Chapter 8 Tug Of War

Sophia's POV

⁓August 25, 2025: Dimitri & Lena's Wedding Day⁓

It's exactly one week since my failed attempt at running away. One week since my second and best kiss ever. One week since I got reintroduced to Alexander Thorne as his fiancée.

And one week of receiving large rose bouquets from him daily. It's a garden in my bedroom.

I didn't get scolded as he promised.

I remained at home, mostly in my bedroom, being the good and praiseworthy daughter as usual, of course, after my mom confirmed my non-existent boyfriend didn't take what I should be saving for my wedding night with Alexander.

My parents-my mom especially-believe he's the best man any woman can ask for. She counts me the luckiest and herself the luckiest mother. He could do no wrong in their eyes.

In my eyes, I'm not sure yet.

Because he's looking at me now from across the room, and the look in his eyes tells me he wants to do everything wrong to me.

His gaze pins me, dark and unyielding, despite the happiness floating in the air at this wedding reception, despite his involvement in the couple's activities since he's one of Dimitri's best men.

A wave of heat floods through me. And one-week-old memories begin bleeding into my mind: the feel of his lips on mine, the feel of his piercings against me, his hands on me, his scent, his dark, enticing gaze... The delicious taste of his mouth.

I still crave it in my sleep.

I drop my gaze quickly and pick up my champagne glass, sipping.

"Alex, focus!" Dimitri's cheerful voice rings across the gorgeous hall.

When I raise my head, his eyes are back on the golden rope they're all pulling in a tug-of-war.

A precious smile is plastered on his face as he stands behind Dimitri. Dark hair falls over his eyes. He's so beautifully made. His deep blue suit fits him majestically; he should be jailed for looking so good.

He mutters something to the person behind him, Lucio, the second best man, and they all laugh, pulling even harder.

Team Dimitri vs Team Lena. Five against Five.

Team Dimitri: Dimitri, Alexander, Lucio, and the rest of the men in their circle. One is absent.

Team Lena: Lena (the most beautiful woman and wife I've ever met), Emily (her best friend and maid of honor), Barbara, and the rest of the ladies in their circle.

Lucio and Emily actually got married yesterday, and along with Lena, they're the only three outside the tight-knit circle-older, wealthier, and partly way out of my league socially. Thanks to Dimitri, I get to hang out with them.

The ladies pull harder, failing miserably yet still trying and laughing. Anybody can tell the guys are being easy on them.

The hall echoes with loud cheers, and I can't help but join in.

"Team Lena!" I cheer, clapping my hands in excitement.

The winning side gets a million dollars. If the ladies win, Dimitri pays. If the guys win, Alexander pays since the game was his idea.

"You fraudsters are way stronger!" Barbara yells, pulling the end of her side. "It's unfair!"

"Get another lady," Dimitri replies, staring at his woman like she's a prized jewel.

I read Lena's lips in this moment, "Let us win," she mouths to her husband, giggling.

"Saw that." Alexander voices behind Dimitri.

"Sophia?!"

My ears tingle, and immediately, my eyes travel to Barbara.

"Sophia, join us!"

"M-me?" I stutter, pointing a finger at myself.

"YES!" The ladies chant desperately.

My cheeks burn, and naturally, my eyes meet Alexander's gaze.

A perfect smirk forms on his lips before he throws the most heart-fluttering wink at me.

My heart skips a beat.

"SOPHIA?!" They plead again.

I drop my glass and purse on the cocktail table and hurry to join them.

"Hello, Sophia," Barbara greets, making room for me. "It's been a minute."

"Good evening, Barbara," I smile at her.

"Your shoes..." she mutters, and we both stare at my René Caovilla Chandelier Sandals.

"Um..."

"As long as you don't fall." She says with urgency, turning serious.

I grip the rope. Now five against six.

"Brace up, Sweetie," Candace says in front of me. "I need that money for a new car."

I give her a nod, feeling the thrill buzz through me.

And in 3, 2, 1, we begin pulling again.

I'm yanked forward so hard my breath escapes in a shocked gasp.

My toes curl desperately inside my sandals as I pull, fighting not to end up face flat on the ground.

Suddenly, the guys start coming toward us, tilting.

"Yes!" Candace hisses, pulling harder than anyone else.

"They're letting us win," Barbara admits.

"Who cares?" Candace replies. "Pull the f-ing rope!"

I pull, marching backward with my heels. My arm and fist muscles clench.

Cheers echo. And in a minute, the guys slowly let go, making sure we don't fall as we pull the rope to our side.

The room erupts in screams and claps.

My smile stretches wide as I'm dragged into a group hug.

"Everybody gives Sophia fifteen grand," Barbara says, panting as she strokes my back.

Warmth spreads across my face when they all agree with excitement. I wasn't expecting anything.

"Thank you," I mutter, catching my breath.

Before we disperse, I say a hearty congratulations to Lena. The last time I saw her, she was wreaking havoc. Ended up ruining New Year's Eve for everyone. It's good to see her happy and still beautiful.

She and Dimitri had the roughest year; we're all just grateful everyone's in a better place now.

I take another drink from a waiter's tray and return to my table.

The first thing I do is scan the room for Alexander. He vanished so suddenly.

I keep scanning as Lena and Dimitri are invited to the dance floor, but he's nowhere in sight.

Coos fly across the room.

"Aw..." I murmur, staring as Dimitri wraps an arm around Lena's waist.

He pulls her close, and my eyes water because Lena starts crying.

They've been through so much.

I look around, and I'm not the only one fighting tears. The church wedding was even worse. A feast of water works; I was no exception. It was a lovely ceremony-the kind that makes you believe in love.

The lights in the room dim completely, and only a spotlight shines on the couple.

I take out my phone and start filming them, dabbing tears at the inner corners of my eyes.

Love is something I've only dreamed about. It never came, so I poured my affection into something else-studying. And being so good at it that I could go far away from my parents' ever-controlling presence.

The one guy I had a major crush on got engaged earlier this year. So, no luck in love.

Dimitri suddenly kisses Lena, and the roof is raised.

Heat spreads to my neck, and I stop filming.

They don't stop kissing; all tongues, no brakes.

The guests go crazy, feasting and cheering.

And suddenly,

"Hello, Beautiful,"

My breath hitches.

Alexander moves close, exploiting the darkness of the room.

I stay still, feeling the heat from his body caressing me from behind.

He brings his face close to my ear, lips hovering, warm breath brushing me.

I blink, curling my fingers nervously as I picture his perfect face.

"Good to see you," he murmurs and kisses the skin behind my ear. "Received my roses?"

I give him a slow nod, noting the butterflies awakening in me. "Thank you. They were - they were pretty."

"Anything for my wife-to-be..."

I drop my gaze, feeling warm inside instead of defensive like I was a week ago.

Since finding out he's the one I've been set up with, the words 'husband, marriage, couple, wedding, and fiancé' don't trigger me anymore.

He grows quiet. Then slowly, he pulls me against him.

I drag in a shaky breath, heat blooming beneath my skin.

Worry pounds in my head-worry that someone might see us despite the darkness. But he curves an arm around my stomach, ensuring there's no space left between us.

My head swims, a breath escaping my nostrils.

I shut my eyes and open them again. They stop on the couple still kissing and slow-dancing in the middle of the room.

Watching them now, my body pressed against a warm brick wall who smells so delicious, I think of other things-the other things I'm not ready for yet.

"How much did you get from the tug of war?" He says against my right ear.

"Seventy-five."

"You get one-twenty-five tomorrow. I'll send it as a gift."

Words fail me.

He's giving me money already? $125k?!

"Told your parents I'll bring you home," he begins softly, moving his other hand to wrap around me.

A sigh escapes me as I close my eyes, feeling. Indulging. I've never felt anything like this before-never felt anyone take over my senses so effortlessly.

"I wanna spend some time with you, Sophia."

Unconsciously, I lean into him, head against his chest.

His chest rises against my back in a deep inhale, and in a second, he plants a kiss on my neck.

Now, my head tilts against him, swimming.

"Let's go to my penthouse... We'll have that house tour... and do other things."

Other things like what? But I keep my thoughts to myself.

"Meet me at the garage in five minutes." He whispers, voice heavy with seduction.

When he slips away, I start breathing again.

My chest pounds.

The lights come on, and he's gone. Life keeps moving like I wasn't just seduced in the dark.

I put a shaky palm over my forehead, glancing at Dimitri still dancing with his bride.

There's no time to think. It's about to turn into a party. A party I'll be missing because I really wanna find out what 'other things' mean.

I grab my purse and turn around, quietly finding the exit.