Afterglow
<< Sophia.>>
“I should leave,” he says in a quiet voice.
“There is something I want to talk about… can I call you later?” I ask hesitantly. It’s odd
talking to him with my eyes still blindfolded.
“Sure,” he says, then I hear the balcony door open and shut.
I pull down his tie from my eyes and the gleaming lights over the city look even more beautiful. I am feeling a strange sense of bliss and still breathing heavily.
How could he walk away? He must be d7amn good with self-control.
My legs are still jelly, and juices are running down my thighs. I put my head on the wall and try to contemplate. This is unlike me.
For some reason, I grin like a fool.
Whatever. It was interesting.
After a while, I walk towards the washroom to clean myself up.
And of course Nikkie has to break my spell.
She corners me in the bathroom and Suddenly a dread rises inside me. Did she see me
with M?
M had pushed me towards a corner before kissing the hell out of me. Nobody could see us. I blush again thinking about doing inappropriate things at the party.
“Keep your distance from Caleb,” she breaks my spell with her high-pitched annoying
voice.
Arghh.. With pleasure..
I roll my eyes and walk away.
She grabs my arm again, and I snap at her. “Next time you grab my arm Nikkie, or try to push or slap me. I will file assault charges against you. The hell with the united front for
the media!”
She looks perplexed and leaves my arm.
“Just tell me what you and Caleb talked about.” she hisses at me.
I squint my eyes.
Why is she asking me?
Can’t she ask Caleb?
I frown. Doesn’t she trust him?
“He wanted me back,” I tell her calmly. “And… he wanted to kiss me.” I smirk at her
She shakes her head and grits her teeth. “You are lying!”
I shrug. “Maybe,” I say as I walk away from her.
I shrug. “Maybe,” I say as I walk away from her.
I want to laugh. Don’t tell me Caleb is cheating on her too. I wouldn’t be surprised,
though.
Once a cheater, always a cheater.
The way he wanted to kiss me and the way Nikkie questioned me. It looks like there is
trouble in their paradise and I am loving it. This evening suddenly turned much better.
Rest of the evening I keep glancing around to make guesses who M could be. Is he still
here? Or did he leave the party? He must be amused, watching me, searching for him.
“Sophie,” Dad calls me out as I am talking to some of the guests.
I turn and see Caleb standing next to dad.
Oh f7ucking great. I excuse myself from the guest I am talking to and walk towards
them.
Stand tall. I tell myself as I feel a little anxious. Did he tell dad about my marriage?
Sh7it, I haven’t even talked to M about it. I wanted to be completely sober before
throwing the bombshell at him. Will it be a breach of contract? The contract didn’t mention
anything about it. But I am sure about one thing. M wanted to keep it a secret.
“Caleb suggested we should have lunch the day after tomorrow. Can you stay here for-”
“Dad! it’s not fair. I told you I am going back tomorrow evening.” I touch his arm with an
apologetic smile.
He sighs. “How can I make you stay?”
“I will keep visiting you. I promise.”
I can notice Caleb looking at me intently but I don’t throw much glance at him.
He finally says, “Well, in that case we can meet for lunch tomorrow. I am sure everyone
would love to talk to you, Sophie.”
I want to roll my eyes.
“I actually talked to most of them.”
I did not. And I have no intention.
“Caleb, can you give us a minute?”
He nods and walks away and dad says, “I know it’s hard for you. But…”
“Yes… I know dad. United family front! But isn’t this too early for you to expect all this
from me?”
He sighs.
“I want to tell you something.” He says and my eyes widen.
What news does he have for me now?
“But not here… come home tonight so we can talk in the morning while having
Alterglow
1/4
breakfast.”
“Dad, my stuff is in the hotel.”
He smiles ruefully at me. “Do you hate me this much Sophie?” he says and I instantly
feel bad.
“Your luggage can be bought home I will ask Orin to do that”
“I don’t hate you!” I tell him in a low voice, then I add. “Okay… I will stay for the night.”
Some board members join us, and we immerse ourselves in talking to them. Dad
happily boasts about my music company and I blush profusely.
Dad never paid attention to my work before or praised me. it feels odd to hear all these
praises from his mouth.
“Now that she is back you can retire peacefully.” A guest says and my eyes widen.
Dad smiles at him. “Well… we will see about that.”
“You are retiring?” I exclaim.
He chuckles and pats my back. “We have catching up to do. Let’s talk tomorrow.
morning.”
He engages himself in conversation with business partners and I take a leave from
them.
If Dad is retiring how will the business run. Nikkie was crappy at her job. Did she get
any better or is she still the same?
“I don’t believe what you said,” Caleb’s voice breaks my chain of thoughts and I turn
and look at him.
He still looks good.
I scoff internally. He is on the eligible bachelor list for a reason. Only if they could.
mention his characteristics.
Not faithful and a pretentious asshole.
“What?”
“That you are married. If you are then who is the guy?”
“Believe whatever you want,” I say indifferently.
I told your dad I want to break off engagement with Nikkie and marry you.”
“You WHAT?”
“I am serious about you Sophie. I always was. it was just a rough patch.”
Can you believe this Guy?
“Must be real good rough patch where you f7ucked my sister day and night.” I shake my
head at him.
I walk away from him only to bump into Nikkie. She looks at me furiously. She
heard Caleb.
