Chapter six

Alex and Sophia retired to the Uber and headed home. Sophia, however, didn't understand why Alex spent so much money on her, although they just met.

"Umm… Alex? Can I ask you a question?" Sophia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You just did," Alex said, chuckling lightly. "I'm just kidding, what's your question?"

Sophia exhaled, and then she began. "Why did you spend so much because of me?"

Alex chuckled. "Well... You are about to find out." He said, a smirk on his face.

"Why can't you tell me now?" She demanded.

"All right, I'll tell you," Alex replied. "As you've already noticed, I'm rich, and so is my family. If you are going to come home with me, you have to look rich too, otherwise my family wouldn't be so friendly with you."

Sophia raised her eyebrow. "But... Even if I look rich, I don't know how to act rich. I also don't know much about the big city, so looking rich isn't enough coverage."

Alex smiled mischievously. "Just leave that part to me. Whatever you do, don't say a word to anyone; let me do the talking."

"That would be quite difficult because you wouldn't always be beside me... would you?" She said, her voice etched with concern.

Alex patted her shoulder lightly. "You worry too much. Just follow my lead, and everything will be alright. Then we'll both talk tomorrow morning once everything is settled." He said.

Sophia had her doubts, but she was too afraid to speak. Although Alex had been nothing but kind to her, she was still skeptical about trusting him.

"Alright, if you say so... But if your plan backfires I'm blaming you." Sophia said.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Blaming me?"

"I'm so sorry... I didn't mean any disrespect." Sophia said, her voice filled with emotions.

Alex chuckled lightly. "Calm down, I wasn't mad at you. Besides, you don't have to be so polite around me, and you don't need to apologize for everything." He said.

"I'm sorry, it's just that, I'm not used to being free with people. Back at the farm..."

Alex sighed. "Forget about the farm... You are free now, you can do whatever you want, eat whatever you want, and go wherever you want. The farm has no hold on you again." He interrupted.

Sophia tried to object, but Alex's words struck her. It dawned on her that Alex was right. She wasn't on the farm anymore, and shouldn't behave like she was.

"Thank...you." she stuttered. "No one has ever been this nice to me before." She said,

Alex smiled. "It's fine. I just want you to forget about the farm, you are in the big city now, and I'll always protect you." Alex said.

"C'mon, tell me about yourself." Alex said. "What are your interests?"

Sophia hesitated, but after seeing how intrigued Alex was, she finally spoke up. "Well... I've always loved singing, but that dream has been crushed."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What? There's no way your dreams could be crushed." Alex objected. "Whatever the farm told you, don't believe it."

"It's not what they said, it's what they did. They forced me to drink something that wrecked my singing voice." Sophia said, tears gathering in her eyes.

"That's crazy... Why would they do something like this?" Alex said angrily.

"They said it was pointless for me to have a singing voice since I would never get to use it." Sophia said, her voice emotional.

Alex sighed. "I guess they must have done a lot of terrible things to you."

"You can't imagine." she replied, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Suddenly, Alex brought out a beautiful diamond ring. "Then marry me."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "What? We just met, and you want to marry me?" She retorted. "I'm not the kind of girl you are supposed to get married to. You said it yourself, you are rich, and your family expects you to marry a rich person."

Alex sighed. "Screw my family. I know it's crazy, it is the only way I can help you." He said.

"Marriage? I'm sorry, but I'll pass." She replied, wiping off her tears.

"Look... I'm thirty years old, and my father is about to give my inheritance to his best handyman if I don't bring a woman home by the weekend... You are my only chance of getting that inheritance." Alex said, his voice filled with emotion.

"But what happens when you get your inheritance, or when your father finds out who i am, you will abandon me, and leave me in the streets won't you?" Sophia retorted.

"No... I won't, I swear." Alex replied. "Look, you need my help to get revenge and be free don't you. I could use my wealth and influence to get you a sweet revenge, and not just that, but the freedom you deserve, and all I ask is that you be my wife for two years." Alex said, his voice etched with sincerity.

Sophia was caught in an In-between the options. She knew that Alex was rich enough to get her a sweet revenge, and the freedom she needed, but she couldn't imagine herself being his wife.

Furthermore, her mind kept racing with thoughts about the possibilities of the plan failing. Not just that, but the outcome of the failed plan. "But... I want to get married to someone I love." She replied.

"I know... Same as I. That's why this marriage is just going to be a contract marriage, and it'll last only for two years." Alex said. "My father doesn't have long to live, so he'll definitely be dead in two years, and then I'll have my inheritance. Furthermore, by then, we would have gotten enough evidence we need to put an end to that farm."

Sophia thought for a moment. "He's right though... If it lasts only two years, then it's worth risking. What could possibly go wrong?" She said in mind.

Sophia exhaled deeply, then she looked at Alex who was eagerly waiting for her response. The Uber parked in front of a huge mansion, and honked twice, signaling their arrival. "We are here." The driver said politely.

"We are running out of time Sophia..." Alex said, his voice filled with urgency.

"What happens if I refuse?" Sophia asked.

Alex sighed. "Then I'll let you stay here for the night, and by tomorrow I'll give you some money, and you'll be free as a bird to go wherever you want and start a life." He said. "But..."

"Don't worry, I've made my decision, let's go in." Sophia said, and got out of the car.

Alex's mind raced through lots of thoughts. Has she decided to accept my proposal? Or is she just going to choose her freedom? "I guess giving her freedom as the second choice wasn't the best option." Alex said.

Alex led her into the living room, and immediately they entered, all eyes were on the duo. The entire family was gathered, waiting patiently to see who Alex's fiancee was.

"Alex... We've been waiting patiently for you." Vera said, walking closer to him.

"That's my mother." Alex whispered quickly to Sophia.

Vera hugged Alex, and then she turned to Sophia. "And who do we have here?" She asked her, a warm smile on her face.

Alex gulped. "She is my... Ummm...." Alex stuttered.

"Finance... He meant to say I am his fiance." Sophia interrupted, curtsying. "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am, Alex has told me so much about you."

"I have?" Alex whispered to her.

"Did he? Well that's quite thoughtful of him." Vera said. "You are very beautiful darling, and your dress is stunning." She said,

"Thank you... You look even better." Sophia said, her voice elegant.

Alex stood in awe, wondering where Sophia learnt to converse like this. "Few minutes ago, this girl could barely speak confidently, and now she is holding up a decent conversation with my mother... That's just surprising." He said.

Furthermore, Alex noticed that Sophia had the ring on her finger, and he wondered when she took it from him.

"Well, does this beautiful damsel have a name Alex?" Vera asked.

"Well of course... Her name is Sophia." Alex said.

"Sophia... That's a wonderful name. I'm Vera." Vera said to Sophia, hugging her lightly.

Suddenly, a beautiful lady walked up to Alex. "Hey... You never told me you had a fiance, I thought we were friends." She said,

Alex chuckled. "I'm so sorry Valerie... I wanted it to be a surprise." Alex said. "Sophia, this is Valerie, my close friend."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Valerie, I've heard wonderful things about you." Sophia said, shaking her hand.

"Alex, can I talk to you for a moment?" Vera said, pulling him aside.

"Valerie... Alex is really lucky to have someone like you as a friend." Sophia said, a warm smile on her face.

"Of course he is... And he would be more lucky if he had me as his wife and not you, a mare stripper from the gutter." Valerie said, her voice dripping with malice. "Alex is mine, so back off peacefully or else, I would make you regret it."

Sophia's eyes widened in surprise, she hadn't expected Valerie to switch to such a menacing person.

"Alex.... I don't know who it is you brought, but you would never marry that brat. She looks too cheap, and I'm sure she is only after your money." Vera said.

"What? She is not cheap mom... And what if she is? That's who I want to marry, and it's none of your business." Alex said.

"Be warned Alex, don't make me do things we both would regret." Vera said.

"I'm not scared of you mom." Alex said.