you will move on. Now, if you will excuse me," I said and went back upstairs.

Ken glanced at me as I went upstairs, and then glanced at Bran, but I could still hear them talking.

**

"She's changed completely, man," Ken said.

"I know".

"What if she already has someone else?" Bran turned to Ken and asked.

"Someone else? And still got married to you? I don't think Sophia is that kind of person".

"She's no longer the Sophia we used to know, Ken, I fear this alone won't be able to bring her back to me," Bran said and held his head low.

"C'mon man....I still think there is a part of her that still loves you and wants you back," Ken said.

"You haven't been with her these past few days, she is practically disgusted by me," Bran said, his head in his hands.

"She will come around, you and I both know you are doing all of this out of goodwill and the love you have for her".

"That incident hurt her, I could feel it, Ken," Bran said, his eyes on Ken.

"Have you had the chance to explain what happened that day to her?" Ken asked.

"No.....she doesn't even want to hear it".

"Then with time, she will get to know the truth," Ken said and patted Bran on the back.

As I wanted to know the truth, a part of me didn't because I don't think I can forgive him that easily, so I would rather be in the dark. Besides, I am just his contract wife and nothing more.

***

I got back upstairs and put a call through to my Dad.

"Sophia," he said over the phone.

"Morning, Dad".

"Are you finally going to be able to see me today? It's important that I see you."

"That's why I called, and yes, I will see you today. I wonder what is so important that you want to see me".

"It is about your safety, but I will tell you more when we see," he said.

"Okay?.... The cafe right by the house? Is that fine?" I asked.

"Yes, yes".

"Okay then, I'll see you by 2," I said as Bran walked into the room, and I hung up.

"Are you going to be late?" Bran asked as he walked towards the wardrobe.

"You don't plan on waiting for me, do you?" I asked mockingly.

"What if I want to?" Bran asked.

"Please, I don't have the time and strength to go back and forth with you," I said and walked into the bathroom.

I was already dressed and set to leave as I found my purse and phone and found my way out of the Garner's residence in a taxi I called for to the cafe to meet with my Dad.

"Hi," I said as I walked up to where my dad sat, waiting for me and took my seat before him.

"Oh, Sophia, it is so good to see you," he said as he held my hands with his two hands.

"Dad, why do you sound this way? Is anything the problem?" I asked.

"How are you coping with Bran?" he asked.

"Well, I've got my ways, I can handle him. Getting back our company is my priority," I said and smiled.

"That is what I wanted to talk to you about, Sophia," he said.

"Oh, okay."

"I was thinking maybe Henna can be of help".

"Henna?" I said as I signalled the waitress to come over.

"Yes, Henna," he said.

The waitress came over to where we sat with the menu.

"Good morning, what would you like to order?" she asked.

"Let me just have a cup of coffee, two cubes and more milk," I said and turned to my dad as the waitress took her leave.

"What has Henna got to do with this?" I asked.

"I was thinking maybe she can come live with you at the Garners' residence".

"Come live with me? Dad, how did you even come up with that? Or did Henna put you up to this?" I asked cause I knew the kind of sister I have.

"No, no no, of course not, it was entirely my idea because I want you to be safe......Handing you over to that trickster and leaving you there all alone has been bothering me, Sophia".

"And getting Henna to come live with me is the solution? Dad, you know how Henna has always felt about Bran," I said, almost vexed.

"She is past that, she no longer feels the same way about him anymore, ever since he took over our company that way".

"Is that what she told you? And you actually believed her?"

"She didn't tell me anything, I came up with the idea and I want her close to you because I can not bear to have you there all alone and that's period!".

"Then why does it always have to go your way or Henna's way? Why don't I have a choice in all of this?! You gambled away our money, and we lost our company because I was never involved in your dealings; it was always Henna!" I asked out of anger.