Sophie’s POV

“I-I don’t care who you are but all I know is that you can’t just leave a kid crying after hurting her.” I said while maintaining eye-to-eye contact with the Greek god standing before me with his expressionless face. He looks only as young as me but why is he so tall?

His right brow raised as he looked at me, “So you don’t really know me?”

“I don’t know you, okay? Do I even have to know who you are?”

I don’t even know where did I get that bravery. I just stared at him although my hands were already shaking. His eyes were sharp and I think I could already die with his glare. “You’re quite brave, huh? Well, let’s see where your bravery would take you.”

Without any warning, the man grabbed me by the waist and pressed his lips on mine. My eyes widened and I froze in place. I placed my hands on his chest to push him off but he was so strong that it became useless. He forcefully parted my lips with his tongue and I just found myself closing my eyes as if I was enjoying it. When he finally let go of me, that’s when I realized what just happened. I raised my hand and slapped him on his right cheek. “Y-You bastard! W-Why did you do that?!”

“Thanks for the dessert, see you around some other time.” He said as he turned around and started walking away. I badly wanted to stop him and punch him in the face but my feet just won’t cooperate. I was just looking at him with my mouth open until he finally stepped inside a black limousine together with his men laughing. I balled my hand into a fist as I yelled at the top of my lungs, “YOU PERVERTED ASSHOLE!!”

“Teacher Sophie!” I only stopped cursing that man in my head when Laila suddenly approached me. I knelt down and carried her in my arms.

“I-I’m sorry, Laila. Are you alright?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, Teacher Sophie.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. That man, the man kissed you a while ago. Is he your boyfriend, teacher Sophie?” Laila innocently asked without even knowing how her question automatically made my face blush.

I wasn’t able to answer quickly. “L-Laila, let’s just go inside already okay? For sure your other classmates are already waiting for us.” I changed the topic.

“Okay…” my ever-obedient student replied.

I wasn’t able to focus on what I was teaching the whole time because of what happened. Good thing my students didn’t notice that. I rode the bus going home and went straight to my room as soon as I arrived. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. Erase that incident in your mind, Sophie. Just pretend that it didn’t happen, okay?

Then I snapped my eyes open. “Did I just… did I just let a stranger kiss me?”

I let a stranger kiss me?!!! How dare he do that to me?!

That was my first kiss… the kiss that I wanted to experience with Mr. Jacobs… Now it’s gone… I already gave my first kiss to a stranger.

I lay down on my bed and hugged one of my pillows as tears began running down my face. “My first kiss… that bastard…”

“Sophie? Are you already there?”

I suddenly heard dad’s voice coming from outside of my room. I hurriedly sat up and wiped my tears away before walking towards my door and opened it. “D-Dad?”

“I’m so glad you’re already here, Sophie. Can we talk for a while?” dad asked.

“Sure dad, have a seat, please.” I said as I pulled a chair for him. I sat on the couch and looked at him. “What is it, dad?”

Dad straightened his back before looking at me, “Sophie, there’s actually something that I want you to know. Wait, did you cry?”

“H-Huh? N-No, I didn’t. My eyes just look like this whenever I-I feel sleepy…”

“Y-Yes, dad. By the way, what is it you want to tell me?”

He heaved a sigh then he looked at me. He seemed to be hesitating about what he was going to say. “Sophie, listen very carefully. I-I think it’s already time for you to get married.”

“W-What? Get married?”

“I know how hard for you to stay in this house, Sophie. Your step-siblings treat you like a servant, don’t you get tired of that? Don’t you sometimes wish you could just leave here and be free? I mean, I just want you to be happy, Sophie.”

“Dad, I’m still seventeen and I am still studying. I don’t have any intentions of getting married to someone and I—I don’t even have a boyfriend.”

“I can suggest a man.” He suddenly said which made me look at him.

I furrowed my brows, “D-Dad? You’re really planning to have me get married already? But I don’t want to get married to anyone yet, daddy. I want to finish my studies first, I want to fulfill my dreams, I want to make you proud, a-and I want to marry the man that I really love.”

“But I think—

“Dad, I’m fine, okay? I know you’re just worried about me. Don’t worry, I can do it all, I can serve my siblings, I can study and work at the same time. There’s no need for you to worry about, okay?” I said as I smiled at him. “By the way, would you like me to make some coffee for you?”

“No, I’m fine Sophie. Just take your rest already, I know you’re already tired. By the way, we’ll be having a family dinner tomorrow. You know that restaurant we used to eat at?”

I nodded, “Yes. But, do you we have any occasion tomorrow?”

“Yes, I would like you to meet someone. Make sure you’ll go there after your work, okay?”

“Okay.”

Dad stood up and patted me on my head, “Just always remember that I love you so much, Sophie.”

“I love you so much too, dad.”

Sophie’s POV

Everyone was already sitting on their chairs, talking to each other when I finally arrived with my hair all over my face because of running my way just to make it on time. ”S-Sorry I’m late.” I said as I sat next to Sebastian. He smiled as soon as he saw me.

“It’s alright, Sophie. At least you came.” Said dad.

“Can you see yourself right now, Sophie? We’re having dinner with a very important person and you’re there wearing a white t-shirt and a pair of black jeans with your hair looking like you just woke up?” my stepmother suddenly said to me.

I lowered my head, “I’m sorry, I just came from school so I wasn’t able to change my clothes.”

“It’s alright, Sophie. Even if you wear rags, you’d still stand out.” Sebastian suddenly said so I nudged him when I saw Sera and Samantha glaring at him.

“Are you a fool? You just look like us so if you say that we’re ugly, it’s like you’re saying that you’re ugly too.” Samantha retorted.

Dad suddenly cleared his throat. “Stop that childish argument, okay? Our visitor will finally arrive soon so fix yourselves.”

“I’m still wondering who that visitor is.” Aunt Natalie said.

“You’ll meet him later.” Dad just replied.

I fixed my shirt and combed my hair using my fingers. Me too, I’ve been thinking about that visitor. I wonder who that is because he seems to be so important to my father. Although I can also see him drinking some water every minute, he looks so nervous and I don’t even know why. “Sophie, I have composed a new song again, you should hear it!” Seb whispered to me.

“Really? Can I hear it now?”

“Sure!”

Seb then took out his phone and was about to put his earphone in my right ear when we suddenly heard loud footsteps coming in our direction. Everyone of us turned our heads towards the entrance of the restaurant. Dad suddenly stood up and so we all followed him.

Men wearing black suits were walking towards us. They all look familiar to me, I just can’t remember where I saw them. “They look like a gang, or maybe agents,” Seb whispered.

Then they form a line and made a way in the middle. A tall man started walking in the middle, only his footsteps could be heard. He was wearing a black tuxedo vest that perfectly fitted to his bulky and masculine body. His black hair was slicked back, and it was shining as if it has been waxed. He was holding a cigarette in his right hand while he was puffing a smoke.

I stared at his face, and that’s only the time I knew who he was. My eyes widened as I pointed a finger at him. “Y-YOU?!”

Everyone looked at me, including the man. He looked surprised upon seeing me too, he threw his smoke to the ground and smiled cockily. “We meet again.”

“D-Do you know him, Sophie?” dad asked me.

“Yes daddy, he was that man who—” I wasn’t able to continue what I was saying after realizing that it was so embarrassing. “I mean… yes, we already met yesterday…”

“Daddy? You mean, that woman is your daughter too?” The man asked daddy.

Dad nodded, “Y-Yes, she’s my youngest daughter.”

“Your daughter, huh? She doesn’t look like you.” Said the bastard while looking at me. I glared at him and looked at my dad who just nodded to me and smiled.

“Why don’t we have a seat first? This restaurant serves delicious food, I’m sure you’ll like it, err….”

“Vincent. You can just call me Vincent.” Said he.

Aunt Natalie nodded with a smile, “Vincent, what a handsome name. My name’s Natalie, I’m Albert’s wife. And these two girls here are my daughters.”

“H-Hi Vincent, I’m Stephanie.”

“And I’m Sera.”

The two of them were looking at Vincent, smiling, but the bastard just ignored them and shifted his gaze to me instead. “Why don’t you introduce yourself too?”

“I’m Sophie.” I said without looking at him.

“Sophie, beautiful name.” he said.

Dad cleared his throat again, “Should we order some food already?”

“T-That’s right, let’s call the server.” Aunt Natalie agreed.

Minutes have passed and we already started eating. I couldn’t focus on my food because I can feel Vincent staring at me from his seat. That mere fact already makes my blood boil in anger. “He looks like a Mafia Boss, don’t you think?” Seb whispered again to me.

“You’re right, he looks like a nymphomaniac.” I said then we both laughed.

“By the way, Albert, have you told them already the reason why we’re here?” Vincent spoke again. Why does he talk like that to my father? He doesn’t really have manners and respect.

Dad almost choked so I handed him a glass of water. “Thanks, Sophie.”

“Just eat slowly, dad.”

“Oh, so you haven’t said it yet?”

“Said what?” Aunt Natalie asked.

Vincent crossed his arms. “Your husband owes me a huge amount of money. He couldn’t give me his company so we came into a different agreement instead.”

“D-Dad owes you money?” I asked as I looked at my dad to confirm it. “Is that true, dad?”

Daddy looked at us especially to me before nodding, “T-That’s true.”

“But that’s impossible dad, we don’t have debts. Why don’t you just pay him? We have lots of money anyway.” Said Seb.

“So sorry to say but even if you pay me with all of the money that you have, it wouldn’t lessen even fifty percent of his debt.”

My eyes widened. “D-Dad, is that---

“Yes, that is true. I owe him everything, V-Vincent was the one who helped me build our company. We got to build that because of him…”

“Dad…”

“But what agreement did you have if we can’t pay you that huge amount of money?” Aunt Natalie asked.

Vincent leaned on his chair with his arms crossed, “He said he’s willing to give one of his daughters to me.”

All of us were shocked. We all looked at daddy and he just lowered his head, confirming it. “Albert, how can you do that to our daughters?!”

“Daddy! Why did you do that?! You agreed to this man?!” Seb yelled.

“I’m so sorry… I had no choice… I’m so sorry…” Dad kept on mumbling.

Vincent suddenly stood up, “So, can I have the payment now?”

“Vincent… can we just talk about this? I-I already changed my mind, I-I’ll just pay you. I don’t care if you take my company from me… just don’t…don’t take any of my daughters away from me…” Dad pleaded.

“You should have said that earlier. I changed my mind now; I don’t want money because I have that already. I want your daughter.” Vincent said.

“V-Vincent…”

“I’ll get that woman beside you.” Vincent said while looking at me.

Sophie’s POV

“I won’t go with you!” I yelled as Vincent started to walk towards me.

One of his brows rose up. “You have no choice, baby. Your dumb father owed some money from me and he offered you as the collateral.”

I looked at my dad. “D-Dad please… I-I don’t want to go with that man!”

“Sophie…. V-Vincent, can we just talk about it again? C-Can we—

“Are you trying to fool me?! We already had an agreement and now you’re saying that we should talk about it again?!” Vincent snarled which made all of us shiver in fear. His loud yet deep voice reverberated through the restaurant.

“S-Sorry… I already changed my mind. I-I don’t want to give my daughter…”

We were all surprised when all of a sudden, Vincent pulled out a gun and pointed it at my father’s head. “You know I hate people who break their promise. Now, just choose. Will you give me that woman or I’ll blow your brains out?”

“Father!”

“Honey!”

“No! Please no!” I yelled. “I’ll go with you! I’ll go with you, just don’t kill my father, please!”

Vincent shifted his attention to me and smiled cockily. “Are you sure?”

“Sophie…” Seb was already crying.

“I-I will go with you so please drop that gun!”

“Fine.” He said as he put his gun back in his pocket.

Aunt Natalie and my step-siblings ran towards daddy and hugged him.

“Let’s go now,” said Vincent as he grabbed me by my hand but I stopped him.

“C-Can you just let me get my things in our house? Can I sleep there and be with them for one last time?” I asked which made his brows furrowed.

“What?”

I bit my lower lip. “Please… I will go with you tomorrow… I promise…”

“And do you think I believe you?” he said.

“You should believe, I’m saying the truth. I’m not planning to escape, I just want to be with them for one last time… please?” I pleaded as tears started to run down my face.

Vincent stared at me for a while before he turned around and started walking. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. Just make sure I’ll see you there or I’ll surely kill your father. Even if you try to escape, I have my people to find you.” He threatened.

“I-I promise. Just kill me if I lie.” I said bravely.

“Let’s go.” said Vincent to his men. We were just looking at them as they started walking outside the restaurant. I heaved a sigh of relief.

***

“Sophie, are you really sure about this? You’re going with that killer?” Seb asked me while we were inside my room. I was already preparing all the things that I will bring tomorrow.

I looked at him. “I have no choice, Seb. That man could obviously do everything he said. He’s a mafia boss, we don’t have any chance to fight against someone like him.”

“It’s all dad’s fault. If he didn’t agree to have an agreement with that man, then you won’t have to do this!”

“No Seb, don’t blame dad. For sure he just did that for us. He didn’t have a choice.”

“That’s why he voluntarily offered you to that man?! Sophie, you don’t know that man, what if he does something bad to you? What if he kills you?!”

I shook my head. “I won’t let that happen, Seb. I’m sure he won’t kill me.”

“How can you be so sure? You don’t even know that man.”

“I just know. And if he ever tries to do something bad to me, I’ll make sure to punch his face or kick his precious treasure down there.” I kidded thinking that Seb would laugh, but he didn’t. He just looked at me with a sad look on his face.

I then moved closer to him and gave him a hug. “Everything would be alright, Seb. You don’t have to worry about me, I can take care of myself. And besides, you can always visit me, or maybe I’ll ask him to let me go here to visit you then we’ll listen to all of your new songs.”

“I don’t think he would even allow you to go back here.”

“He will Seb, he will. Trust me.”

After few minutes, someone started knocking on my room’s door. “Sophie, are you still awake?”

“Y-Yes dad, I’m with Seb.”

Seb stood up and walked outside as soon as dad entered my room.

“Dad. I-Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Sophie… I’m so sorry… I’m such an awful dad… I’m so sorry Sophie, I hope you could still forgive me… No, don’t forgive me. This is all my fault, I shouldn’t have made a promise with Vincent… it’s my fault, Sophie… I’m so sorry…”

I embraced him in my arms. “No, dad. I understand you, it’s not your fault. I know you just didn’t have any choice. I don’t want you to get hurt too…”

“I should have just let him kill me; I should’ve just let him take everything that I have…”

“That will never happen. Please don’t say that dad, I don’t want you to get hurt. I’d rather suffer while living with that man forever than seeing you hurt.”

Dad gently moved away from me and cupped my face. “You really are the best daughter I could ever have. Just like your mother, you are so kind. I don’t know what face can I show you… I’m sorry Sophie, I’m really really sorry.”

“Don’t worry about me, dad. I’m not mad at you.” Tears started streaming down my face. “I-I just want you to know how much I love you, dad. I’ll no longer be there beside you all the time so please take care of yourself. Sera, Stephanie, and Seb need you. They are all counting on you. I will always be your daughter, right?”

“Of course, honey. You will always be the best daughter I could ever have.”