Chapter 141

Sofia sat in her car and wound up all the windows. It was raining outside and so was it inside. Her makeup was done for. Her heart was no longer beating she was devastated.

Her phone rang again amidst her sobbing. It was Alice. She couldn't receive any call right now. She really needed to be by herself. The ringing persisted.

Sofia finally picked up the call. She waited patiently for the person at the other end of the line to speak up first.

"Hey, what's going on? You're not picking up your calls. Is everything okay?"

"Cut to the chase Alice, don't pretend to care," Sofia responded coldly. It seemed like whenever she was this broken Alice was always the first to call and mock her. This wasn't concern it was mockery!

"Sofia, I love you and I care for you! You need to start thinking things through. The way you're going, you could end up in a mess soon, and I might not be able to get you out," Alice tried to cajole her but Sofia was now disgusted by her sister. Not only did she think Alice was selfish, she had the effrontery to undermine Sofia's sense of judgement.

"So, you called to get another swipe at me as well?" Sofia returned. "Thanks for looking out for me. I'm quite fine and can take care of me, mom!" She spat.

"I'm worried about you Sofia dear, don't you go doing anything—"

The phone hung up. Sofia had not only lost her cool, she's also lost her patience now.

Sofia needed to clear her head. Everyone thought she was weak. But this girl wasn't going to back down without a fight. Ethan thought he was Zeus, and that everyone should just bow down to him. How dare he turn down such a beauty like her? Had he any knowledge the number of men drooling over her body?

Ethan was no good for her. After all, he needed her more than she needed him. Yes. She was far better off than settling just for Ethan John. She could do better. She's beautiful and any man would die to be with her.

Sofia had finally agreed to forget Ethan, in fact, she now hated him as much as she had loved him. But she'll handle him later. For now, Ariana's a tree-stump on the road to Sofia's happiness and she must be uprooted.

Another call came in. It was an unknown number. Sofia didn't even check.

"Let me be, Alice!" Sofia screamed. Perceiving that it was her sister.

"Ma'am?" the queer voice over the phone called out.

"Who's this?" Sofia dropped her hostility a bit.

"I'm Blake," the man introduces, "I'm an undercover journalist. I've got quality information on Calhoun's fiancee's parents."

Sofia's eyes dilated. "How did you get to me?" She searched around the parking lot. Was someone stalking her?

"Don't be afraid ma'am. I've got enough information to prove that Mr. Ethan John had actually connived with the Browns to get Miss Ariana to come home. It was an excellent plan but went south when Mr. John got all crazy and tried to take away his own life."

Sofia was confused. "And how do you know all these?"

"That doesn't matter ma'am," Blake spoke as a matter of fact. Sofia didn't trust him. She didn't trust anyone. Not even Alice, her blood.

"What's your gain from this?" Sofia questioned.

"We all want the same thing," Blake answered.

"And that is?"

This so called journalist didn't sound like someone who wanted money. Sofia knew Calhoun came from a powerful family and that as a businessman he must have stepped on a lot of toes and likewise the family. If he was out to draw blood, then from whom?

"Let's meet up at 3rd street, Vince Cafe. 8pm. I'll explain everything to you."

Sofia could barely say a word when he immediately hung up.

This could be a good sign, she thought. The clouds outside had cleared off. The rains had stopped. She pulled down the mirror and tried to repair the remains of her ruined makeup. Then she took a deep sigh and drove off.

Later on, Sofia got to the Cafe a few minutes to time. She wore a dark hoody and a baseball hat. She tried to look casual but at the same time was making all efforts not to be recognized.

"Sorry, I'm late," a voice from behind prompted her. She turned and saw Blake. He was rough looking and almost as handsome as Ethan. But not perfect for her.

He sat down and got right into the business. "So, the Browns. They have a history of being shrewd. I've got all that. I've been watching them closely. I live in the same neighborhood."

He was talking really fast. Sofia listened keenly. She thought Blake to be creepy. But that was just what his profession was all about. Blake pulled out something from his inside chest pocket. At first, Sofia was scared. Maybe it was a gun. This would have been her end.

"Take this," Blake handed over a yellow envelope. "It's contains all I've told you about the Browns and everything you need to know about them. They're counterfeit pictures, police records and complaints. Use them wisely."

"Wait!" Sofia halted him. The journalist sounded like he was about to take his leave. "Why are you giving me all these?"

"Ma'am. My family owns a property somewhere in the countryside. My Dad wanted to build a big company there. The Browns and my family have been very good to each other. My dad decided to temporarily give out part of the land to the Browns at the request of Mrs. Brenda, the wife, who claimed wanted to start up a confectionery. This never happened. Some years later, my dad passed away. He willed that part of the land to his youngest son, me. But unfortunately, the Browns, who had sold that portion out had denied ever knowing anything of that sort. Now there's no evidence to prove that that property belongs to my family. I have sworn, that I'll bring them down at all costs. This is my way of ending them."

Sofia sat awhile in silence. This was great news. Now she's got enough weapons to destroy Ariana's life once and for all. Blake left. Almost immediately, she began to dial Lily Lawson.

As the number rang, Sofia took a peek at one of the pictures from the envelope. It was Ethan alright, and the Browns.

"Sofia dear," Lily tried to fain friendliness. Sofia didn't trust her either.

"Don't think I'm a fool, Lily," Sofia made her unfriendliness clear.

"And good evening to you too," Lily planted her usual sarcasm.

"I don't have time for this," Sofia rolled her eyes, "Meet me at my place tonight. We've got some work to do."