by S M Mala
‘We’ll be seeing a lot more of each other!’ he shouted.
‘Leave me alone.’
‘That’s not something I can do, not now.’
‘I’ll never forgive you for what you did to me!’ She wound down the window a little and watched him stare from the pavement. ‘If ever a man showed he never loved a woman, it was you.’
‘Your problem is that you want romance and love. Sorry baby, but that doesn’t happen in real life.’
‘Why did you marry me?’
‘Because Sophie,’ he said, stepping closer and leaning down. ‘I love you.’
‘Loved.’
‘No Sophie. I love you and I still do. My only mistake was hitting out emotionally and physically, and then letting you go in the process.’
Looking at him, she didn’t believe a word he said.
And she wondered who meant more to him.
Jonah or her.
‘You don’t do things by half, do you?’
Ross was looking confused when they were having a quick drink. He had told his best friend everything. ‘That man is a shifty so and so. He’s going to stitch you up. Don’t let him.’
‘I want to adopt Milly before her second birthday.’
‘Slow down. It’s May and her birthday’s in September, isn’t it? These things don’t happen quickly.’
‘And I have to meet with Harry in a couple of days to hear his new terms.’
Jonah had been furious when he found out that Harry had gone to see Sophie. He knew she wasn’t strong enough to cope with the confrontation, fearful that the adoption would be stopped.
There was no turning back now, but their solicitor told them to be prepared for anything.
The first thing that Jonah did was to make sure Harry was written to about keeping away from Sophie and Amelia.
He wasn’t going to let anything happen to them.
‘Don’t agree to anything without discussing it with Sophie first.’ Ross then hesitated. ‘Onya was in her house with Harry?’ Jonah nodded in response. ‘That’s bad karma.’
‘It all makes sense the way Harry and Onya acted towards me soon afterwards. Wanting to make sure that I was okay; trying to stay with me when I was in the States. It’s as if they didn’t want me to find out. In the meantime, Sophie’s broke and homeless. I could kill the pair of them!’
‘Look on the bright side. You met Sophie again, courtesy of me. Hence I was your best man at the wedding.’ He laughed. ‘And I’ve never seen you look happier. That’s what you’ve got to remember.’
‘Why isn’t anything ever so simple?’
‘You’re dealing with a man who hurt his wife with their child in her arms after he was caught screwing your girlfriend. That same man who came to the house seeking some solace, when he should have been crawling on his hands and knees for forgiveness. Harry knew what he had done then, and if I remember correctly, started saying stuff about your current wife.’ Ross’s smile slipped. ‘Why do women go for bastards? I never get it.’
‘It’s just the way he is,’ shrugged Jonah, thinking about why Sophie would be attracted to someone who was her complete opposite. It was pretty obvious why Onya would. ‘I don’t want him upsetting her. She’s not over what he did and I know it sits in there why he lashed out.’ He pointed to his head.
‘Then protect her and protect yourself. You don’t want to mess with a man like him, especially when he holds all the cards.’
‘What cards?’
‘Yours and Amelia’s.’
‘Do you like that?’
It was the night before Jonah’s meeting with Harry, and Sophie could see he was wound up. His usual ability to polish off a plate of food had gone, as he hardly ate a morsel.
She was worried but knew it was her time to try and kiss him better.
And so she did.
Over his face, neck, chest and she headed downwards between his legs. It was the large sigh that made her stop and looked up at him.
‘You don’t want me to?’ she asked, seeing he was miles away in thought as she sat back on her heels.
‘What? Yes, no, it’s good,’ he said, caught off guard.
‘You’ve got things on your mind,’ she smiled, her heart sinking on the rejection.
‘Soph,’ he said, putting his hand out and stroking her arm. ‘I want to make love.’
Jonah smiled for the first time at her that evening.
When he came in, he only looked lovingly at Amelia as they laughed and played.
‘Your career and future are important. If you want to stay with him, I won’t object. He can be influential in a positive way.’ Sophie frowned on saying it because she knew the shark liked his cut, and often would tell her so. ‘The only thing Dana said is that we need the final paperwork, and he might want to pursue his right to access when Amelia gets older.’
‘What?’
‘It’s a slim chance.’ She let out a nervous little laugh. ‘I bet he doesn’t know what Milly looks like. We could send him any kid and he’d have no idea.’
‘Why to stick with a man who was blatantly being unfaithful?’ he asked, looking directly at her. ‘I don’t get it. You’re smart. It doesn’t make sense.’
‘I had so many other things on my mind.’ This time, she was affronted by the question. ‘The realisation he wasn’t loyal is hurtful enough, so don’t look down on me because of that. I could say the same thing about you and that whore!’
‘Because she kept going on about moving in, marriage and kids; how would I have suspected?’
‘If she knew Harry before you met her, and before I did, she could have got her claws into him then. When I saw them together that time, they certainly liked each other.’ Sophie then had to say the next bit. ‘He was shoving up her backside.’
‘Sophie.’
‘Speaks volumes if you ask me.’
She looked at Jonah, wondering of Harry had been thinking of doing the same thing to her husband. Sophie had to look away before starting to grin at the thought.
‘I’m dreading the meeting tomorrow,’ he eventually replied, putting his hands behind his head. ‘I don’t want to part ways with him. I feel a sense of loyalty.’
‘After what he did with Onya? Jesus, you’ve got some warped moral values there.’ Sophie moved up the bed so she could take a closer look at him. ‘We shouldn’t have wanted to sort out the adoption so quickly.’
‘I want Milly to be legally my daughter!’
‘I’m legally yours and so is she! And you’re legally mine; I hasten to add.’ She smiled at his sulky and worried face. ‘I don’t want to see you upset. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.’
‘Will you?’
‘Give or take.’
He pounced on her within a second, smothering her lips with kisses. This only made her laugh but she then realised he was getting very excited. His hands rubbed up and down her body, caressing and squeezing.
Sophie knew Jonah wanted to forget about his troubles, and sink himself into the current one, which was her.
She wasn’t going to put up a fight.
Kissing him passionately, she loved him too much to let Harry rock the boat.
His breathing got heavier. She sensed the urgency in his body. He slipped his palm into hers and held it to the side of her head. Looking into his eyes, her legs opened seeing what he wanted to do.
‘I need you so much right now,’ he whispered, kissing her lips as she felt him move in.
The slow action made her jolt, feeling them joined.
He gently moved, watching her all the time and then smiled. It lifted her spirits seeing him happy as they made love. This is when she realised he had forgotten about everything else, and only concentrated on her.
Stroking her forehead with his other hand and caressing her chin. The kisses were gentle and loving.
‘I love you,’ he whispered, again and again. ‘You know that.’
‘Yes,’ she gasped, feeling him push hard inside her.
&
nbsp; Then he starting pulling out all the way and entering again, her legs creeping up his back, her hand caressing his buttock. Gradually, he built up speed, burying his head in her neck as she felt all her muscles constrict. She had an orgasm at the same time as him.
The noises they made were low grunts and groans, their hips grinding out the last of the lust between their bodies, and heart beats racing at a pace.
She felt a small sweat on her forehead, letting out a deep sigh and gasp, before feeling his lips on her.
‘We’re married and nothing is going to break us,’ Jonah said as she opened her eyes. ‘Come with me when we speak to Harry tomorrow.’
‘What?’ gulped Sophie.
‘Let’s show him he can’t call the shots.’
Sophie knew Harry better than most.
That was the only way he operated and she realised Jonah didn’t have a clue.
‘Sophie’s my wife.’
Jonah sat watching Harry look at Sophie, as Natalie grinned. ‘You want to negotiate our agreement due to the fact I married her, and that I want to adopt Amelia. I do not have any secrets. Speak freely. She is used to your blatant honesty.’
He grasped Sophie’s hand and felt the clammy palm. Jonah didn’t realise she would be nervous but on closer inspection, she looked scared of the man sitting behind the desk.
And right now, all Harry did was to glare at Sophie, which made his wife look even more uncomfortable.
Jonah was worried he might have pushed her too far.
‘Harry, you can’t have it all your way.’ Natalie frowned. ‘Jonah has married your ex-wife and he wants to adopt your child. What’s the concern? Why do you want to change the terms of the agreement?’
‘I don’t trust Sophie,’ he bluntly said, making Jonah sit up. ‘She’ll eventually make him go to another agent. Kay probably. I have to protect my interests. Don’t forget. I invested a lot of time and effort into Jonah.’
‘Sophie wouldn’t do that,’ Jonah replied.
‘Wouldn’t you?’ asked Harry directly to Sophie.
‘I don’t know much about your business,’ she mumbled, and Jonah glanced at her. ‘But I do know you, Harry. Don’t you dare hold us to ransom.’
‘This is a business meeting, darling, not a plea in some family court,’ Harry replied dismissively. ‘Business first. Pleasure second. Do you understand?’
Jonah wished he could punch Harry hard in the face.
‘We need to tie into a deal for three years,’ Harry sighed, talking directly to Jonah. ‘You’re a valuable asset. You want a team of people working for you, don’t you? That’s what you said. To do that, you need the work, finances and publicity. We’ve only scratched the surface. No-one is going to do that for you, other than me.’
‘Are you sure?’ asked Natalie, rolling her eyes. ‘You’re not the only agent in the world.’
‘I know you’ve been out there talking. It’s pretty insulting, Natalie, love, considering all I’ve done for Jonah. What have you done? Taken a cut of what I’ve managed to secure for him.’
‘Don’t you ‘love’ me, you patronising arse!’ hissed Natalie, getting angry.
‘I am passionate about my work,’ Jonah said, knowing an argument was going to follow. ‘I’ve worked hard to secure-.’
‘You’re only thirty-one years old! What do you know about working hard?’ came the acid reply from Harry. ‘Your older peers are well respected, and we have to build on the momentum of the book and exhibition plus you.'
‘What does that mean?’ asked Sophie, beginning to frown.
‘He’s very easy on the eye and that adds to the appeal.’ He smiled at Jonah before flashing a disgruntled glance at Sophie. ‘And that means travelling all over the world to make sure you and your work are seen. How does your bride feel about that?’
‘I support my husband in everything he does, even his choice of agent.’ Sophie released Jonah’s hand. ‘He’s not going to sign a long-term deal with you, mainly because if you promise to deliver, he will stay with you for a long time out of respect.’
‘Letting the little woman speak on your behalf, how emasculating is that?’
‘Shut up Harry!’ Jonah snapped. ‘How could you fuck Onya behind my back and then make out you give a shit about me?’ He noticed Harry’s stunned expression. ‘When I spoke to you last, face to face and man to man, you still didn’t tell me about your affair. You presumed Soph had, but she didn’t say a word.’
‘Calm down.’
‘I’m not going to calm down!’ he said, getting to his feet. ‘You betrayed me. Betrayed our mutual trust. Shit! You came to my house the night you beat Sophie, making out she was unhinged. I’ll be honest. I doubted a few things about her when you said it. Little did I know you assaulted her with Milly in your arms. And why? Because she caught you fucking my girlfriend!’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Sophie calmly said, reaching out to touch his hand. ‘This isn’t about your contract; it’s about my involvement with you. That’s what he doesn’t like.’
Natalie, Sophie and Jonah glanced at each other, while all the time Harry looked at his desk.
Jonah felt a simmering of anger in his chest and sat back down, shaking his head.
‘Listen, Harry, all the years of trust we had has simply gone. I’m not sure if you will do anything for my benefit now. Knowing that you don’t like the idea I’m with Sophie, I think it’s best we part.’
‘Jonah!’ Sophie said, turning to look at him. ‘For all his faults, and God he has many, don’t do this because of me. He’s good at what he does.’
‘Listen to your wife,’ Harry sarcastically said. ‘Mummy knows best.’
‘Oh fuck off, Harry!’ Sophie barked, surprising Jonah. ‘You’re a middle aged man who loves screwing about and making money. You cling onto the new, hoping it rubs off on your fading star. Soon you’ll be like one of those old perverts, trying to get into the knickers of kids young enough to be your child. Nothing would surprise me.’ Then she took a deep breath, her face going red, and Jonah wondered what was going to come next. ‘And I think you’ve got a thing for Jonah like he’s yours. Maybe you do have paternal instincts after all!’
Natalie was trying not to laugh.
‘Or is there something else you’re not letting on?’ Sophie asked with a massive sigh. ‘Nothing would surprise me.’
‘Get out of my office!’ he hissed at her. ‘I don’t want you anywhere near me!’
‘Just remember that when you decide to speak to me without prior arrangement. The only reason I’m here is that Jonah asked. I find it hard to look at you because it makes me feel sick!’
Then she got up and stormed out of the office.
Jonah was about to stand then noticed Natalie got to her feet.
‘I’ll go after her.’ She turned to Harry. ‘I listen to my client, and I heard what he just said. It’s up to you to convince Jonah otherwise. Goodbye, Harry.’
Putting her nose in the air, and unable to hide her smile, she walked out of the office.
‘Why did you bring her here? Just to wind me up or rub it in my face?’ asked Harry, standing up and pacing.
‘Natalie is my manager.’
‘I didn’t mean her. I meant Sophie. Can’t you see how uncomfortable she makes me feel?’
‘You’re in no position to say anything. She hates seeing you just as much as you hate seeing her.’ That’s when he noticed Harry gave him a puzzled glance before checking his phone. ‘How can I let you represent me, cut deals, especially when I know you lied for years about Onya?’
‘Like you give a shit!’ he laughed out loudly. ‘You treated her badly and wanted out.’
‘That’s rich coming from you.’
‘And Sophie? You said you loved her from the moment you set eyes on her. How do I know this wasn’t some hatched out plan?’
‘Don’t be stupid!’ shouted Jonah, seeing some of Harry’s team look into the office. ‘She was loyal to you until she realis
ed you didn’t love her. Sophie has told me so many things. When she spoke, I didn’t recognise the man she was talking about. It’s like you took out all your bad feelings on her. Why would you do that?’
‘It’s just the way it was. I told you this at the time. I wasn’t happy about how things were turning out.’ He crashed down onto his seat. ‘Jonah, I know what I did was wrong. I am sorry. But Onya and I have a history. When she met you, I thought it was all over, but it wasn’t. I never meant to hurt or betray your trust. That was the last thing I wanted. We can move forward and work together in a professional and honest manner.’
Sitting there and looking at Harry, he realised the sincerity of his words.
Deep down, he didn’t care about the Onya incident. It had made it easier for Jonah to feel less guilty about what he did.
It was Sophie and Amelia he cared about.
‘We don’t need to tie into a longer term deal,’ Jonah eventually said. ‘The arrangement is based on trust and that’s all we’ve got right now. It’s me that wanted to pursue the adoption, not Sophie. She was worried about your reaction.’
‘What do you really want?’ Harry frowned, sitting back and swivelling in his seat. ‘You have to make sure that Sophie doesn’t interfere with our work. Don’t let her make you do things you don’t want to do.’
‘Harry, she never interfered in your work,’ replied Jonah, looking out the window at the large grey clouds coming across the sky. ‘And you forget, she has a job she cares about and a child.’
‘Why Sophie?’ Harry asked and looked over at him.
‘I fell in love. Simple as that.’
‘But my wife?’
‘Your ex-wife.’
Letting out a deep breath, Harry got up and walked around his desk, stopping in front of Jonah.
‘You do realise being with her and adopting my child means that you and I will have a bond. Even if you try and get rid of me later on, I’ll still be there in the background.’ He smirked. ‘I don’t mind you adopting her. That’s not the issue, but please don’t think that you can take what is mine, and not realise your choices will have repercussions.’
‘Choices?’
