Chapter 39: Judgement
Sophia's POV:
"Sophia!"
I frowned when I heard Daniel's voice. I was about to open the front door.
"You'll have to come with me this afternoon at the company press conference."
"What press conference and why does it have to be with me?" I asked him confused.
"Tss!" He sneered. "Of course, because you're pretending to be my wife! And come on, Sophia don't act as if you don't want any of this because I know the type of woman you are!"
I gasped at the sharpness of his tone.
"What are you talking about?" I asked frowning at him but he just smirked.
"You know what, I was starting to think you're different, but was wrong!"
He said that left me speechless in seconds.
"Wait! What did you mean by that?" I asked following him inside his study room?
"I don't have time to explain to you! Just find it on your own if you really want to know!"
"Wow! What kind of answer is that, Mr. Kelley? I just want to know what the press conference is. And we talked about it before that we will never inform the public about our marriage!" "Really? Because as far as I remember, we never had a talk, Sophia! You entered this agreement, meaning you need to follow the rules!"
I followed him to his desk.
"You know what, I don't understand why you hate me! I didn't do anything wrong to you!"
I unconsciously blurted out but it's too late to take it back because he started to laugh at me sarcastically.
I watched him until his laugh died and as he slowly walked towards my direction.
"Do you want to know why I hate you, Sophia?" I gulped when he gripped my arm. "Because I hate liars and pretentious!"
I almost stumbled when he suddenly let me go with a slight push.
"And I don't like you!"
He said with spite in his voice.
I was left open-mouthed with his last words. I took a deep breath and composed myself.
"Really? Well, Mr. Kelley for your information, I don't like you either and I don't wake up every morning just to impress you!"
I said crossing my arms over my chest.
"And what did you say, liar and pretentious? Tsk.tsk.tsk. It's so funny how the people who know the least about me, have the most to say."
I gave him a sad smile while shaking my head.
"Mr. Kelley, every single person on this planet has a story. Before you judge me try to step into my shoes, because I'm telling you, you only know my name but not my story."
I don't know how I managed to stay standing in front of him and looking straight into his emotionless eyes.
I sighed when he didn't say anything after that. He just pulled his chair and sat down, completely ignoring me.
I walked out of his study room without hearing anything from him.
That same afternoon, I went to his office to attend the press conference that he was talking about. I just forced myself to smile at every flash of cameras focused on the two of us.
He announced the company's success in reaching the top-grossing company title in the whole state of California, as well as the new partnership between them and Mr. Norman Giovanni's company.
But of course, the conference didn't just end there without them asking about the two of us. So, he finally introduced me to everyone and to his world.
I knew then that my world would not be that small, because I know everyone would recognize me, and I'm sure all the people that I avoided would now easily find me.
Daniel's POV:
I was busy checking the reports that Andrew have me this morning when I received a call from my mother.
"Mom, how are you-----"
"Let's meet. See me at the restaurant in front of the KI corporation building."
I frowned upon hearing her tone.
"But why? Mom, I'm busy---"
"Daniel Kelley, see me at the restaurant in front of your building now and don't make your mother wait!"
"Hey, what's happening to you, Mom? Why do you suddenly want to see me?"
I didn't have to ask if she was mad or not because I already knew the answer. It's every time she mentioned my whole name, I knew I had done something wrong that made her mad.
"Because we have to talk and don't make me wait, Daniel!"
I sighed and closed my laptop.
"Okay, I'm coming."
I took my phone and my jacket from the back of my chair and headed towards the door. I can't think of any possible reason why she suddenly wants to talk to me.
"Andrew, I'll just meet my Mom outside, please prepare for our next meeting." I knocked on his office walking towards the lift. He just looked and didn't ask anything.
I found her sitting in one of the corner of the restaurant.
"Mom." I said kissing her cheek.
"Sit down, Daniel."
I furrowed my eyebrow when she didn't greet me back like she used to do every time we met.
"What's this all about, Mom?"
"Well, we need to talk about your conference yesterday."
She leaned forward and put her elbows on the table, one of her mannerisms if what she will about to say is really important.
"Uhuh?"
"Why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Why did you introduce your wife to the media?"
"Mom?" I chuckled at her question. "She's my wife, Mom and even if I didn't introduce her to the media, they will still recognize her because she will accompany me to the events I will be attending in the future. "That's different, Daniel at least at those parties, the whole world will not immediately know that she is your wife!"
"Wait, I don't understand the problem with it, Mom. Why don't you want me to introduce her to the public?" She sighed and leaned on her seat.
"Because you know she's not going to be your wife forever."
I gulped when I heard those words from her.
"Do you think I don't know that reason, Mom?" I don't know why, but those words affected me.
"Son, you put her life in danger by announcing to the public her connection with you."
I frowned when her tone suddenly changes from serious to being sad.
"What do mean, Mom? I hired two bodyguards for her and I will even add another two if that's needed."
"You don't understand, son."
"Then make me understand. Is she a murderer, did she kill someone, does she have a case and she's now hiding from it, or is that the real reason why she married me-----ouch!"
She slapped my hand.
"Your questions are not funny!" She said glaring at me. "It's not my story to tell, son, but I just have a favor to ask you."
She held both of my hands.
"I know what you feel about her, you don't like her, am I right? But as I told you before, Sophia is a fine young woman, son. Don't judge her for marrying you because you don't know what she's been through. Remember son, everyone has a story and there's a reason why they choose to do what they do."
She gave me a half-hearted smile before she stands up and hug me on my seat.
"Ask her and know her story, by then you will understand what she's been through and why she had to marry you."
She patted my shoulder before walking away towards the exit.
-'Ask her story? Huh! As if we're close and she would tell me that?'-