Reaching Out for You (21 page)

“I love your
smile.” Connor comes to sit next to me. We sit there for a moment as I rest my
head on his shoulder.

“I love to
smile. Thanks for being there for me. Love ya.”

“Right back at
you,
Soph
, I want to talk to you before I leave.”

I look at Connor
and wonder what is going on. “Sure. What is up?”

“I just want you
to know,” he starts to say as he strokes my hand; “Adam loves you
Soph
. You truly mean the world to him. Tonight is a big
night and you need to go in with an open mind. Just understand his reasons.”

Wow… what the
hell is going on? What is Connor talking about? I
squint
my eyes at him and try to read his expression. “You’re freaking me out Connor.
What is going on?”

“Just please be
patient and understanding. Please,
Soph
?”

His request is
full of caution and fear. I know he is not going to tell me anything so I nod
my head and give him a reassuring squeeze on his hand. “Alright, Connor I
will.”

He leans in and
kisses my forehead. “Thanks,
Soph
. Have fun today. I
got to run but I’ll see you later.” He gives me a kiss on my forehead and heads
out. I hear commotion in my old room and get up to see what is going on. When I
look inside my room, I see all my clothes on the floor.
“
Ummmmm
, hi?”

Erin
is frantic. “Connor asked me to go to
the gala tonight and I have nothing to wear!
NOTHING!”

I start
laughing. I knew exactly what dress she should wear. I go to the back of my
closet and pull out a black evening gown I wore to one of my dad’s events a few
months ago. The gown was a v-neck style satin dress. It is fitted and has a
plunging backside. I knew she would kill in this dress. “Here! Wear this.”

Her mouth drops
and starts laughing. “Connor’s going to die!”

We start
laughing as someone knocks on the door again. I glance back at
Erin
.
“Looks like it is
time to get beautiful.”

By the time
everything is done, I am polished, massaged, waxed, plucked, hair sprayed,
moussed
, curled, and almost everything a girl needs to look
like a princess. Adam and Connor went all out to make sure we had a nice and
relaxing spa day at the apartment. I put on the dress and it fit perfectly. I
look in the mirror and feel beautiful. Its
5:55 pm
and I start panicking. I grab my silver
clutch and throw in the necessary things I need for tonight. Lip gloss, oil
absorbent sheets, a mirror, mints, my ID and phone.

I go into the
other room and see
Erin
putting on last minute touches. She
looks amazing in the dress and I know how happy she is with Connor. They’re
finally official and it makes me happy to know my two best friends are dating.

There is a knock
on the door. “Here we go.” I give myself a final look and take
Erin
’s hand as we open the door. Adam and
Connor are standing before us looking sexy as usual. They are both in black
tuxedos, a black bow tie and crisp white button downs. When I look up at him
and see his delicious smile, I forget to breathe. “Hi,” is all I can say.

“Pretty
girl.”
He hands me
the flowers and wraps an arm around my waist. I breathe in his scent and go
weak in my knees. “You look absolutely beautiful.” He gives me a sweet kiss on
my cheek. “Ready, baby?”

I’m breathless.
I can’t talk so I just nod. He places his hand on the small part of my back and
leads me to the elevator. As we ride down, I look over at Connor and
Erin
, and smile. They look adorable together
and the way he looks at her with such devotion is touching.

The elevator
ride is quiet. There are so many questions racing in my head and I’m not sure
when to bring them up.

“Whatever you’re
thinking stop. Let’s just enjoy tonight.” He puts his hand on my cheek. “I just
want you to have fun and to relax.”

I don’t know how
he does this to me. He makes everything seem so easy and carefree when I am a
mess. I do my breathing exercises and just let my mind empty out. I’ll be okay
I kept thinking to myself. We make it down to the first floor and head outside.
There is a long black limo waiting for us.

“Good evening.”
The tall man dressed in a black suit with dark glasses opens the door for us.
Erin and I get in first and sit comfortably with our men, as the door closes
behind them.
 

“You really look
beautiful tonight, pretty girl.” Adam puts his arm around me and lightly
strokes my arm.

Erin
pulls away from Connor and makes her way
over to the mini bar. “Alright party people, let’s get things popping!” She
takes out a bottle of champagne and starts pouring everyone a glass. “Let’s
make a toast. Thank you Sophia for finally breaking up with your douche bag
boyfriend.” We all laugh. “And to the guys for making us, feel like
princesses.” We all clink our glasses and drink our champagne. It is a sweet
and crisp feeling going down and tastes good. The rest of the ride we all make
small talk and before we know it, we arrive at the gala.

The building is
enormous. It is white with tall, white columns all over. There are lights all
over and it astounds me. “Wow, this is beautiful.”

“Just like you,
Soph
.” Adam takes my hand and we walk up the stairs to
enter the building. When we enter the party room, my mouth drops, the room’s
decor resembles a winter wonderland. Each table has white linen and white chair
covers. There are silver ribbons tied on each chair and each table has a
beautiful centerpiece of flowers and candles. The entire place is lovely. We
make our way to our seats and I see Frank and
Lydia
.

“Oh Sophia, you
look absolutely stunning.”
Lydia
gives me a hug and a kiss on each cheek.

“You look
amazing,
Lydia
!”

“Oh darling,
thank you. Hello, my lovely boys. How are you?”

Adam and Connor
both give her a hug and a kiss.
“Fine mom.
I want you
to meet someone.” Connor brings
Erin
over. “Mom, this is my girlfriend, Erin.”

I look over at
Erin
and she has a smile from ear to ear.
Adam takes my hand and we make our way to Frank. “Good evening, dad.”

Frank turns
around and smiles. “Hello son.” They shake hands. “Oh Sophia, you look
beautiful. How’s my son treating you?” He gives me a hug and kiss on the cheek.

“I’m good, thank
you for asking. Everything here is beautiful.”

“
Ahhh
yes, they did a nice job didn’t they? Well you two go
mingle and dinner should be served shortly.”

As we start to
walk back, I see Dr. Henry talking to a group of people. I was going to go over
and say hi but he looks busy. We make our way back to the table with Connor and
Erin. “I am so happy for you!”

Erin
starts to squeal. “I know! He is so
sweet!” She gives my hand a tight squeeze. “Let’s have fun tonight. No drama.”

“No drama!”

The wait staff
serves dinner to us, and everything looks amazing. We all have chicken and
shrimp with Milanese sauce and grilled fennel with wild rice. Everyone is
dressed so nicely and it feels great to be out in public. Right as we are about
to finish dinner; Frank steps up to the podium.

“Good evening
everyone. I would like to say thank you so much for joining us this evening.”
There is a light applause. “I created
Optimax
four
years ago and am proud to say we have expanded throughout the nation.” Everyone
starts to clap. I can’t believe Adam’s family owns
Optimax
.
A surge of anger starts to fill my insides. Why didn’t he tell me? After
everything I told him and what we talked about, he kept this from me. I knew
something was going on! I want to get up and leave but my body is stuck to the
chair. I take in a breath and let it out slowly. I turn to grab my glass of
water and see Connor staring at me. He raises his eyebrows and mouths,
“Understand.” I take a sip of the lemon water and slowly turn to face Frank.
“Thank you, thank you. Now as most of you know, last year I suffered a heart
attack. Without the prayers from all of you and the strength of my beautiful
wife and sons, I would not be standing here before you. My doctor said stress
was a main factor. Who knew? I would like to say thank you for all of your kind
words and wishing me well, but I have decided to step down as CEO.” There is a
gasp and everyone looks confused. I look over at Adam and see a nervous
expression on his face. I’m not sure why he looks nervous but I have a bad
feeling. “Now I would like everyone to please put your hands together for my
sons Adam and Connor Simpson, as they will take over the business.”

I look over at
Adam, shocked. I can’t believe what I just heard. I quickly get up from the
table and storm off to the balcony. Right when I get outside, I start crying.
Was I chosen for the position on my own merits, or did Adam convince his dad to
bring me on? Everything makes sense now. Adam always wanted to help me with my
plans.

“Sophia?” He
softly says. “Please don’t leave.”

I turn around
with flames in my eyes. “What the hell Adam! Why didn’t you tell me? Did you
convince your dad to have Dr. Henry hire me on?” I yell at him with such hurt
and agony in my voice.

“Sophia, please
stop and listen to me.” He walks toward me but I move away. “Sophia. I didn’t
have anything to do with you being hired. You impressed Dr. Henry; and dad and
I monitored your progress. We all agreed to have you come onboard. Dad thought
it best not let you know what was going on and I agreed. You have to believe
me.”

I shake my head.
“No.” I turn back around and start walking away when he takes my arms and pulls
me to his chest. “Adam let me go!”

“Baby, stop
running, ok, I didn’t do anything wrong. Why are you being so complicated? I
keep trying to make us work but it seems like you find any excuse to leave me.
I told you tonight everything would be explained, and it has. I moved back from
Boston
because of what happened with my dad’s
health, and to be with you. I’m here now and I’ve waited too long without you.
You are my life. Why can’t you see that?”

“I do, but this
all makes sense now. You lied to me Adam.” I try to wiggle out of his arms.

“Baby, I didn’t
lie to you. I just didn’t tell you because everything was under wraps. Please
stop trying to find excuses to leave me.”

“I’m not making
any excuses Adam!” My voice is shaking and I feel betrayed. “You just don’t get
it!” I push him away and start running down the stairs. I don’t know where I am
going but I don’t care. I wonder what else he has lied about. All of a sudden,
I feel arms around me lifting me up from the ground. “Ugh, let me go!” I try to
wiggle away from him again. He carries me to a dark alley and finally puts me
down. I shove him, “You do not get to treat me like a child, Adam!”

He takes my
hands and looks at me. He grits his teeth, “Then stop acting like one, Sophia!
I did not do anything wrong! Yes my dad started the company and yes I am taking
over, but
you
earned this position on your own!”

“Let me go now,”
I seethe. “I don’t believe anything you have to say to me. I don’t want this
anymore. I’d rather be alone than be with someone who lies to me.” I yank my
arms from him.

“Is that what
you want?” My heart breaks when I hear his voice. I turn around and see the
hurt in his eyes. “You want me gone, Sophia?”

“No Adam, it is
not what I want, but I don’t know what to do. I mean I feel like you purposely
kept this from me or something.” I throw my hands in the air and give him an
exhausted look.

“Sweetheart, I
know you’re mad right now but can we please just go back to the party and talk
about this later? Please? Do this for my parents?”

I sigh and
realize I can’t make a scene at their party. He takes my hand as we walk back
into the party. The night flies by and I stand by Adam as several people
congratulate him on his success. I put on a smile and pretend as if nothing
happened. It is hard but it is what I have to do. “I’ll be back; I have to go
to the bathroom.”