Chapter 28 Problems in paradise

Chapter 28 Problems in paradise
The Next Morning:

Sonia’s POV

The next morning felt heavier than usual. I woke up in one of the guest rooms Lucian had insisted I use. It looked different, like no one had used it in a long time. The sheets smelled faintly of him; not that he’d ever slept here, but everything in this mansion carried a trace of his scent, sharp, clean, and frustratingly addictive.

If l were a guy, I'd probably wake up to a hard prick, but for me, I woke up to a throbbing core.

The memory of last night replayed in fragments: the smile, the tension, the touches. It wasn’t love, not yet. But it was something dangerous, something that could easily become love if I wasn’t careful.

I dragged myself out of bed, took a long shower, making sure I scrubbed my vagina and removed every sign of my wetness. I slipped into a cream blouse and black trousers. Work. That’s what I needed. Something practical to focus on. Yes, I knew I had a lot of new foes at work, and to me, they were better than Lucian.

There were three new messages from Angela on my phone, and I smiled, happy to have her by my side. My morning was simple, Clara hadn't come back yet, and Lucian had left before I woke up. I hastily ate my breakfast alone, and my driver watched carefully.

By the time I arrived at the company, the morning hum had already begun, and everyone was busy. Phones were ringing, shoes clicking, and whispering chasing through the hallway like rumors.

And of course, there he was.

Gawin Smithfield. Leaning lazily against the marble wall near the elevators, his hands in his pockets, his tie slightly undone. His eyes found me the moment I stepped through the glass doors.

“Well, if it isn’t Mrs. Smithfield,” he drawled, his voice coated with amusement and a hint of something else.

I froze for half a heartbeat before forcing a polite smile. He might be my brother-in-law, but my husband wasn't a fan of him. Also, he had a kind of aura that made me doubt his intentions. “Mr. Gawin. Good morning.” I greeted politely.

He grinned, tilting his head. “You don’t sound happy to see me. I’m hurt, dearest sister-in-law.”

“I didn’t realize we were on the ‘good to see you terms’.” I replied.

“Hmm,” he hummed thoughtfully, pushing himself off the wall. “Maybe we should be. After all, you’re family now. My dear brother’s wife.” He made the last word sound like a taunt, not a title.

I rolled my eyes and pressed the elevator button. “If you’re here to gloat or gossip, I’m not interested.”

“Gossip? No, no. Did my brother tell you something about me? Probably something terrible I did in the past.” He asked with a grimace.

I stopped. “Something terrible? Like what?” I asked with arched brows. I know that both brothers hated each other, so I was curious to know why.

Gawin smiled, knowingly. “I'm guessing he didn't tell you,” he smug, and moved closer to me. “I want to make it up to Lucian, but I need your help….. sister.”

I turned to look at him, one brow raised. “My help? Why? What did you do wrong?”

“I can't tell you. The fact that Lucian didn't tell you means he doesn't want you to know, and it is my job to keep things that way,” Gawin replied with a sincere smile. If I didn't know any better, I'd have fallen for his lies.

I nodded, pretending like I was interested. “But why me? Why do you need my help? Anyone can help you fulfill your plan.”

He smirked. “You’re different, Sonia. Every other woman who’s been near Lucian either ran from him or worshipped him. But you? You stand there like you could bite back.”

“I don’t bite,” I said calmly, stepping into the elevator as the doors opened.

He followed. “No, but I bet you know how to wound.”

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. “You really should find a hobby, Gawin. Hating your brother is not a life.”

“Oh, I have a hobby, and I hate no one,” he replied with a crooked grin. “My hobby is to make peace with my brother, but he never lets me.”

That made me pause. “Do you really care about Lucian or is this also one of your schemes?”

Gawin smiled broadly. “Of course, I care about him. He's my brother after all, right?”

I met his gaze evenly. Lucian looked like he worried about a lot of things, making peace with Gawin would help to relieve him. “Fine, I will think about it,” I murmured, but deep down, I was determined to help the brothers.

Gawin chuckled. “Thank you so much, in-law. Once things are good between my brother and me, I will inform him about your kindness.”

There was a glint in his eyes, curiosity mixed with sincerity? Gawin wasn’t just interested; to me he looked like he genuinely cared about his brother.

Before I could answer, the elevator doors opened on my floor. I stepped out quickly, ignoring his amused smile.

“Have a good day, Mrs. Smithfield,” he called after me. “And don’t worry, I’ll call you to continue this discussion.”

I didn’t reply, but my hands tightened around the folder I was holding. Lucian’s warning echoed in my head:
‘Gawin doesn’t investigate out of concern. He does it to destroy.’ 

I wondered if it was true or if Lucian simply said it out of hatred.

I’d barely reached my office when I heard a familiar voice call my name.

“Sonia!”

Angela.

She was standing near the break room, her curls pinned up, her blazer thrown casually over one shoulder. She looked tired, like she hadn’t slept much, but her smile was genuine, thank God for that.

“I was hoping to catch you,” she said, looping her arm through mine before I could protest. “We need to talk. Privately.”

We ducked into one of the smaller meeting rooms. The door clicked shut, and she exhaled.

“I know that this might sound strange, and I understand you hate her because I also hate her. But Georgia’s been acting strange,” Angela said immediately, and I froze. “I went to her house yesterday to confront her, but it’s like she was… scared.”

I frowned. “Scared of what?”

“I don’t know,” Angela admitted. “But I think it has to do with Michael. Are you mad at me?” she asked with a remorseful voice. 

The truth is, I wasn't angry at Angela for visiting or caring about Georgia. We were all sworn sisters for years, so it was hard to suddenly hate someone. Moreover, I was the one who had fallen out with Georgia, it was none of Angela's business.

“I don't hate you, Angela. Never have, never will. But why do you think this has something to do with Michael?” I asked, swallowing the urge to puke at the mention of his name.

Angela crossed her arms. “Yesterday, Georgia was in his office for almost an hour. When she came out, she looked like she’d seen a ghost. I tried to ask, but she brushed me off.”

I nodded my head. “Do you think he threatened her?” I asked.

Angela hesitated. “I don’t know. But it wouldn’t surprise me. He is a cheater. Maybe he also cheated on her.”

“What do you want me to do? Help her?” I asked, trying to find out Angela's intention.

She didn't deny it, nor did she accept it. 

“Not really. I just thought I should tell you. You deserve to know what is going on in your best friend and ex-fiancé's marriage,” she paused, and put her hand on her mouth. “Am I allowed to say that?” She asked with a widened eyeball.

A smile crept on my face at how cute she looked. Suddenly, a young man entered our office.

“Guys! Guys? Have you read the news? The one published this morning?” The man asked the five staff present in the office, and Angela excitedly brought out her phone.

“Oh my gosh! No!” Angela exclaimed, and her eyes widened in shock.