The sitting room was quiet, almost graveyard level silence which wasn't possible due to the clicking sounds my newly purchased heels made. It had a dark shade to it due to the drawn down curtains just like the scene I'd beheld in David's office two days ago had brought upon my heart.
“Welcome Miss Sophia.” A voice greeted as I approached the dinning area. Lazily, my eye balls rolled to her direction just in time to see her curtsy. I took in her appearance which looked odd because I've not noticed the forming lines on her face earlier this morning when I was rushing out for work and was paused due to her question about my untouched breakfast.
“Thank you.” I responded, returning my eye balls to the direction in front of me, took two steps then paused and faced her again. “Are you okay?” I asked, concern mirroring the compassion in my heart.
“Yes.Yes.” She nodded, vigorously which made me raise an eyebrow. Her sharp answer and nods could tell any observant person that she had lots of things on her mind.
“No, you're not.” I replied in a proving tone as my limb frame sank into one of the dinning seats. “Sit and start talking…” She was beginning to shake her head again when I raised a finger. “You're about 3 years older than I am and having such lines on your face means you're either being mentally or physically stressed.” My intense gaze not leaving her face. “Or both… So?”
“You're clearly tired from a long day at work.” She deviated but I shrugged.
“That's obvious but I've never known tiredness to cloud my good sense of judgement or blur my vision. But if you're not going to tell, there's no problem. Don't come later when it's too late though.” I concluded, pushed the seat back and stood up to leave when her words stopped me.
“It’s Miss Audrey. She's instructed all the maids to be fed only once a day…”
“What?!” I blurted out, interrupting her. Was Audrey mad? I looked over at her and saw that she still had more to tell. I motioned her to continue, willing myself to pause and get all the details despite the anger cooking my heart.
“Yes, Miss. It's been going on for several weeks now.” My chest was about to explode and my head was spinning. Anger had sat closely with me for two days now and this I couldn't take anymore.
I'd been stalling, contemplating how to go about the announcement. I wanted to make it as public as can be but no ideas have formed in my mind for two days but right now, I'm seeing a doorway. I had to twist Audrey into a glass ball and toss her hard on the wall so that she breaks.
What a heartless bitch!
“Get yourself food to eat. That order is overruled. If Audrey tries anything, let me know.” I commanded and stomped away in blazing fury.
How has I been so blinded? How? What a witch!
Well… Everyone at Ruben will know about my breakup in a short while. At the gala taking place in 24 hours.
*********************************************************
“You're going dress shopping?!” Audrey shrieked in surprise which to me sounded like despair.
I shrugged my shoulders stylishly, “What?” I drawled. “Why are you so surprised? Is it a crime?” I questioned with an innocent expression, the kind I used to genuinely have anytime I spoke with her.
“No Sis… It's just that you never shop. You're either buying from a thrift store to donate to the homeless or you're picking out clothes from the ones your mum had left behind.” She face-palmed herself and let out a chuckle. “This is just so new, almost weird.”
“Really?” I arched a brow which took her by surprise. I guess today is a day of surprises, huh? “Well, it's time for a change and I need your help to ensure that.” Something flickered in her expression for a bit before it came back to what I'd been. “What? Don't you want to help your clueless, kid sis?” The words “kid sis” turned the taste in my mouth sour. They were as fake as her eyelashes which I believe could help me fly since I am the lighter sibling.
There was a moment of silence between us. Each of us carefully scrutinizing the other's expressions and demeanor. I believe she smelled the fish around me but wasn't smart enough to deduce what was on-going.
Don't stress your brains, sis. You'll know tonight. Although, I'm sure that out of the equation for you, you never use those brains.
“Okay…Okay.” She lifted both her hands in surrendering manner. “You win, I'll help you shop and in return, you'll give me that cute hoodie in your wardrobe.” Noticing the image of resistance forming in my vision, she jumped in front of me, squeezing her face unattractively - Failing woefully at her attempt to achieve the “teary-faced” emoji used for pleading. Believe me, the promixity won't be achieved soon.
“But you know that's one of my favorite hoodies especially because David loves it on me.” I ended the last part with a dreamily face, slightly upsetting Audrey.
“Get it done with. That's the deal I'll adhere to.” She enforced and I exhaled.
“Okay. Let's do this!” My response dripping with sarcasm and mystery. It had nothing to do with buying a dress but everything to do with the scenario playing in my head of my first attempt at sweet, sweet revenge.
The shopping was as conventional as can be. She helped me pick outfits and wouldn't stop raving about how my hoodie would suit her better but I didn't care. She could have my whole wardrobe including my panties if she so pleased, because within me, David and I never was.
It was all fun and games on his end. Sleep with the little sister to get the bigger one. He'll never see me how I want to be seen so to hell with him!
Prepping for the big gala didn't take me so long but what kept me lock in my room for two hours was practicing the speech and walk I'd do for the paparazzi.
The gala was in full glow when I arrived. As expected, a few camera crew rushed towards me to capture my entrance. I looked glorious, spectacular and even though I hated it, I'll commend Audrey's fashion sense. She nailed it.
I didn't wait long to start my plans. Immediately I got into the hall, I scanned the area for my family and there they were scattered in different parts of the room, meeting with different people and as expected, Audrey was sitting jiggery with David. They were having a discussion which would look fine to everyone who didn't see them fucking each other's brains off few days ago.
“Audrey, your zip.” I whispered into her ear on getting to her. She stiffened at my voice and quickly tried to zip up but that's where the struggle began. She couldn't seem to pull the zip up and her efforts were even less appreciated because the zipper won't stay. It couldn't close or stay in one place.
Fashion design class had paid off.
“What's happening?” I asked in a raised voice, drawing people's attention to us. It looked bizarre with David trying to force the zipper to stay and Audrey panicking, anyone would think they were having a quickie.
“David, what are you doing?!” I yelled, pulling more curious eyes out way. Just then, the music turned off and something else began to play.
Of course, I tipped the DJ. Dude agreed to do it with little over a thousand dollars, cheap steak.
Audrey's voice came on after few seconds of heavy breathing. “Oh… David. You sure know how to give a woman a good time. I wish I had you all to myself and not sharing this addictive dick of yours with my naive sister. Sophia disgusts me!”
“Must you mention her everytime we're together? Let's just have time to ourselves without her name popping into your head.” He sighed, sounding seriously irritated.
“What's happening?!” Audrey shrieked, sprinting to the DJ who had vanished into thin air. David stood there grounded and confused while the paparazzi took photos of him.
But the audio wasn't done yet.
“How do you expect me to act like she's not with you? I need to remind you so know that it's few months away from our 2 year anniversary. I'm tired of playing hide-and-seek.” Audrey whined, making David kiss his teeth.
“Okay. I know that and it's few months away from me calling off the engagement wi–” Audrey got in time to pull out the plugs, ending the audio..
Perfect timing! Chloe did a good job.
“Mr David Nelsons. I found this out three days ago and got that tape recorded…” I kissed the teeth. “Two days ago. So, I'm calling off the engagement and every affiliation I've had with you so far. From henceforth, I do not know you and I expect such stance from you too.” I tossed my half-filled glass of wine on his suit.
“That's what you are to me. A waste!” I concluded and waltzed away. Taking conscious deep breaths to prevent myself from turning back around and whipping my palm across his face.
He deserved it but that'd be too much drama.
“Miss Sophia, what do you have to..” I interrupted the journalist by taking his mic from him.
“Fuck David Nelsons. I wish he could blaze in hell.” I spat out, returned his microphone and pushed past them to my car.
I couldn't explain how I felt in that moment but all that was left of my heart had been smashed. Shutting my car door behind me, I gripped my steering and began to wail.
Pain. Pain. Pain.
Was all I could feel.