It was Saturday. It was the day when some guests of extreme importance were going to have dinner with the Taylors. Bella was having the cleaning and rearranging done. Sofia was bored and surprised to see her doing all of this herself. Before, whenever they had a dinner party, her mother would just instruct the staff and it would be done.

"They must be pretty important guests if mum is doing all of this herself. Now I'm curious to know who they are." Sofia said to Hazel. Hazel laughed at the other end.

"I think your mother is up to something," Hazel said.

"I don't know. Let's wait for the evening. Okay, I'll talk to you later." Sofia said as she hung up the phone.

Evening came and Bella pushed Sofia in her room to get ready for the dinner party. Sofia wore her dress. It was such a perfect fit that Sofia felt as if the dress was restricting her from breathing. Sofia put on her nude heels and finished her look with a deep red lipstick that her mother had put on her vanity. She cringed at the sight of the red lipstick but she had to wear it or her mother would have a fit.

Just as Sofia was about to walk out of her room, her father walked in carrying a black velvet box. He took her hand and made her sit on the chair in front of the mirror. He moved her hair from her neck and opened the box. In the rested a beautiful teardrop shining emerald which sparkled as the light fell on it.

"May I?" Jeremy said as he took the necklace out of the box and asked her permission to put it on her neck.

"Yes, dad." Sofia smiled as she raised her hair for her father to put the necklace on her neck. He secured the necklace tightly on her neck then set her hair back as they were.

"You look absolutely wonderful, princess." He said as he looked at her daughter who was once a little girl he held in his arms and sat on his lap. Sofia smiled at her father.

"Let's go outside. I don't want to get your mother to get upset tonight." He said as Sofia stood and held his arm.

"Mum!" Sofia said as she saw her mother texting on her phone. Bella snapped her head up. Bella was wearing a white dress with a checkered skirt and black stilettos. Bella loved wearing black heels. She was wearing a beautiful set of pearl earrings and her blue sapphire wedding ring. Bella was always proud of her wedding ring.

"Oh my goodness, Sofia! You look so amazing." Bella said as she couldn't believe her eyes. Her daughter stood before her looking like a princess from every angle.

"Thanks, mum." She said as she thanked her mother. Jeremy took her inside the drawing room. Sofia sat and chatted with her father for a while. Jeremy told her about the various partnership and collaboration offers their hotels were getting. He also asked Sofia to come to help him in the office if she wanted to.

Just then the bell rang. Mrs. Clarke went to open the door.

"Let's go out. I think they're here." Jeremy said as he stood up and buttoned his coat. Sofia went with him to greet their guests. A middle-aged lady around the age of her father stepped inside followed by Calvin. Sofia was shocked. She got a weird feeling when she remembered her last encounter with Calvin. She felt uneasy.

"Good evening, Mrs. Harrison, Calvin." Bella greeted them as she hugged Mrs. Harrison. The two looked like old friends but Sofia had never heard of this woman. She was a petite blond woman with grace and elegance as that of a royal. She wore a coral blue dress and her hair was made perfectly in a French twist. Not a single hair was out of place. Calvin was wearing a dark grey suit with a white shirt. He looked quite handsome too.

"So this is Sofia. Hello Sofia." Mrs. Harrison said as she looked at Sofia. Sofia put forward her hand for a handshake as she smiled. Bella gestured Sofia to behave well with her eyes.

"You look beautiful, Sofia," Calvin said as he eyed her up and down. Sofia nodded. Sofia's body tensed as she saw him eyeing her body. She felt extremely uncomfortable. She just wished she could run away. she wanted to peel this dress off her body and burn it. She did not want to look beautiful for anyone except Simon.

"You look good too, Calvin." She replied giving a forced smile.
"Let's go and sit," Jeremy said as he put his hand on Sofia's tense back and led her inside. They all sat and talked while drinks were served.

"Let's discuss the matter we all gathered here for." Mrs. Harrison said as she put her drink aside. Everyone sat straighter.

"Sofia, my late husband, and Calvin's father wanted our families to be united. The only way to unite in an unbreakable bond is a relationship.Marriage to be specific." Mrs. Harris said as she looked at Sofia. Sofia knew where this is going. Now she understood why her parents were so excited about this dinner and specially her mother.

"Calvin is my only son as you are Bella's only daughter. So as to unite both of our families together, I would like to ask your father for your hand in marriage for my son Calvin Harris. Does anyone have any objections?" Mrs. Harrison said to Sofia and looked around for an answer.

"Marianne, we're so glad to say yes to this union. We can't be happier. Our daughter would become your daughter in law and there's nothing greater than bringing our families closer and strengthening the bond that we have and will always share as  friends." Jeremy said and Bella nodded in approval.

Sofia stared with a shocked expression at both of her parents. How could they do this to her when they know she loved Simon and wanted to spend her life with him? How could they be so selfish? Tears stung her eyes as she saw them exchanging smiles with Mrs. Harrison.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back," Sofia said as she got up and excused herself from the intense atmosphere inside. Sofia went outside in the garden and exhaled a huge breath she didn't know she was holding in.

"Excuse me, I have to make a phone call," Calvin said as he stood up.

"Be quick, son. Will you?" His mother asked him.

"Yes, mother." He said as he smiled at her and slipped out of the room.

Calvin looked around to look for Sofia. A maid came to his rescue.

"Are you looking for a restroom sir?" She asked.

"No. I'm looking for Sofia. Do you know where she is?" He asked her.

"She's out there in the garden." She pointed to the open door.

"Please lead the way." He said to her. She nodded as she led him to the garden.

"Sofia?" He asked.