Whispers of Deceit, Echoes of Love

Chapter 26

Sophia turned and looked at the well-dressed man. He was tall, his black suit fitting his body as if tailored on him. “Yes?” She frowned, indicating the Uber driver to wait for her.

“I have been sent by Mr Fawler to take you home,” the man stated. “My name is Orlando.”

Sophia bit on her lip. She had hoped that Steven was not serious. “Oh, but I have already requested for an Uber.”

Orlando shook his head, “worry not.” He walked past her to the Uber driver, who had become a bit irritated. Removing a bill, he paid the driver, who drove off angrily.

Sophia glanced at her phone as it pinged, indicating her trip's cancelation. She looked up as Orlando approached her.

“The car is right here, ma’am,” Orlando pointed to the sleek black Mercedes.

Sighing, she walked to the car, standing on the side as Orlando opened the door for her. Once settled, she quickly searched for Steven’s phone. “I live at-”

“Mr Fawler has given me your address, ma’am,” Orlando replied as he looked at her through the review mirror.

“It’s just Sophia,” she told him. “Steve, you really didn’t have to send your driver for me. I was going to get an Uber.”

“And I had told you that I was going to send the driver,” Steven replied. “Just to be clear, he will also take you to your office in the morning.”

“Really! There is no-” Sophia started.

“It’s final, Sophia,” Steven replied before disconnecting the call.

“Did he just hang up on me?” Sophia mumbled as she glared at her phone. “That stubborn man!” She caught Orlando glancing at her through the rearview mirror, “Sorry,” she mumbled.

Orlando did not reply but instead kept his gaze on the road.

In no time, the car pulled to a stop in front of her apartment building. Before Sophia could even open the door, Orlando was already out and holding it open for her. How fast did the guy move, she thought to herself as she stepped out.

“Thank you so much, Orlando,” Sophia smiled.

Orlando gave her a slight bow, “I will be here by seven-thirty tomorrow.”

“Oh, no,” Sophia shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. I will just Uber it there.” She hoped that she could talk Orlando out of coming to get her, knowing that the moment people see her being dropped in such a car would cause rumors to fly around the office.

Orlando shook his head, “Mr. Fawler was very specific about this task. I will be here. Please enter your building.”

Sophia fought so hard to stop her eyes from rolling. With a defeated sigh, she gave him a small wave and walked away. Only after she got inside her building did she see Orlando walking back to the driver's side, phone on his ear. He was probably calling Steven to tell him she was safely home. Shaking her head, she made her way to her apartment. As she approached her door, she frowned at the red words on the door. W*hore was written in red lipstick. She did not know whether to laugh or cry because, truthfully, it was Emily who broke up her relationship. Taking her phone out, she took a photo of the door and shared it with Mia.

In a short minute, her phone rang, “the girl is tripping!” Mia’s voice was raspy.

“I am going to file a police report if this continues,” Sophia told her friend as she opened the door and walked in.

“You should. She is becoming unhinged,” Mia clicked her tongue. “I always knew she was bad vibes.”

Sophia chuckled as she placed her stuff on the side table, “You say that about everyone.”

“Apart from you,” Mia chimed. “Good night. We will chat tomorrow.”

Sophia hung up. Opening the messaging app, she quickly sent a thank you message to Steven, depositing her phone on the table before heading to the kitchen to collect cleaning materials. Armed with a towel and soapy water, Sophia walked back outside and started cleaning up. She wondered how many of her neighbors had been it. A quick scrub and rub had her door cleaned. She collected her phone, glancing at it to see if Steven had replied. She shrugged when there was nothing and continued to her bedroom. She quickly stripped and got into a shower. A quick second later, she was done and in the bed.

As morning came, Sophia got up and ready in record time. She looked at her phone. There was no message from Steven. With a shrug, she collected her things and made it downstairs, hoping that Orlando wasn’t there. Unfortunately, he was. With his signature black suit, he was standing by the passenger door.

“Good morning, Miss Collins,” Orlando gave her a small bow as he held the door open for her.

“Good morning, Orlando,” Sophia smiled, knowing there was no way she would get away from this. “I take it you know where I am going?”

Orlando gave her a small smile, “that is correct. Is there any place you would like to stop before we get to your office?”

Sophia shook her head.

The drive to the office was quiet, except for the soft music that Orlando was playing. Soon enough, he was pulling to a stop in front of her building.

Sophia had to swallow a groan when she saw her colleagues loitering outside. Already, a few curious ones had turned to the car.

“Doesn’t your boss have a Corolla or something?” Sophia muttered to Orlando.

Orlando raised an eyebrow, “this is the least expensive car he owns. I have also been instructed to check your car and make sure it is fine before I am discharged.”

“Seriously?” Sophia shook her head. “Isn’t it a little too much? I am not ungrateful but can do all that by myself.”

Orlando kept quiet for a few seconds before speaking, “I apologize for speaking out of tune, but with Mr. Fawler traveling, he wanted to make sure you are well taken care of until he can come and do so himself.”

“But that’s the thing,” Sophia shook his head. “He doesn’t need to.”

“I would advise you to have this conversation with him once he is back, ma’am. For now, please show me where your car is.”

Sophia sighed in defeat as she nodded to him. “Let’s get this over with.” She ignored the looks of her colleagues as she led Orlando to her car. It was a good thing that she did. Her car was wretched.

Sophia gasped as she walked around it, her hands on her mouth to stop a sob from escaping.

“Sophia?” Mia’s voice approached her. “Oh my G-! Is this what Emily did?”

Sophia shook her head as she turned to her friend. She noticed that Mia had a scarf around her throat, probably hiding the bruise she got from Emily.

“Ma’am, I will have to tell the boss about this,” Orlando announced. “I will be here to pick you up. I will also have your car towed and taken to the garage.”

All Sophia could do was nod. She reached into her purse and handed him her car keys. She watched as Orlando made calls. Turning to Mia, she hooked her hand in hers, “She is going too far. From righting on my door, attacking you, now destroying my car! Eric had better do something, or her ass is heading to jail!”

Mia chuckled. “I know this is not a laughing matter, but look at all these thirsty b!tches eyeing your driver. Speaking of which, who is he, and who is the boss he was referring to?”