Sofia didn't respond. She simply walked past her, heels clicking against the marble floor.
As she approached the study, she wondered what her father could possibly want. The door creaked open, and John greeted her with a thin, brittle smile that was strained, but polite. A far cry from his usual cold demeanor.
"Sofia" he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
"Good morning, dad" She greeted as she sat down.
"How have you been, dear? It's been long we discussed as father and daughter." He giggled playfully. "Is there anything you need? Anything you're too afraid to ask Judith for?"
Sofia nearly laughed. The performance was so bad it was almost insulting. Instead, she merely shook her head. "No, I'm fine, dad."
He nodded, then leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped together. "So fill in your old man. What did you do today? Did you have fun?"
Sofia's lips curved faintly. She knew exactly what he was fishing for. He was itching to ask about her visit to the Bubleys. Which meant he probably had her followed. Typical.
"Come on, dad. You can ask me directly." she said, crossing her legs, and meeting his eyes without a flicker. "Whatever it is you're dying to know."
John's smile faltered. Then he leaned forward, chuckling nervously. "It's not that serious, dear. So what did you and Brooke talk about?"
Sofia kept her tone casual. "Just checked on her. She mentioned being sick the last time we spoke..."
She let that hang in the air, watching his reaction. She wanted him to know that she and Brooke were still in close contact. He needed to tread carefully.
They locked eyes. Her father was trying to read her, to see if she was telling the truth. But Sofia, on the other hand, was just enjoying every second of his discomfort.
Eventually, he broke the silence, and changed tact. "Remember, you're representing this family now." He tapped her hand lightly with a smile. "Make sure you always remain in good behavior in front of them."
Then he reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small velvet box. Inside was a delicate gold cross necklace.
"This belonged to your mother…" he said. "I want you to have it."
Sofia's expression softened, but only slightly.
He stood and walked around her. "She would be so proud of the woman you've become" he whispered, clasping the necklace around her neck.
Sofia smiled politely, as she ran her fingers through the beauty. "Thanks. It's beautiful."
She would safeguard it for Elise.
As she left the study, a whiff of Judith's perfume hit her, and she chuckled, shaking her head.
Judith had been eavesdropping. Of course.
As she descended down the stairs, Ashley blocked her path with arms crossed. She donned a smug look on her face.
"Guess what?" she smirked. "I'm free now, bitch. Mom begged Dad to lift my grounding. So get ready to pay for that little stunt you pulled."
Sofia wanted to retort, but she suspected the necklace had a recording device. So she forced a neutral expression.
"I'm glad you're out of punishment, Ash." she said sweetly. "Just… please don't use my allergies against me."
Ashley sneered. "Freak!"
Sofia moved past her, rolling her eyes. She'd had enough bullshit in one day.
As she reached the hallway, she felt eyes on her. Looking up, she saw Rachel, leaning against the banister, eating an apple. Her expression was unreadable.
That's the freak. Sofia thought as she continued walking.
Back in her room, she pulled out her mini RF detector and scanned the necklace. A small signal blinked red.
Just as she'd thought.
She chuckled softly, unclasped it, and tossed it into the glass of water sitting on her dresser. She'd properly deal with it later.
•••••
It was the day of the masquerade ball. She spent the day with Tati, getting ready for their second tryst. Night soon fell.
Cinatra Dice Casino stood in front of her, glowing like a ruby in the dark. The five-story building pulsed with music, lights, and masked figures in expensive gowns and tuxedos. The ball was in full swing alright.
Standing outside, she adjusted her mask in place, her invitation tucked into her clutch. Glancing at her dress for the hundredth time that day, she exhaled nervously.
It was white, sheer, and scandalously transparent. Dutifully designed to seduce and distract. It clung to her curves, shimmered under the lights, and left very little to the imagination.
She tapped her earpiece. "Babe, I'm going in."
Tati's voice pulsed through. "Alright. Be safe, dear. And remember… no real names, no real info, and no real drinks. Be quick and get out."
"Got it."
"Good luck."
Sofia stepped inside. The air was thick with money, cigar smoke, and power. The big hall was drenched in velvet and gold. Chandeliers hung like frozen fireworks. People were dancing and drinking. The music was slow, sensual, and hypnotic. It made her want to move her body.
She needed to focus.
Sofia moved through the crowd, her hips swaying, and eyes scanning. She was here for Daniel Prett. According to her intel, he was fat, awkward, and had a burn on his right hand.
She blended in effortlessly, sipping wine, dancing with men who had been summoned by her dress, letting their hands graze her waist, as she caressed their right hands one by one.
About twenty minutes later, she spotted him.
He stood near the bar at her far left, chatting animatedly with a woman. He was exactly as described: chubby, flushed, and clearly enjoying the attention. His right hand bore a large burn mark.
Sofia felt a twinge of guilt. They looked like they were having fun. But she had a mission.
She adjusted her dress, pushed her cleavage higher, and switched into her alter ego: Celeste. The one she used to be a rebel without breaking a sweat.
She cat-walked towards them, hips fluid and eyes locked on him.
Daniel's eyes found her instantly. They widened slightly, then fixed greedily on her chest.
She leaned in, her voice a sultry whisper. "Wanna have fun?"
Daniel blinked. "Uh…I…uh…yes..."
He abandoned his date without a second thought, as Sofia dragged him away. The other woman stalked off, humiliated.
Sofia felt a pang. But the game was the game.
They moved to a quieter corner of the hall, where the music was softer and the lights dimmer.
"I'm Celeste" she said, grinding slowly on him.
"Uh…I'm Dan" he replied quickly, thinking she wouldn't know who he was without his surname.
But she knew exactly who he was. And he just confirmed it.
Sofia was caught off guard for a bit when he grabbed her butt and squeezed. But she just smiled. They continued dancing slowly as she whispered in his ear, her breath warm.
"Nice to meet you, love. I'm new in New York" she said. "Just got my hands on little money, and thinking of investing in real estate. But i'm not sure where to start."
Daniel's eyes lit up, hungry. "I could…help."
"Really?" she purred, rubbing his chest.
"Uh…Y-yes" He was in cloud nine.
She ground harder against him, her fingers trailing down his arm. He was already sweating.
But then, she felt it.
A gaze. A dangerous one.
Someone was watching her.
He or she had been watching her. She'd felt it when she first entered, but had dismissed it because many eyes were on her then. But now it was stronger, and angrier. She couldn't shake it off.
She glanced around…