Until Him: Book 3 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  I laughed, “You make it sound easy.”

  “Nothing is ever easy. It’s just how bad do you want to live life they way you want.”

  I stared at her in the mirror, “Why is it that I always leave here with a life lesson?”

  “Because I’ve lived a lot of life.” She smirked. “And you still have a lot of life to live.” She waved her hand in the air. “I am honored to share my wealth of knowledge with you.”

  I laughed, taking a sip of my champagne. “I’ll take all the guidance I can get.”

  Lux hugged me goodbye, I walked over to the car where Tim was waiting. He held open the front seat passenger door for me. He’s used to me sitting up front now. I refused to sit in the back enough times, he stopped offering.

  “How are you today, Tim?” I asked, buckling my seatbelt.

  “I am well, Miss Sophia.”

  I smirked. He started calling me Miss Sophia instead of Miss Brooks. At least he’s trying. “Will you be driving us tonight?”

  “I am.” He smiled, glancing at me. “You look very nice.”

  “Thanks.”

  He was quiet the rest of the drive home. I didn’t mind it though. I knew tonight was going to put me through a whirlwind of emotions. He stopped the car in front of the house. He opened the car door for me, holding his hand out to help me stand.

  “I’ll see you in a bit, Tim.” I smiled, giving him a quick wave.

  “Sophia,” He called after me.

  I stopped on the bottom steps in front of the door, “Yes?”

  “I need to say this when Stefan is not around.” He hesitated. “Tonight, if you find the need to leave without Stefan. Call me.”

  “Why would I need to leave without, Stefan?”

  I could see his mind running through what he was going to say to me. He shut the car door, “I’m not sure. I’m just telling you to call me if you need anything.”

  “You’re being strange. Of course I know to call you.”

  He stared at me, giving me no response.

  “Ok, I will call you tonight if I need to. I highly doubt I will.”

  He forced a smile, nodding his head, and returned to the car. Weird.

  I walked upstairs into Stefan’s room. He had his dress pants on; the rest of his tux was hanging on the door next to my dress.

  He slid into his white shirt, “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks.” I tossed my purse on the bed. “Is everything ok with Tim?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  I slid my shoes off, “No reason I guess.”

  “Ok.” He buttoned his last button. “I spoke with my Nan. She will be arriving at the same time.”

  “Good.” I smiled, taking my dress off of the door.

  “Where are you going?” Stefan walked up behind me, taking me by the hips.

  I pushed him off of me, “To my glorified dressing room. I have to make my grand entrance for you.”

  “You would make a potato sack sexy. Grand entrance or not.”

  “Thanks, I think.” I giggled walking toward the door. “Excuse me while I go dress in my potato sack.”

  I closed the door behind me, laying my dress on the grey couch. I unzipped the bag, revealing the beautiful tulle dress that I had picked out. I slipped into the dress, zipping it up. After latching my heels around my ankles, I looked in the mirror. The dress fit me perfectly, pushing my boobs up, snatching me at the waist.

  I grabbed my small clutch, and headed downstairs. When I reached the living room, I could see Stefan in the kitchen drinking a whiskey on the rocks. I cleared my throat, he immediately turned around.

  “Oh wow.” He set his glass down, stepping towards me.

  I fanned the skirt of the dress out, “How do you like my dress?”

  “That is no potato sack.” He smirked, taking me in his arms. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

  “Thanks.” I kissed his cheek, and adjusted his bowtie, “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  We walked outside. Tim was waiting; he opened the door on cue. “Good Evening.” He nodded his head toward Stefan.

  “It is a good evening isn’t it?” Stefan smiled at him. “Even if my family has basically forced me to be there tonight. I have this pretty lady on my arm, and I’d say I’m pretty lucky.”

  “That you are.” Tim smiled. His eye caught mine as I slid into the back seat, sending an uneasy feeling through me. It’s fine. He’s just being weird.

  Stefan

  I held on to Sophia’s hand as Tim drove us to the ballet. I had a bad feeling about tonight. Surely Olivia would wait until it was quiet. She wouldn’t make it a big show, would she? She was so stiff in our meeting the other day, basically pushing me out of her office. Something is up. We had a plan and I don’t think she’s following it.

  “There is an after party we have to attend tonight.” I pulled Sophia’s hand to my lips, kissing the top of it.

  “Oh, you didn’t mention that.”

  “It’s at my parent’s penthouse. Only who they deem important will be there.”

  She squeezed my hand, “Well that doesn’t make me nervous.”

  “I’ll be right next to you.”

  “I know.” She rested her head on my shoulder.

  The venue hosting the ballet was buzzing. We stepped out into a frenzy of photographers. I heard a few of them yell my name, asking questions about my family. I pulled Sophia closer to me, as I guided her quickly through to the doors.

  Once we were clear away from the madness outside I relaxed. The doors shut behind us. Sophia’s eyes were taking in the decorations. I looked around the room that was drenched in gold accents.

  “Wow, this is pretty.” Sophia whispered. “So much gold.”

  “The theme is the rise and fall of gold.”

  She looked down at her dress, “Well I guess my silver dress clashes.”

  “Gold is overrated anyway.” I smiled, leading her toward the main room.

  As we walked down the hallway, I kept searching for my family. Something is happening tonight. I can feel it. It’s why they want me here.

  “Judith!” Sophia squeaked, letting go of my hand.

  I looked in the direction she was rushing to. My Nan. She was dressed in a long green dress, with her hair pinned up tightly. She excused herself from a conversation with a younger man, as she embraced Sophia.

  “Nan, you seem more excited to see her than me.” I smirked.

  “She’s just so lovely, Stefan.” My Nan squeezed my arm. She turned back to Sophia. “How have you been?”

  I rolled my eyes, “I’ve been great thanks for asking.”

  My Nan laughed, “I will get to questioning you later.” She took Sophia by the arm, “Now, tell me, how was your birthday?”

  They fell into conversation like they had known each other for years. Which is how I felt about Sophia when I first met her. She has that effect on people. I followed them to get drinks. I ordered a water. I needed to have a clear mind for the duration of the night. Sophia and my Nan both ordered wine.

  I needed to get my Nan alone. I needed to find out why she was here and what she knew. She wouldn’t come to the city just for the fun of it. It would be really nice right about now to have Leo here. He could help me case the room. Although he’d call me paranoid per usual, but he didn’t grow up with my family. What I learned at a very young age, you can’t trust anyone. Everyone turns eventually, even family.

  My eyes caught sight of the Donahues mingling, my Father and Mother not very far away, Thomas was by the bar; my one big happy messed up life in one room. Thankfully my parents haven’t noticed our arrival yet.

  “Can we take this conversation elsewhere?” I asked My Nan and Sophia.

  “Why?” Sophia asked.

  “I…” My eyes glanced at my parents.

  My Nan looked in the direction my eyes glanced, “You will have to speak to them.”

  “Have you?” I said matter of factly.

&
nbsp; “I greeted them. Yes.” She stared at me. “You will want to speak to your father tonight.”

  I held my eyes on hers, “What does that mean?”

  “Just say hello.” She told me, and then guided Sophia toward the crowd.

  Shit.

  And what did she mean? I will want to speak to my father tonight. It’s not really something I ever want to do. Although I knew I was going to have to at some point tonight. Not that I really have a choice now, because he’s walking in my direction.

  “Good Evening, Son.” He nodded.

  I stopped walking, “Hello.”

  Sophia and my Nan kept walking towards a group of people. I watched as my Nan introduced Sophia.

  “Thank you for coming.” My father stepped in front of my sight.

  I looked him in the eyes, “Why am I here?”

  “Appearance. A unified family is what we need people to see right now.”

  “Ah, appearance. That’s original.”

  He narrowed his eyes at me, “You will sit with us.”

  “Whatever the King demands.” I walked around him, leaning near his ear. “The mightiest of kings have fallen, you know?”

  He looked at me, shocked from my statement. I continued towards Sophia.

  Sophia

  My eyes caught Stefan walking towards us. I gestured to his Nan that he was walking in our direction.

  “He looks stressed.” I whispered to her, as we stepped away from the group

  “That he does.” She took my hand, patting the top of it. “Will you let me speak with him alone for a moment?”

  “Of course.” I smiled.

  He approached us, kissing me on the cheek.

  “Excuse me; I’m going to the bathroom.” I rubbed his arm, walking toward the hallway.

  I sipped my wine, as I weaved through the other guest. I stopped to ask someone where the bathroom was. They pointed down the hall, and told me to go around the corner.

  When I got to the corner I heard a stern male voice yelling at someone. I stopped before turning the corner, poking my head around to see what was going on. My eyes went wide when I saw who it was. I lingered watching on.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sophia

  I waited for a few moments as I heard Jess’s father speak down to her like she was nothing. He told her he expected better, that he should never have left things in the hands of a little girl; she would have secured Stefan a long time ago. That she screwed up every plan they had.

  “Did you see that girl waltzing in here on his arm?!” He said sternly. “That should be you. That simple minded girl got the best of you, and I'm left with what? A sad excuse of an heiress to nothing?”

  “I’m sorry.” Her voice broke; I could hear her tears falling.

  I finally had heard enough. I slowly stepped around the corner. Jess’s eyes caught my presence. Her father quickly snapped his head in my direction, as Jess looked passed him with her tear filled eyes. She tried to compose herself, wiping her face.

  I stepped closer to them, turning my back to Jess, facing her father. “My name is Sophia Brooks. I don’t know if we’ve ever formally met. Although my ears did catch that you do know an awful lot about me.”

  “I don’t play games, child.” He said smugly.

  I smirked, “Good I don’t either.” I tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, stepping closer to him. “Let me be frank. You will not speak to Jess that way again.”

  “I will speak to my daughter how I please. Now run along.”

  “My father passed away and I still wouldn’t want one like you in my life. Think about that, the next time you choose to speak to your daughter in that manner. Because from what I see, you’re just a simple minded little boy in an old man’s body.” I shrugged my shoulders. “But what do I know? I’m just a simple minded little girl.”

  His mouth dropped open. I turned, catching Jess’s eyes on me as I walked away. I finished off my glass of wine, with a loud sigh to follow. I wasn’t sure if what I just did was going to help Jess, but at least I planted the seed in her father’s pea sized brain, that he kind of sucks when it comes to her.

  I set my glass on a waiter’s tray as they passed by, and made my way into the bathroom. I remembered I didn’t actually have to pee; I was just in here buying time so that Judith could talk to Stefan alone. I checked my appearance in the mirror, and took out my phone to text Keira to see how Leo’s grandmother was.

  The bathroom door swung open, I looked up to see Jess. Her red eyes from crying stared at me, as she allowed the door to close behind her.

  “Why did you do that?” She asked, her voice cracking again.

  I pushed my phone into my clutch, “We don’t have to talk about it.”

  “Why, Sophia? I hate you. Why would you do that for me?”

  I pursed my lips, “Your feelings for me are another topic for another day. A father speaking to his daughter that way is not ok. No matter who it is.”

  “Why didn’t you just keep walking?”

  I sighed, “It’s not in me to do that. Sometimes when you see someone drowning, you have to teach them how to swim again. I stood up for you because you forgot how to stand up for yourself.”

  She wiped a residual tear away, “Thank you.”

  “You do know that kind of behavior is not ok, right?”

  “I do.” She looked at herself in the mirror.

  I touched her arm, “Take care of yourself.”

  She looked at me in the mirror; I gave her a sympathetic smile and walked out of the bathroom.

  I looked at my phone to see what time it was, the ballet was about to start. I walked hurriedly back toward where I left Judith and Stefan. I couldn’t see them, everyone was moving about trying to find their way to their door to find their seats.

  I stood on my tip toes, trying to look over the crowd.

  “There you are.” The sweet warm voice I knew so well said from behind me.

  I spun around to see Stefan, “Hi.” I smiled.

  “You ready?” He held out his hand.

  In a spout of emotion, I pressed my lips to his.

  He pulled away, “What was that for?”

  “Just thank you for being so wonderful.” I straightened his tie.

  He laughed, taking my hand, “Come on, let’s go find our seats.”

  Stefan

  We walked into the main room. A rectangle stage was in the center of the room. Seats surrounded it on every side. Other guests were taking their seats, while still mingling with people in front of and behind them.

  My Nan was speaking to a man next to the front row, who quickly disappeared when we approached.

  “Are these our seats?” I gestured to the two seats next to my Nan’s clutch.

  She smiled, “Yes, sit sit.” She guided us in front of her. “It’s about to start.”

  Just as we took our seats the room went dark. A few seconds passed, the high notes of a piano sounded and the stage lit up in the middle. A single ballerina stood in the middle on her tiptoes as she slowly turned. She was dressed in gold; the light caught the glitter in her hair. I looked over at Sophia, her eyes were dazzling. A small smile formed on my face. Her happiness is all I care about.

  I started to replay my conversation with my Nan. She was very stoic with her answers, every time I asked her why she was precisely here and what was going to happen tonight. She held her ground, but her eyes told a different story. That’s the thing, someone can lie to you all day long, but their eyes typically give them away.

  A door opened a little way off. Jess was walking down the aisle to her seat. I laughed to myself. She would disrupt the ballet. Sophia’s attention traveled to Jess as well. Her eyes lingered on her. I intertwined my fingers with Sophia’s bringing her attention back to the show. She smiled up at me; I placed a kiss on her forehead.

  The music continued and the dancers weaved around on the stage creating a magical show that excited Sophia. The first act came to an end, the li
ghts rising to a low dim.

  I stood, “I’m going to find my Mum.”

  “Do you want me to go with you?” Sophia asked.

  “No, I’ll be fine. Stay here to mingle. I’m sure Nan would love to introduce you to more of her old friends.”

  “Of course. I do love my Sophia.” My Nan touched Sophia’s hand.

  “I'll be right back.” I assured them.

  I glanced over where my family was seated. My Mum had removed herself. She must be topping off her wine. I walked toward the doors, exiting into the large room. My eyes went straight for the bar and I spotted her in her long blue dress.

  I nodded to a few people as I moved through the guests. She smiled when she saw me approaching her. I kissed her cheek, “Hello, Mum.”

  “Hello, Dear. I’m happy you came.”

  “Let’s not talk about how I got here.”

  “Drink?” She gestured the bar.

  “No. I choose to give tonight my full attention.”

  She eyed me, “Why? It seems to be going well.”

  “Is it? I wouldn’t know.”

  She smiled, taking my arm. We started slowly walking through the crowd.

  “I thought tonight would bring me sadness, but I find myself feeling very calm.” She sipped her wine. “The wine is helping a ton.”

  “A ton? Mum, are you drunk?”

  “Why does it matter? I can’t control anything.” She waved her glass around. “These people bore me.” She looked around the room.

  I took her glass from her, “You need to get it together.”

  She let go of my arm, stepping away from me, “I will not be told what to do. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.”

  I laughed, “Your reputation is going to fall if you keep talking so loudly.”

  “My reputation is shit.” She whispered, “I’m so tired of this life. Some days I wish to go to a small town and forget I was ever born into this life.”

  “Like Nan?” I placed her hand on my arm again, “Let’s be honest, you’d probably be the President of gardening association, and you’d make those ladies lives hell.”

  She laughed, “Oh you are probably right.” She patted my arm, “Why am I so tipsy?”