Love, Lies And Lavender

nthouse apartment, and Sophia felt a sen

the door, looking handsome an

he said, taking her hand and

ing a sense of unease as she realiz

ence that surrounded her. The room was filled with expensive artwo

d, feeling a sense of nervousness as she wait

egan to ask her questions, probing h

ling a sense of relief that he wa

nease. Dante was charming and charismatic, but she couldn't

as starting to relax, D

he said, his eyes locked onto hers. "S

"Sophia, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were

ck. "Marriage? Dante, I bare

t a man who acts on impulse. And as for not knowing me, I'm willing to give you all

w. "And why would I mar

a deal. Marry me, and you'll want for nothing. You'll have all the wealth and privilege you could

ith the implications of Dante's proposal.

an she didn't love. But what if it was worth it? What if she could unco

and accolades she could receive. She thought about t

s. What if she got in too deep? Wha

ll fixed on hers. She could see the

stay?" Sophia asked, her vo

"I think you'll find that I

own her spine. She knew that she was playing with fir

you," Sophia said

ing to scare you, Sophia. I'm trying t

row. "And what makes

hink you're curious. I think you want to know more about me, about my family.

possibilities. She knew that she was taking a risk

ly, her voice barely abov

mphant, his eyes gleam

he said. "We'll start making

ncertainty. "This all feels very sudden. And what about yo

y. "My family will do as I say, Sophia. And as for being susp

"What do you mean?" she asked,

rtain... arrangements, to ensure that our marriage is seen as

dded, her mind racing with thoughts of

she was being pulled into a web of deceit and corruption. But she also knew that sh

friends about the wedding," Sop

ather you didn't," he said. "At least, no

wed. "Why?" she ask

teel behind his eyes. "Let's just say that it's better

el," Sophia said, her voice firm. "She's been my confidan

sure that's a good idea, Sophia. The fewer peo

ing Rachel," she said. "And she'l

ck down. "Fine," he said. "But you must make sure that Rachel understands the i

e to allow her to tell Rachel. She knew that her best friend would be shocked by

ialed Rachel's number, her heart

ng to sound casual. "I need to

the other end of the line. "Wha

getting married," she said, the

Rachel's voice came back, sounding shocked. "What? Soph,

ion. "I know it sounds crazy, Rach. But I've met so

d was trying to be supportive. "Okay, Soph. I trust you. But you h

eveal. "His name is Dante Moretti," she s

sman? Soph, you're not exactly the type to

stration. "I told you, Rach, it's com

Rachel's voice came back, sounding more serious. "Okay,

hat?" Sop

e wrong reasons," Rachel said. "You deserve to be happy,

te for reasons that had nothing to do with love. But she pushed the f

h," Sophia said

r friend was trying to be supportive. "Okay, Soph. I'll be

hat?" Sop

" Rachel said. "I don't know much about this Da

Rachel's words. She knew that her friend was right - Dante

ugh. She was going to marry Dante, and she

ia promised, trying to sound

her friend was trying to be supportive. "Okay, Soph. I'll be

hat?" Sop

" Rachel said. "If things get too weird or too scary

ed to Rachel's words. She knew that her friend was

er voice barely above a whisper.

nd reassuring. "I'll be h

r. She knew that she had a long and difficult road ahead of her,