Chapter 52: Chapter 52
Sophia stared through the window at the people walking around the front of her house, her brows creasing as she tried to place them. Her neighborhood never had that much traffic, and people didn't just Invade other people's space just for the heck of it, especially since it was still too early, so who were they and why were they holding gadgets.
The shrill sound of her phone had her jerking back in shock.
"I seriously need to change that ringtone, my God!" She muttered to herself as she picked up the phone and answered the call. "This better be important Bianca".
"Oh, it's fucking important alright. I know y'all were keeping your relationship low profile but you both just got outed big time and the reporters are swarming everywhere."
"What?!" Sophia sputtered, then looked closely at the people moving around In front of her house and what they were holding were definitely cameras.
Sophia frowned, her brains firing in different directions.
"Hello, are you still there. Sophia" Bianca shrilled into her ears.
"I'm fucking here and you're about to make me go deaf but I don't understand, how are we even in the news. I mean he might be the richest CEO but that doesn't mean his dating life would be a hot topic right".
"That's what I thought too but girl, you are dating the son of Lennox Ray who so happened to be our faceless governor, no wonder they're so freaking secretive about everything, no one even knew that this company belonged to their family or a bunch of other billion-dollar enterprises around the world."
Sophia felt as if her head was reeling from all the information, did Lennox know about all of this, then why didn't he tell her. Did he think she'd run if she knew the truth or was he also not aware?
"This is crazy. I don't... I can't even think straight right now, but why now".
"Why now you ask, well according to the news, just last week Lennox Ray finally showed his face to the world but because we only care about our daily life and don't bother to read the news, or watch it, we missed out on that, and he also announced that his son who was running his company would be getting engaged to the famous model Jenny Mark, so basically, him kissing you after such an announcement is why this is getting blown out of proportion and let's not forget the fact that the press has been trying to get dirt on them for years without success, this is the all-time scandal they've been looking for".
"This is insane... How do I get out of the house then, they're milling everywhere and I really, really need to see Lennox".
"Are you seriously going to worry about him right now, girl! In case you don't know you're in the line of fire right now so you should worry about saving your head instead of fretting about Lennox. I'm sure his rich ass is fine".
"You don't know that. This is so annoying. I haven't even given him his present yet. I'm sure this is all that Jenny's doing. Did you know she threatened me at the party".
"No, I didn't! What! Why are you just telling me now, you should have told me immediately she did and I'd have sent her ass off to space."
Sophia smiled through the tension she felt building up at the base of her skull. "That's exactly the reason I didn't tell you. I know how aggressive you can be".
"Oh right. Well just lay low for a while and let everything die down because I don't think it's safe to come out now".
"I have to get out. I want to see Lennox because I feel like my head is going to explode if I don't get all my questions answered and then there's the issue of his gift".
"You're so hopelessly in love it's giving me hives".
"You're just allergic to romance. I'll try to go out the back and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I don't get caught".
"I'll be doing the same here. Stay safe ok".
"I will," she said and ended the call, rubbing at her temple to smooth away the worry line. She wondered how Lennox was doing, would he fare well with such uproar when loud noises affected him so much even tho he'd adjusted in the recent month. Sophia took the gift and willed the pounding heart in her chest to slow down. She grabbed her purse and walked towards the kitchen, rushing out the back door before she could second guess her actions.
Sophia darted behind the flower beds as she maneuvered her way towards the driveway, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that the paparazzi milling around hadn't sighted her. She almost made it, when her leg caught on a pipe and she fell to the floor with an oomph, drawing the attention of those who were close by. Their head perked up at the noise and then they saw her and it was total chaos as they rushed her, their cameras flashing as she tried to stand up. Sophia succeeded, then backed away as more of them crowded around her, throwing questions at her from different directions.
"What's your relationship with Lennox Ray Jr" "Did you know about his engagement. Were you having an affair with him despite knowing he was in a committed relationship?" "Did you sleep with him to get your job because we learned you're being paid way too much for being just an assistant?" "There are rumors that you were once a hooker, how true is that?". "Are you after his money?" "Are you trying to hook him with a false pregnancy claim". "On a scale of one to ten, how shamelessly do you rate yourself for going after another's woman fiance..." The questions kept coming, and with more intensity and venom. Their camera flashed in her face, blinding her and making her wince as she tried to put some space between her and them.
A woman from the crowd suddenly yanked at her dress, her grip vicious. "You fucking slut, how dare you try to destroy the relationship of two perfect couples huh! Why don't you find yourself someone who is single like yourself you stupid little gold-digger" she yelled in her face, raising her hand to hit her and Sophia braced herself as her eyes clenched shut but the hit never came, then sudden quietness enveloped the whole vicinity and Sophia forced her eyes open, gasping when Lennox's dark eyes connected with hers. He was grabbing hold of the woman that wanted to hit her midair.
"Sophia. Are you alright" he asked, his voice raw with pain as his gaze roamed over her face.
Sophia felt the wetness on her cheeks and realized that she'd been crying. She nodded quickly, as her heart rate returned to normal because she knew Lennox was there and she knew he'd never let anything happen to her. Sophia almost sagged in relief.
Lennox let go of the woman who watched him like a hawk and took hold of Sophia's hand, entwining their finger as he turned to face the paparazzi and held her hand up.
"Yes, we are together and I love Sophia very much. I would also appreciate it if you all stop harassing her because she has done nothing wrong. The news of my engagement to Jenny Mark was fake, we were not and will never be in a relationship. I'll give an official statement to resolve all these issues so please, leave us alone" he said and tugged at her hand, his eyes smiling when he stared into Sophia's blown-out ones. The roar of the paparazzi asking questions flew past her head as their camera's flashed, but Sophia could only see Lennox.
"Let's go," he said and she smiled, taking a step that matched his as they ran towards his parked car, got in, and drove off, Ignoring the mass of paparazzi that ran after their car.