It takes grace
to remain kind
in cruel situations.
-Anonymous

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Sacrlett.

Fuck. As soon as I saw her name flashing on the screen, I yelped and reached for the phone. All the laziness was gone, I felt fully charged.

"Hello?" I softly and cautiously whispered.

"Sophie? Where are you?" I couldn't make out if she was angry, happy or sad.

"I'm at home, Mom. Is everything fine?"

"Home? "

"Yes." I frowned.

"Why aren't you here, are you unwell?"

"Sorry? I-"

"I invited you and Asher to dinner, didn't I? Didn't Asher tell you?"

I felt like my brain had stopped functioning for a second. I blinked and looked at my phone with wide eyes. Holy shit!

"No, he didn't." I almost whispered.
I heard Scarlett sigh loudly. Was she upset?

And then the call ended abruptly.

I stared at the screen dumbfounded. God, Scarlett was indeed mad at me. Why wouldn't she be? I remember, she told me that she will be organising a dinner party soon where she would finally introduce Asher and I as husband and wife to the family. Well, mostly me.

My phone buzzed again and a notification popped up at the screen.

House number 2003 xxxx.
I hope to see you in 30 minutes.

Even her text sounded so stern.

I gulped and shook my head. That idiot , I wanted to screw his existence. He did that on purpose! He wanted me to be on Scarlett's bad side. He wanted to embarrass me.

Well done, Asher Grayson. I grumbled and quickly started looking for a proper dress to wear in the bags that Scarlett has sent me a few days back. I hadn't sorted them out yet. I didn't have enough time and energy to.  I frowned deeply at the bags, there were so many and I wasn't used to handling some many clothes.

I finally settled on a halter neck sundress, which looked quite decent. It was baby blue in colour. I smiled a quickly changed into the dress after taking a shower real fast.

I wondered what Asher must be wearing while running my hands through my hair. Luckily I washed them yesterday, they still had the volume and shine that was required.  I quickly slipped in a pair of sliver pumps and applied some light makeup accompanied with a nude lip gloss.

I looked at the watch and saw thaf fifteen minutes had already passed.

Shaking my head in annoyance and cursing my jerk of a husband a little more, I took a black clutch and made my way out of the room.

I quickly locked the house and rushed towards the main gate. Well, great. I thought, I had no way to reach the destination. I would have to wait for a cab.

I looked up at the sky, "Atleast show me that you exist," I muttered like a total goncase.

Fuck, what's wrong with me? I was ready talking to God or something like that. I frowned at sky and then sighed. I looked at the road and my eyes immediately widen, a smile made it's way up my face, I shook my head in total disbelief.

"No way."

There stood a black cab, I could see the driver. He was soundly sleeping with his seat slightly inclined back.

I grinned and walked quickly up to the cab, I knocked on the window and the driver immediately opened his eyes and looked at me.

"Yes?"

Goodness!!

I quickly turned my phone screen towards him. I need to at this address in 10 minutes. I blinked twice and gave his those puppy eyes.

"Get in, Miss." He grinned at me.

When did I get so lucky?

.

.

.

I gulped looking at the sight infront of me. This house was three times bigger than the house I was currently living in. I walked through the way to the door, that was lined with flowers, well maintained. I started thinking and comparing Asher's place with his parents. It was completely the opposite. While his placee was shabby his parent's house was absolutely elegant and posh.

My palms were sweaty, I was gulping again and again on nothing. I sighed and tried to calm myself. I reached the mahogany door and a sweet smell filled my nose. I smiled but it soon wavered.

"Here you go, Sophie." I told myself and rang the bell twice. I straightened my spine and pushed my hair back.

The door opened and Scarlett smiled looking at my not so smiley face.

"Sophie," she breathed and her eyes roamed up and down my body, her fingers wrapped around my wrist and she pulled me inside, "You look beautiful, Sophie." I heard her say, "Everybody will love you." Scarlett sounded full of joy while I let her drag me like a kid, my mouth completely shut and my heart hammering loudly in my chest.

"Everyone," to be honest, I was fine. Real fine, until my ears popped open, I was hit by reality as soon as I heard Scarlett's voice, my vision cleared and my breathe hitched.

Sweet Jesus...

"This is Sophie." I froze. There in front of me, sat more than 20 people in the round couch under the most beautiful chandelier I've had ever seen, it illuminated the room so brightly and the gem sparkled like they were real diamonds. My mouth opened in awe and the chandelier became the most interesting things I've seen in a while.

No shit.

I couldn't look at them, one glance and they screamed money, scandals, arrogance, hate and what not. I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me.

"Sophie?"

"Huh?"

Scarlett gave me a confused look.

"This is everyone." I had to finally look at them again.

"Hello," I whispered softly and looked down at my feet.

"Oh, you poor little thing," I heard a woman's voice, "You guys stop staring, we're scaring her."

"Hey, Sophia."

I smiled at her, "It's Sophie, ma'am." I corrected her politely.

"Oh, love. I'm sorry." She came to my side and touched my arm trying to soothe my tension.

"Isn't this a family dinner?" My head snapped in the direction of the voice and my eyes met a pair of hazel eyes.

"Callum," somebody warned. "Be nice."

"Sure, why not." Callum apparently just flicked them off. Callum looked young, he was definitely in his teenage years.

"Who is she Aunt scarlett?" Callum asked.

"You will be soon aware of who she is, Callum."

"Now, now. Let's make Sophie feel welcomed, okay?"

I saw a few smiles, some bright, some forced and then I saw the smile, the person I never thought I would see here.

Victoria...

Her eyes looked confused as they were narrowed at me, I guess she forgot me but I could never forget her. My heart dropped as I saw the person who's arms were wrapped around her waist as they sat close to each other. Asher.

His eyes were already on me, looking at me suggestively. I didn't have the time to look away or hide the pure shock on my face, I gulped again and saw his lips slightly curving up in a close mouthed, crude smile.

"Hey Sophie." I was dragged out of my thoughts and my head turned to see a petite brunette walking towards me, "Come sit with us."

"Thank you." I smiled and let her walk me up to the couch placed near the huge French window.

Suddenly my hand was between two other masculine hands. I looked up to see, a man, he looked young, like he was in his early twenties. I was playing the guessing games here trying to figure out their age. To  be honest, I wanted to leave. A thumb touched the back of my wrist. He grinned at me boyishly and I immediately turned red.

"It's nice to meet you Sophie, you're so beautiful." I heard a few chuckles.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He said when I just kept staring at his face. "I'm Scott. "

I shook my head and smiled softly, "Hello, Scott. I'm glad to meet you. And, no, you didn't scare me."

"I see, have a seat." He said and I nodded.

"I need privacy." I heard, it was Callum.

I looked at him and he glared at me, I quickly turned my head away.

What the hell was this kid's problem?

.

.

.

.

We sat there, in the living room for an hour more. I got to know a few people, including Asher's cousin brothers , their wives, and a  16 year-old cousin. Some of my conversations ended just after a hi and a small nod, others dragged me to the time I was born, they wanted to know it all. I had to be careful, I made sure that nothing wrong slipped out of my mouth, like me being a university student.

And then Cassie, Asher's cousin announced that dinner was being served.

We all made our way to another room, that was as elegant as the previous one. Everyone took their seats and I followed Scott and sat beside him. I looked around and locked my eyes with my husband, who was frowning at me. I raised my eyebrow at him and his eyes shifted to my side. My frown deepened. What was his problem?
A few minutes later, maids dressed in black knees length dress and a white apron started entering the room with dishes in their hands, my mouth immediately watered.

The dishes started clattering as everyone started serving themselves and before I could even reach for anything the dishes went empty and I stared at them as everyone else started digging in their food while chatting.

My eyes moved over to Victoria, for no reason. I noticed her looking at someone, a sly smile on her face, I looked in the direction she was smiling at a Raised an eyebrow at Callum and Rebecca.

I looked down at my empty dish and quickly took a sip of my cold water. I looked up and all the three were looking at me with the same sly smile.

Was this did on purpose?

No, it couldn't be.

My stomach grumbled and I mumbled incoherents. Not now... Ugh...

"Oh dear..."

Scarlett exclaimed, her eyes set on my dish.

"How can this happen? How did the dishes got empty in just one go?" she looked at the maid standing near the door, looking down at her feet.

My stomach clenched. "No, it's fine. I'm okay." Asher cleared his throat and looked at me chewing on his food, his jaw looked more defined as it moved his eyes reckless moved all over me. "I already ate before coming here." I told her.

"But, how is this possible?"

"Scar..." A deep voice said which I didn't hear before today. My breath hitched... Fuck, he looked the old version of Asher with dark chocolate eyes. How didn't I notice him before, was he even there in the living room? "She said, It's okay." He placed his hand on top of Scarlett's.

Scarlett frowned at him but didn't say anything.

"Yes mom, Sophie isn't hungry. "
Came Asher's reply, he sounded so cool.

I gave him a tight smile.

"Rinie, I want you to cook a meal for Sophie right now." I heard a few snickers. And my heart twisted, no Sophie don't let them get you. I reminded myself.

"No, I'm not hungry. Maybe a little pudding..." I trailed off.

"Yes, ma'am there's rice pudding in the fridge." Renie

I smiled at her. "Lovely," I stood up from my seat, I didn't know where this new found confidence came out of, but I was liking it, so far. "Excuse me" I whispered and made my way out of the room, following the maid.

We made it too the kitchen and Renie rushed towards the fridge and took out a bowl of rice pudding.

"Let me warm it up" she said and I noticed her hands shaking, I frowned and bit on my lip,

"Are you okay? "

"Yes, I am. Just... Terrified."

"Why? Is it because of Scarlett? "

She nodded, "I get afraid of things and people very soon. Sorry. "

I stepped forward and took the bowl from her hand, "It's okay. I understand." I smiled at her. The way she was behaving was saddening. She was scared for her job, that was clear.

I walked to the stove, lit it quickly -

"Ma'am wait, you can't do this, you shouldn't!" She started waving her hands around

"It's okay Renie."

"No ma'am please," she snatched the bowl from my hand. " I'll do it".

I sighed and stepped back.

I leaned sideways on the kitchen platform, "My name is Sophie not Ma'am."

She giggled stiring the bowl.

"Yes Ma'am."

"Yeah, exactly." I rolled my eyes at her.

"How old are you Renie?"

"21 "

I nodded

"You?"

"Nin- uh twenty two." Fuck, I was just going to blurt out my real age.

I shook my head slightly and blinked, control yourself, control yourself.

Renie sighed and went back to heating the rice pudding.

I was standing there, aimlessly looking around when a foul smell reached my nose, my face scrunched up and I looked at my side,  my eyes immediately widen as I saw Renie's bellbottom sleeves on fire while she was busy day dreaming and stiring.

"Renie! "

"Oh no! "

I rushed towards her as she started moving back, I started patting the fire not caring of the burning sensation that ran through my palm up to my hand making me flinch. I started blowing and then rushed towards the sink. I filled a glass with water and rushed back to Renie to see that the fire was out and she was leaning on the platform crying in her hands.

"Are you okay? Did you get burned? "

She shook her head, "No not really, I think my fingers are a little..."

She moved towards me and hugged me, "Thank you so much you saved me," I was pushed back by her weight but I balanced myself and chuckled at her,

"No problem, I had to, Renie."

"Are you okay?"

My hands went still and I slowly locked them behind me. "Yeah."

"I'm sorry again."

"It's okay, again." I chuckled.

"I should go back", I told her.

"Wait, you didn't eat."

"No, I'm not hungry" before she could say anything I started walking out of the kitchen. I know it was rude but I had to.

As soon as I entered the dining room my eyes met Asher's. His face held no expressions at all. Calm but at the same time raging.

I looked down, embarrassed, and walked to my seat.

"All good?" Scott asked as soon as I sat down, I was avoiding touching anything, my hands were burned and red. It was hurting .

"Have we met before, Sophie?"

Fuck. I knew that voice.

I shook my head and smiled at Victoria. "I don't think so. Have we?"

She narrowed her eyes at me and I straightened my shoulders gazing back at her with the same intensity.

"No, we haven't."

"Ma'am you left your pudding in the kitchen."

I groaned inwardly and looked down at my empty plate. I knew everyone was looking at me. God... Sophie.

"Oh? "

I wanted to gag.

Renie placed the bowl of warm sweet pudding in the table infront of me and left. I didn't dare look up as my hands reached forward slightly shaking as I held the spoon. My eyes started stinging from the pain. I just wanted to leave the spoon.

For the next ten minutes I tried to act normal and somehow I was doing good until someone pulled at my dress. My eyebrows rose as I looked down a bit surprised.

I thought it was Scott, because he was the one sitting on my right.

But it wasn't him. I smiled at the cute boy standing beside me. He looked barely five.  He had blond hair and hazel eyes. A little dainty nose.

"I like pudding."

"Josh, mom will give you pudding later. Stay away from that filt--"

Before she could say anymore I heard him and my heart clenched.
"Filth? Yeah filth." My eyes widen as I looked at Asher. "Mother, I hope next time I'm here no stranger is invited to annoy and disturb our family." he addressed Scarlett  while looking at me with those fierce eyes.

"Asher! Behave." My eyes turned glassy as I smiled painfully at the little boy. Filth. He called me filth. My stomach clenched and my jaw tightened.

"Mother-"

"Respect your wife, Asher Grayson."

And, there was it. The ugly truth. The part of my life I never wanted to disclose in front of these people or anyone else because it was a mere joke. A joke that didn't make me laugh.

A tear slid down my cheek as I heard a few gasps before everything went silent.

Hey there!! I hope you liked this chapter.

I don't know what's happening. I'm sorry for making you guys wait.

See you soon!

Love ya

-G 🌸