You're Mine

Chapter Ten: Tick Tock

Morning arrives much too soon for my liking, I want to just roll over and bury myself in the pillows, but my body is telling me it's time for me to wake. With a sigh, I sit up and stretch. I look to my right and see Kara who is still fast asleep. I carefully slip out of bed to not disturb her. The floor chills my bare feet as I walk across it to my bag. I grab a pair of socks out of it and slip them on. The events of last night replay in my head as I put my shoes on. Reminder to self, be careful what you say when tired. I think as I grab my phone from the desk. I put on a coat and quietly leave the bedroom. The house is silent as I make my way through the hallways and down the stairs. I'm heading to the front door when I hear hushed voices talking down a hallway. I pause when I hear Kara's name.

"Andrew, you know this party is important for business, but it's also important for other reasons. I know she's a handful, but she truly needs to be on her best behavior during this," A voice says.

"Mrs. Michealson, I know this is important for you. Please pardon me for saying this, but you and I both know why she had an incident last party. I'm sorry ma'am, but you telling her that she was going to be his fiancee was quite shocking." He tells her.

I feel my eyes widen as I move closer to hear them better. A forced engagement? Why didn't she tell me about this? Are they still betrothed? My mind swims with questions as I learn this new piece of information.

"Well, the thing was canceled after she told him he looked like a greasy rat who crawled out of the sewer. It was beyond embarrassing having to apologize for her behavior. She's an adult now and needs to stop acting like a child. She's never going to be able to do anything in the real world." She tells him.

"Ma'am, I'll admit she didn't handle the situation very ladylike," He pauses before saying, "However, he was being rather difficult beyond the scenes which she tried to explain. I understand it embarrassed you, and you thought she was just being as you said difficult. But ma'am, she did withhold herself from smacking him which he honestly did deserve had she done so. I will be sure that she doesn't misbehave as you said. However, I think she should pick her suitor, one that she seems fit to be by her side not one who just looks the part," He finishes.

She sighs, "Andrew, I'll forgive you for speaking that way. Now, I need you to listen and understand that she can't have just anyone. She needs someone to help her take over this empire that I've created. Some sleazy fratboy simply won't do for her to have," She sighs. "She needs someone who knows how to handle this lifestyle and won't just taint it," She sounds disgusted as she says it. 

"Sophia!" He exclaims. He clears his throat and says, "Ms. Michealson, I understand what your expectations are. You need to have more faith in your daughter though. You're putting her in a chest and throwing away the key will cause you to lose her again. She has grown and matured more than you give her credit for. I still strongly believe that you need to let her make the decision. Yes, she has dated some fratboys, but she's still young and in college. Let her figure out who she wants to be, let her be happy. Please don't force a Charles on her as your mother did you," He says with his voice rising slightly.

"Andrew, if you were anyone else, I would fire you on the spot for speaking to me in such a manner. I'm not doing to her as my mother did, but I can't trust her love interests. You may think she's mature, but I know she is still a child when it comes to suitors. She will learn and understand one day why I did this," She tells him.

He sighs, "Sophia, you didn't. As I recall you fell for a simple butler until your mother banned you from speaking to him. All I'm asking is talk to her, have a civil conversation with her. The party is in one week surely you can make time for that." He says before walking away from her.