Chapter 54: Chapter 54

"I saw the news just now and I'm just going to tell you not to read the nasty stuff they're writing, cause those people are just a bunch of crazy, jealous low life nobodies who are angry that you got such a hot guy like that when they couldn't," Vivienne said and Sophia laughed, smacking her hands against her face.

"That is like a lot of insult Mom, and I'm so happy that it's because of me."

"Of course! You're my girl. If I was there, I'd have sued every one of them for defamation of character." She told, her gaze serious.

"I'm sure you would have, that is if you didn't stab them in their faces first".

"I've always had a very nasty temper" she agreed laughing then her gaze softened. "Are you alright dear. I know Lennox is handling everything but are you doing ok".

Sophia nodded quickly. "More than ok. I'm really happy".

"And that's all that matters. I'd have rushed down immediately this madness started but there's been some problem at the airport".

"Mom you don't need to come... Just have fun with your new boyfriend".

Vivienne scoffed. "That boat sailed like last week. He was so boring, I thought I'd die if I had to listen to him talk a day more about how fat his cats were, or that he worked in retail."

Sophia grinned. "Keep looking Mom, you'll find the perfect man someday".

"I've come to accept that between the two of us, you have much more luck when it comes to getting a man, and a rich one at that. I'm just going to stay alone and live off of you both ok".

"Sure thing. Mom, I've got to go. I've got an incoming call from my friends"

"Alright love. Stay safe. I love you to the moon and back".

"I love you too, Mom," she said, waved and ended the call, then clicked to accept her friend's call. The three of them were in Sana's workspace.

"Oh my gosh, are you alright... We saw the news" Andria asked, her voice worried and Sophia chuckled as Bianca rolled her eyes.

"I'm doing amazing. I'm with Lennox".

Sana shoved the others away. "Wow, why do I feel like that has a lot of hidden meaning to it".

Andria pushed her head forward. "Ignore her Sophia, she's been sex starved for too long, so she's seeking her pleasure from other couples' love life".

Sophia shook her head at their bickering. "I'm very certain that Sana is just being her usual self. So how were Jonathan's parents? Are we going to hear wedding bells soon".

Andria beamed. "Yes girl and his parents were so nice it caught me by surprise, but it's all good, I'm so happy that they like me. We'll be meeting my parents soon, and Jonathan wants us to get married possibly In a month or two".

"That dude definitely knows what he wants... He's freaking whipped for you girl".

"It's so scary that sometimes It feels like a dream and if it is, I don't ever want to wake up".

Bianca snorted. "I'm right here beside you, so it is definitely not a dream."

Sana shoved forward again. "Did you meet Lennox's parents"?

"I haven't yet and I'm not really thrilled to either. They're putting Lennox through hell and I hate them for it".

Bianca sighed. "I freaking knew they were going to be shitty. They're that rich, I'm almost certain they're the snobbiest kind of people on earth. You should have just fallen in love with a normal guy but oh hell no, you choose to fall in love with your boss, aka the governor's son".

"Shitty parents or not, I love Lennox and no one is going to change that, and Bianca, what's up with you and your boss," Sophia asked, arching an eyebrow, knowing fully well that the question would get on Bianca's nerve.

"Ugh! Oh my goodness, you even thinking that I would have anything to do with Jonah irritates the life out of me... For the fucking last time, I hate my boss and nothing is ever going to change that".

"Yeah, you and Andria should quit trying to make Bianca and Jonah a couple" Sana chastised, then smiled conspiratorially. "But maybe Bianca here would like to us about the new cute guy she's been hanging out with".

"He's just a co_workers Sana!".

"Oh yeah, so why do you stare at him the way you stare at your ice cream".

"Mind your own business and tend to your childish boss".

Sana glared. "Don't call him that"

"And that's it, I'm off this call or I'm going to be late for work, you three, try not to kill each other ok. Lennox is here" she said, ending the call as Lennox stepped out of his room.

Lennox stood in front of her, his black suit molding against his whole frame like a hug. He looked both sexy and dangerous, and Sophia couldn't help but stare as her skin tingled in remembrance of how wild their night had been. He stepped towards her exuding a magnetic pull that seemed to tug her into him as he leaned over her and brushed their lips together.

"Keep staring at me like that and we might not make it to work" he murmured across her lips and she grinned.

"Why do I love that threat so much huh?" she whispered back and he tapped her nose as he pressed a quick kiss to her temple.

"Because deep down, I think you're a kinky little perv" he teased and her grin got wider.

Sophia pressed a quick kiss on the side of his lips. "Only for you babe!. Now let's go before I let my freak come out to play".

Lennox laughed as he took her hand and pulled her off the seat. "I'll very much like to play with your freak".

"After the board meeting," she said and pulled away from his hold as she grabbed the keys. "I'm driving".

Lennox shook his head. "Nope, not today you are not. Let me be your driver ok. You've gone through a lot these past few days so let me take care of you for a change".

Sophia smiled as she gave him the keys. "Well since I love to be pampered, I won't be refusing such a romantic offer".

"Glad to hear that. Now let's go" he said, his hand coming to rest on the small of her back as they both stepped out of the house.

*********

"I'm sorry about my parents," he said after a while of driving in silence.

Sophia turned to face him, hating the fact that the two people who should have shielded him from all the hurt and pain in the world were the ones who put such pain in his eyes.

"You don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault" Sophia assured and he exhaled deeply.

"I know that but old habits die hard and it's not easy for me not to blame myself for everything that happens in my life."

"It's not your fault" Sophia emphasized, reaching to touch his arms as he continued.

"My parents never really wanted me. After the death of my twins, it was like I became non-existent to them except when they needed me to help out with their business. I was like a fucking robot and I had no idea what it felt like to be loved or to love someone else until Melissa. But I wasn't enough for her and she wanted to leave, and I didn't want her to, and then she got into an accident and I lost her. My parents didn't care. To them, I don't really exist..." He said his hands clenching on the steering wheel. "I felt so angry so I lashed out at everything and everyone, but that didn't lessen the pain. I just wanted them to treat me like a human being, even if they couldn't treat me like their flesh and blood... "

Sophia's hands tightened on his arms.

"They should be the ones in pain because they don't know what an amazing son you are Lennox and I want you to know that you exist to me. You're the sun in my universe Lennox and I'm glad I met you. I love you so much".

Lennox was about to reply when a car rammed into theirs from the side where Sophia sat. Lennox banged his head on the steering and saw white as the pain blinded him temporarily.

The car skidded to a halt, and Lennox reached for Sophia blindingly as the accident registered to him, the pain in his heart growing by the minute until he blacked out.