PROCESS
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SOPHIE'S POV
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It has been almost a month since my contract with Delacrioux was signed. After I visited the company with Caleb, the signing took a bit more time than necessary. I sometimes wonder if it was because of Caleb's disappearance to God knows where.
The euphoria I felt at the time it was signed had subsided but my heart still hurts from the strain in my relationship with Caleb. He does not show any form of interest in me or try to make any conversation and this hurts me more than I am willing to admit.
I have a feeling he is into someone else. I have fallen in love before and know the tell signs a person shows when they are in love and it was written all over him.
I know I'm not supposed to be jealous or pay him any mind, after all, our marriage and relationship are faux, but it hurts anyway. The worst of it all is that I feel I contributed to it all by shunning him off after our one-night escapade.
He just walked past me now and didn't even notice me sitting here which was never the case before.
I am certain he does not even remember that I would be announcing my big win to the family on Saturday. I wanted to ignore him but he had helped me secure the contract so I owe him an amount of gratitude and his presence on that day.
“Excuse me...Caleb,” I called out. He had his back at me and from his body movement, I knew he was drinking coffee. His back looked broader and his waist slimmer, the amount of time he spent at the gym was paying off. I wondered for whom it was that he was taking extra care building his body.
He turned to face me, and I felt butterflies at the bottom of my stomach. “You called,” he replied. He seemed angry at the intrusion, though I wondered why it was so.
He probably hates me, was the thought that came to my mind. Well, I won't allow him close to my heart, never not after all I've been through with Mark.
“Yes, I did. Hope I'm not by any chance disturbing you. I can come another time or send the servants to get you.” my last sentence must have hit a nerve cos his face burrowed into an angry frown. Well, he deserved it, I preferred any reaction to no reaction at all.
“You are here already so you can as well say what you came to say,” he replied, he just spared me a glance and continued to drink from his mug.
The nerve of this guy, he seemed to have forgotten our deal, or is there something he is not saying because I can't seem to understand the sudden aloofness and boldness he was currently displaying. Whatever the case, I intend to stick to my end of the bargain and help him out with his case with his girlfriend. What was her name again? I searched my memory, Zoey, I smiled remembering.
“I wanted to invite you to my party on Saturday, I want to announce the Delacroix contract to my family.” I acted as though I didn't care if he came or not but within me I prayed he would accept the invitation.
“Saturday!, I don't think I can make it.”
“Why?'' My voice was harsher and louder than I intended, but at least it gained me a look from him as he had all his attention on his phone which I felt like ripping off his hands and throwing away as far as I could.
“Why?” I repeated more calmly
“I have to be somewhere, though it doesn't concern you.”
“It's okay then.” I started walking away, I couldn't let him get to me or see how his words affected me.
“What time is the announcement scheduled for,” he called out
“7:00 pm '' I replied without looking back. I walked straight to the bar and poured myself a glass full of my favorite whiskey as I brought it closer to my mouth to drink. I felt repulsed and a little faint. This had never happened to me before and I wondered why, leaving the drink behind. I went to my room and sat on the couch close to the window. That was where I found myself some hours later when my maid came to get me for dinner. I had been sleeping for close to four hours.
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At the dinner table, it was no surprise that Caleb was not seated with the family since my grandma had always talked down to him and my uncle David didn't make it easier for him. Except for Caleb, the other members of my family were all present.
I sat beside my parents and waited for the meal to be halfway before I spoke.
The other people that knew about my multi-million dollar contract were my parents and they had encouraged me to keep it a secret till the deal was finalized and all parties signed, my uncle David was a cunning man and would do anything to ensure I lose.
I took a look around the table and stood up when I was satisfied that the time was right to make the announcement. I took a glass cup and a spoon from the table and with just a click I was able to get their attention focused on me.
“I have something important to say to you all.” I declared gaining their apt attention. “It would be announced on Saturday in front of the company staff and I want you all to be there.
David started to say something and if I knew him well enough he wanted to opt out but my grandpa interjected and spoke on behalf of the whole family gaining himself an angry stare from him.
“We all will be there. Now tell us the time.” He grinned at me, ignoring uncle David.
"The time is 7:00 pm grandpa and, thank you," I replied, relieved to have his support.
I sat back down after my small speech and everyone else had focused on their meals again except for my uncle who was now wearing a frown and his wife seemed to be trying to calm him down, every other person in the room seemed unbothered.
From under the table, my mother squeezed my hands and when I looked at her she murmured the words of how proud of me she was. This act pleased me and gave me the strength to push on despite my struggles.