CHAPTER TWENTY

*SOPHIA'S POV*

The drive home was silent and awkward as we both sat in the backseat of the car. Each of us faced the window where we sat, and Pierre said no word and drove us home.

We finally arrived home, and the moment we got out of the car, Jane and Tom approached us, as though they had been waiting for Bran to return home. But they did not think we would return home together.

"Quite a sight to see you both return home together," Tom said.

"I never would have thought this day would come, I mean, judging from you both's history," Jane said and moved closer with a fake smile.

I stood there beside Bran and tried to come up with something to say to clear the air.

"It just…."

Bran cut me short and spoke instead.

"It just turned out that way, it is quite unusual to have my uncle and his wife greet me, I never thought this day would come either," Bran said sarcastically.

Tom let out a sheepish laugh, with his hands in his pockets.

"Just as you said, I am indeed your uncle and if I don't welcome my only nephew, who would?" Tom said, patting Bran on the shoulder slightly.

"How did the buyout go today?" Jane asked, as though she hoped to inquire about something.

"It actually went smoothly," Bran replied.

"Well, that's good, we would not want any mishaps and scandals about the company at this stage," Jane said.

"Rest assured, I have my ways of tackling such"

The air around these people before me felt so cold. One who had no idea would think they are a big, happy family, but deep down, it is all filled with family feuds and fights for the family's inheritance.

Just then, Tom came a bit closer to where I stood.

"Sophia, congratulations on getting back to your company," he said and stretched forth his hand to shake mine, and I shook his hand.

"Thank you," I responded with a not-so-bright smile.

"I am sure Bran has his reason for reappointing you back there, don't you think so, honey?" he said and asked his wife.

"Of course, reasons that would eventually benefit the company," she said.

Bran became tired of the back-and-forth lies and pretence.

"We would head back to our residence now."

Bran said this and unexpectedly pulled me by my hand and headed towards our residence.

I wondered and pondered why he suddenly pulled me by my hands when he could easily use words.

We were close to our residence, and I just had to break away from his grip, so I pulled my hand away from his, and this brought us to a halt.

"Can you not grab my hand all of a sudden? You could have said something, and I would be right behind you," I said and twitched my hand.

"I am sorry, I guess I got caught up in the whole conversation."

"It is fine, at least we have come to an understanding about physical touch," I said and walked past him halfway when he asked.

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

I turned around and wondered why he would ask that, I was not ready for his back and forth.

"I have work to do, Bran."

"No, I mean after work."

"Why do you ask? What I do after work shouldn't bother you, I thought we understood that."

"Well, it would concern me if you were with me," Bran said now, facing me and his hands in his pockets.

"What does that mean?"

"It means you are coming to a party with me tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow night?…..and who says I am going?"

"Oh, you would go there would be a good number of influencers and top people in the fashion industry….. I am sure you would not want to miss that"

"What if I have plans of my own?"

"I know you don't, but even if you do, cancel it."

"What?"

"I will come to pick you up at work at 7."

"Are you being serious right now?"

Bran walked past me and got into the house. I turned towards the entrance and saw Henna as she tried to talk to Bran, but he walked past her without a word.

Henna walked to where I still stood, stunned about this sudden outing with Bran tomorrow night.

"You two actually came home together?" she asked, scuffing.

"I am sure you could hear that clearly."

I said and was about to walk past her when she pulled me back, and this startled me.

"Where are you two going tomorrow? I overheard you"

"Are you really asking me that, Henna?"

"I didn't think I was talking to myself, was I?"

"As much as this isn't what I bargained for and not where I want to be, I refuse to be tossed around and manipulated by you, Henna."

"Manipulated? That is quite a strong word to use, dear sister, I don't think I have done such a thing."

"All I have ever tried to do was find a way to close this bridge between us. I am trying to fix things with you, Sophia, but you're not even trying. We are the only family we have got."

"Close the bridge between us? That bridge was long broken and sunk a long time ago, sister…..being a year older than I am, yet you couldn't accept me."

Henna was shocked that I would speak up like this, as I have always done what she wanted.

"My father had an affair and had you when he was married to my mom! And all of a sudden, after my mom's death, he married the same woman he had an affair with when my mom was alive!? I did my very best to try and accept that decision and accept you as my stepsister!"

"I can't, I just can't do this with you tonight," I said this and walked away from Henna.

"I am not done talking, Sophia!" Henna yelled behind me as I ignored her and went inside, and this made her furious.

"Urrggghhh"

I finally got up into our room, and Bran knew it was his cue to vacate the room for me; he had been sleeping in the living room ever since the first time I chose to sleep in the living room.

Bran was already changed, and as he saw me come in, he stood from the bed, grabbed a pillow and an extra duvet, and was about to leave when I asked.

"Where are we going tomorrow?"

Bran stopped halfway when he heard me speak.

"You will know by tomorrow."

"Why can't I know now?" I asked, and this stopped him from moving forward.

"Is that how much you don't trust me?"

Bran turned and asked as he looked me in the eye.

"Trust?" I asked and scuffed.

"Trust doesn't just pop up after six years of being torn, you would have to earn it, Bran…..well not that it matters anymore"

I said this and found my way closer to the vanity by the bedside and sat. I started to take off the jewelries I wore and took down my hair that was in a bun.

"We are going to a birthday party, a business partner," Bran said, and this left the room to the living room to sleep.

I heard this and turned around when I heard the door shut, but realized he had left the room.

*BRAN'S POV*

I walked down the stairs and got to the living room. I was about to prep the couch I would sleep in when I heard some footsteps behind me, it was Henna's.

"I came to get some water to drink," she said as she went to the ridge to get some water.

I was still prepping the couch when I suddenly felt two hands wrap around my waist. I turned my head and saw that it was Henna.

"What are you doing?" I asked and broke her hands away from my waist.

"I should be asking you that Bran, what exactly are you still doing with Sophia?"