Chapter 26
Angel Leffman
Out of all the things I'm thinking about, the last thing I was expecting was for Sofia to be dating someone. I am not stupid and blind. She's beautiful, smart, and a flirt. She can attract attention without doing anything, but dating someone and breaking our contract? That will never happen. The worst thing is that it isn't just anyone but the owner of a multi-million-dollar technology company. He's not just anyone.
When I saw her in that company, the first thing that came to mind was that she wanted to do business with them or whatever. She found out about my idea and wanted to sabotage me, but seeing her exchanging looks with that guy while looking nervous, I remembered what my pops said. I came back to reality when Amelia talked. "Angel, what am I doing here?"
"We're eating dinner because you're hungry, and I am nice enough to treat you."
Amelia narrowed her eyes at me. "Uh-huh, but you said we'd talk about the company. You mentioned that there's a problem and you didn't want Sofia to find out about it, but you have yet to say it."
"I know, but I don't want the food to get cold," I reasoned out.
"It is already cold. Now, talk." She impatiently urged me.
"I know you two are best friends and you don't hide secrets from each other, so you should know why I left the presidency to Sofia. The point is, that I am now the owner of two big automotive companies, and I don't want to have a conflict of interest. How do we resolve this?" "Owner of two automotive companies?" she repeated, confusion evident on her face.
"Yes, I know Sofia told you that I am the owner of Autos-Let."
Her mouth hung open, and she looked shocked. "What?! Are you kidding? You are the owner?"
I studied her reaction, and it didn't look fake. "Really? Sofia didn't tell you?" I asked, unsure of the answer.
"No, but that would explain why..." She trailed off and seemed to think.
""Why, what?"
"Nothing. Why she's too stressed with work, and why she replaced you with Diether."
"Exactly. The truth is, I own two car companies that are direct competitors, so I don't want to have any legal problems."
"Then that's complicated, especially when it comes to designs, but as long as you don't plagiarize their designs and vice versa, there won't be a problem."
"No. I have my own ideas, and Sofia has her own."
"Damn, you're the owner of..." She started in a loud voice, so I shut her up.
"Don't say it out loud. No one else knows, and I want to keep it that way."
"Okay, but Sofia will hear it from me for not telling me about this," she said with a huff.
"You tell each other everything, so I'm surprised she didn't tell you."
"Angel, if you don't want anyone to know, she will keep her mouth shut. She's that loyal." "Was she always like this?"
"Yes. Remember that you used to get along until..." She stopped and pursed her lips.
"Until she became Kevin's girlfriend and we grew apart," I finished.
Amelia frowned. "Whose girlfriend? Are you crazy, Angel?"
It was my turn to be confused. "Didn't they date? Everyone knows it."
Amelia snorted and shook her head. "That idiot said so many things, Angel, so he deserved a bottle on his head."
"And some good beating, too," I said, and we both laughed, but then I looked at her. I need to get the truth out of her. "You two studied with him, but I see that you don't get along."
"Do you know that fool, Angel? Who in their right mind will mess with that specimen?" Amelia stated in distaste.
"Many girls did. They were at his feet."
"Yes, but they are all bimbos. Only women with brains will not associate themselves with that jerk."
"I know he created a rumor with Sofia, and he deserves what she did. Because of him, she almost got expelled."
"Yes, I remember that. I really thought Sofia would kill him because I hadn't seen her that angry. If you saw her face when she broke a bottle on his head and embarrassed him... Oh, God. The professor wasn't sure if he would intervene or laugh." The rumor, Amelia, Tell me what the rumor is. I urged it in my mind.
"Yes, but it was risky, as she could have been expelled. It wasn't worth it."
"Why not? You're saying that because you are a man, you won't be affected, but for a woman, it means everything."
"I am not saying it's not, Amelia, but did it have to get to the point of expulsion?"
"And she understood that when she saw the suspension letter. Suspension is better than expulsion, Angel."
And I remember that she didn't like how she couldn't attend the university for three days.
"Thank God it's not like that. You know that rumors like that only last a day."
I thought of a way to get the truth from her, but how?
"Of course. With that warning Sofia gave him, including all of us who supported her, they just suspended her with warnings."
"You remember the rumor, right?" I asked, and she stared at me. Shoot, she found me out.
"A woman never forgets a rumor like that. I'm sure you heard about it. That jerk got what he wanted by Sofia sending him to the hospital."
"You can never guess what Sofia..." I didn't get to finish when I saw her entering the restaurant with her arm around that man.
I just dropped her off, and I turned back, and there she goes with that moron. As if he's even handsome.
"What's wrong? You have a scary look on your face," Amelia pointed out.
She followed where I was looking and almost spat out her drink.
"Is everything okay?" I asked her in amusement.
"Of course, it's just that; Isaac and Sofia are here as well."
"I saw them. How did you know the guy?"
It irritates me to know that even Amelia, her best friend, knows him. Are they that close?
"Uh, we met at a party and some events," she answered while staring back at me, but I could tell she was hiding something.
"How long have they been dating?"
She coughed and looked at me with surprise. "Who? Sofia and Isaac?" She asked and laughed.
"I see that your best friend has been hiding many things from you these days. I just met the man in his office, and they couldn't deny it."
"Mm, well, Angel, Sofia has the right to be happy. You have Elisa, and she and Isaac are a perfect match."
I barked a laugh and felt annoyed. "I see he has a fan."
Amelia and I continued eating while occasionally talking while watching Sofia with that moron and a Japanese couple. They were laughing, and she looked so beautiful. "Can you catch that look on your face? You're ruining my appetite," Amelia taunted me.
"I was born with this face, so I can't change it," I deadpanned.
"Angel, if I didn't know any better, I'll swear you are jealous."
"Not me. Do you think that idiot can be compared to me?" I asked with a snort, and she looked at me weirdly before laughing.
"I'll have you know that Sofia focused on someone's IQ more, and the face and body are just a bonus."
"And I'll let you know that I'm smart as well. I design cars and arrange-" She cuts me off with a laugh.
"I knew it."
"What?"
"You like Sofia. Your eyes don't lie, and don't you dare deny it. That's why you're talking about the past. You want information from me."
"Of course not. Sofia can be with that guy, and I am with Elisa." She just raised an eyebrow at me. "What? I don't like her." I continued to deny it.
"You and your family are the only ones who like that witch," she blurted, and she realized what she said. "I'm sorry, but it's the truth."
"Why do you hate her? Because you are Sofia's best friend?"
"Yes and no. I haven't liked her since then because she's a bitch. If you think she is what she is, then suit yourself."
"Do they go out often?" I changed the topic and pointed at the two.
"I don't understand. If you love Sofia, why did you ignore her and treat her like shit? And don't tell me it's because of Elisa?"
""It's complicated, Amelia."
"Well, if I were you, I'd make a move before someone else has her. Everyone thinks she's single."
"She's not single! She's my wife." I whisper-shout at her.
"That's what the three women in your life have been saying to everyone." There goes that comment again. "What? It's true. They made sure that everyone knows you left Sofia for a witch, and it is clear that for men, it's good news."
It irks me to hear that comment over and over again. Maybe because I know that it's the truth.
"Angel, what do you expect? Sofia has it all; she's perfect, and she's about to be a free woman. The moment men find out you let her go, they will follow her like dogs in heat. Sofia won't cry and sulk all her life. Remember that you went out with Elisa since college." I frowned at her because I didn't understand her. "College?"
"Come on! Everybody knows Sofia liked you, even that stupid Kevin. In fact, he was the one who told her you were courting Elisa. She didn't believe it until she saw you kissing at the party."
"What party?"
"At the championship party, remember? That party was a huge mess. Kevin kept on pestering Sofia, and you showed up with Elisa."
I remember that party because it was the moment Kevin told me he slept with Sofia, but I can't remember kissing Elisa, even though I slept with her that night.
"I don't know. All I thought was that she and Kevin were going out."
"You thought wrong, stupid. You always do," she said, rolling her eyes.
I saw how they all stood up and seemed to bid farewell to the Japanese couple before embracing each other. Breathe, Angel. Just breathe.
Oh, f**k it.
"Where are you going?" Amelia asked as she stopped me.
"I'll just say hi," I told her with an evil glint in my eyes.
"No, you will not. You will stay here, and you will listen to me." She yanked me back down, and it surprised me a bit. "My friend was crazy about you; I saw her cry, and I won't let that happen again. Visit Jo bnib-.com to read the complete chapters for free. Then you came back, married her, and I gave you the benefit of the doubt, but how did you treat her? Now I don't know why you're so interested. Is it because you like her? Don't you just want to lose her to someone, and that is your ego talking?" "That's not going to happen because she's my wife."
"If you go there, you will just embarrass her, and that won't end up being good for you."
"So, I just have to be calm and ignore the fact that my wife is having dinner with another guy."
"And what if it's just a business date? You stay there and keep it to yourself. Don't ruin her evening," Amelia said firmly.
I saw them talking, smiling, and laughing, and it irritated me. I can't let that happen. She's still my wife. With that thought, I stood up from our table.
"You'll just make things worse, Angel," she said as she tried to stop me again, but I kept on walking. "Okay, let's say I think you care about my friend and you're jealous, so I'm going to do something nice for you." "Will you do something good?"
"Yes, let's just say that I'm doing this for you before you end up with a bottle on your head like Kevin. Be a gentleman and act like you do at parties and in front of the press."
"I don't act like that."
Amelia took a deep breath, seeming to lose her patience. "You will nicely greet her and act like a husband in love with his wife."
"I don't care what other people think. Let's see who's better between me and that idiot."
She punched me in the arm. "Hey! You lie to me, Angel if you don't want a scene. There are rumors that you two aren't together anymore and don't attend events together."
"I was traveling, so how can I attend parties?"
"You already told the shareholders that you are divorcing her, so if they see her without you at her aunt's event, that will put an end to it. Now if you show up with her, you will embarrass her, and you will pay dearly." What party? She didn't mention anything to me. Was she planning on going with me or that idiot?
"Good evening," I greeted the two when I reached their table, and they looked up in surprise. "Amelia and I saw you, so we decided to come and say hi."
"Amelia?" Sofia asked, looking for her friend.
Amelia waved and awkwardly laughed. "Sofia, hi, friend, what a surprise. Can we sit with you?"
Amelia did not wait for an answer and sat beside Sofia, leaving me to sit next to Isaac.
"I see that you are talking about business even outside of office hours." I started, and Amelia kicked me under the table, making me groan in pain.
Amelia glared at me and smiled at Sofia. "Angel said that because we saw you with a Japanese couple."
"You two saw us? What were you two doing?" Sofia asked in wonder.
"Angel invited me for dinner to talk about the company."
"Oh, is it important?" Sofia asked while staring at me.
"Just some issues, Sofia. You don't have to worry, dear, but Mr. Gomez, tell me, did you like the dinner and the company?"
"Angel!" Sofia exclaimed before pinching me.
"Yes, Mr. Leffman. She's beautiful and one of a kind," Isaac answered.
"I can imagine. I think you're enjoying it too much, and I want my wife back."
"I think it's late, and I want to go home," Amelia interrupted us and looked at Isaac. "Isaac, can you take me home? Thank you; let's go."
Amelia almost dragged Isaac away from the table, and Amelia kissed Sofia goodbye but looked at me before leaving.
"Have a good night, Angel," she casually said, but her eyes said otherwise.
"Same to you."
"Make sure you take some rest, Sofia," the idiot said.
"Same to you, and thank you for everything." Sofia replied with a smile.
Thank you. And do you have to smile like that?
"May I know what you're doing?" Sofia asked in a calm yet annoyed voice.
"What? I just wanted to greet my lovely wife." She poured another drink, and I took it from her. "I think you don't want to end up in a hospital again, Sofia."
"My night was good, so don't ruin it."
"And I have no doubt. You were smiling beautifully. Like someone who just won a jackpot.
"You can say that, and that's why I wanted to celebrate, but you scared my partner away."
"Your partner is me, and we have a piece of paper to prove that."
"You're irresponsible, Angel. Do you really have to ruin my day?"
"I did not intend to ruin your day. I want to celebrate with you."
I looked at her to see her eyes glaring at me. She was so close to me that I could smell her perfume.
"What were you doing with Amelia? She did not even like you."
"She shared some great stories. Like how I made her friend cry before." I teased her, and her face scrunched up.
"She has a big mouth."From NôvelDrama.Org.
"Not really. But now, after knowing that, I have to admit that there was something I wanted to do during that time, and I didn't do it because I thought you were dating Kevin."
"What?" she snapped in disbelief. "And how did you think that I was dating that moron?"
"It was a long story, but the point is, what I wanted to do is this."
I pulled her by the back of her head and claimed her lips with mine. I was dying to do that again ever since I tasted her lips. So soft, so fleshy, so... sweet. She resisted at first but responded after a few seconds. God, how did I not kiss her before? is beyond me. "Excuse me." Someone interrupted us, and I saw a waiter. "I just..."
"Bring me some whiskey and a coke for the lady," I ordered without looking at him.
"Of course, let me just clean the table." He awkwardly responded and left once he'd done.
"Why did you do that? People saw us." Sofia hisses at me when we're alone.
"And what's wrong with that? I'm just kissing my wife."
"You are just doing this to save your image." She accused me, and I stopped myself from flicking her nose.
"Yes, and because I wanted to do it as well. I need inspiration."
She gave me a dangerous smile. "One of these days, I will kill you."
"I don't think so. Now, tell me why you look so happy while you're with that moron."
"No," she said with a blank look on her face.
"Okay. Let's just toast to whatever's making you happy, even though you are not dancing with her or with him."
"Not with him and not with you."
We both chuckled and raised our glasses.
"Cheers, Sofia."
We ended up spending a pleasant night together without arguing or fighting. I was just talking about the company, about her tastes, etcetera, and it felt good.
"Why don't you tell your dad that you are the owner of Lee Andrew's?"
"And why are you suddenly asking me that?"
"Curiosity. It's been bothering me for a while."
"Why don't you tell your family that you are the owner of Autos-Let?" She threw back, and I pursed my lips.
"We both know our parents don't get along."
"The problem is with your family because my dad is a nice man and we get along."
"I don't doubt that."
I remember what she and her dad did for us to marry, and the bitterness came back to me.
"Why is your face like that? Your mood changed again."
"Let's just go, Sofia. It's late."
"Attack?" I repeated in confusion.
"You just experienced a bipolar attack."
"Yes. Your mood swings are drastic, but you are right. It's late, and I want to go home."
I asked for the bill before paying for it, and we left together.
"I'll take my car."
"Okay, I'll follow you, and it's not up for discussion."
"Whatever," she replied while rolling her eyes.
I got in my car and followed close behind her. We had a good time. There were no lies or an ugly past behind us at that moment, but she just had to mention her dad and ruin the night.
It made me remember that I should hate her and not trust her.