BLS #1: Red String of Fate

Sophia Celastio

"Sophia! Sophia!" I put my pillow on my face, not wanting to wake up now. I'm extremely tired because of the pile of works that I swallow yesterday.

"Sophia!" My mom walked into my room.

"Still sleeping." I said lazily, not caring about my mom who walked in.

"Wake up, Sophia! You have to catch a flight to New York today!' She said as she tried to take the pillow away from my face. I held it tightly.

"Sophia! It's 7 and you have to catch the flight at 9!" She said and I groaned. I threw my pillow away and sat up on my bed. I looked at my mom who crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Ask Cole to go." I said closing my eyes again.

"Cole is going to UK with your dad today." She said as she pulled me out from the bed.

"Mom, please let me sleep and ask Cole to fly to New York instead. I'm tired." I stood up lazily and she smacked my arm causing me to squaled.

"Mom!"

"You can rest after the charity meeting, Sophia. You have to go now!" She pushed me to the bathroom and I sighed. I stripped myself then jumped into the shower. I turned the cold water on to help me wake up.

"I need vacation ASAP." I mumbled to myself as I walked out from the bathroom. I took out my black skinny jeans, maroon crop top and a baggy flannel. I quickly to my make-up and pulled my hair into a bun. I put on my silver necklace and my red ring from my grandmother.

I took my bag and pulled out my luggage. I always have an extra packed luggage incase of emergency. I walked downstairs and found my mom making me a sandwich.

"You're ready to go? Peter is ready waiting for you outside." She said as she cut the tomato. Peter is our driver by the way.

"Can you ask Cole to go?"

"No."

"Sophia! Go to work and don't whine like a kid."

"Mom, I've been working non-stop these days and I need a vacation." I said to her and she put her hands on her waist.

"We'll talk about that later on, Sophia. Now, you need to go to the airport." She said and I pouted.

"Bye."

"Your sandwich.."

"I'm not hungry." I said as I walked out from the house. I gave the luggage to Peter and got inside the car. I'm damn tired.

Peter drove me to the airport and I opened my phone to check my notifications. I checked the time and it's 8.10 a.m. I need my coffee first so I need to go to the Starbucks.

Peter speed up and we arrived at LAX quickly. I thanked Peter and got out the car. I pulled the luggage from the back of the car by myself and rushed inside. I ran in to find my check-in spot. I found it and processed my luggage and ticket first.

I got inside and started to hunt for Starbucks. I need my coffee, I need coffee.. I really need coffee since I'm so sleepy. I found the Starbucks and can't help but jump in joy. I walked into it and looked at the menu.

"What can I help you?'

"Ice Americano please." I said to the cashier.

"The size, miss?"

"Venti"

"Your name?"

"Sophia." I answered and gave him my money. He processed the order and gave me a wink. I just looked away. Boys and their awful flirting tactics.

I got the Ice Americano and walked out. I sipped it first and enjoyed it a lot. I looked at the time to see I have 15 minutes left before boarding time ends. Since I hate to pee on the airplane, I decided to go to the bathroom now.

I did my business and walked to the mirror. I checked myself and my panda eyes was so visible. I cupped my face and sighed. I looked at my reflection through the mirror and my eyes widen.

WHERE IS MY RED RING?

I put my bag on the sink and took out all the things out. I tried to find my red ring inside the bag and found nothing. I knew I was wearing it. I put all of my things inside my bag and took my Americano with me too.

I walked out and looked at the floor to find the ring. It might fall somewhere right? I looked at the floor intensely and scanned every path that I take. No.. Please don't be lost, it's from my grandmother before she died.

My grandmother made a lot of rings for his grandchildren. I got one in red ruby. Please don't be lost. Someone might get it and sell it! No, Sophia.. Don't think like that.

Without any warning, I bumped into someone, very hard. He was walking in a great speed while I was walking while looking down to find my ring. My Americano spilled to his suit and my eyes widen in shock. I looked up and I gasped. It's freaking Aaron Samuel, the man that every girls worship.

"What the ****!" He cursed right away as he looked down to his suit. I quickly took out a pack of tissues from my bag and patted it to his white suit that's already starting to turn brown because of the coffee.

"I'm sorry!" I said in panic.

"Watch where you're going next time!" He bursted in a cold ton and I can't help but glare at him.

"If you're watching where you're going, you won't bump me either." I snapped him. How dare he say that to me? He was busy with his phone too. He looked at me with amusement.

"I'm sorry about this but I need to go right now!" I hissed bluntly and walked pass him. He suddenly held my arm and I turned to him. I looked at him and then to my arm that he held.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"The girl who sippled her coffee." I answered coldly and pulled my arm from his grip. I walked way and I continued to look at the floor to find my ring.

Ring.. Where are you?

Sophia Celastio

I couldn't find my ring!

My ring was nowhere to be found. It disappeared. I can't believe that I lost my ring. My grandmother gave it to me and asked me to take care of it. I'm a bad grandchildren.

I walked into the plane with my the worse mood ever. I can't believe this happened. The ring isn't that baggy when it attached to my finger so how can it slipped out?

I'm sorry grandma, I'm so so sorry.

The whole ride from LA to New York wasn't that fun. I kept thinking about my ring, how am I going to forgive myself?

The encounter with Aaron made it worse. How could he be mad at me when it was partly his fault too? That asshole. After 5 hours and a half hourse flight, I landed in New York.

My dad's man was waiting for me outside the airport to drive me to the hotel. Now, I have to get ready for the Charity Conference at 7. It's 5 p.m New York time so I have an hour and half to get ready. I hate being late so I need to reduce 30 minutes for my trip to go to the venue.

I arrived in the St. Regis hotel, I got in and check in my room. I went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. I walked out from the bathroom and dried myself. I dried my hair and curled it straight away. I put my make-up on and opened my luggage to check what kind of dress that I pack in this luggage.

I was glad to see my long sleeve grey bodycon dress, I took out the nude stilettos too. I put my dress on and checked myself at the mirror. I sighed big time. I sparyed some perfume on and took my black clutch out, putting thing that I need inside and walked out from my hotel room.

I went down to the lobby and my dad's man was ready to drop me off to the Conference hall. The whole ride was tiring, I kept thinking about my ring. I blamed myself for this of course, who else.

"We're here, Ms. Celastio." My driver said and I got out from the car. I walked inside the building, the staffs asked for my name and one of them lead me inside. I started to look for my name on a small board in every seats. There's a lot of people that came and I'm quite amaze.

"Sophia!" Someone called me and I found my friend Rose Hastington waving at me. I smiled widely and walked to her. I hugged her tightly.

"Hey Rose, it's been so long." I squealed.

"I know right! So how are you? You look stunning." She squealed too.

"I'm good! You? So are you! You look sexy." She was wearing a short black off shoulder dress, she looked so beautiful in that dress.

"Hello sexy." Suddenly a guy named Maximillion Cesantio kissed her cheek and sneaked his arm around Rose's waist.

"Sophia, this is Max. Max, this is Sophia Celastio." Rose introduced me to him and I shook his hand politely.

"Sophia."

"Max. Nice to meet you."

"I can't believe that I'm seeing you here." She held my hands and squealed again. I chuckled.

"Me too! I miss you so much!"

"I mean it's been 2 years since we graduated, we never contact each other." Me and Rose went to Harvard together. We met at someone else's party and became friends since we clicked. She lives in New York so it's hard to see each other.

"That's right." I said and suddenly Rose turned her head to see someone she knows.

"Jean" Rose called a beautiful light brown haired woman. She walked towards us and I recognized her right away. I mean she's a Victoria Secret model and Blake's wife. Everyone knows her and Blake. She's so stunning in her black one shoulder dress. She hugged Rose and then she turned to me.

"Sophia, this Jean Samuel a.k.a Blake's wife. Jean, this is Sophia, she's my friend from college." Rose introduced us.

"Nice to meet you, Sophia." Jean said as she shook my hand. She's really lovely and just overly friendly.

"Nice to meet you too, Jean."

"Honey, I told you not to stay away from me. I kept slipping away from my arms." Blake Samuel said as he held his wife. He kissed the side of her head and his eyes speaks everything. He adores her.

"Blake, I just came to say hi to Rose and my new friend, Sophia."

"Blake, this is Sophia Celastio. Sophia, this is my husband Blake." I shook his hand and smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you." He said.

"I can say the same, Blake." I said and the couple excused themselves to mingle with others.

"I thought your brother was the one who supposed to come here right?" Rose asked and I nodded.

"He's in UK now, I was supposed to be at home watching Netflix with my blanket on." I sighed and she chuckled.

"Me too but my brother forced me to come here."

Suddenly the MC asked us to sit on our seat, we all went to our seat. I walked upstairs as one of the staff lead me to my chair. I thanked the staff and the Charity Conference quickly begun.

My eyes landed on someone that I never thought I will see again. Aaron Samuel was making his way to his seat and greeted a couple of people along the way. How could I be so dumb? Of course he will be here since Blake is here. They're a family for bloddy sakes! My brain went error today.

The Charity Conference started and my mind was everywhere. I looked at the presentation blankly and completely out of my mind. They asked us if we want to donate and they gave us a paper to fill the amount that we want to donate.

The official letter will be send to our own company later on. I wrote down the amount that my dad messaged me earlier and the Conference finished not long after that.

"Thankyou for the donation, Ladies and Gentlemen, We're so grateful that everyone participate this campaign. We'll update ladies and gentlemen on everything by sending the official letter to the company. There's a little party ballroom for ladies and gentlemen on the side from us to thanked everyone. Thankyou again and have a lovely night." With that the Conference ended. I stood up and palnned to runaway before Aaron caught me.

Suddenly Rose held me and I turned to her.

"Where are you going? We need to catch up!" Rose linked her arms with mine and she pulled me to the other room. I wanted to protest but Rose is too nice and just.. I can't reject her.

"So.. any boys?" She asked.

"Mind if I join?" Jean asked and I turned to her nodding.

"Of course."

"The boys are talking about business and I don't want to hear it. I might get a headache. I don't even know what are they talking about." Jean hissed and we chuckled.

"You still in VS right?" I asked and she nodded.

"I love that job, even though Blake told me to quit but I love the job to much to quit." She answered.

"Blake's just jealous because you worked with a lot of hot men out there. I mean you're a model, you have a lot of naked photos while hugging another man." Rose blurted.

"Trust me, he was cute when he's jealous but as the time goes by he become more scary." Jean said as she tok a glass of wine. Me and Rose took one too.

"What's scary?" Blake suddenly appeared and sneaked his arm around her waist making Jean choked on her drink. Rose and I laughed.

"She watched a horror movie and it's scary." Rose saved her.

"You okay?" Blake patted Jean's back and she nodded.

"You come without any warning, I was shocked." She glared at her husband and Blake looked at her with adoration.

"I just miss you, is that a crime?"

"Cut the lovey dovey you two, I want to puke." I felt anxious now since Blake's here, Aaron might come around.

"Why so cold?" Max suddenly appeared and someone caught my eyes.

"Luke!" I called and he turned to me. His eyes widen and he walked towards us.

"Hey Sophie, how are you?" I hugged him briefly.

"Been good."

"Hello sis." He said to Rose and she rolled her eyes.

"Hello guys, mind introducing your new friend?" I froze when I heard Aaron's voice. He stood beside Luke and he looked at me. He studied my face and I tried to hide my face but it was too late.

"You're the girl that I bumped this morning!" I smiled awkwardly.

"Weren't you suppose to be in New York yesterday?" Blake asked.

"I have something going on so I can't leave LA." He said and Aaron's eyes never leave me. I felt so uncomfortable.

"I have to go, I need to make some calls." I excused myself.

"But.. we haven't catch up." Rose looked at me sadly.

"Call me tomorrow, we'll meet up somewhere." I smiled to her and she nodded. I slipped away from them and walked out the room. I hate seeing that guy again.

"Where do you think you're going, Sophia Celastio? I think we have an unfinished business." His voice made me stop waking and I turned to him.

"Unfinished business?" I asked in a cold tone.

"The girl who spilled coffee." He smirked as he put his hands to his pocket.

"I already apologized Mr. Samuel so I don't have no unfinished business with you." I scoffed and turned my body to walk away from him.

"Have a dinner with me tomorrow." He stated and I stopped.

"No," I answered without looking at him and started to walk again. Aaron caught my wrist.

"I never take no for an answer, beautiful." He smirked and I pushed his hand away from mine.

"Then learn to take one." I smiled sweetly at him and walked away again.

Sophia Celastio

My alarm woke me up, I regretted turning it on last night. I need more sleep but I promised Rose to hangout with her. I slide my arms to find my phone. Where is it? Damn it!

The alarm kept ringing and so I opened my eyes to find my phone. I got up and pulled the blanket, I found it right away. I turned off the alarm and charged it.

I walked to the bathroom to take a shower. Rose called me yesterday and we decided to catch up today. She said she will pick me up at 10 and we'll go shopping. We might go to the gym together, I haven't workout in a long time.

I miss her and her craziness. We created a lot of memories in college and it was insane.

I walked out from the bathroom and dried myself. I put my white crop top shirt and a black ripped jeans along with my white adidas sneaker. I did my make-up and ready to go. My phone rang, it's Rose.

"Hey."

"I'm here." She said with a cheery tone.

"I'm going down." I said and ran out from my room. I ran towards the lobby. I found a yellow Ferrari parked at the dropping place. Rose opened the window and waved at me. I got into her car.

"Hey!" I hugged her as I shut the door.

"Hey girl, you look so hot!" She looked at me and I chuckled.

"Thanks, it's quite tight. You look hot too." I said and she drove out from the hotel. Her phone suddenly rang and she answered. She connected it with her car's speaker.

"Hey Rose, how are you?"

"Hey. I'm good, what's up?" Rose asked.

"Did I tell you that Blake's birthday in in 2 days?" She asked.

"No."

"Oops my bad then, I want to make sure you knpw. You have to come to the usual bar okay? At 7 p.m."

"Okay, Mrs. Samuel. Oh Jean, Sophia is here with me at the car. We're going to shop."

"Hey Jean." I greeted.

"Oh Sophia! You have to come to Blake's party in 2 days! NO excuses, please come!" She said and I can't reject an offer beside Rose mouthed me to say yes.

"Will do. Do you want to join us today?" I asked.

"Can I? I'm free today." She asked.

"Of course, as long as Blake doesn't tag along." Rose warned and I chuckled.

"He won't. He's in Miami now meeting Austin so there will be no Blake."

"Meet us at the Manhattan Mall." Rose said.

"Okay, be there in 20." She said and Rose ended the call.

"Let me ask you something." Rose suddenly said and I turned to her.

"Did Aaron hit on you yesterday?"

"Yeah, why?"

"So what did you do?"

"I turned him down."

"What?!" She stepped on the brake causing my body to go forward. I looked at her disbelief.

"I turned him down, Rose. What's wrong with that? Isn't normal to turn down a guy that we don't like?"

"He's a Samuel, Sophia. A Samuel never back down and never take no for an answer if they want something." She said and I looked at her disbelief.

"What kind of theory is that?" I let out a small laugh.

"Sophia, you must know that Luke is my brother and he's one of the 7 Gold Lifes. He told me quite a lot about the Samuel."

"Everyone worships them."

"Then you should know that you're messing with the wrong person."

"I don't want to have a date with Aaron, Rose."

"They don't do dates and relationship, Sophia. They bed them." I looked at her disbelief.

"Thank God, I turned him down then."

"He won't stop, Soph. He won't stop until he gets you." What?!

"The Samuel will get what they wa-"

"Wai- wait, if the Samuel don't do relationships then why is Blake is married to Jean?" I asked and she chuckled.

"He happens to fall in love and besides he's not in the 7 Gold Lifes so he's safe."

"What do you mean by 'he's not in the 7 Gold Lifes so he's safe'?" I asked her curiously.

"I don't know, Sophia. It's their secret and no one knows beside them."

"So the conclusion is that.. I'm in dip s***?" I asked her bluntly.

"Yes."

"You're dating one of them!" I pointed.

"We never date, Sophia. We need each other." She said and I looked at her shaking my head.

"Yeah but you love him."

"That's the point." She sighed.

"So what are you going to do?"

"My dad is planning to arrange marriage me, but for now.. it's only me and my dad who knew about it."

"With who?"

"Austin Portwalt, Blake's bestfriend in Miami that he's visiting right now."

"You agree to that?"

"I don't have any other choice, Austin likes me and my dad likes him too."

"When?"

"Still don't know but my dad already talked to his family and he agreed to it too." She said sadly.

"You won't tell Max?"

"Why would I tell him? He doesn't care."

"Do you even see the way that he looks at you?"

"It's been years, Sophia. I've loved him since I laid my eyes on him. I was 14 and now we're 24. It's been 10 years, Sophia. It hurts me everytime I look at him."

"Boys are stupid!"

"Agree with that." We arrived at the mall.

"Let's go shopping and forget about boys." Rose said as we got out from the car. I chuckled and agreed to it.

Boys are stupid, right?