Chapter 23 Angela understand
Sonia’s POV
The office smelled different that morning, like burnt coffee and cheap cologne and other people's curiosity. It felt as if every surface had been repainted overnight with questions. I hated the smell of questions. They stuck to the back of my throat and made my chest ache.
Luckily for me, the interview ended well. But Lucian had repeatedly warned me not to tell anyone the context of our relationship. He said it was dangerous, and I understood because people talked.
Angela found me before I even made it to my desk. She appeared like a storm that only ever came for me, sudden, loud, and impossible to predict.
“Sonia!” she hissed, the whisper too sharp to be kind. “What the hell did you do? Is this real?” She showed me her phone screen.
Her eyes were wide, furious, frightened; every shade at once. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and tell her the truth, the whole stupid, impossible truth: that I’d signed a paper with a man I barely knew because he had a sextape and promised to protect me; that I’d slept with him by accident and awoken to an empire-sized problem; that I was terrified my past, the bruises, the begging, the nights I survived on leftovers and hidden tears would be served up as gossip and used to break me. But the truth was heavy and wrong for the workplace, and Angela deserved better than to be dragged into the mess at this precise moment.
“Angela,” I said slowly, keeping my voice steadier than I felt. “It’s real. But it’s complicated.”
She grabbed my wrist, hard enough to hurt. “Complicated? Sonia, you’re married to Lucian Smithfield. Do you know what that means? Your life just… exploded. People are saying terrible things. They’re saying you’re a gold digger. They’re saying you slept your way to the top. I don't know how to defend you. You never tell me anything”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I’d seen faces in the lobby that morning, smiles pasted over knives. I remembered how Lucian had stood beside me in front of the cameras, how carefully he’d worded things. He’d made it look like a choice I wanted, not a shield he’d placed around me. I owed him that much: the lie he needed.
“Listen,” I whispered, because I could not give Angela the truth. Not yet. “I don’t have time to explain. I’m trying to handle it.”
“Handle it?” She barked a laugh that was all too real. “You can’t even handle your phone. I texted you a dozen times. And Sonia, when did you get married? Is it overnight? Why? Is it to teach Michael a lesson?”
She asked the exact thing I feared most. My stomach went hollow. I remembered my past life, and I compared it with my current one.
“I’m okay,” I lied. “This has nothing to do with Michael, and I'm sorry for lying.”
Angela's eyes searched mine desperately. “Please. If something happens, tell me. Don’t let anyone force you to do things against your will.” She said with a concerned look.
“Thank you, Angela. But trust me, Lucian didn't force me.”
Angela looked suspicious, but she ended up nodding. “Okay, I believe you. And I'm always here for you,” she murmured and paused. “Does this mean that your wedding with Michael has been canceled. Or will you lie to my face that it was a business proposal?”
“I won’t lie to you. I never want to lie,” I replied, and it wasn’t a lie.
\---
The day went quickly, and I received a lot of attention from coworkers and seniors. Some even got me coffee and expensive gifts. Just when I thought it would end, Mr. Tim, the financial director, walked up to me.
“Sonia,” he began with a gentle voice. I had no idea that Mr. Tim was this sweet. “Congratulations on your marriage. Quite the leap from…well, from where you were.”
His eyes flicked to Angela and then to the other desks where people pretended to work. I knew what that look meant, he was trying to guilt-trip me. Trying to tell me that while everyone was working hard, I slept my way to the top.
“Mr. Tim,” I said with a polite smile. “Thank you for congratulating me.”
He laughed softly. “You know, with your new title, there’s a lot I can do. We could…restructure the team. You’d be perfect for the new spot in Accounts Receivable. Think about it. We could position you well, officially part of the executive’s circle.”
He wasn't talking about partnership because he cared about me or the company. He just wanted the CEO to invest more funds into our department so that he'd be able to spend as much as he liked.
“I'd think about it,” I replied, but deep down, I wasn't planning on thinking about anything.
“I’ll leave you to your work then,” Mr. Tim said with a mischievous look. He walked off, his posture preened as a man who had just signed a silent bargain.
“Don’t let him,” Angela hissed when he was gone. “He’ll eat you alive.”
“I know,” I whispered, and smiled broadly. “I've been fooled twice. Never again.”
\~~~~
Exactly an hour before the office's official closing time, Georgia messaged me first. She dared to threaten me.
> Sonia, we grew up together. I know all your stories and I helped you to secure your position in this company. I don't mind you lying that Michael is your business partner, but please stay away from him. He's mine now.”
I arched my brows, “Does she really expect me to drag a man with her? So humiliating,” I cringed.
A moment later, Michael's voicemail came in.
“Sonia, what's going on? Did you get the CEO to act with you? Do you even care about your life?” He thundered the minute I picked up the call.
I knew that the call might be recorded so I braced myself for the impact.
“My life? You’re the one who slept with Georgia,” I reminded him and smiled. “Anyways, Georgia is your fiancée so it doesn't matter.”
“Are you a virgin?” Michael suddenly asked me.
“Michael, how's that your business? Are you?” I questioned him.
“I asked first,” Michael murmured, and I decided to come out clean.
“No. No, I'm not a virgin. I've had sex with the man of my dreams,” I replied, purposefully teasing him. “Good night, Michael! Hopefully, this is bye forever!”
I hung up the call, and I noticed that everyone was staring at me.
I felt a mix of emotions as I packed up my things, ready to leave the office. The day had been a whirlwind of congratulations, veiled insults, and power plays. I was exhausted, but I knew I had to keep my guard up.
“Girl, where are you going?” Angela asked me and I arched my brows.
“Home, where else?” I replied politely.
“Then I am coming with you. I need to see the house you live in, and the condition you are managing.” I sighed knowing that Angela was impossible.
As I walked out of the office, Angela hooked her arm around mine, like she always did when she was plotting something. "So, no one is around. Just me and you," she said, her voice low and conspiratorial. "What's the real deal with Lucian Smithfield?"
I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Angela, I told you, it's complicated."
She snorted. "Complicated? That's code for 'I'm in way over my head and I don't know how to get out'."
I chuckled, feeling a little lighter. "Maybe you're right. But hey, at least I'm getting free therapy, right?"
Angela giggled. "Girl, you're getting way more than therapy. You're getting a whole lot of drama."
We walked up in the parking lot. I wasn't sure which one was mine, but Lucian told me that I had a ride waiting. "Nice ride. I guess being married to a CEO has its perks."
I shrugged, feeling a little self-conscious. "It's not mine, it's Lucian's. I mean, we're married, so...I guess it's ours now?"
Angela raised an eyebrow. "You're already thinking like a wife. Watch out, Sonia, you're getting domesticated."
I playfully pushed her away. "Shut up, Angela. I'm not that far gone...yet."
“Sonia, a voice greeted me, and I turned to face the person.