Chapter 3 : Havoc

You haven't told us why you got dismissed from the office.” Sophia fumed at Shawn, who was seated on the couch, placing both hands on the head.

"I had an outburst with a colleague at work this morning and we both got dismissed. I pleaded for a second chance, but my boss won't even listen to me,” he explained, expressing his disappointment. What a difficult time for both couples, who solely depended on their job for survival. Now their only stream of income is gone.

Shawn was the reason they found themselves in the awkward situation. He categorically ordered Sophia to quit her job while he took full responsibility for her needs. She could have sworn there was never gonna be a day like this where financial setbacks would be rubbing minds with them. Over the years, she ignored numerous men for Shawn whom he loved wholeheartedly. And with a situation like this, she might just have been put to a love test.

"What do we do now? You can secure another job, right? Should my cousin and I go job hunting for tomorrow? Considering the amount we spent at my anniversary party, I bet it's only a matter of time before we go bankrupt,” she suggested.

"Hell No! That's not happening. I can't allow you two to go through the stress of finding a job. You know how long it took me to find one, right? I'll get a new job soon. I just need to go upstairs and rest my head. It's been a terrific day,” Shawn declined her request and strolled to his room. He already vowed never to allow Sophia to stress herself, and he doesn't intend to break that promise.

"Where's dad?"

"He just stepped out to get something,"

Joanna answered while concentrating on her phone.

"You're not gonna say anything about Shawn's situation? Are you this cruel? Have you forgotten the good things he did for us?" She vented all her anger on Joana.

"Oh, please save it. What do you expect me to do? Go fight his boss for dismissing him? You brought this upon yourself, Sophia.” Joana sparked outrage and lost control of herself. Sophia was shocked and wondered if a different spirit had invoked her cousin. She hadn't witnessed her cousin In such a rage before.

"Countless times I pleaded with you to get a job, but you refused, insisting that Shawn was gonna provide you with everything. Who's gonna keep up with the expenses now? Now we've got three jobless adults living on the same roof. If you don't get a job soon, it's only a matter of time before we start embracing poverty and long-suffering. I'm out of here,” Joanna divulged and walked away.

Sophia suddenly went cold, as though she saw a ghost. Joana's words sunk straight inside her head and sent tiny shivers down her spine.

.

She was beginning to blame herself for not heeding Joana's advice. While she was busy, thinking about the whole situation, Shawn returned to the living room. “Maybe your cousin was right after all. Perhaps I was selfish for not letting you get a job. I mean, look at our situation now. You're free to go find a job.”

Sophia was soaked in fear. She had no idea he was listening to them.

"Oh, yes. I did. Hey, come sit next to me,” he drew her closer to himself.

"I take responsibility for my actions. Joanna was right. You are free to go find a job." He repeated.

"What If I don't get a job soon? Look how long it took you to find one. What if….?”

"Don't say that. Don't ever look down on yourself. You're smart and intelligent. A blessing to every organization. This is me telling you from the bottom of my heart, to go find a job, okay? I love you so much.” he reassured and kissed her forehead.

"I love you, too darling, and no matter the situation, I'll never jilt you for any man. Not even silver or Gold can take your place in my life.” She assured and locked lips with him as they romanced passionately on the couch, ignoring the possibility of Joanna arriving.

"Please stop, let's not do this. I'm not in the mood for this right now." She halted him.

"I need to clear my head. I'll be back in a bit,” She stopped the beautiful moment and exited the living room. She wanted to go somewhere and clear her head off the turmoils happening around her lately.

Taking a stroll down the street, she heard someone scream her name from a distance. She looked behind and saw Matthew in his Bugatti Chiron waving and calling for her attention. She ignored him and continued her journey. He didn't give up, he immediately ordered his driver to park in front of her.

"Who the heck are you?” She fumed.

"Did you receive the package I sent you? Why are you walking under the scorching sun? Hop in for a ride,” Mathew boasted.

"So, it was you all along? What do you want from me? I see what you are trying to accomplish, but it's never gonna happen. I love my boyfriend and will never cheat on him,”

"I'm not asking you to cheat on your boyfriend. I meant no harm. I just wanna be your friend. I promise I won't hurt you,” Matthew uttered, enticing her with his sugar-coated words.

"Okay, fine!” She finally agreed and entered the car wearing a sad look.

"Hey, what's with the sad face? Is anything wrong?” Matthew asked with enthusiasm.

"My boyfriend just lost his job. Now he wants me to go find one and salvage the situation.” Sophia explained and shed a tear. She also told him about her father's situation.

"No, don't do that. Now wipe those tears from your eyes. I own multiple streams of income. Your boyfriend is free to come and start working immediately.”

"No, Please employ me instead. My boyfriend was aware of the golden necklace you bought me and he wasn't happy about it. How would he feel working for you? I'd just go back home and say an old friend got me the job. How about that? Please, let's have it my way. I need this job Until he gets back on his feet again,” Sophia begged Matthew to accept her demand. She was so confident Shawn wouldn't accept the job.

"It's fine. I just wanna see you happy. You don't deserve the tears. Hold on a sec!” Matthew agreed, ordering his driver to pass his briefcase. Right In her presence, he opened the briefcase and brought out bundles of dollars. “Take this $2 million. It should be enough to sort out your father's debts and also go shopping. Here's my complimentary card. You'd be working as my assistant. Call me once you arrive at the address on that card. Salary will be negotiated.”

"OMG! Thank you so much. How do I repay this kindness?” Sophia was struck with excitement. She hadn't seen such an amount all her life.

"Get married to me," Mathew dropped his condition.

"Are you crazy? Why would you make such outrageous demands? Are you sure that I'm in a serious relationship? I'm even engaged," she flashed her engagement ring.

"What's the use of having a boyfriend when he can't foot your bills? You're too beautiful to suffer like this. Let me take you away from the shackles of poverty " Mathew proposed.

"I know what you're thinking. It's not gonna be forever. You're only to be married to me for 5 years. There's this deal I'm pursuing. It's worth a billion dollars and the condition is getting married. After 5 years, you can file for divorce," he added

"Why me?" She was puzzled. Strength departed from her.

"Because you're special," Matthew enticed her with his words.

Sophia loves Shawn so much but her father means a lot to her, too. Seeing him go to jail is a hard pill to swallow.

She accepted an offer to marry Matthew and Matthew kissed her immediately.

She descended from the car and called her father to come meet her.

She gave him $1.5 million to sort out his issues while she kept the rest for herself. Her father kept asking about how she got the money but she kept mute.

Hurrying back home, Sophia is excited and the same terrified about her decision. She could not decipher who Matthew was and at the same time, she

is stuck in a dilemma.

Matthew or her boyfriend, Shawn, who does she choose?