SOPHIA'S POV.
“I want to post this video.” I chuckled as Damien leaned in to see what I was talking about. It was camera footage of Audrey confessing about having sex with David for two years. He scoffed and put the phone away as his arms came around my waist unexpectedly.
I stiffened.
We were sitting on the bed and he had his arms around my waist and his chin on my shoulder. My mind began to dart in all directions but I was too stiff to react, my brain had gone numb. I heard him sniff as felt his nostrils widen and contract on the skin on my neck.
I swallowed. This was too much
“What do you think you're doing?” I called out in a Mummy tone. The kind that slapped back your senses into you without questions.
“Are you daft? I'm sniffling your neck, you idiot.” He completed it with a light laugh which involuntarily sent sweet feelings to my heart.
“Like a dog” I commented, making efforts to shake him off but he wouldn't budge. I didn't want to hurt his chin or lips so I didn't apply much pressure, something in me had begun to care for him just like he did for me over the past few days.
“Let's have dinner.” He announced, releasing his grip on me and creating distance between us. Instantly, I miss that warm hug but I'd die before I admit such.
I turned to face him, “Dinner?” I did an eyebrow twerk and he bellowed with laughter, his shoulders heaving as he did. At that moment, he looked like a harmless young boy laughing his ass off.
“Yes, dinner. Dinner… in a restaurant.” He intoned after calming down from a core-aching laughter, grabbing my eyes into a locked gaze and I let him have his chance.
“Like a date?” I did the eyebrow twerk again but he managed a short laugh; I knew another trial, and such a long one, would cause tears. Lots of tears. “Huh?”
“Yeah, like a date. Huh.” I giggled in response.
“I'm not a dress girlie. Are you fine with office pants or jeans and a tank top?” I told the story of my wardrobe in one sentence. He chuckled as his eyes went to the wardrobe.
“I bought you loads of dresses, can you just wear one?” He pleaded but I shook my head. Gowns and skirts weren't my thing. I either rocked boy pants, female office pants or baggy jeans over sleeveless tops, baggy T-shirts or tank tops. I didn't like an overall feminine look so I never did one.
“If we'd had a church wedding, you'd seen me in a gown but aside from that day, I'm not a dress girlie. So, do you want dinner or a dress?” I twirled my brows before adding, “You can only get one” I sang.
“How are you able to make a full-grown man like me laugh effortlessly, Soph? That's a superpower, you know?” He reached out and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear then went back into his previous position.
“I have a superpower, silly. But don't veer off the subject, mister. I know those tricks.” My tone glided from playful to a deadpan then a serious one. He chuckled then tucked his lips behind his teeth, showing his dimples while stroking his chin softly with his index finger.
“Can I get one today and one tomorrow?” He made a pitiable face but he'd need more practice, years I presume of practice.
“Hmmm… it depends on the one you decide to go for now because I'm starving and I'll need dinner either way.”
His eyes brightened, “I can give you both! A little modeling play show and sumptuous dinner at a restaurant.”
My shoulders crumpled, “Nice choice… I'm starving. You win.” I did a small fake smile like one of the emojis and left him to go get dressed.
As I expected, the door slammed behind me and I sniffed in lots of air into my lungs before picking the blue sparkly gown at the rear end of the wardrobe. It wasn't a long gown, neither was it flared. I didn't like the way it shone but it was the only one closest to what I could manage in the wardrobe. Aud would have loved those kinds of gowns: flared, long with a slit, that's all she rocked to the galas and numerous dates with me judging her look until the accident.
Urgh Sophia Crawford! Can you enjoy this evening? I snapped myself back to reality. Audrey didn't really care if I was dead or alive, always full of herself and what she wanted.
Sneaky bitch
Sometimes hurting herself to get dad's attention and saying her mother would do that. What an insolent piece of shit!
Minutes after a continuous internal battle, I emerged from my room clad in the blue gown and simple makeup over silvery heels to accentuate the silvery jewelry I'd chosen. I could've stared longer at the mirror, wondering at my transformation but for Damien's knock.
Wrong timing, Damien!
His gasp and stumble backward said it all. I felt like a princess. Dressing up for David hadn't been like this, he gave compliments the first few times but soon let them die down as time went on and our dates became months apart and towards the accident, and we only met for sex and more sex.
Don't conclude quickly. This might be the last of such reactions too. My rational mind kicked in and I creased my brow.
“What is it? Haven't you seen a woman in a gown and makeup before?” I crunched my nose, to further project my displeasure. He blinked and I felt bad due to the fact that he'd been lost in admiration.
Or random thoughts, Sophia! Get a grip, girl!
“I lost myself there. You took me into a realm I've never been. You're beautiful, Soph. I—I don't have more sweet things to say but I'm lucky we're married even though it's on paper and there are no conjugal rights.” He paused and blew out a breath. His cheeks glistened with tears, throwing me into further confusion.
I dug a tissue roll out of my bag and stretched it to him. “I'm sorry. Did I do anything wrong?” I asked as he turned away, sniffling and cleaning his tears with a ball of tissue.
“I'm sorry too.” He turned back to me, tossing the tissue ball into a nearby trash can. He had them placed at every curve of the wall. Such precision! “I got a bit emotional back there. It'd been a lot of years since I saw such a gorgeous dress and I remembered how my ex-wife used to dress up for me. I—” He paused when my eyes darkened.
Ex-wife, huh?
“Let's go!” I commanded, not wanting any more of the drama. He offered to lead me and I gave my hand, looking forward in deep thoughts.