Chapter 16 Sonia, marry me
Sonia’s POV
My heart stuttered the moment the door banged open. The office air felt thinner somehow, as though someone had purified the air just to welcome me. The minute my eyes sighted the man beside Lucian, I immediately recognized him as the man from the bar. Gawin, I've heard Lucian call him that. That means they are stepbrothers? My mind raced with all sorts of questions.
When Daniel had entered Georgia's office earlier, I thought he'd sack me or punish my friends and me for creating chaos, but instead, he instructed me to follow him. Angela looked sad, she thought her actions had gotten me into trouble, and Michael had a smug look on his face.
Gawin? He stood there as if he belonged in every nightmare I’d had since the bar. He was dressed in a black shirt, and he looked dangerous. But on his face, I could see his arrogance, he wore it like a perfume.
Gawin smiled, that predator smile he had given me in the bar, and I had the urge to puke out everything in my tummy.
“Sir, I've -” Daniel started, then stopped, because the wrong words could get him in trouble.
Now, you might be wondering how I recognized Gawin as the man from the bar since we first met in a dark environment. Well, it's simple, his confidence stood out. I could clearly remember as he whispered Room 201. The way his voice smelled like cigarettes and oil. The way he had prompted me to climb the stairs was as if pushing me toward a cliff. Yes, he had a very strong aura.
Also his jaw line, hair color, and face shape really stood out.
Gawin’s expression shifted for a heartbeat, he wasn't shocked or worried. It was like he found me amusing. As if he were watching a play he’d scripted.
“Oh?” he hummed with a bored voice. “You know me?”
Lucian shot me a knowing glance, warning me to play it small. I was to pretend I had met strangers a thousand times. Pretend my hands weren’t shaking. “I…. I thought I’d seen you before,” I lied, desperately trying to calm my nerves.
Lucian’s eyes were on me. Cold, possessive, and….worried?
I felt exposed under that glance; as if he were cataloging every split-second of my face for future use. Daniel kept looking at Lucian and me. It was like he could sense what others couldn't.
Gawin cocked his head. “The city is so small, but there are a lot of people who look like me,” he said with a sarcastic tone and laughed. “She’s the second person telling me that I look familiar, right brother?” He turned to face Lucian, but Lucian barely acknowledged him.
A dozen thoughts echoed in my head: did he remember the night? Is he a victim like me and Lucian? Is there a video recorded? Am I in danger? My cheeks burned, and I was worried.
“What is your name, young lady?” Gawin asked me with a menacing smirk, and I raised my eyelashes, wondering why both brothers were interested in knowing my name.
One thing I was certain of was that Gawin mustn't know that I remembered his face. If he thought of me as an idiot, then I'd happily be his exclusive idiot.
Lucian stepped forward before I could answer. Even when he didn’t intend to be soft, there was a coiled protector in him.
“This conversation is over,” he said to Gawin, leaving no room for argument. “You are not welcome here, Gawin. Leave.”
Gawin laughed the kind of laugh that knew it held power. “But Lucian, we haven't talked about what actually brought me here today. I need to choose my office on time.” He slid his gaze to a flash drive on Lucian’s desk. “If you step down, quietly, your mother will be pleased.”
The room became gloomy. And I could sense the intense emotion as the two brothers glared at each other.
Lucian had a lot to say, but because of my presence, he restricted himself and sat down. “Daniel, please lead my brother out,” he said to his secretary, ignoring Gawin's comment.
Gawin chuckled and turned to face me. “You must think my brother cares about you, right?” he asked me with a smile.
I felt the blood drain from my face at his question, and I turned to face Lucian, wondering if I was allowed to answer.
“Get out, Gawin. If I have to repeat myself, then you'll be dragged out like a lowlife thief,” Lucian threatened, and the look on his face showed that he was serious.
In the beginning, when Angela told me that the two brothers hated each other, I thought it was a simple competition, but now, it seems like this was more than just some plain rivalry.
Gawin reluctantly left the office, and Daniel followed him to make sure that no funny game was played.
Lucian and I were alone in the room once again, and the purified air turned awkward. I looked out of the window, hoping that Daniel would enter and save me from humiliation.
Lucian stood up and moved towards me. I blinked, feeling confused. “Let's get married, Sonia,” he said to me with a straight face.
“What the fuck!? That must be a dry joke!” I laughed, thinking he was teasing me. But Lucian looked serious, and his brows were arched as he patiently waited for my answer.
“You seriously want to get married to me?” I repeated his question with widened eyes, and Lucian nodded.