Chapter 2 THE NEW LADY

Many mansions can be spotted from afar, and one doesn't need to be told that that particular territory was for billionaires.

Among the buildings was Mr. Frederick's beautiful mansion, where all his households were busy with their daily routines.

A plump man could be seen sitting on one of the couches as he operated his laptop. His heaviness could break a stool to pieces if he seats on it.

The size of his clothes was three times larger than anybody's clothes in the house. He was always regarded as a lazy and greedy person who never bothered to stress himself.

If there is anything he does, it is to comfortably sit in an executive chair in his office and give orders and nothing more.

Doors suddenly opened and Fernando raised his head to see who was entering the living room as his grandfather made him a promise before leaving the house.

He had been curious to see the surprise his grandfather said he had for him. His grandfather never gets tired of giving him surprises, even when Fernando was old enough to take care of himself.

Nevertheless, he still enjoys all these gifts from this old man who was almost close to his grave.

On sighting the lady who entered the room with his grandfather, Fernando tried to stand up from the couch to welcome them.

He had to struggle before standing up from the couch and heading to the door.

“ Grandpa, you are finally back,” Fernando spoke with a curved smile on his lips.

He was sure that this was the surprise his grandfather was talking about before going out.

“ Yes, I'm back,” his grandfather also responded with a smile.

Ignoring his grandfather's response, his eyes were fixed on the elegant pale-skinned lady standing before him. Fernando was short of words as her beauty carried him away.

He didn't notice when he began to imagine putting a wedding ring on her finger.

“ Hello,” Sophia waved at Fernando to call for his attention.

“ Hey…” he responded with a whisper, but it was clear enough to be heard by Sophia because she was just an inch away from him.

‘ He is already blinded with love when she hasn't introduced herself to him.’ his grandfather thought inwardly.

“ I have been greeting you for a few minutes now, but your attention seems to be far away,” Sophia said with a chuckle, knowing fully that he was carried away by her beauty.

Her beauty was that of a mermaid. Soft body and pink lips with gray eyes. Her dark hair was curly. She was quite tall with an average body size. Fair skin and smooth to the touch.

Everything about her was extremely attractive. So, why will a young man like Fernando not be carried away? It would be hard for any man to look away after taking a glance at her.

“ I'm sorry about that. I was thinking about something,” he shyly spoke as he rubbed his palms against each other.

“ Mr. Thinker, offer her a seat before she collapses in that position,” his grandfather said teasingly.

With haste, Fernando offered her a seat but while doing that, he almost missed his step which almost resulted in him falling on the floor.

He was lucky enough that it didn't happen, or he would have embarrassed himself in the lady's presence.

After settling down, his grandfather went ahead to explain why she was there and Fernando sat quietly as his ears were itching to hear what his grandfather had to say.

“ Fernando,” his grandfather called out.

“ Yes, grandpa,” he answered.

“ As we all know, it was your father's duty to do what I'm about to do now. But as fate has it, he is no more, and I have no option than to take his place and perform his duty.”

His grandfather spoke, and Fernando's mood changed as he remembered the day his parents were involved in a ghastly car accident and gave up the ghost.

“ It's no longer news that Mr. Frederick, your father, was my only son. But let's forget about what has happened and face the future. This lady…”

His grandfather was about to say something when the living room door forcefully opened. Turning to the door, everybody's eyes met Frank, Fernando's younger brother.

“ Hey, what's happening here? It seems like there is a family meeting, and I wasn't invited.” Frank spoke as he gestured toward where they were sitting.

Frank was a young, handsome-looking man, quite tall with a muscular frame. He has a round face with full eyebrows. Brown eyes and dark hair. He was so charming that girls easily loved him.

“ Well, I'm glad that you came back at the right time.” his grandfather muttered.

Settling down on one of the couches opposite Sophia, Frank took off his suit and gave it to one of his bodyguards, who was with his office briefcase to take it to his room.

What was remaining on him were his long sleeve button white t-shirt and his black trousers and his shiny black shoes.

Immediately Frank sat down, Fernando was unsettled as he was afraid that Frank was going to snatch Sophia from him.

“ Can we continue from where we stopped, please?” Fernando called for his grandfather's attention.

“ Sure, as I was saying. This lady you are seeing here is Sophia by name and her father happens to be a rich man, but…”

“ Ohh, you are Sophia?” Frank inquired, making his grandfather abruptly stop.

“ Yeah, I am,” she responded with a calm voice that got Fernando wondering if she had started developing feelings for Frank.

“ Wait a minute, Frank, aren't you supposed to go and take a shower or some rest before coming back to the living room?” Fernando asked with a smirk on his face.

“ Well, I'm already resting. I will take my shower later.” Frank responded with a grin, knowing fully where Fernando was driving to.

On hearing that, Fernando intensively glared at Frank. If glaring could kill, Frank must have been dead by now.

“ Enough of this. We are here to discuss something important, and everyone is creating an unnecessary scene. What on earth is wrong with you all?” their grandfather quarreled and everywhere was silent.

“ I'm sorry my dear, such is life,” their grandfather apologized to Sophia so she won't feel uncomfortable.

“ You don't have to worry about me. It's okay,” Sophia assured him, and he nodded his head with a slight smile.

“ As I have said earlier, her name is Sophia and I have spoken with her father, and he agreed that she and Fernando should be joined as husband and wife.” Their grandfather announced, but it never seems to be a surprise to Fernando because that's what he was already waiting to hear.

Although he was happy on the other hand, he wasn't happy because since Frank stepped into the living room Fernando had been observing his movements.

Frank was pretending to be operating his phone, but his gaze was on Sophia.

“ Wow!” Frank gasped as he stood up to congratulate his elder brother with a handshake.

“ I celebrate you, brother. This is a dream come true.” Frank said as he extended his hand to shake Fernando.

Fernando happily took Frank's hand for a handshake.

Everyone appears to be happy, but it was clear on Fernando's face that he wasn't completely happy because he was still worried that something unexpected could happen, and his younger brother might do something crazy.

They had a joyful celebration as they ate dinner together. The house servants were asked to join in the celebration. Everyone ate and drank to his satisfaction.

It was indeed a happy moment after so much rejection by many ladies, he had finally gotten his missing rib.

Sophia's dad was informed and everything was settled. The wedding date was set. The event center was booked within minutes. Family and friends were informed.

News reporters were also informed. Every other thing was done that very day. The only thing remaining was the wedding, which would take place the next day.

Everything becomes easier as long as there's enough money.

~~~

It was dawn and everyone had gone to his room to prepare for tomorrow. The next day was going to be a busy day for everyone, especially the maids who were going to serve guests.

Sophia was asked to sleep in Fernando's room until the next day.

Inside the room, Fernando could be seen lying on the bed as he spoke to Sophia, who sat at the edge of the bed.

“Sweetheart, what's happening? Aren't you going to sleep?” Fernando caringly asked.

“ Don't ever address me with that name! You know my name, and you should address me with it.” Sophia smacked and Fernando was lost in her words.

“ What did you mean?” he inquired as he stood up and sat on the bed.

“ Are you asking me that question? Come to think about it, how can a sexy lady like me marry someone with a blubber belly like you? Huh?”

“ What? But you never complained when my grandfather said so.”

“ I never complained because I never wanted to embarrass him. When I was told about the marriage, I declined, but my dad pleaded with me. Now that I am here, I have a change of mind.”

She spoke with a smirk on her face.

“ What do you mean by that?”

“ It simply means you and I can't go along. I would rather go for your younger brother and not an aisle blocker like you.” Sophia spat out, and each of her words was tearing Fernando apart.

“ Convince me that Frank didn't charm you.”

“ Yes, he had charmed me with his handsomeness, and believe me, I won't sleep in this room tonight,” she announced.

“ But why?” Fernando asked with a sad expression

“ Are you this dumb? I have told you the reason, yet you are still asking an unreasonable question. Are you a kid that I have to explain myself vividly?”

She yelled before climbing off the bed and gesturing toward the door.

Before Fernando could climb down the bed, Sophia was already out of the room.

Clang…!

She forcefully shut the door behind her and with haste, she ran to Frank's room. Before Fernando could step out, Sophia was out of sight.

“ How did she know Frank's room?” Fernando wondered.

The best option Fernando had in mind was to go and report the case to his grandfather. Going to Frank's room to knock might result in a fight, and he wasn't ready for that.

He climbed down the stairs and headed to his grandfather's room. On reaching his grandfather's door, he tried to open it, but it was locked inside.

“ Grandpa! Grandpa!” Fernando angrily called out until his grandfather came to the door and attended to him.

“ What's after your life, Fernando?” the grandfather scarily asked as he scanned behind Fernando to see if someone was after him.

Ignoring his grandfather, he entered the room and his grandfather shut the door.

“ Frank…!” Fernando called out with gritted teeth as he burned in anger.

“ What's it this time?” his grandfather asked, and Fernando tried to calm himself down before responding.

“ Sophia ran out of my room to Frank's room,” he answered.

“ But why? Did you do anything bad to her?”

“ No! She insulted my body size and said she can't sleep in my room, nor can she marry me. She rather goes for my younger brother and not me.” Fernando explained.

On hearing this, his grandfather jerked Fernando's hand and pulled him to the door.

“ Take me to Frank's room right away. The both of them must be insane,” the grandfather raged.

They get to Frank's room and shockingly, the door was opened and no one was inside the room.

“ What? What on earth is happening? Where did they go?” His grandfather was fuming in anger as they searched the room as if they were looking for a missing needle.

“ I need to go and ask the gatemen,” Fernando said before attempting to step out of the room.

“ Why? What makes you think they would leave the mansion by this time of the night?”

“ You don't know my younger brother that much. He can do unpredictable things.”

“ Then no time to think twice. Let's hurry…” said his grandfather.

They climbed down the stairs and headed to the gate to inquire from the gatemen.

“ Blitz, have you by any chance seen Frank?” Fernando asked one of the gatekeepers.

“ Yes, sir. He had gone out with the lady who came to the mansion earlier, just a few minutes ago.” The young man responded and Fernando and his grandfather were speechless.