Whispers of Deceit, Echoes of Love

Chapter 10

After placing the flowers into a jar of water, Sophia returned to her room, the box of chocolate now opened. She sat on the floor, trying to see what to where. It was thirty minutes later that Mia found her there.

“Seeing some fresh flowers,” Mia commented with a grin as she placed her bag on the sofa. She turned to Sophia, hands on her hips, “someone I know?”

Sophia shook her head, “Nope. And you are not going to.”

Mia pouted, “Oh well. So why are you not dressed yet?”

“Can’t choose what to wear,” Sophia answered truthfully. She led the way to her bedroom, where three different outfits lay on the bed.

There was a powder blue babydoll dress with a low back, a white lacy dress a few inches above the knee with a low back as well, and a red leather dress with a golden zipper in front.

“I can see why!” Mia clapped her hands. “All these dresses are gorgeous! But I would pick this one,” she said. She picked the white one. “And match it to these brown box heels, this clutch bag. Perfect! Minimal makeup and jewelry, and you is ready!”

With a nod, Sophia collected the dress and headed to her bathroom.

“Chocolates too?” Mia’s voice followed her. “Now I am really curious as to who this person is!”

“Eat your heart out, Mia,” Sophia called back, a chuckle escaping her. “He is my secret.”

“Well, at least he knows how to spoil a girl. I am going to help myself to these delicacies.”

“Knock yourself out!”

A few minutes later, Sophia stood in front of her mirror, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and uncertainty. Tonight was about shedding the remnants of a broken relationship, about reclaiming a sense of freedom lost in the echoes of her past with Eric. Her friend Mia’s constant encouragement had persuaded her to embrace the nightlife and shake off the melancholy of the recent breakup.

She turned to the side, gazing at her reflection. The dress hugged her figure subtly yet playfully, leaving just enough to the imagination.

“If only Eric could see you now,” Mia whistled. “He doesn’t know what he has lost. You, my dear friend, are one gorgeous babe. And any man worth his salt will be lucky to have you. Now, let’s go and celebrate your first day of independence!”

Mia took her to a hip and happening club on the other side of the city. It was an exclusive club, with membership and all.

“How were you able to get us here?” Sophia asked as they got out of the Uber.

“I know a person who knows a person,” Mia shrugged with a smile. “Come on, we aren’t standing in line.” Mia hooked her arm around Sophia’s and propelled her to the front of the line. “Hey, Papi!” She greeted the bouncer by the door.

The bouncer smiled indulgently, “Miss Mia, welcome back. Go on right in.”

Mia winked at the man and walked in.

“Like seriously, who do you know, and how often have you been here?”

Mia chuckled, “Just like you and your mysterious chocolate and flowers guy, I also have my people, girlfriend. Come, we are in the VIP section.” Mia led the way up some stairs to a more spacious arena.

Sophia’s eyes took in the place, loving the dark leather and red and gold decor that seemed to be the club's theme.

Once they reached their section, Mia turned to Sophia. “Listen, girlfriend. I know today is tough, but I want you to have fun, okay? You show the world how strong you are, that he can’t break you. You might never know. Maybe someone down there is for you.”

Sophia shook her head, “not too soon.”

“Love waits for no man-or woman, sweets. Now,” she raised her hand, and from nowhere, a waiter was by their section. He was dressed in black slacks and a red shirt, his long blond hair tied on the nape of his neck. His green eyes studied both women, lingering slightly on Sophia. After they made their orders and the waiter left, Mia turned to her with a knowing smile and said, “I told you.”

Sophia rolled her eyes but did not comment. She turned her gaze to the dancefloor, her foot gently tapping to the song.

“Want to go down there and dance?” Mia asked.

“Let me get some liquid courage first,” Sophia chuckled. It wasn’t that she didn’t go out. It was just that this was the first time she did it without Eric or Emily.

When the waiter brought their order, there were four shots on it.

“We didn’t order these,” Sophia shook her head.

“On the house,” the waiter smiled at her.

“Oh,” Sophia turned to Mia, who had a massive smile on her face. “Thank you, uh,” she leaned forward to read the name tag, “Bruce.” She looked up at him, thankful for the dimmed lighting. She blushed when he gave her a wink.

Mia fanned herself, “You have to give it to the boy; he doesn’t beat around the bush.”

“Makes you wonder how many women he has offered the shots to,” Sophia mumbled as her eyes followed Bruce as he made his way to another private booth.

“Hey, we are here to have fun,” Mia took one of the shots and handed it to her before taking another for herself. “Here’s to a good fun night, girlfriend!”

Sophia raised her glass and downed the drink, screwing her face as it burned down her throat. Reaching for the other, she downed it as well, shaking her body as the drink settled in her stomach. “Goodness!”

Mia chuckled, “Drink up, sweets so that we can hit the dancefloor!”

When they finally made it to the dancefloor, Sophia’s steps were tentative at first, her movements cautious as she took in the dazzling ambiance. Neon lights danced across the walls, illuminating the electric atmosphere that enveloped the club. Mia, the seasoned socialite, urged her forward into the lively crowd.

The evening unfurled in a series of laughter, conversations, and clinking glasses. With each sip of her drink, Sophia felt the weight of her worries dissipate. She found herself swaying to the music, caught up in the infectious rhythm of the night. She even flirted a bit with Bruce, who seemed to be smitten by her, stopping by her side repeatedly.

Somewhere in the night’s revelry, buoyed by the liquid courage coursing through her veins, Sophia's inhibitions faded. She reached for her phone, fingers typed Eric's deleted number with a mix of apprehension and impulsivity. She was standing by the entryway, the only place that wasn’t crowded or noisy.

Her thoughts blurred as she pressed the call button, the device ringing in her ear until a groggy voice answered on the other end. "Soph?"

"Hey, Eric," she slurred, her tongue feeling heavy with the weight of her unspoken emotions. "Did you even... love me? Even a little bit?"

A pause lingered, the silence heavy with unsaid words and unresolved emotions. Sophia’s question hung in the air, charged with a vulnerability she hadn’t intended to reveal.

The club’s thumping music became a distant echo as she plunged deeper into the conversation, asking provocative questions and seeking closure in the haze of the night.

Suddenly, a somehow familiar voice cut through the chaos of the club. "Sophia, what are you doing here?"

Startled, Sophia turned to find Steven standing at the entrance, his expression a mix of concern and surprise. The sight of him sent a jolt of conflicting emotions through her—a combination of longing and confusion that mingled with the alcohol-induced haze.