Chapter 8 Sophia.

SOPHIA'S POV.

We stood staring at each other for what seem like an eternity until Max pulled his hand away from my waist and stepped back away from me. I instantly missed his strawberry scent.

"You should be more careful." He said kindly.

I blushed in embarrassment, "thank you."

He stared down at my heels in concern again and said, "if you knew you wouldn't be comfortable in heels, you shouldn't have worn them."

"L_Lucas wanted me to wear them. I had to look my best tonight." My eyes widen at my words. Why am I even telling him this?

"Ah, you're Lucas Sullivan's girlfriend. I forgot." He deep his hands into his pockets, and I had no idea why that little action made my heart beat faster. "Rich people sucks don't you think so?" He said casually, "she told her mom that I was her friend just because of some stupid suit." He laughed bitterly, "I waited so long to meet her family for nothing."

I knew he was talking about Amelia, and I felt the pain in his voice. It made me feel sorry for him. I felt this sudden need to say something to comfort him.

"W_well, I guess she just wants you to look perfect to her mom."

He scoffed and his eyes flashed in anger, "perfect my foot. This Max, is the real Max" He said gesturing to himself. "This is the Max she fell in love with, not the one she's trying to make up to impress her mom. I call bullshit on that."

I realized that his words made quite a lot of sense. You don't try to change someone you claim to love just to impress others. It just means that you're ashamed of who they are.

My heart fell. Is Lucas ashamed of me?

Max watched me intensely for a moment, and I grew nervous under his intense stare.

What was he looking at?

Unconsciously, I pulled at the hem of my dress and Max smiled, "I'm guessing your boyfriend dressed you up for this dinner."

My eyes widen, "he didn't dress me up per say, he just picked out my dress, or should I say, he bought them."

Max shrugged, "same difference. You don't seem at all comfortable in your dress, and it has a little rip at the side."

I panicked, "rip? where?" I checked myself until I found it a little close to my arm. I wanted to cry, "this is my fault for being so fat."

He chuckled, "aww don't say that. It's not because you are fat, which you aren't by the way. It's because the dress is not your size. Lucas should have let you try it on before buying it." Before I could comprehend what was going on, Max has taken off his leather jacket. "Here, let me." He draped it over me, engulfing me in his sweet strawberry scent and warmth. "It's going to cover it nicely."

My heart leap in my chest and butterflies swam in my stomach. He was now only in his flimsy white shirt that looks transparent. His toned chest was visible behind it and I blushed looking away quickly.

Jesus, please forgive my perverted thoughts.

"I think we should head back to the dining table or the mom is going to wonder where the 'beggars' are." He made air quotes at the words beggars with a roll of his eyes, and I couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out of my throat.

I took a step forward, but almost fell on my face, but Max was quick to grab my arm gently. "Careful Dovey, one step at a time."

"Dovey?" I questioned with a frown.

He shrugged, "I'm fond of giving nicknames base on personality. You're just like a dove, gentle and cute." I blushed madly, and he continued without care, "but the name I came up with for Lia's mom is Satan."

I bust out laughing again and almost lost my balance, but Max steadied me again. This time, he grabbed unto my waist.

I could feel the pressure of his palm on my skin, even underneath my dress. My heart won't stop pounding.

He held unto me as we walked in order to support my weight. I was happy about this because my feet hurt so bad now and I couldn't walk straight without support.

"Sophia right?" He spoke again after a moment of silence. "I heard you correct Satan when she called you Samantha."

I giggled at Mrs Sullivan's nickname, "yes. I'm Sophia, Sophia Johnson."

"Maxuel Williams at your service."

Even his name leaves tingles all over my body.

Halfway down the hallway, Amelia appeared and her eyes widen at the sight of us. The position we were in didn't look at all proper. Max was holding unto my waist and arm and I was wearing his jacket.

"What the hell is this?!" She screamed in anger, marching towards us in her heels.

Damn, I wish I could do that.

Amelia pushed us apart and slapped me across the face, so hard that I held my cheek in shock and surprise. The pain gave me a headache.

"You evil slut. you haven't spent much time here and you are already after my man!"

Max grabbed her hand, "what the hell is your problem Lia? You don't know what's really going on. Why would you slap an innocent person?"

Amelia forced her hand out of his hold. Her eyes were dark with anger and annoyance, "I know exactly what is going on Max. This whore is throwing herself at you. I'm not blind!"

"What's all that screaming for?" Lucas voice cut into the moment, and we all glace up to see him coming towards us with Mrs Sullivan and Emma behind him.

Amelia straightened up, glaring hatefully at me, "your girlfriend is throwing herself at my... I mean my friend Max."

Lucas stared at me, and I quickly jumped in to explain. "That is not true Lucas. This is all a misunderstanding"

"Then why are you wearing his jacket and why was he holding unto you in such manner?"

"Stop this madness Lia! I was the one who offered her my jacket." Max put in for the first time. He looks irritated at the situation.

"Then, does that mean you are the one who made a move on her?" Lucas asked in a tone that suggest that he was ready for a fight. "If not, why did you give her your jacket if she didn't ask for it?"

Max looks very offended by Lucas words, "I am not that sort of person Mr Sullivan. Your girlfriend has a rip on her dress, and I was trying to help cover it, and also, she is uncomfortable in her heels. She's not used to it and she probably bruised her ankle. Instead of all these accusations, you should pay more attention to her."

Lucas stared at me and I looked down at my feet like a scared puppy. Lucas came forward and aggressively pulled off Max's jacket from my body.

"She doesn't need it anymore. Thanks for your help." Lucas tone was harsh and it didn't sound like he was thankful at all.

Max took his jacket with a sigh, "you're welcome." He glanced at everyone and added "I think I have overstayed my welcome. It's better I leave."

"So soon?" Amelia didn't seem to like that.

"I think it's for the best." Mrs Sullivan agreed.

Max nodded and draped his jacket over his shoulder. He smiled sweetly at Amelia, and there was something sarcastic about it, "goodbye friend," he said to Amelia, putting emphasis on the last word, before walking away.

"Max wait!" Amelia called and ran after him, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor.

I stared after his retreating figure feeling something strange in my chest as the smell of strawberry still lingered around me.