Chapter 21 : Sofia Discovers Luis’s True Nature
“I’m sorry” He walked closer to her.
“Stay away” She stepped backwards.
“Like how could you Luis?, you hid something as huge as having a child from me?” She broke down in tears.
“I’m sorry” He hugged her.
“Just stay away” She broke the hug.
Val came out of her room.
“Luis why is she coming out of my room?” She asked.
“I was wondering who was disturbing my peaceful sleep” Val walked to them.
“Is she staying in my room?” She faced him, and he fell silent.
“I’m the mother of his child so I can stay in any room I want”
“No, I can’t take this Luis, like why is she in my room? holy sh*t” She smiled hurtfully.
“I was only gone for two days and she’s already in my space”.
“Sofi I’m sorry but I moved your things to my room before she occupied it”.
“Better” She walked away.
“Did you have to come out Val?” He asked trying not to snap.
“Am I prisoner?”
“If Sofi leaves me and then I promise-
“Spare me those empty threats”
“You might think I’m babbling but I promise I’m gonna take Krystal away from you” He walked away.
“Empty threats”
Sofia was in the balcony.
“Sofi…”
“Don’t come any closer” She said, and he fell on his knees crying, and then she turned.
“I’m sorry Sofi” He cried.
“What” She knelt in front of him.
“I’m sorry, I know I don’t deserve you but please don’t leave me, I didn’t tell you about her cause I didn’t want you to leave me” He faced the floor.
“But I was eventually gonna find out about her” He looked at her, and their eyes mirrored.
“I feel so terrible for hurting you, I’m sorry and I’ll gladly receive whatever punishment you give me but please don’t leave me”
“But sadly that’s what I want” She got up.
“What?”
“I want us to end this contract” She said.
He quickly got up and held her shoulders.
“I suppose you don’t except me to pretend like this never happened, I feel so betrayed Luis” She walked away.
“I’m sorry” He hugged her from behind and she closed her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Please let me go Luis, I no longer belong here” She said.
He broke the hug and came in front of her.
“You belong here Sofi”.
“So are you gonna introduce us to each other, you gonna be like Krystal meet your step-mom, Sofi meet your step-daughter, isn’t that right?” She chuckled hurtfully.
“Look here Luis, I’m not angry or mad at you but I think I need space so let’s end everything, live like you don’t know me and I’ll live like I’ve never heard of your name before” She spat.
“Sofi…”
“Please get the papers ready as soon as possible”
“Luis do you need me to go get the papers on your behalf?, cause I’d gladly do that” Sofia said.
“Sofi please think about it” He tried to hold her hand but she moved her hand away.
“If you care about me as you claim then do it” She said.
“Sofi please…”
Sofia looked at him.
She almost gave in cause looking at Luis right now, he looked so distressed, frustrated, lonely, and sad, just name it.
“My mind is made up and nothing can change it not even my deàd parents” She said.
He tried convincing her but she stood on her ground firmly.
He called Carlos and in ten minutes he was there.
“Sofia…” Carlos said trying to persuade her.
“No Carlos I can’t stay back when I’m around Val I can’t help but feel like I’m the other woman and that just doesn’t feel right” Her eyes stung with tears.
“No you’re not, boss really loves you”
“The papers” She stretched forth her hand.
“Sofia…”
“I don’t wanna be mad at you so hand me the papers”.
He handed her the papers and a pen.
It took a lot of efforts and courage to sign those papers.
Carlos was becoming emotional that he had to look away, so he wouldn’t cry.
Luis could swear that he was cursing Val inside of him and his heart was bleeding at the sight in front of him.
“I’m done I guess I can leave now” She got up.
“Sofi” Luis got up.
“Goodbye Pal” She hugged Carlos.
“So I’m not going to see my prince charming again” She joked trying to fight back her tears, and Carlos chuckled out tears.
She already packed her bags and handed Luis all of his stuffs that she had with her, credit cards, cars keys and other things.
She picked up her bags and walked away.
She was approaching the door when he held her hand.
“Sofi please give me one last chance and I promise to make it right”
“Goodbye” She opened the door and left.
She looked back one last time and smiled looking at the mansion, she had a lot of sweet moments and memories in.
“Goodbye Luis Lopez” She smiled and walked away.
Chapter 22 : Sofia and Luis Strengthen Their Bond
She changed her line and deleted all of her social media accounts and moved out of the country.
Sofia was writing a book when she began feeling nauseous and dizzy.
She felt so weak that she let go of pen she was holding.
“What’s this feeling?” She mumbled.
“I don’t understand” Sofia said looking at the paper in her hand.
“Congratulations” The doctor smiled at her.
“For what?”
“You’re two months gone” She smiled.
“Gone?, To where?”
The doctor blinked in confusion.
“You’re pregnant ma’am” The doctor laughed.
“Are you sure this my result?”
“Yes, we are always taking precautions not to make mistakes especially when it comes to results and your name is boldly written on it”
“It can’t be” She mumbled.
<5 YEARS LATER>
“Mom!!!!” Adriana screamed rushing to the kitchen where her mom, Sofia was.
“What is it?” Sofia turned off the gas.
“You remember the book you published recently and you told me that you were inspired by someone” She said excitedly.
“Yes I remember”.
“Everyone is talking about it” She grinned.
“What?” Sofia took her tab from her.
Her eyes widened at the comments.
“Ariana” She lifted her pearl off the ground carrying her in her arms.
She calls her Ariana.
Adriana giggled loudly as her precious mom pestered her face with kisses.
Things have been having hectic for Sofia ever since her book became a hit.
Adriana was waiting for Sofia at a cafe.
“Where are you?, I don’t see you around” She said over the phone.
“I’m two minutes away”.
“Okay see ya” She hung up.
“Mrs Nancy, you can leave she’s close by” Adriana said.
Mrs Nancy is her caregiver.
“I’ll just wait till she arrives”.
“Don’t you need to get some rest, I know I’ve been quite mischievous lately” She chuckled.
“Naughty kid” Mrs Nancy pinched her cheeks playfully.
“Ouch” She winced.
“I’m sorry did it hurt?”
“I’m so sorry Ariana” Sofia carried her in her arms.
“Hi” She said to Mrs Nancy.
“Good day ma’am” She smiled.
“Mom she pinched my delicate cheeks” She pouted.
“Did she really do that?” She touched her cheeks gently, and she nodded.
“Why would you do that Nancy?” Sofia asked pretending to scold her.
She already know how mischievous and naughty Adriana can be especially around Nancy.
Adriana stuck out her tongue cutely at her.
“I’m sorry little miss mischief” She pinched Adriana’s cheeks again.
“Ouch” She pretended to be crying.
“I’m so sorry Ariana” Sofia pecked her cheeks.
“Thanks Nancy, you can leave and you have a day off tomorrow so get some rest” Sofia smiled.
“Thank you ma’am” Nancy left.
“What do you want?” Sofia asked.
“I don’t really know”
Sofia dropped her down. “Do you want ice cream?”
“You know I don’t like ice-cream, it’s too cold” Adriana replied.
And right there she was reminded of her first true love.
The man who taught her how to love and be loved, Luis.
Adriana noticed the change on her face.
“What’s wrong mom?, did I say something wrong?, what’s the problem?” She asked.
Sofia sighed.
No matter how hard she tried, this pearl of hers always reminds her of Luis even without trying at all.
“I can’t believe I don’t know my Ariana’s likes and dislikes” She chuckled changing the topic.
“You don’t have time for your pearly Ariana” She folded her arms under her arms looking so beautifully cute.
“Forgive your mom, let’s get you something to eat” She smiled.
“Carlos do you have any information about her?” Luis asked.
“No boss” He bowed.
“It’s been five years already and we can’t even find anything about her” He muttered.
“I’m sure you’d find her”.
“Daddy” Krystal rushed downstairs.
He took custody of Krystal as he said.
“What is it darling?” He forced a smile, he doesn’t want to show her that he’s sad cause she’d be worried.
“I want to want this book can you help get it?” She handed him her tab.
He read the prologue and everything was familiar.
“Why does this seem like Sofi and I story?” He mumbled.
“Look into this writer Carlos” He handed the tab to Carlos.
“Okay”
“I’m not sure your plush toy is here” Sofia coughed.
“Please check properly mom” Adriana said from outside the store.
Sofia didn’t let her her go in since the whole place was dusty.
“Here it is” She coughed.
Her eyes went to a little note.
She picked it up and dusted it off.
“Luis note, I must have forgotten to have it to him” She muttered.
“Ariana, you’ve always wanted to know about your dad, right?” She walked out of the store room.
“Yeah” She nodded happily.
“Here, this is the only memory of his I have left with me so keep it safe” Sofia handed her the book.
“Is he…dead?”
“Here” She handed her the plush toy and walked away.
Chapter 23 : A Test of Loyalty
“She granted an interview recently” Carlos said.
“She?” He looked up from his laptop.
“She’s Sofia” Carlos said happily.
They never knew it was her because her pen name was Adriana, her daughter’s name.
“Adriana?, Sofi?, How?” He got up quickly from his seat.
“She said that’s her daughter’s name”
“Daughter?” He asked cluelessly.
“Sofia is a mother” Carlos muttered.
“Do you know where she lives?”
“I assigned someone to do that and I got her address, she lives in Canada”
“Book the next flight to Canada” He said leaving his office.
Luis was so much in a hurry that he didn’t even pack anything.
He already called Joyce to go stay with Krystal.
“You should get some rest” Carlos said.
“I need to see Sofi, that’s all that matters right now” He said.
Camila came visiting with her daughter, Emiliana.
The kids are getting along well and are busying playing round the house.
The door bell rang. “Who could it be?” Sofia muttered losing her apron.
Before she’d leave the kitchen, Adriana already opened the door.
“Who is there Ariana?” She asked.
“A flower delivery guy” She replied.
“Flow-
She was shocked to see Luis, and he was squatting in front of Adriana.
“Adriana” He cupped her cheeks staring at her fondly.
“How do you-
“Go in” She said.
“Why-
“Go to your room!” She yelled making the poor girl flinch.
Her eyes stung with tears, that was the first time her mom shouted at her or scolded her.
“Come here Adriana” Camila said taking her and Emiliana inside the room.
Sofia made to close the door then Carlos showed up beside Luis and held it.
He was hiding earlier.
“Please Sofia for my sake” He pleaded.
“Sofi I’m sorry” Luis pleaded.
“Who are you?” She faced Luis.
“Cause I don’t think I’ve seen you before” She said.
“Sofi…”
“Mister stay away from my daughter and I” She said.
“Sofi” He came closer staring at her eyes.
“Stay away” She moved backwards.
“Sofi let’s talk things out…please…for Adriana’s sake”.
“There’s no Adriana here, there’s only Ariana and she doesn’t relate to you in any way”.
“Sofi I know Adriana is my daughter and you can’t deny that because I felt a connection with her”.
“Please disconnect it because she’s not yours” She said.
“Sofi please”.
“I don’t wanna look like inconsiderate or wicked person so I won’t separate Adriana from you but I’ll be the one to do the introduction” She said.
“Thank you Sofi” He made to hug her but she pushed him away.
“I don’t think we’re close enough to share a hug” She said.
“May we come in?” Carlos asked happily.
“If you want” She walked away.
Krystal was laying on the couch while Joyce stroked her hair gently, they were watching a movie.
“Where is dad?” Krystal asked.
“He travelled” Joyce replied.
“What!” She bolted up in shock.
“And he didn’t inform me about it!, I’mma call him right now” She picked up her phone and Joyce took it from her.
“You shouldn’t call him”
“Why is that?” She asked.
“You wouldn’t understand and I don’t think it’s in my place to tell you about it so go to sleep” She said.
“Wait, is he…angry at me?” She asked worriedly.
“Of course not”.
“You sure?”
“Yes baby Krystal” She smiled.
“I’m not a baby, I’m ten already”
“You’re still a baby”.
“No I’m not!” She retorted.
“Baby Krystal”.
“I’mma report you to dad, just wait till he returns!” She ran upstairs.
“I’m sorry mom” She sniffed.
“I’m sorry for yelling at you” Sofia apologized.
“It’s my fault mom, you’ve already warned me not to talk to strangers but I disobeyed you” She cried.
“It’s fine” Sofia wiped off her tears.
“I’m sorry mom”.
“Stop crying and I’ll grant any of your wish” Sofia smiled.
“Really mom?”
“Yes Ariana”.
“I wanna meet dad” She said.
Chapter 24 : The Power of Forgiveness
“You wanna meet him?” Sofia asked calmly.
“I’ve always wanted to” She replied slowly.
“Come with me” She carried Adriana in her arms.
“Adriana has always wanted to meet her dad, I don’t think I should deny her that right” She thought.
Immediately Luis saw them approaching, he sprang up in happiness with a smile on his handsome face.
“Ariana meet Luis….Luis meet Adriana”.
She didn’t know how to introduce the two to each other.
Luis was a little bit nervous and Carlos excused them.
“Hmmm…Ariana”.
“Yes mom” She responded cutely.
“Meet Luis…your dad” Immediately she said that Luis smiled widely, and Adriana looked at him in shock.
“Dad” She muttered in shock.
“Adriana” He became emotional.
Sofia tried to fight back her tears but she couldn’t.
She passed Adriana over to him, and looked away, the last thing she wants is to let her daughter see her cry.
She practiced how rude and sassy she was going to be to Luis any day she sets her eyes on him but here he is today, in front of her, in her house but she can’t even say or do any of the things she practiced.
Luis held Adriana tightly staring at her fondly with teary eyes while the innocent girl kept on smiling.
“You’re handsome” She smiled , and Luis chuckled out tears.
“Come here silly girl” Sofia wiped off her tears.
“No, I wanna stay with dad” She said.
“So you’re choosing him over me” Sofia said dramatically, and Adriana giggled.
Luis looked at Sofia and she looked away.
“I said I wasn’t gonna separate you two but I didn’t say we were going to continue from where we stopped” She thought.
“Thanks Sofia for giving me Adriana, I know you’re mad at me but I promise to make everything right” He thought.
“What’s with the silence?” Adriana asked and Sofia looked at her.
“Come on let’s have a big hug” She smiled.
Luis and Sofia looked at each other and their eyes locked no one was ready to break the eye contact.
“Hello!!!!” Adriana screamed, making her mom flinch breaking the eye contact and Luis poked her soft cheeks.
“I know I’m cute” She gushed.
“Cutie” He poked her cheeks again.
“The hug” She reminded them.
Sofia slowly walked towards them with her reminiscing about their moments together.
When their laughters filled the room, when he’d chase her around the house, when he pulled her into a comforting hug, when she went for her masters and he’d always call to make sure she was fine, when they’d make promises to each other, their intense kisses and their nights of passion, everything made her burst out in tears and she hugged him tightly like he was going to run if she let go of him for a second.
“I missed you Luis…I missed you…so much” She cried.
He wrapped an arm around her.
“I missed you too Sofi…so much”
“Why is she crying and what’s with the I miss yous??, you have a lotta things to tell me” Adriana whispered in his ear making him smile.
Camila and Emiliana watched them with a smile on their beautiful faces.
Carlos came in and was overwhelmed by the sight in front of him.
“Congratulations boss” He smiled.
Camila and Sofia made food for everyone.
Throughout the meal, Luis and Sofia kept on exchanging glances.
He held her hand under the table, she looked at him and smiled.
“Dad can you cook?” Adriana asked.
“All of a sudden?” Luis asked cluelessly.
“Yep”.
“He’s a chef” Sofia replied.
“Really?” Emiliana blinked.
“I hope you’re not trying to cover up for your husband” Adriana said.
The duo chuckled at the name “Husband”
“No, I’m not” Sofia replied.
“So dad when are we moving to our house?”
“Our?” Sofia asked in confusion.
“Yep, a place where the three of us would live”
“You shouldn’t-
“Very soon, I’ll come to get you and Sofi” Luis held her hand under the table tightly.
“Awwn” Adriana and Emiliana gushed.
“I’m so happy for them” Camila whispered to Carlos.
“Me too” He smiled.
<2 DAYS LATER~AIRPORT>
“I wanna go with you” Adriana cried.
Luis carried her in his arms.
“Stop crying, you’re making me feel bad” He wiped off her tears.
She hiccuped. “Here” Sofia uncapped tumbler and gave her some water.
“Let him go Ariana” She said trying to carry the girl.
She around her arms around Luis neck, not willing to let go.
“10 mins left boss” Carlos whispered, and Luis sighed.
“Ariana…I’ll come get you in a week” He kissed her hair.
She shook her head in disagreement.
“Okay, in 2 days I promise” He said and she slowly turned to look at him.
“You promise?” She asked slowly.
“I promise”.
“This’s your first promise to me so you have to fulfill it…okay?” She said calmly.
“I won’t break it” He promised.
“Pinky promise?” She showed him her little pinky.
He smiled before they entwined their fingers.
Chapter 25 : Rebuilding Trust
“Goodbye dad” Adriana cried as she watched her dad board the plane.
He turned to look at her and he waved at her, his eyes went to Sofia.
“Bye” She faked a smile.
She was crying inside of her, she spent five years without him and now that he’s here, he has to leave for business.
She wish she could stop him from leaving but she couldn’t, she can’t be selfish to ask him to abandon his business to stay with her and her daughter and most importantly Krystal must miss her dad a lot.
He already told her that Krystal now lives with him.
“Bye” He smiled.
“Dad!!!” Krystal hugged him tightly.
“Babygirl” He smiled widely.
“I’m not a baby” She stated.
“Okay” He raised his hand in the air, making her chuckle.
“Did you miss me?”
“A lot” He smiled.
“Your smile gives a different vibe and energy today, wassup dad?” She teased.
“I’m so tired” He faked a yawn just to escape from her teasings.
He was heading upstairs, and then she jumped on his back.
“Did you make up with her?” She asked making him stop on his tracks.
How did she find out about that???
“What?, you thought I wouldn’t find out?, come on dad I’m not that dumb” She chuckled.
“How do you know about it?”
“I noticed that after she left, you haven’t really been the same and I feel bad because I’m the reason why you two separated”.
“No you are not Krystal” He resumed his walk.
“I’m scared, will she like me?” She asked softly.
“Why do you think she wouldn’t like you?”
“No woman would like a child who broke her home, I wouldn’t like me if I were her” She said bluntly.
“You don’t know Sofi, she’s a sweet soul so don’t worry about any thing” He said.
“How would you feel if you found out that you had a kiddi?” He asked.
“Happy” She replied.
“Why?”
“Cause I’ll have someone to play with and talk to”
“You…actually have a kiddi sis, Krystal”
Krystal immediately jumped down in shock.
“Kiddi as in younger sister!!, what’s her name?, I’m curious about her, is she mischievous?, if she is then we gonna make a great pair”.
“Her name is Adriana and she’s kinda mischievous….a little”
“Wow!!!” She clapped her hands.
“That reminds me Krystal, I received a lot of debits, what happened?,did you acquire a property?”
“Not at all,I just got things I need and things I don’t need”.
His eyes widened. “For now” She smiled awkwardly.
“I’mma froze that account”.
“I never heard that!!!” She ran to her room.
“I’m blessed with silly kids” He shook his head heading to his room.
“I miss him” Adriana said.
“Go to sleep” Sofia stroked her hair gently.
“I don’t feel sleepy, I just wanna talk to him” She sat upright on the bed.
She got her tab and called Luis.
“Hi dad” She smiled.
“Hi Ariana”
“I called to check up on you and I wanna say I miss you” She said bluntly.
“I miss you too”
“Mom is here” She turned the tab for him to see her.
“Hi Sofi”.
“Hi” She said awkwardly.
“What’s with the hi hi?, tell him how much you miss him and tell her how much you miss her,simple and short”
“I miss you Sofi”
She was silent staring at the screen.
“Tell him you miss him too”
“I…I…I…”
“What’s with the I I?,I what?” Adriana muttered.
“I feel sleepy,goodbye” She dropped the tab on the bed and left the room.
“Wassup dad?, did you two have an argument?”
“No”.
“Worry not, even if you two had an argument, I’mma help sort whatever it is out”
“Ok Ariana”
“Bye”
“Bye” He smiled and she hung up.
“What’s with the straight face mom?”
“Nothing”
“Don’t you want to see him?”
“Not at all Ariana” She replied.
“So you miss him and you wanna see him” Adriana teased.
“Stop it” She gushed.
“Omg, are those rosy cheeks?” She teased again.
“Just shut up” Sofia looked away.
Luis was eagerly waiting for them to arrive.
“Dad!!” Adriana screamed.
He turned to the angle were the voice came from.
She was running towards him with her smile on her cute face.
“Cutie” He grinned poking her cheeks, making her giggled in his arms.
“Hi” He faced Sofia.
“Hi” She said.
“How are you doing?”
“Fine” She replied.
They stared at each other for a while.
“Let’s go, I suppose you guys are tired” Luis dropping Adriana.
He took the bags from Sofia.
“Thank you” She mumbled and he smiled.
“Hi mom” Krystal hugged Sofia immediately she stepped into the mansion making her eyes widen.
She looked at Luis and he smiled at her.
“How are you Krystal?” She asked.
“I’m fine” She broke the hug.
“Dad, is she Adriana?” Luis nodded.
“Cutie” She crouched in front of her.
“Are you Krystal?” Krystal nodded.
“Nice to meet you” She smiled.
“My pleasure, let’s go to my room” She held Adriana’s hand taking her upstairs.