Chapter 8 A game of heart
Behind the Billionaire's mask!
Chapter 8
Sophie's POV
I woke up to a gentle knock on my door, disorienting me for a moment. Julian never knocked; he always barged in. I couldn't even remember falling asleep. The last thing I recalled was video-calling Isabella, followed by an intense gaming session that left my fingers tingling.
Shaking off the haze, I got out of bed and opened the door to find Evelyn standing in the hallway, her expression soft yet laced with something I couldn't quite place.
"Evy," I said, smiling as I stepped aside to let her in.
Evelyn's presence was always a welcome surprise. Her visits always brightened my day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through a cloudy sky.
"Evy, aren't you going out again?" I asked, noticing she was now dressed in her casual attire, a vibrant sundress that highlighted her youthful energy.
She settled onto my bed, fidgeting with her fingers, the way she always did when she was nervous. "I'm back already. Julian dropped me off while going to his office," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ehm, sister Sophie..."
Evelyn hesitated, and I sensed something was bothering her. Her usual bubbly demeanor was slightly dimmed.
Before she could speak, I interrupted, "By the way, how old are you?"
"Twenty-two," Evelyn replied, her voice soft.
I chuckled. "You see, I'm only three years older than you, so please drop the formalities. It makes me feel ancient!"
Evelyn giggled, relaxing a bit more. The warmth of her laughter filled the room, and I felt the tension ease between us.
I adored Evelyn's company. Her bubbly personality made my stay at the mansion enjoyable. We bonded over laughter, shared secrets, and long conversations that often stretched into the night.
She told me she had only come for vacation and that she was studying abroad, pursuing a degree in psychology. I admired her ambition; she had her whole life ahead of her, unlike the messy situation I found myself in.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked, leaning back against the headboard, curious about her sudden visit.
Evelyn hesitated before speaking, her eyes darting to the floor. "Ehm...I know you are upset about what happened this morning."
I raised an eyebrow, recalling the sudden visitor. I shrugged inwardly. I didn't care. Julian and I weren't exactly in love, and it was good that someone wanted him. After all, it was for my own good. But I didn't even know who she was.
"Who is she?" I asked, feigning interest, even though my heart raced at the thought.
Evelyn's eyes flashed with anger. "My brother's ex-fiancée. She cheated on him, here in his house, and aborted his unborn child. I doubt he was even the father."
My expression remained neutral, but my mind wandered to Alex, my ex-boyfriend who had cheated on me. The memories still stung, like a fresh wound that refused to heal. I had given him everything, and he had thrown it away for someone else.
As Evelyn continued, her words resonated with my own experiences. "I know my brother can be a handful sometimes, but he has a very fragile heart. He loved Victoria deeply, but she broke him countless times. Yet, he took her back each time. I was glad he was finally able to move on, but I don't know why that witch is back."
A pang of empathy for Julian tugged at my heart despite our complicated relationship. Being cheated on and hurt was a pain I understood all too well.
"But why is she back now?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Evelyn's face contorted in disgust. "She wants him back, but I won't let her hurt him again. Also, Victoria may seem like a normal person, but she's a total whack job."
Her words shed light on Julian's cold demeanour. His heart was scarred, and I could see how hard it must be for him to navigate these feelings.
Evelyn's gaze locked onto mine, her eyes piercing. "And you don't even behave like you love my brother. And the marriage was so sudden. I wonder why he didn't tell me anything about you guys?"
I felt a surge of defensiveness. "Yeah... we are in love, and I was the one who asked him to keep it a secret from everyone. We had a big fight; that's why we are suddenly like this."
Her expression softened, but scepticism lingered in her eyes. "Oh! But how did you meet my brother?"
"It's a long romantic story," I said, waving my hand dismissively. "I don't want to delve into it now. I will gist you about it later."
Evelyn leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "But you can try to clear your misunderstandings by seducing him again."
I was taken aback, my heart racing at her suggestion.
Evelyn's voice turned pleading. "Yes... seduce him, make him forget Victoria."
I stared at her, incredulous. How could I seduce someone I despised? How could I manipulate the feelings of someone who was so deeply hurt?
"Evy, I...I..." I stuttered, searching for the right words.
"I don't want that witch to destroy him again! You can try doing things he likes," she urged, her desperation evident.
I understood her concern, but seducing Julian? That was unthinkable. I barely knew what he liked beyond his penchant for expensive suits and his love for classic cars.
"Evelyn, I appreciate your concern, but it's just lovers' quarrels. We'll get back soon," I said gently, trying to soothe her worries.
"But you have to get back with him soon! Now that Victoria is back... that bitch can be desperate when she wants something," she insisted, her eyes wide with urgency.
"Oh! I will get back with him soon." I gave her a reassuring smile, though doubts gnawed at my insides.
Evelyn nodded, and we talked about other things, but most of our discussions circled back to Julian. I listened as she shared memories of their childhood, tales of their adventures, and the bond they shared as siblings. It was heartwarming yet bittersweet, knowing how much pain Julian had been through.
After Evelyn left, I dialed Isabella's number, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts.
"Hey, girl! What's up?" Isabella answered, her voice warm and inviting.
I filled her in on Evelyn's request, the conversation buzzing with intensity as I recounted every detail.
"Go for it, Soph! It's a win-win," Isabella said, her enthusiasm infectious. "Think about it. If you can make Julian forget Victoria, you'll gain more control in the relationship."
Her words struck a chord, and I could feel the weight of her logic pressing down on me.
"But, Izzy, I don't love Julian. And seducing him feels wrong," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Love isn't always the goal, Soph. Security, stability, and respect are important, too. You're already married to him on paper. Might as well use it to your advantage."
Isabella's pragmatic approach resonated with me, and I felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps there was a way to navigate this turbulent sea of emotions without losing myself entirely.
"Besides, it's not like you're committing to forever. Just play the game, Soph. Make Julian fall for you, and you'll be the one holding the cards," she added, her tone encouraging.
Her words echoed in my mind long after the call ends.
Was I ready to play this game of heart?