Whispers of Deceit, Echoes of Love

Chapter7

Sophia blinked twice, captivated by the unexpected sight of a man toweling off his hair after opening the door for her. Clad in grey sweatpants and a crisp white t-shirt, he exuded an effortlessly relaxed vibe. "We met earlier at the park," Sophia stated.

A warm smile spread across the man's face. "That we did. How's the side pinch?"

Sophia's brow furrowed in confusion. "Side pinch?" Then it hit her. "Oh! It's gone. Thank you. But I'm unsure if I have the right address," she admitted, scanning the garden. While convinced this was the house she visited before, the man at the door seemed different.

“Who are you looking for?” He inquired, looking curious.

“Ah, Mr. Fawler,” Sophia replied. “Eric’s dad.”

“I am Eric’s dad,” the man replied. “How can I help you?”

Sophia frowned. “I have never met you before. The man I met was a bit-” Sophia hesitated, struggling to express that the man she met earlier wasn't as well-groomed as the one before her. He didn’t look as good as he did right now.

“A bit what?” Mr. Fawler asked, a playful gleam in his eyes.

Sophia fought the blush that was covering her face, “I meant to say the man I met wasn’t you. But anyhow, I came to drop off Eric’s stuff.”

The frown on the man’s face made Sophia smile and know she did the right thing. “Eric’s things? Did he say you should bring them here?”

Sophia shook her head, “Nope. He cheated on me with my best friend. I don’t want to see him, so the best place to bring his things is here.”

“You are his girlfriend?”

“Was,” Sophia smiled tightly. The pain that passed through her heart nearly brought tears to her eyes.

“Aah,” Mr. Fawler nodded. “Do you want to come in?”

Sophia bit on her lip. She should be dropping the things and be on her way, but something in the man’s eyes propelled her forward. Sophia couldn't resist the invitation, finding herself in the foyer of an impressive house. “Looks even better than I remember,” she muttered to herself.

The house boasted a timeless facade, with clean lines, bold angles, and a mixture of materials such as dark stained wood, stone, and sleek metal accents. The entrance was marked by a substantial, custom-made wooden door, enhancing the masculine appeal.

Upon entering, a person is greeted by a spacious and open living area. The color scheme was rich and inviting, featuring deep, earthy tones like charcoal gray, dark brown, and midnight blue. Plush leather sofas and armchairs were strategically placed around a central fireplace framed by a striking feature wall of dark, textured stone. Large, framed art pieces and bold decorative elements added a touch of modern artistry to the space.

“Let me get that box for you,” Mr. Fawler offered as he held his arms open. “We can set it down in the kitchen. I was about to have my coffee.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to disturb, Mr. Fawler,” Sophia turned. She placed the box onto the offered arms and stood back, eyeing the door.

“Steve, please,” Mr. Fawler smiled, “and no disturbance. My housekeeper has run to do an errand, so I am all alone here. It would be great to have company for breakfast as you tell me all about your relationship with my son.” There was a strain when he mentioned his son.

“I really don’t want to intrude,” Sophia bit on her lip. Her stomach took that time to make a loud growling sound, reminding her she only had an apple that morning.

Steven laughed, “Your stomach made the decision easier. Come.” He led the way to the kitchen.

Sophia hesitated a bit before turning and following him.

The open kitchen was the house's focal point and was designed to impress. It featured a combination of matte black and dark wood cabinetry accented by brushed metal hardware. The countertops were made of sleek black granite, providing a dramatic contrast. A substantial island with a waterfall edge serves as a gathering point and breakfast bar, complete with comfortable leather barstools.

Sophia perched herself on one of the barstools.

“So you and my son, huh?” Steven probed as he moved to the double-door refrigerator. He removed the ingredients for an omelet.

“Yep. It would have been four years tomorrow,” Sophia gave him a slight nod. The pain crept into her voice. She blinked hard for a few seconds.

“And he cheated with your best friend?”

Sophia frowned, “are you trying to upset me? If so, I think I should leave.”

Steven sighed and rested his hands on the dark countertop, “forgive me. As you might know, my son and I have been estranged for about ten years now since his mother walked out on us. He blamed me for that and vowed he would never hurt the girl he loved. He had refused to date for a while that is why I am very curious about you.”

Sophia settled back on the stool and shrugged, “we knew each other for about a year before we started dating. He never talked about his mother or you. The last time we came here, I thought I was meeting you. But I guess I met someone else.”

Steven looked up from cutting the onions, “I would have remembered meeting a beautiful girl like you. You must have met my brother. He usually drops by from time to time.”

Sophia blushed from the compliment, tagging loose curls behind her ear. She watched as Steven moved around the kitchen. His movements were precise and seemed even practiced. “I thought rich people have people to cook for them. You seem very comfortable in the kitchen.” The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop them. Gasping, she covered it with her hand, her eyes widening with fear of reprimandation.

Instead of being offended, Steven laughed, his voice deep. “I have only recently become rich, as you gracefully put it. And after Heather left, I had to learn to prepare meals for Eric and me.”

“I am so sorry about that,” Sophia shook her head. She bit her lip to stop from asking anything else.

Steven had stopped doing what he was doing and watched her.

“What?” Sophia sat up straighter. Any other time, a man looking at her like the way Steven was looking at her would have caused her to walk away and call them a creep. But something about the way those grey eyes studied her face made her blush even more. She bit on her lip, “Mr Fawler?” She called, grimacing as her voice sounded more husky than she had thought. She cleared her throat. “Steven? Is there something wrong?”

Steven shook his head, “I am merely trying to understand why my son would let such a woman like yourself go. You are not only beautiful, but you also seem smart.”

The pain that had been on hold came back to Sophia in a flood. She blinked rapidly to stop the tears from falling, her mind returning to what Emily had said to her. She had thought she was able to control her emotions, but soon enough, she felt herself being turned on the stool, and strong arms went around her.

“Oh, I am sorry!” Steven’s baritone voice rumbled inside his chest as he held her. “I never meant to upset you.”

Sophia shook her head after what seemed like minutes, “it’s not you.” She moved back and gave a small, awkward chuckle, “I am just being stupid.” She sniffled, using the back of her hand to erase the tears from her cheek. “Now, look.” She clicked her tongue. “I have made you wet.” She placed her hand on the wet patch on Steven’s chest.

Steven’s cool hands framed her face, pulling it up so that he looked at her eyes, “Nothing to apologise for. I should be the one to apologise to you,” his thumb swiped on the lone tear. “I made you cry.”

Sophia’s gaze locked with his, her breath stuck in her throat. Steven smelled good. His cool touch was doing something to her that she was not able to understand. They stared at each other for a few more minutes. Sophia leaned slowly, watching his lips before her eyes jumped to his.

Their eyes locked, tension building between them. Inches apart, a moment hung in the air until a cheerful interruption shattered the spell.

“Hi! I am back!”