Chapter Five

“What?” shouted Lisa. “Why in hell would you do that?”

“I… we still have some things to discuss before I leave,” Sophie answered.

”Did he come to the hospital?” Lisa asked her.

“Yes, and we couldn’t discuss much because he got a business text. Anyway, I’m waiting for him here before I know my next move.”

“It's okay. I do feel you guys need to think about many things.”

“Yeah,” agreed Sophie.

“Alright. Take care of yourself.”

“Hope you had fun with Matt?” Sophie asked.

“Sure did. I’ll tell you everything when you get here.”

“Okay Good night.”

Sophie was sad. She wished she could tell Lisa the real reason why she came back to the penthouse. But there was an NDA to their contract.

According to the contract, he will stop her mother’s treatment at the hospital since he’s the one paying for it. They’ll probably move her from there to a lower care facility and then she has to pay back all the money he has spent on her the last 3 years.

That was gruesome. She hadn’t graduated yet and she wondered even if she had and gotten a job at a big law firm, how many months or years would she have to work before she could repay him the money.

Her phone buzzed and brought her out of her chaotic thoughts. It was Ethan. “Are you at home?”

“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Great. I’ll be home for dinner.”

She wondered if this man had truly gone insane. The whole nation witnessed his engagement to a socialite. And he said he was coming to have dinner with her. Is he just playing with her emotions?

She can’t continue like this, she has to think of what to do. Wait. A. Minute.

Cooking for him was not part of the terms. She just took it upon herself because she loves to cook and she wanted to do something to appreciate him.

Quickly she went to the kitchen and made a delicious dinner for one person. Yep, heself. She went to the dining room afterwards and had a sumptuous meal, did the dishes and went to the bathroom to wash off her tension of a few days.

She loved this bath. She remembered the first time she had come to this penthouse.

She had stood at the entrance of Ethan’s penthouse, feeling a mix of awe and intimidation. The sleek, modern building towered over the city, a symbol of wealth and power. She clutched her suitcase tightly, taking a deep breath to steady herself before stepping inside.

The lobby was a vision of luxury, with marble floors, high ceilings, and elegant chandeliers. A doorman greeted her with a polite nod and escorted her to the private elevator that would take her to the top floor. Sophie’s heart raced as the elevator ascended, each passing floor heightening her anxiety.

When the elevator doors opened, she stepped into a grand foyer. The penthouse was breathtakingly beautiful, a perfect blend of modern design and timeless elegance. The walls were adorned with contemporary art pieces, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning panoramic view of the city skyline.

Ethan was waiting for her, his expression warm and welcoming. “Welcome, Sophie,” he had told her, extending his hand.

“Thank you, Ethan,” she replied, shaking his hand and giving him a tentative smile. “Your home is… incredible.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement at her reaction. “Let me show you around.”

They walked through the spacious living room, where plush, comfortable furniture invited relaxation. A grand piano stood in one corner, and a sleek fireplace added warmth to the modern decor. The room was bathed in natural light, and the view from the windows was mesmerizing.

“This is the living area,” Ethan explained. “Feel free to make yourself at home here.”

Sophie nodded, trying to absorb the sheer opulence of her surroundings. Ethan led her through a series of rooms, each more impressive than the last. The dining room featured a long, polished table that could easily seat twelve, with an elaborate chandelier hanging above it.

The kitchen was a chef’s dream, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, granite countertops, and custom cabinetry. “If you enjoy cooking, you’ll find everything you need here,” Ethan said, noticing her appreciative glance.

They continued the tour, passing by a home theater, a library filled with books from floor to ceiling, and a gym with the latest exercise equipment. Sophie felt like she was in a dream, the kind of place she had only seen in movies.

Finally, they reached the master suite. Ethan opened the double doors to reveal a room that exuded luxury and comfort. The king-sized bed was draped in the finest linens, and the sitting area featured a plush sofa and armchairs. The en-suite bathroom was equally impressive, with a deep soaking tub, a rainfall shower, and marble countertops.

“This will be your room,” Ethan said, opening a door to a beautifully furnished guest bedroom. “I hope you find it comfortable.”

Sophie walked into the room, feeling overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and care that had gone into preparing it for her. “It’s perfect, Ethan. Thank you.”

Ethan smiled, his gaze softening. “I’m glad you like it. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

As Ethan left her to settle in, Sophie sat on the edge of the bed, trying to process everything. The penthouse was unlike anything she had ever experienced, a stark contrast to her modest apartment. It felt surreal, almost like stepping into another world.

After soaking herself in the sweet oils in the bath, she poured herself a little non-alcoholic wine from the fridge. Then she came and stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the city lights twinkling below. The view was breathtaking, and she felt a bit of sadness about her new life.

She will miss this penthouse. Of course, he will get tired of her living here soon, just as he has gotten tired of having her in his life. She fought back tears creeping into hers.

Oh well, they had a contract, 5 years and it's all over. Three years passed blissfully but she didn't know about the next two. Well, she had gotten a good meal, had her bath, the next thing is a good night's sleep.

‘Ding dong.’ She heard the doorbell ringing.

She laughed as she went into her bedroom, being his doorman wasn’t on the terms.

Chapter Six

Sophie sat on her bed, staring blankly at the walls of her elegantly decorated room. This was her room when she first came to the penthouse until Ethan and his passionate lovemaking dragged her into the master bedroom. At first, she resisted, but she couldn’t say no to Ethan for long.

And now she is back here. It's better this way, she reasoned. She needs to leave the master bedroom for the new couple. She sighed thinking about Ethan and Vanessa in that room.

The sound of the front door opening and closing echoed through the penthouse, signaling Ethan’s arrival. Sophie’s heart skipped a beat, and she took a deep breath, preparing herself for the confrontation she knew was inevitable.

“Sophie?” Ethan’s voice called out from the hallway. “Are you home?”

She didn’t respond, hoping he might just leave her alone. But soon enough, he was standing in her doorway, looking frustrated and tired.

“There you are,” he said, his tone accusatory. “Why didn’t you welcome me when I came home like you used to? Why didn’t you open the door when I rang the bell? And why are you in this room?”

“And which of the questions will I answer?” Sophie responded quietly, clearly annoyed.

Ethan looked at her for a moment and relaxed himself on the door frame.

“You can start with the door. You heard the doorbell ring, didn’t you?” He said with a coy smile playing on his face. Sophie looked at him and wished he could stop smiling. That smile has a way of making her heart beat faster and wants to rush into his arms but today, she has no intention of doing that. So she looked away.

“Are you going to tell me it's in the terms of our contract that I should be opening doors for you? I checked, it's not.” she said defiantly .

Ethan noticed that she was in a foul mood and he scratched his chin thinking of what to do. He moved inside and sat beside her on the bed. “Have you cooked dinner?”

Sophie stood up, her eyes blazing with anger. “Why should I? Last I checked I’m neither your chef nor your door man. So what with all these questions?”

Ethan was exasperated “Look Sophie, you need to calm down. You know I always eat dinner with you.”

“Really? What about last night? Of course, you had an engagement dinner, without me of course. And today, I’m sure you’ve already eaten at your fiancée’s place.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Sophie. I’ve told you to take it easy. I know what I’m doing with the engagement. And it doesn’t change anything between us.”

“It doesn’t change anything. By that, you mean the terms of our contract, right?” Sophie asked him.

“No, Yes. I mean.. Sophie, I care about you.” Damn this is so hard, he thought.

Sophie laughed so hard. “Oh you care about me so much that you didn’t even deem it fit to let me know you are getting married to another woman.”

“Let’s go back to our room, okay,” Ethan told her and held her hand to take her out.

She removed her hand from his at once. “You really think that this will not change anything between us, that none of this matters?”

Ethan’s expression softened, and he took a step closer to her. “Sophie, listen to me. None of that matters. What matters is you and me. Our arrangement.”

Sophie shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “It matters to me, Ethan. I’m the one who has to deal with the whispers and the side glances. I’m the one who’s being torn apart online.”

“What?” Ethan asked her.

“You say it doesn’t matter because you are not the one people are calling a gold digger,” she said as tears flowed from her eyes. “You are not the one people are laughing and jeering at. Do you have any idea what people are saying about me? Do you know the kind of names I’ve been called? Do you know…?”

Ethan walked two steps and the next minute his lips were on hers, effectively shutting her up.

It was a fierce, desperate kiss, meant to silence her doubts and fears. For a moment, Sophie resisted, but the intensity of his kiss and the raw emotion behind it made her melt into his arms.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless. Ethan looked into her eyes, his own filled with a mix of regret and determination. “You do mean something to me, Sophie. More than you know.”

Sophie grabbed him again and started kissing him fiercely. At the moment, she didn’t care about Vanessa, about the online trolls, about anyone in the world. All she wanted right now was to kiss him and be kissed by him. She wanted to feel his body on her. She wanted him, desperately.

As she started sliding down her hands on his chest, the vibration of his phone shook her and the ringing that followed jolted her back to her senses. “Sorry,” Ethan said, bringing out the phone.

As soon as he saw the ID he frowned his face and looked at Sophie. Since she was close to him she saw it too and took a deep breath and turned away.

Ethan held her back and turned her to face him. “Sophie, please.”

Sophie just shook her head.

Ethan sighed, his shoulders sagging. “I didn’t tell you about the engagement because I didn’t want to hurt you. I thought the less you know, the better for you.”

Sophie took a step back, needing some distance to think. “I don’t know if I can trust you, Ethan. Not after this.”

Ethan reached out, his hand hovering just above her arm. “Please, Sophie. Give me a chance to make this right. I promise you, I’ll find a way to make everything right between us.”

Sophie looked at him, her emotions warring within her. She wanted to believe him, to trust in the connection they had built over the past three years. But the pain of his betrayal was still fresh, and she wasn’t sure if she could forgive him so easily.

“I need time,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

The call stopped ringing and started again after a few seconds. She slowly removed her wrist from his hand and quietly climbed into her bed.

Ethan was rubbing his temples. “Sophie, I have to take this call.”

“Good night Ethan,” she told him as she brought the blanket up to her chin and closed her eyes.

Ethan sighed and left her room to pick the call.

“Hello Vanessa,” he said.