Chapter 20 - I could put Juliet to shame . +8 Points > " Stupid , stupid , stupid , stupid . " I muttered to myself as I furiously typed on the computer . I'm a smart person okay ? And no , this isn't me being cocky or anything but generally in life , I'm not the kind of person who has to constantly check after a period of time whether her brain is still present in her skull , metaphorically speaking of course . But then if I was so smart , then why was I always the one to make ridiculously stupid decisions ? And to be more precise , ridiculously stupid decisions in my love life area . It's like whenever I have to do anything related to the matter of my heart my IQ falls equal to that of a dead fish . I could put Juliet to shame . " Sophia ? " I snapped out of my self - loathing and looked up to see my boss , Deb looking at me like I was junkie who escaped out of a loony bin . " Can I please know why my employee is talking to herself and typing on a shut down computer ? " What ? I looked up to see that my screen was totally blank . When did my computer shut down ? " I … uh..I was practicing my typing skills . My finger speed to be more precise you know , A new survey says that faster typing often yields better results because obviously it leads to more productive work which eventually leads to professional success which is basically profit for any company as it makes their workforce more accomplished and I'm pretty sure- " " Sophia , zip it ." I shut my mouth and shrunk back into my chair at Deb's withering stare . She stared me down with her lips set in a thin line , indicating I was totally prancing on her " hell - hath - fury " side . " Sophia , you are one of my most accomplished employee's and it is disappointing to see you losing your focus like this . Whatever the reason is , I suggest you shove it out of your system before you enter to work because I will not have half - hearted work in this publishing house . Understand ? " I squeaked out a mousy yes , feeling my cheeks fire up from being reprimanded . " Good , now I'll leave you to finish your work and no more finger typing practicing , clearly , this survey forgot to mention that fast typing for productiveness needs to be done with a switched on computer . " With that she walked out of my office leaving me very embarrassed . " Stupid machine . " I muttered as I booted my computer and laid back against my chair , sighing . How could I have my focus with conscience weighing on me reminding me of my stupid decisions ? 14 1/5 COM DT III O < Chapter 20 - I could put Juliet to shame +8 Points2 My stupid confession had perked a new sense of hope in Austin . Even though the idea was extremely was appealing , how could I look over the fact that another woman was wearing a ring that bore his name ? Wouldn't that make me a mistress or something ? Esmeralda might be a class A b *** h and might have a caustic tongue but that didn't erase the fact that it was me invading on her love life and not the other way round . And yet , I was doing something that no one should ever do . Wreck someone's relationship . I couldn't just waltz up to Austin and tell him to break his engagement because I want to be with him . And the bigger thing that was weighing down on me was that the man I loved was getting married tomorrow , it was hurting me but time and luck both were against me and felt absolutely helpless . No matter how much I cried or hurt , it had no point . She was his fiancée and marriage wasn't a joke but then why couldn't I come to terms with the fact that he was not mine and he was about to be someone's husband in less than 48 hours and just walk off ? Why did I have that niggling feeling inside me ? I shook my head as I decided to throw out Austin out of my head for a while and got back to editing Aerin's manuscript . Aerin was supposed to drop in and I wanted to get on my game face and not the hearbroken and stricken me face . I glanced at my watch , she was already twenty minutes late . Where is this woman ? As if on cue , Aerin walked into my office , with her usual cheery aura radiating off her but today she looked like she was positively glowing with happiness . " Hi Soph ! I'm sorry I'm late . I had to drop by at the doctor's . " Her voice dropped mysteriously at the end of the sentence , yet her eyes glittered with pure excitement and happiness . I c **** d my eyebrow at her and studied her face for a while and then gasped with realization . " Oh my gosh , you're pregnant ? " Aerin grinned widely and bobbed her redhead up and down excitedly . " Yes ! I just found out and I am absolutely thrilled , Jace and I always wanted a family , we weren't expecting it so soon but I'm sure he'll be thrilled too when I tell him . " I gave her a bear hug , genuinely thrilled at this piece of news , my gloomy mood pacifying for the moment . " Congratulations Aerin . Wow , this is big , allow me to treat you to something . " Aerin bit her lip in thought . " A giant chocolaty donut oozing with chocolate sounds like heaven to me right now oh and also a pumpkin latte . " " Weird pregnant lady food combinations are already hitting you . Aerin , " I chuckled " But okay I'll treat you to it but only after we finish our last set . We're almost there to the last steps of the process Aerin . Just a month more till your book flies off the shelves . I can vouch for it to be a bestseller . " I smiled . Aerin smiled , the giddy dreamy happiness glittering in her violet eyes . It was her dream and I could tell that she was absolutely kicked watching it turn into reality . We spent the entire afternoon working on the book . The agents , the publicist , the art designer and all the не 2 11 DOM M III 275 < Chapter 20 - I could put Juliet to shame +8 Points > other people on team sat crowded in my office till the clock struck seven and we knew it was late . I called out for everybody to wrap up , I knew Aerin was tired and I didn't want to overwork her . After we closed down , I told Aerin to wait for me outside the building and that I'd live up to my promise of treating her to food . As I gathered the papers in my bag my phone beeped with a news notification . I absentmindedly clicked on the update and my heart went cold reading the headline . Austin Hamilton and Esmeralda Chambers- The " IT ' couple ! I shut my phone my heart twinging with a dull ache that made my eyes sting with tears . I blinked rapidly and counted to ten silently in head to avoid breaking down . I grabbed my bag and walked out of the building , everything inside me going cold . The news headline was a stinging reality check to my heart . I walked out of the building and closed my eyes as the cold winter air hit my face , a single tear slipped out of the corner of my eye and I quickly wiped it away with the back of my hand and plastered a smile on my face as Aerin sighted me and walked towards me . " Ready to go ? " I nodded . I got out my car and we drove to Joe's joint and allowed Aerin to pig out . I had lost my apetite but for appearance's sake I tried to force down a small sub sandwich which my stomach didn't want to digest but Aerin looked so ridiculously happy I didn't want to rain on her parade . She went to order some takeout for Jace and that was when my phone rang with Austin's callername and my heart plummeted against my rib cage . I got up and motioned to Aerin that I was stepping out for a while . With trembling fingers I pressed the receive button . This probably was the last time I'd get to speak to him while he was not married . After tomorrow , I would step out of his life for good . " Hey Mr. Richpants . " I sang cheerily but the crack in my voice gave away my façade . " Cupcake..please..stop it..stop pushing me away , let me come to you . " I choked out a sob , the begging tone in his voice breaking me . " I..I cant do that . Please forget me , forget all about me . She is going to be your wife and … she loves you . " I whispered the last part , the hurt hitting me in the core . " What about me ? What about you ? Us ? " I clutched the phone to my ear as tears rolled down my cheek and I fought to compose myself but every time I tried to speak my lips trembled violently trying to hide my cries . " You know that can't happen … the story of us finished before it could start Austin … Happy married life Mr. Rich pants . " I breathed and held the phone away and cried , the pain ripping me to shreds inside . I wanted to slide down on the cold pavement and disappear but I couldn't . I just had to walk on . Me and my heart would survive , I suppose . " Sophia .. " Austin's voice cracked at the other end and I felt my breath catch . 14 IL 3/5 DO M O < < Chapter 20-1 could put Juliet to shame +8 Points " No Austin . Don't .. Goodbye .. Wrong Number . " I whispered , my voice catching as another tear rolled down my cheek . I could hear Austin's heavy breathing on the end of the line and I knew that he was hurt too . " I will still wait for you cupcake . I will be there waiting if you change your mind . Tomorrow at St. George's chapel at 8. " I couldn't control my tears anymore as I disconnected the call and let go and put my hands on my face and cried . Warm hands encircled around my shoulder as Aerin's sweet rosy smell enveloped me as she hugged me , I pressed my face on her shoulder and cried for all it was worth . " Hey..ssh . It's okay . Sophia .. " Aerin condoled me as I finally calmed down . I stepped back and looked at her , I didn't need to say anything to justify what I felt , it was all clear on my face , I knew it . Aerin just wrapped me in a comforting hug . After I'd completely calmed down , we walked down the lane towards the parking lot , silently . It was very dark and the street was lit dimly under the street light . I mentally groaned as I sighted a couple's figure entwined in each others arms . I turned my eyes away , I so did not want to witness yet another example of what I did not have . I heard Aerin gasp beside me as she stopped and pulled me beside her in the shadows like we were thieves . She clapped a hand over my mouth before I could say anything . Her widened eyes were trained on the couple , she pulled out her cellphone and clicked their picture and I stared at her confused . " What- " " ShH..look . " She whispered and pointed at the couple . I squinted against the dark and couldn't see their face . Aerin nudged me to where she was standing and pointed . My mouth opened as a shocked gasp escaped but I bit my lip but I couldn't believe my eyes . Esmeralda and a stranger . She was wrapped in his arms and they were kissing like their life depended on it . " I love you . " Her voice rang in the dark clear and unmistakable . " But you're leaving me tomorrow , for him .. " The man answered bitterly , his greek accent prominent . " Nicos , please , you know I need his money . We need it . But I will come back for you … I promise love . Please wait for me . " She begged . " You promise ? " " I promise ." They started kissing again . Aerin looked at me with a look that said ' we - got - her '. She was taping the entire thing . " Whatare you waiting for now Soph ? " She whispered quietly . I c **** d my head at her , confused . " Go get your man . " Austin's POV Something big . +8 Points I don't know , but there was this weird buzz in the air since I woke up that told me so . A weird buzz that made me feel like something big was about to happen , call me crazy but there was no denying the feeling . Intuition , psychic sense call it whatever you want but the feeling was not going away . " God , must be those drinks I had last night . " I rubbed my head with my fingers , trying to soothe the light pounding in my head . I wasn't sure whether it was from the glasses of scotch I had last night or because of the bomb my grandparents dropped on me last night at our family dinner . I couldn't decide which . I stretched lazily on my bed and smiled as Roxy tottered up to my bed and jumped beside me and licked my chin as her everyday wake up call . " Mornin Sunshine . " She yapped , wagging her tail as she danced around my bed . I got up to shower . I had to get ready to guest in a cook show by Jamie Oliver , I liked that guy , he made standing near a camera less exhausting and more enjoyable . I pressed my answering machine to listen to all the messages I had as I stripped down to go shower . I skimmed through my voicemail , mentally noting the official ones and let the ridiculous ones by gossip magazines and by women who kept claiming to be my future wives . No thanks , I'm having enough trouble trying to stop from getting myself married . The shower did me good as I whistled a cheery tune and wrapped a towel around my waist and walked out drying my hair with another towel . I could hear Roxy barking near the front door , probably at passers by outside , I scrolled through my black berry and walked to the kitchen and took out a carton of orange juice drank right from it . Who cared ? I was the only one around here anyway . " God , I find it sexy as hell when you do that . " I nearly dropped the carton to the floor as I jumped . " What the- " " Hey sexy . " Esmeralda stood behind me as she gave me one of her " sexy smiles " as she batted her eyelashes at me . Let me tell you what that was- Epic fail . " How the hell did you get inside ? Who let you in ? " I demanded as I hitched my towel around me tighter , suddenly feeling very , very naked and violated under Esmeralda's unwavering gaze . " Pierce let me in . " 14 OOOON 11 1/5 BONUS CHAPTER I shook my head . " It's Percy by the way and why on earth would he- " 40 Points " It doesn't matter baby , what matters is that I'm here . We're going to be together baby . " She stepped closer to be and ran her manicured finger up my chest . I felt repulsed than attracted . " We're not together Esme and I would really like my space . " She looked wounded . " But baby we- " " Are not together . " I asserted and stepped away from her and ushered her out , annoyed . " But baby- " " No. Esme we are not together , just because our grandparents have this weird idea of getting us together does not mean we're together . " Esme looked wounded . " How can you say that ? " I hated to do this kind of stuff to girls , be a jerk and all but here the situation wasn't helping . I couldn't lead her on when truth be told , I wasn't even remotely attracted to her . She was great okay ? Accomplished and all but just not for me . " Esme it's true .. please don't overthink something that doesn't exist . " Esmeralda's eyes clouded with anger . " You are a jerk ! A real jerk Austin ! I can't believe you would say that after you agreed to be my future husband ! " She hit me with her purse . " Wait a minute ! I never agreed to anything . Gramps just suggested that it would be great if you and I got married . I never agreed to anything ! " Esme looked at me tearfully . " You're a liar . But I will wait for you because I respect my family's word . " She grabbed her purse and walked out . I shook my head as I slumped against the kitchen island . Thanks granddad , you totally made my life easier . Pushing Esmeralda out of my head , I got back to work and headed out after breakfast . My driver Zenny greeted me with his usual cheeriness and I felt things come back to normal , my life was pretty normal if you counted out Esmeralda and the drama associated with her . My phone rang with Jace's name flashing on the screen . " Morning man , how are you after yesterday night's bomb blast ? " " Just peachy . " I sassed . " Yeah man , I can totally see that . What happened ? Did Esme drop by ? " " More like barged in then hit me with a purse , cursed me and walked out . " Jace laughed " Haha , I wish I could witness it , nothing better than having to see my goody two shoes best friend getting his ass whooped . " " I did not get my ass whooped , I'm just being subjected to way more drama than I need . " OOON 2/5 COM DT O < < BONUS CHAPTER +8 Points > Jace snorted . Please , that's not drama , you need this in your life . You've been living the high life , you need a woman to bring you to the ground . You've been working hard man , you need to get laid . " I wrinkled my nose in distaste . " I think I can get laid without getting married to a woman I don't even like . Besides I don't think I can fall in " love " with , the women I'm told are " eligible " for me . It was like they were born with two features autotuned into them- boringness and predictability . So , no thanks , I'm way better like this . " Jace sighed . " One day , my man , one day you'll meet a woman who will pull the ground from under you with just one glance or word and you'll be head over heels for her and you wouldn't even know what hit you . And when she comes , you'll just know . " I chuckled . " Dude , you're so whipped . That theory , my friend , is not going to happen with me . " " We'll see my friend , we'll see . " ~~~~ " Aw come on . " I groaned , looking at Roxie . I had made myself a bowl of fruit cream after an extremely tiring day and now I had Roxie giving me her puppy eyes so that she could mooch off the bowl from me . " I'm not going to fall for that today . " I asserted as I ate another spoonful of my fruit cream . After three bites , I couldn't resist and I melted like the sucker that I was . " There you go . " I sighed and allowed her to lick my bowl clean . I sighed again . " I'm letting a dog control me , how sad is that ? " Just as I was mulling over my thought my phone rang snapping me from my thoughts . I looked at the caller name and saw that it was an unknown number , on normal circumstances , I let numbers like these go into voicemail , but for some reason I felt that crazy sense I had been having since the morning increase , like I just had to receive the call . It was a weird feeling but I could feel it in my bones , the strange sense that was gnawing in me . I pressed the receive the button . The minute I pressed the phone to my ear a distressed voice rushed to my ear . " Trish ? You know what ? You were right , Ryan smelt trouble , he was trouble , that bloody ass hat , cheated on me . Cheated on our first anniversary ? I mean what a great surprise gift right ? " Oh crap . I opened my mouth to interrupt her but she beat me to it . I was speechless at the situation the woman had to go through and I felt sorry for her , I knew this was totally something I was not supposed to hear . I knew I should interrupt but for some reason that I just found myself listening on . I was definitely going to hell , it was decided . " I was so excited for today , I even cooked his favourite chicken parmesan , for him , for what ? Oh to only find him having a flippin threesome with two blonde w *** e's , and that douche had the nerve to call me for a foursome . Can you believe it !! ? That guy called me for a foursome , for god sake that is not even a proper term ?! But , anyway , I can't believe that he..he..he is such a manwhore . Ugh , I want to ram something bad up . 3/5 14 NN 11 io M MDT ||| < BONUS CHAPTER ! +3 Points > his sorry ass so hard that his founding fathers would feel it ! I feel used , Trish , I wish I had been sensible enough to listen to you , why do you have to be always right ? And to think , I actually want to cry .. and I thought that my tear ducts were disabled or something . Actually no , they were disabled , they have been activated again . Trish , I wish Satan had a phone number , so I could tell him to take Ryan to hell with him , along with those stupid blonde bimbos who were making those googly eyes at him , I would have poked their eyes out with a fork or something ….. Trish , what do I do ? I feel humiliated . Why can't boys be good and decent , for once and not act like classic class A morons who think less with their braincells but with their hormones ?! Where are all the Prince Charming's when we need them ? Ugh , chivalry is dead ! Correction , extinct . " I found myself smiling , even though it was completely inappropriate given the situation . I needed to get my head examined pretty soon . " Can you come over Trish ? I need you . " For the first time in my life , I had no words to say . I didn't know what to say . This girl , she had something about her that just made my tongue twist . that something also included the fact- that I had listened to her heartbreak story like a complete creep . " Hello ? " Seriously Austin ? You went Adele on her ? " T..Trish ? " Her meek voice squeaked . I bit my lip to avoid myself from laughing , she sounded so cute it was making me wear this Cheshire cat grin for some reason . You don't even know her . " Um , I'm sorry but I'm afraid you dialled the wrong number . " There was a long silence and I assumed she was taking the news in , I almost expected her to hang the phone on my face but she didn't . " I …. I'm sorry , I..thought you are my best friend Trish , and , I started ranting because , you know , I had a bad day and I was really upset , I am so sorry , to bother you , I cant believe I just did that , you must think of me as a freak and- " I chuckled , this girl was something else . " Hey , breathe . " I instructed , still chuckling . " Oh my god , I'm such a twat .. " She muttered . I laughed . Who says t ** t anyway ? This girl was definitely something else . She just came from no where and hit me with her story and for some reason I felt like I was drawing to her , from her voice . Her voice was making me listen to every word she was saying , like I was in a trance . I didn't even know who she was , didn't know what she looked like , her name or anything , just her voice and she was making me listen to her like I was captured , she really was something 14 4/5 M 111 O < < BONUS CHAPTER ! else . I shook my head , I was losing it . My final traces of sanity . +8 Points I swallowed my laughter , I really didn't want her to think I was a jackass having a good laugh over her misery . " Don't worry , I don't really mind , though I am sorry about your boyfriend , he needs a slap , with a table . I wish I knew you , I might have knocked some sense in that boyfriend of yours . " " Ex - boyfriend , he fell from the pedestal the minute he got busted . " I chuckled , she sure had humor in her . " Yeah , sure , I hope you recover..uh .. " " Sophie . " I smiled , pretty name . Just then Roxy walked in the room , her leash hanging from her mouth , it was her way of telling me to get my butt out to walk her . " It was nice talking to you Sophie , I hope I get to talk to you some other time , but right now , I have to run , I have to take my dog for a walk , she's getting restless as we speak ." There was a long silence and I wondered what happened , did she fall asleep ? Don't be stupid . " Uh … Sophie ? " " Huh ? Sorry . I was thinking about something … I do get carried away with my thoughts .. " She admitted meekly . I chuckled . " I figured . " Roxy nuzzled my leg with her snout and whined . " Okay , I gotta go , Roxy might just as well drag me out . Bye Sophie . " " Um..yeah , bye..uh? " " Austin . " Saying that I cut the call and smiled to myself . I took Roxie out for a walk but my mind kept wandering to Sophie , whose voice kept ringing like a catchy melody , you just couldn't forget . I almost ran into a pole thinking about mystery girl . I shook my head at myself and smiled . Something big had definitely happened .