ANDRÉ

"So she's not pregnant for you?" Sophia asks in a daze, trying to digest all I had said.

"No." I smile back. A twitch of anger contorts on her face.

"And she had fun doing all she did? She's sick." She says back.

"You said you had something to tell me." The best way to end this topic right now is to bring another topic.

"Oh. Yeah." She replies, smiling.

"So, I have been thinking. I want to continue schooling. I searched and got a good option." She continues.

The fact that she wants to further her education is a great idea. Most people in her situation would not have thought in such angle.

"A Bachelor's degree in Business Economics. I could cover the fees with a part of my yearly cumulated salary. However, there's a slight challenge. The payment is to be done via a credit card and I don't have one. Could you help me with that and also deduct my salary for the time it would cover?" She finishes, taking me through the school's portal.

"That's quite impressive, Business economics is a big deal. I would make the payments but I would also pay your salary for the time it covers." This is something I can afford, besides I don't want her paying the fees herself.

"No, thank you." She declines without giving it a thought.

"I insist." I say.

SOPHIA

After all he said, I wondered how someone could be so sick and twisted. And to think she slapped me, heaven knows I was just keeping myself in check because of André, else she would have seen the other side of me. It didn't take being soft to survive at that place for five whole fucking years.

I am glad she is finally off my hair for good. How annoying she looks whenever she strolls around the house, barking orders at me and feeling like a queen bee with the wings of an eagle. Sick and delusional fitted her more than Sick and twisted.

"You said you had something to tell me." André says, snapping me off my thoughts. I can see what he is trying to do by changing the topic. I actually need to relay everything to him so I could start the application process.

I inform him of my intention to continue schooling and all the requirements. To ease the conversation, I pick up my phone and open the school's portal.

"That's quite impressive, Business economics is a big deal. I would make the payments but I would also pay your salary for the time it covers." He says, offering to help.

"No, thank you." I decline.

"I insist." He adds, firmly. I internally laugh, if you think this would scare me Mister, you are wrong.

"Nope. Thanks but no, thanks. I would rather pay my fees with the money I earn." I say, not moved at all. Honestly, him wanting to take care of it is not a bad idea. However, there's not really much that I use my payments for. I stay in a place where I do not have to bother about paying rents, I eat in the house from the food items he stocks the house with.

"How about we split it 50% each?" Is this a business deal or what? The urge to ask him this question eats me up.

"No." I remain adamant.

"Please, Sophia. Let me do this for you. How about 60-40? Please say yes." He pleads, placing his hands on mine.

"Alright. But 70-30." I state.

"Well, It's better than nothing. You would have 30% of your salary paid to you every month." He shrugs. "Thank you." He adds.

He leans forward to kiss me but I turn my face to the opposite direction, making his lips land on my cheeks. I would not allow him have his ways with me just like that. He would have to work for it.

He mirrors a sad expression and stands up to exit the room.

"Wait." I quickly call out.

"We could still be friends and see how everything works out. I just need some time to think." I add, relief washes through his face.

"Alright. I'll wait. I was just scared you'll close off on me and go back to 'Mr. Dumont'. " he says.

"No, that was totally immature of me. I am sorry about that time." I laugh.

He smiles back in response and places his hands on his jaws, as if thinking.

"I have an idea. How about we play a game to get to know each other? 20 questions." He says with hopeful eyes. I nod in agreement, this might be fun.

"But first, I'm starving." He releases the door knob from his grip and walks to where I sat by the bed post to pick me up by my arms.

"Cancel my meetings today." He says into the phone as we descend the stairs. I am guessing that is his secretary.

"That was my secretary, Celine." He says as if hearing my thoughts.

"You said it out loud." He adds, laughing hysterically. I have never seen him this carefree before.

"So what do we cook?" I am thinking of something spicy and creamy, with some proteins present.

"We?" He asks. "My work here is to watch you cook while I sip some juice."

"You must be kidding, mister. You are cooking with me." I say.

"I can't cook." He replies, like a deer caught in daylight.

"I know. You can only operate the microwave and coffee maker." I state, matter of factly.

"And you still want me to cook?" He shrugs like a child. I just laugh and shake my head.

"What are you? 5? Alright, you'll play the role of kitchen assistant. We are cooking Lasagna."

"Yay." He says, faking excitement and rolling his eyes. "It's my favorite, though." He adds with a genuine smile.

"Well, this would be fun."  After some time of grumbles, laughter and argument, the food was finally ready.

"My hardwork in one piece." André smirks, I wanted to wipe that thing off his face.

"You wish." My phone rings and I look in the screen to see Drew calling.

"Hello." I say, looking at André who looks annoyed at this moment as we sit to enjoy our food.

"I have a plan." Drew says into the phone.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM DONE WITH CHAPTER 19. 💃💃💃I FEEL SO HAPPY, UNTO THE NEXT CHAPTER.

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