Terms of Affection

The early morning sun was streaming gently through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Ethan's penthouse, casting a warm glow over the modern, sleek kitchen. Sophie stood in the kitchen, expertly flipping pancakes while the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The clinking of cutlery and the sizzling of the skillet were the only sounds, creating a peaceful morning symphony.

Ethan walked in, looking as dapper as ever in his tailored suit. His presence filled the room, but it was his smile that caught Sophie off guard every time. She returned the smile, feeling her heart flutter.

"Good morning, Sophie," he greeted, his voice smooth and warm.

"Good morning, Ethan. Breakfast is almost ready," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the surge of emotions.

Ethan approached the kitchen counter and leaned in, peering at the golden pancakes. "This smells amazing. You're spoiling me," he teased.

Sophie laughed. "Well, someone has to make sure you eat a proper meal. You're always so busy."

Ethan's eyes softened as he looked at her. "I appreciate it more than you know."

They sat down to breakfast, the table laden with pancakes, fresh fruit, and a pot of steaming coffee. Sophie poured Ethan a cup, their hands briefly touching, sending a spark through her.

"So, what's on your agenda today?" Sophie asked, cutting into her pancake, trying to keep the conversation light.

Ethan took a sip of his coffee, savoring it before answering. "Meetings, as usual. And you? Any plans?"

Sophie hesitated, looking into his eyes. This was the moment she had been building up to, the moment she wanted to tell him how she felt. "Actually, I've been thinking... Ethan, I-"

Ethan's phone buzzed on the table, breaking the moment. He glanced at it, his expression shifting to one of annoyance. "I'm sorry, Sophie. It's urgent."

Sophie's heart sank. "Of course. You should take it."

He picked the call and then listened for some minutes before saying "I will take care of it."

Ethan ended the call and placed it back on the table, giving her his full attention again. "What were you saying?"

She took a deep breath, her courage wavering. "I just wanted to say... Thank you. For everything you've done for me and my mom. It means the world to us."

Ethan reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "You don't have to thank me, Sophie. I'm happy to help."

She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Well, I should get going. I have a lot of studying to do." She stood up and started packing the dishes.

"Of course." Ethan nodded, releasing her hand. She stood up and went to the kitchen, taking the dishes with her. She washed the dishes, because she doesn't like piling dirty in the sink. Besides, she still has a few minutes to spare before she gets to school.

"Do you want me to drop you off at the campus?" he asked.

"No thank you. Lisa is picking me up." she answered while rinsing a cup in the running tap.

He put a hand around her waist and drew her close to him. "You should be the one picking your friends up. In your car!"

She shook her head.

"You are my girlfriend, you should have your own car."

"Nope," she said smiling.

"What brand do you want? Ferrari, Masararti, Limousine?" he asked while gently nibbling at her ear.

"Stop it!" She told him, giggling.

"Let me get you a car," he persisted.

"No, but you can get me one for my graduation next year." He turned her around and placed a peck on her nose.

"Okay," he said while releasing her.

"What will we have for dinner tonight?" he asked.

She turned around to finish her work. "It's a surprise. And you should go, you are running late already." He turned her around again and placed a light kiss on her lips.

"Have a great day, Sophie."

"You too, Ethan."

Oh the dinner is not much of a surprise because he has eaten it before. The first time she prepared it, he finished the whole plate and demanded for more. It was her father's favorite. A sad demeanor clouded her face as she remembered her father.

No, don't get sad, it's in the past.

She wanted to make the Chicken Alfredo pasta for Ethan because she was feeling really grateful today. After her lectures, she will go visit her mother before coming home.

When she had tidied everywhere, Sophie gathered her things and left the penthouse, her heart heavy with unspoken words.

She nearly confessed her feelings to him this morning, that was a close call. Who knows what he would have done to her. I mean it's against the 'Terms' and she knows it. Yet...

She is grateful to have Ethan in her life, he's been so helpful. But sometimes she wishes he can go further in their relationship, that he will... "Oh Sophie stop dreaming," she chided herself.

As she walked to the elevator, her phone started ringing. She pulled out her phone, and saw Lisa's name, 'maybe she is already in the basement'. She decided to answer her call and let her friend know she is close by.

"Sophie, did you see the news?" Lisa's voice was frantic.

"What news?" Sophie asked.

Lisa took a deep breath, "It's about Ethan."

Sophie laughed. "He's always in the news, most times against his wishes."

"This time it's different," Lisa insisted, almost screaming.

"Girl, what's wrong?" Sophie has begun to sense the emergency in her friend's voice.

"Check your Instagram."

Sophie ended the call and opened her Instagram and scrolled through the feed and her notifications. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw it.

In screaming letters was the headline: "Billionaire Ethan Grant Engaged to Heiress Vanessa Kingsley."

Her world spun as she read the article, detailing the engagement party scheduled for that evening, complete with photos of Ethan and Vanessa looking every bit the perfect couple. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to process the news.

Sophie stood frozen in the elevator, her mind racing. The doors opened to the lobby, but she couldn't move. The image of Ethan with another woman, his fiancée, was burned into her mind.

She stumbled out of the building, the fresh air doing little to clear her head. Her phone buzzed with a call from her best friend, Lisa.

"Have you seen it?" Lisa asked.

"Yeah, I saw it," Sophie whispered, her voice trembling.

"Are you okay? Where are you?"

"I... I don't know. I'm just outside his building."

"Stay there. I'm coming to get you," Lisa said firmly.

Minutes later, Lisa's car pulled up, and Sophie climbed in, tears streaming down her face. Lisa wrapped her in a hug, letting her cry.

"This can't be true, right? She asked her friend with tear stricken eyes. "It's a joke, a prank or something."

Lisa reached out to give her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "It's right there on the news."

"How could he do this?" Sophie sobbed. "He never said anything about being engaged."

"I don't know, Soph. But you need to get away from here, at least for today," Lisa said gently.

Lisa drove them to a quiet park, where they sat on a bench overlooking a serene lake. Sophie wiped her tears, trying to calm down.

"I thought... I thought he cared about me," Sophie said, her voice breaking.

"I thought so too. I mean the way he showers you with gifts, expensive sh*ts too."

"Anyway you need to calm down so we can go for lectures. You know the courses we are taking today."

Sophie thought about that and decided that her friend was right. There is no use crying over spilled milk.

After all it was just a contract - be his girl for 5 years and then they go their separate ways. But she had gone and fallen in love with him... and that is against the terms.

She broke down and sobbed a little.

"Oh my darling. If you are not up to it, I can take you to my house to rest and I'll tell the lecturer you're sick," Lisa added.

"No, it's okay." Sophie said. "I'll go to school. I can't let this stop my life. I just got into my finals and now is definitely not the time to drop school or slack in my studies."

She went into a nearby store and washed her face in the restroom. Then she reapplied her makeup quickly. It was easy because she was never one to apply heavy makeup anyway.

Few minutes later they were in school and after the lectures of the day they decided to grab some lunch in the school cafeteria.

"Well, if it ain't miss goody goody?" someone said.

She turned around to see the owner of the voice and sure enough it was Emily, the one who is always jealous of her. She tries to compete with her in everything and also tries to pick on her every chance she gets.

Sophie has always ignored her, in fact she only registered her existence when she hooked up with Stan.

"Oh, is it miss 'you are too poor for me'?" a man's voice said, laughing. Sophie turned to see Stan.

Think of the devil and he appears.

"Oh come on Stan. Why are you talking like this?" that was Lisa trying to defend Sophie.

"Why are you sticking up for her? Or is it because she gave you some of the gold she dug?" Emily asked her, smiling.

"What?" Lisa, who is always ready for a fight, wanted to rush to her but Sophie held her back.

"Don't waste time on her. She is not worth it." she said, eyeing Emily.

"At least, I'm better than you, gold digger!" Emily shouted at her. There were murmurs and whispers around the room. "Yeah, now the man is tired and has decided to leave you for the real gold."

Lisa moved again but Sophie stopped her.

"At least I got gold," Sophie told her. "Unlike you who picks up the thrash I reject."

Emily's face turned red. Lisa was laughing as Sophie dragged her out of the room.

"Come on, let's go have lunch at the restaurant across the road."

"Girl that was hot, you shut Emily up for good." Lisa said as soon as they finished their lunch.

Sophie was smiling too. "Though technically Stan and I were never together. He was just pestering me back then."

"And immediately you said no, he jumped into Emily's arms," Lisa countered.

"I was surprised too. As if he was waiting for me to give him a reason to go to her."

"Bet he won't sleep easy tonight." Lisa smirked. "Serves him right. Next time he will think twice before chipping in words in her favor "

Sophie's mood changed slightly "he won't be the only one not sleeping easy tonight."

"Oh darling. You can stay at my place for as long as you want." Lisa said as he took her friend's hands across the table and squeezed in affection.

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

Just then a group of girls came and sat in the booth closest to them but they were sitting back to them. The restaurant used that arrangement to grant a bit of privacy to people in different booths.

"Vanessa said the engagement will be streamed live on her Instagram page." one of the girls squeaked in joy.

"I would not miss it for anything in the world." another girl said.

"I always wondered what the billionaire Ethan saw in that plain girl that hangs around him." the third girl chirped in.

Sophie's eyes clouded.

The first girl continued "Yes. Vanessa is more his class. She is exactly the type of woman he needs by his side. Not that Sophia or whatever her name is"

"Anyway," the second girl said, "he probably used her to satisfy his urges till he's ready to get married."

"Is that what you think?" the third girl asked them. "I bet she is the user, hanging on to him for what she can get from him."

"Hmm...you may be right." the first girl said. "Anyway, thank God he has woken up and chosen substance over flash."

"More like thrash," the third girl added, and they all burst out laughing.

Sophie stood up and walked out of the restaurant with tears glistening in her eyes and Lisa rushed out to join her.

"Sophie, take it easy," Lisa said as she caught up to her.

"You heard them Lisa '' she said in between sobs. "He used and dumped me. Or no, they said I'm the one who used him. Can you believe that?"

"Honey, they are saying rubbish." Lisa hugged her tight. "They don't know anything about you."

She continued stroking her back. "I say he's the thrash and he has lost a valuable gem in you."

***

In Lisa's house that evening, she couldn't concentrate on the TV show they were watching. She decided to do the dishes to distract herself since TV wasn't working. The dinner Lisa prepared was delicious but her mind was too occupied to register anything.

Now she is still thinking about the engagement. What if it's a prank? She looked at the phone on top of the cabinet and waited for it to ring. For Ethan to tell her it was a mistake, a PR stunt, a... she sighed.

Of course not. This was a contract, she keeps forgetting. She means nothing to him at all. She cleaned her hands on the towel, picked her phone and went to bed.

She had a sleepless night, kept drifting in and out of baseless dreams but finally it's morning and she decided to go about her life.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" Lisa asked her.

"Your shopping takes all day Lisa," she said smiling.

"No, it does not," Lisa throws her a pillow.

"Okay but promise me you'll be fine." Lisa gave her questioning look.

"Sure. I'll be good." Lisa didn't seem to believe her.

"Look", Sophie continued. "I'll read a new book I found in your bookshelves, then I'll eat, watch TV and sleep." She spread her two hands.

Lisa nodded "I didn't hear crying among those things."

Sophie laughed, "I'm done with that."

"Good."

As she was reading a book she saw in Lisa's house later, she leisurely strolled to the fridge to pick some cashew nuts. Then quickly came back to the legal thriller she was reading. In no time she was done with the interesting book.

She remembered when she got her love for reading. She was working in a bookstore close to their home as part of high school holiday jobs. That was when she was introduced to the world of books and since then she never looked back.

She kept working in that store whenever she had the chance because she loved the owner and she had free books to read.

But then the tragic accident that claimed her father's life happened and things fell apart. She and her mother couldn't make enough money to take care of their needs and her schooling and so she had to get a different job.

She was managing until her mother fell sick. She decided to get more jobs to augment yet the money wasn't adding up.

Then a friend invited her to a club to work the night shift, promising that the pay is good plus the tips. That was where she met Ethan.

"I'm back" Lisa announced with a flourish hurlings bags and bags of items. Sophie rushed to help her with the bags.

"Jeez, Lisa, did you close a shop with all these?"

"No, but I figured since it's the weekend, we can stay indoors and celebrate."

"Celebrate what?" Sophie asked, chuckling.

"You, getting rid of the jerk in your life."

"Oh," was all Sophie could say.

"I mean, even if he doesn't want you again, the mature thing to do is to quietly tell you and end things. Not have breakfast and go and have an engagement party with someone else the same day."

"That's the definition of a jerk, if you ask me" That brought a smile to Sophie.

"He didn't know what he lost in you and I say it's good he left now. We are going to party and celebrate all day long."

"I'm in!" shouted Sophie.

"Yes. There's a lot to eat and drink," said Lisa as she raised a bottle of red wine.

***

Sophie's phone was ringing endlessly and she ignored it. Lisa came out of the kitchen with a plate of fried chicken. "You want more?"

"You bet," said Sophie as she grabbed a drumstick.

"Why are you not answering your phone?" Lisa wondered.

"It's him."

"So answer it and see what he has to say."

"Hello, he is a jerk, remember?" Sophie told her.

"I know," said Lisa, scratching her head. "But maybe...maybe you should hear him out and let him explain..."

"Explain what, Lisa?"

Lisa shrugged, "why is he a jerk?" and they burst out laughing.

"Hello," Sophie said as she picked the call.

"Why are you not picking your call? Why didn't you reply to my messages? Why were you not at home?"

"Woah, slow down cowboy," she answered in a slurred voice. Wait, how many bottles have they taken? "Which question am I going to answer"

"We need to talk," Ethan said. "Come home, let's talk".

"Aren't you forgetting something Mr Grant"

"What?

"Why, you have gotten the real gold of course." She said, waving her hand. "So you don't need me again."

"Don't say that." Ethan replied.

"Don't worry. I'm okay, I'm finneee," she gurped. "Couldn't you have told me on time or given me a hint somehow? Didn't bother answering, bye." She cut off the call.

"Why did you do that?" asked Lisa. "You didn't even give him a chance to talk."

"Hearing his voice brings back all the emotions I thought I'd buried," she said with tears forming in her eyes.

"Oh Sophie."

"Bring that bottle," she said, cleaning her eyes. "Let's drink more."

The next day Sophie came out to meet Lisa making coffee. "Oh I need that coffee."

"You can't hold your drink at all," Lisa said, holding her a cup of coffee. "And I drank most of the wine."

Sophie was holding her head. "I 'll just get some sleep later. I'll be fine when I wake up."

"You need to have some breakfast." Lisa said, showing her a plate of pancakes and a cup of milk.

"Thank you. You are a blessing"

"I am." She smiled at Sophie.

Just then Sophie's phone rang and it was a strange number.

"Hello?"

"Are you Sophie Adams?