Chapter 5 HE HATES HER

" Mrs King, your breakfast is on the dinner table ". A voice called Sophie out of her dreamland and she groaned into her pillow.

She cracked her eyelid open and stared at the light peeping from her large glass window. Sophie stood from her queen-sized bed and stood in front of her large mirror.

" Mrs, King. Are you awake?! ". The voice that she clearly remembered as the old maid called out again.

She wanted to scream out so badly. Anyone who saw her would tell she was not a morning person. " Yes! ". She answered.

" I would be down in a second ". She said and headed into her washroom. A few minutes later, she headed downstairs.

The mansion was so quiet, a pin could be heard if dropped. She wondered if Alexander was around and immediately the feeling of hatred washed over her after she remembered the events of last night.

She sat on the chair in the dinning room and was surprised by the amount of food laid out before her.

" Would you like anything else, Mrs King? ". The maid asked.

Sophie groaned at the name. " You can just call me Sophie ". She cleared her throat. " What can I call you? ".

" Mrs Hutchins would do ". She answered briefly.

" You do not have to be formal with me. How about you join me to eat. This is all too much for me ". Sophie lamented with a weary look on her face.

Mrs Hutchins gave a brief laugh. " I cannot possibly join you to eat on the master's table". She said. " The food is this much because it was prepared for two, ma'am ".

" Just Sophie. By two, you mean Alexander and I, right? ".

" Yes! ". Mrs Hutchins said, her eyes ascertaining Sophie.

" And where is he? ". Sophie asked with the smallest level of curiosity.

" He already left for work, Sophie ". She said with a small smile.

" And he didn't eat? ".

" Yes, he had an urgent meeting to attend to so he left early ". She said and briefly excused herself.

Sophie took a bite of her apple while staring into space. She thought about how much her life had changed in the span of a week.

Deep down she knew she was truly grateful for Alexander's financial assistance, but she thought he could possibly be nicer about it and she was still curious as to why he married her in the first place if he was going to keep her at arm's length with a hatred so strong.

A thought crossed her mind and she stood up and headed in the direction of the kitchen where she knew Mrs Hutchins was. Mrs Hutchins turned to look at her with a questionable face and a small smile.

" Would you like anything, darling? ". She asked. Sophie was immediately reminded of her mother.

" Do you think Alexander would want his food? ". She asked and was given a look that signified that the maid was lost.

" I mean, Mrs...I mean Sophie, who wouldn't want their food? ". She asked with a funny look.

Sophie tried to rephrase her sentence and cleared her throat. " Do you think Alexander would mind if I..."

" If you..?"

" ... If I took his food to him?". She finally said. Although Alexander was not really the nicest to her, she wanted to do something nice for him, also she was curious about his business and office.

Mrs Hutchins beamed at her. " I think that's a lovely idea. He must really adore you and you must truly care about him too". She giggled. Sophie blindly agreed with her.

" I am sure Mike can take you. He is never busy ". She mumbled. " I do frequently wonder what he does in this house anyways ".

Sophie laughed. " Let me help you pack some of the food ". Mrs Hutchins said.

" Can I help you do that? ". Sophie said.

" Oh definitely not. You need to go dress up. Wear something really nice for your husband ". She said and giggled a little. " I would handle the things here. Look really beautiful! ".

Sophie was so tempted to ask why this woman was particular about her pleasing Alexander. Keeping that thought in mind, she headed to her room to get ready.

She suddenly felt unsure of her decision when she put a red dress on. She circled around her room in the name of checking her fit out. Sophie hoped that Alexander was in a good mood.

With a little smile on her face, she went down to help Mrs Hutchins.

She applauded after seeing her. " You look absolutely stunning, my dear. I am sure Alexander would not be able to take his eyes off you when he sees you ". This made Sophie feel nervous and anxious about what Alexander might actually think of her.

She headed towards the direction of her designated car, a brand new Audi, when she sighted Mike already on his way.

" Good morning, Mrs King". He greeted happily. " Where will you like to go today? ". He collected the food package from her hand and placed it on the back seat.

" I would prefer you call me Sophie. If you do not mind, can you take me to Alexander's office? ".

He smiled. " Yes, of course get in ".

She climbed into the car and he drove off. She watched as various cars passed by absentmindedly and a few minutes later at the center of the city stood a large building. The exterior was made with glass and it was boldly decorated.

She got out of the car and carried the package along with her. Mike offered to help, but she declined and made her way towards the entrance.

The two doors automatically opened and she was revealed to a calm business environment on the first floor. And that was when she realized she didn't know what floor her husband worked on.

She walked towards the receptionist and continuously felt the heat of a numerous number of people's eyes on her. She wondered if something was wrong with her dressing.

" Hi, my name is Sophie and ..." she started to speak when she was caught off my a giggling receptionist.

" ...and you are Mr Alexander wife! I saw you on the news and you are even more beautiful in real life!". The girl who looked like her age commented.

Sophie wondered if that was the same reason everyone in the room was looking at her. She cleared her throat. " I would like to see Alexander. What floor is he on? ". She smiled at the receptionist.

She smiled back. " It is such a pleasure meeting you. Who would believe that cold man is capable of loving anybody? ". The girl said and quickly added. " Sorry about that. His office is on the fifth floor which is also the highest floor. You can go through the elevator ". She pointed towards the elevator.

Sophie regarded her with a smile and a " thank you" and walked towards the direction of the elevator.

She placed the package on the elevator floor and pressed on the fifth floor. She waited patiently, chewing on her lower lip as she rode up. She knew Alexander was unpredictable and did not know what to expect.

The elevator stopped on the fifth floor and she walked out. She was greeted by a large room filled with classy decorations and professional people.

With the little confidence she had, she walked to the floor receptionist and inquired of Alexander office. The receptionist directed her and she was on her way.

In front of his office was a young woman she suspected to be his secretary. She walked to her and introduced herself.

" I know you ". The lady said bitterly clearly not hiding her hatred for her.

Sophie ignored her and knocked on the glass door that enclosed Alexander's cubicle.

A deep voice answered her, " Juliet, I never told you to come in". She opened the door and closed it behind her.

He raised his head from the document he was reading and looked up at her. His face went from utter shock to anger to emptiness.

He stood up and she wanted the ground to swallow her up. " Why are you here, Sophie?! ". He demanded in a loud voice.

He eyed the package on her hand and she almost felt like dumping it and running away from him.

She stammered. " I thought... I thought that ..." she cleared her throat. " Mrs Hutchins said you didn't eat ".

He looked at her with an empty expression. " And why are you here? ".

" I brought your food for you ". She gestured towards the package.

" If you are trying to get to my good side, then I don't recommend you do that ". He said sharply.

She walked towards his large table and dropped the package. She said, " You said I should not be on your bad side either. Then where do you want me to be? ".

" Out of my life! ". He pinched the bridge of his nose.

He was acting inconsiderate and cruel to her, but she decided to bottle up her feelings.

" Then why did you marry me in the first place?! ". She asked him with a furious look.

He walked towards her and she backed away. " So I can save your poor family from ruin ". He said and a single tear rolled from her eyes.

" You really are pathetic, you know this right? You are cruel and this is why people do not love you, Alexander! ". She said.

" You are treading on a thing line, Sophie! ". He gutted out.

" Would you rather I keep quiet while you trample over me instead. You could easily help me with the medical bills and you know this. So why did you marry me? ". She said desperately.

" It occurs I am just not a really generous man then, Sophie. Whatever image of goodness that you have of me in your little head, I would advise that you trash it ". He said.

" It is not my fault that I am not able to pay my own mother's medical bills, Alexander ". She stated. " And I am not in this marriage because it is convenient for me either! ".

She started to walk away when she felt his hand on hers. She held a breath when he turned her to face him back and he took another step towards her.

" You do not walk out of me, Sophie! ". He commanded. She looked straight into his blue eyes and was mesmerized by his beauty.

" You do not want my presence ".

" Yes". He said. " I would advise you take your food back to where it is coming from ". He carried the package and gave it back to her.

She refused to take it. " Mrs Hutchins advised that you take it ". And she walked out of him.

Alexander stood, staring at the back of his wife and she jammed the door on his face.