Chapter Twelve

Sophia

''This is London,'' Dimitri says from beside me as he continues to type something on his phone while we're seated at the back of a limousine. It has only been a few minutes since we landed and it feels as if I'm experiencing a new thing altogether—I've never been to London before. No, I've never been anywhere than Tennessee or New York before and the exhilarating feeling is overwhelming.

Dimitri seems unfazed by the city itself but I might look like someone who came out of the jungle just to catch a glimpse of the city. Yet, I want to enjoy my time here even though we're only here until Sunday. ''That's Big Ben. The nickname given for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster,'' He says as he leans in closer towards me—even though he doesn't seem to realise the closeness between us but I'm left smiling.

''I've never been here before,'' I say, eyes wandering around.

''I can tell,'' He chuckles from beside me, letting me hear the deepness and huskiness of his voice. ''You seem to be enjoying the littlest things here and even by the stray cat crossing the road.'' He adds, smiling as he leans back while I turn to look at him.

''Hey! You can't blame me. You can't blame a country girl who feels fascinated in other people's country,'' I reply before smiling, seeing him looking straight into my eyes as he does the same; for some reason, to be at the backseat of the limousine with him and having this conversation in a different country feels oddly satisfying.

''I'm not blaming you. In fact, I want to take you all over the world because I know you'd enjoy everything. Birds flying in the sky, music blasting on the radio, people walking down the street and even cars passing down the road. You'd make travelling much more worth it,'' He says, leaving a thump in my chest which causes my whole body to grow warmer and within seconds, I can feel my cheeks growing warm and it's no doubt that they're red in colour.

''How many times have you been to London?'' I ask.

''A few times,''

''How many times is a few times?''

''Ten or twelve . . . fifteen?'' He chuckles, as I try to reach out to his arm and playfully slap him but he manages to catch my hand before I'm able to do anything which causes him to pull me closer, my body bumping onto him immediately. ''But, this is my first time.'' He adds, slowly.

''What is?'' My eyes pierce into his, trying to remain calm in situations like this.

''Being this close to a beautiful woman in London,'' He smiles.

''Yeah, still here. Still listening,'' Dion says and even with both of his eyes closed, I can tell he's trying to avoid this awkward situation and just jump out of the limousine if he could.

I immediately laugh before slowly pulling myself away from him in which he doesn't bother stopping but he continues to look at me, eyeing my every movement—leaving me to tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear as a sign of nervousness, ''Why are we here anyway? Why did you bring me all the way to London?''

''I was invited to my friend's wedding—''

''—we were invited, actually. I'm his plus one,'' Dion cuts him off.

''Right. Actually, he was my business partner and he's getting married. Thought I needed a date to these kind of events,'' Dimitri continues to speak before glancing at Dion, ''As for Dion there . . . who is my assistant but doesn't act like one, he goes wherever I go. Like he said—''

Dion cuts him off again, ''—I'm his plus one, baby. He goes, I go.''

I laugh, ''So, I'm going to be your date?''

''Yes. You, Sophia Thompson, are going to be my date.''

I know I shouldn't be smiling. I know I shouldn't be feeling this way but the way his voice sounded and how he spoke of me being his date, it's causing butterflies in my stomach—probably even worse. My heart haven't felt this kind of rush for awhile now and it's like I'm experiencing a whole new thing; even though deep down, I know being his date to the wedding is something simple, something that anyone can do but I'm feeling like this is an opportunity of a lifetime.

''And, we're here. Thank God, Jesus, whoever!'' Dion exclaims before quickly stepping out of the limousine.

Dimitri follows suit before giving me a hand to take and as soon as I step out of the limousine, I am left scoffing at the sight behold. ''I wouldn't say I'm surprised because I'm not—I expected this. When you're a successful hotel chain owner,'' My eyes wander up to look at Dimitri who has a smirk plastered on his face before he starts to gesture for me to walk inside first while the chauffeur handles our luggages.

''Welcome, Mr. Belrose. It's a pleasure to have you here in London,'' The hotel manager greets us with a wide smile, gesturing for us to take a seat at the lounge and Dion doesn't bother wasting his time as he lays on the leather sofa.

''This is tiring. I need a foot massage,'' He mutters.

''We recommend a full body massage. It's included in the package,''

Dion's eyes widen, ''You have no idea how that sounds like music to my ears. I'm Dion, Mr. Belrose's personal assistant, in the flesh.''

''It's very nice to meet you, Dion. I'm Trevor and I'm at your service as long as you all are staying here in London. Anything and everything is available if required,'' Trevor, the hotel manager replies with a smile while Dion uses his time to check him out—his eyes wandering up and down Trevor's body which causes me to chuckle; finding this enjoyable.

''Well . . . are our rooms ready?'' Dimitri asks, looking around the hotel lobby.

The hotel here in London is just as exquisite as in New York. Everything is well managed and it shows how Dimitri takes good care of his own brand—not wanting a single thing to be in the way of damaging his family business. To that, I would say I'm more than impressed; to even being blessed of an opportunity to meet someone like Dimitri, himself.

''Of course, sir. Here are the suites that you've requested,'' Trevor hands us our cards, ''We hope that you enjoy your stay here, sir. If any anything is not to your comfort, I'll be available twenty-four hours at your service.'' He adds.

''Twenty-four hours?'' Dion winks.

''Thank you, Trevor.'' Dimitri smiles before gesturing for Dion and I to follow him towards the elevator.

The three of us are walking down the hallway with Trevor leading the way before stopping in front of three doors—one for each of us. The doors are different than any other suites which makes me realise that this would be their best suites. ''Would there be anything else, sir? Your luggages will be brought up shortly,'' Trevor continues to speak as the three of us begin to step inside our suites.

''No, Trevor. Thank you,'' Dimitri replies.

Dion peeks through the door, ''Actually, I'd like to book that full body massage. Would that be possible?''

''Of course,''

The door closes behind me as I stand in the middle of the hotel suite, completely astonished by the suite itself; knowing that I'll be staying here all by myself for the weekend while Dion and Dimitri are only staying next door. I make my way towards the back and straight towards the bedroom, smiling to myself as soon as I jump and land onto the bed—feeling the softness of the mattress comforting me. Everything feels like a dream, a beautiful dream that I would never want to wake up from.

I immediately sit up straight as soon as I hear the doorbell.

''Coming!'' I begin to run towards the door, pulling it open to find the bellboy carrying in my luggage before standing straight and waiting for me to do something. ''Do . . . do you need something? Water?'' I ask, feeling confused as he clears his throat—clearly waiting for something.

The two of us continue to stare at each other before Dimitri appears at the door, handing him a tip.

''Thank you, sir.'' He says, stepping out of the suite as he closes the door behind him; leaving Dimitri and I by ourselves.

''Right . . . I clearly didn't think of that,'' I mutter in embarrassment. ''I asked if he wanted water,''

Dimitri chuckles, ''No worries. I find that rather entertaining. Anyways, do you like your room? I thought it'd be best if we have a suite of our own while we're staying here so that we all can be comfortable,'' He adds, ''I'm sure it has been awhile since you've had some time alone to yourself. Back in New York with Brody running around the house and kitchen accidents,'' He smiles.

''Yeah, it's really nice here.'' I smile back, looking at anywhere but him; knowing that something between us is clearly growing but the two of us choose to not acknowledge it and just pretend as if we're two people who knows one another.

Both of us continue to stare at one another before he starts to make his way slowly towards the door. Then, he turns towards me and I take my time to eye in his entire appearance—it's been awhile since I've seen him this casual and only in jeans but still, he has a button-up shirt, ''I'll see you tomorrow?'' He asks, one hand on the door handle.

''I'll see you,'' I respond, not being able to stop smiling.

He smiles back, ''I'm just next door though.''

''I know. You're near,''

''Very near. You step out and there's . . . there's me,'' He mutters.

My heart feels like it's going to thump out of my chest and I feel like making my way towards him before pulling him in for a kiss. The way his hair seems like it's calling out for me to run my fingers through it and on his well-toned abs, my mind is clearly obeying to my heart. Yet, I hold myself back from doing anything I might regret. No matter how beautiful and attractive the man standing in front of me.

''Okay, sleep well.'' He adds, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind me which causes me to close my eyes before letting out a breath of relief.

London is no different than New York. We're going to act like how we've been acting back in The States; not any different as if we're obeying our lusts and hearts because it won't be worth it when we get back—we're just two people here in London who are accompanying one another. He gets his fair perk of having me as his date and I get my own by being able to enjoy the beautiful London.

--

The doorbell causes both of my eyes to widen in surprise before sitting up straight, running my fingers through my hair; knowing that I had fallen asleep after taking a long warm bath yesterday. I immediately make my way towards the door, pulling it open to find the same bellboy from yesterday but this time, he's not holding my luggage but a white box tied with a purple ribbon. ''For you, miss.''

''Um . . . I didn't buy anything,'' I look up at him.

''Mr. Belrose wants it delivered to your room. It's for you,'' He replies, gesturing for me to take it.

''Thank you?''

As soon as he has walked down the hallway and out of sight, I close the door before making my way towards the bedroom with the box in my hand—untying the ribbon and immediately opening the box, my eyes widening at the sight of a beautiful coral coloured dress before taking it out of the box, raising it up into view. ''Wow . . . it's revealing,'' I chuckle.

Within seconds, I'm already heading into the bathroom to take a shower and clean myself up. As soon as I'm done, I begin to stare at my own reflection in the mirror to find the same girl who has and somehow still suffering from the past with her dark brown eyes hiding a million stories for no one to read but look at her now, standing here in the beautiful eye-catching dress to reveal her own beauty.

The dress compliments my complexion to an extent and how the dress splits from the side of my knee and down, revealing the length of my legs whenever I walk. Honestly, the dress itself deserves a compliment but by how it clings onto my body, fitting perfectly to reveal my curves, it's somewhat made for me and with a smile, I make my way back towards the box and my eyebrows furrow as soon as I find a pair of heels beneath.

''Dimitri, you imbecile.'' I chuckle but begin to try them on with a smile.

My smile never leaving my face as I head down and as soon as the elevator opens, my eyes wander up to find Dimitri talking to Dion in their suits but instead of facing me, his back is clearly in view. Dion, on the other hand, catches a glimpse of me before turning to look at me once more, both of his eyes widening at the sight—gesturing for Dimitri to turn around in which he does and the reaction he gives is priceless.

Both of his eyes stare longer at my face before wandering down to my dress, his lips slowly curving up into a smile as I make my way towards him. Other people seem to have fade away from my view and there's only one person into view . . . Dimitri. Not Dion. Not Trevor. Not the bellboy but just him; the man whom I wouldn't expect to let me feel things I've once thought I'd never feel again. The man who is looking at me as if I'm the most precious treasure. The man who won't even blink as he stares at me.

''You okay there, boss?'' Dion taps onto his shoulder which causes him to blink a few times before clearing his throat.

''Sophia, you're late. Let's go,'' Dimitri says, quickly making his way towards the limousine outside while Dion bursts out into laughters, leaving me to stare at him in confusion; yet, deep down, I can't stop smiling to myself as I recall back the exact reaction coming from him.

''Look at you. Where did you get that dress?'' Dion grabs me by the arm and we begin to walk towards the limousine.

''Dimitri gave it to me,''

''Aha . . . my senses are telling me something. Yup, definitely. Definitely,'' He chuckles, opening the door for me and gesturing for me to step inside the limousine but as soon as I do, I find Dimitri looking away from me—both of his eyes turning to stare down at his phone.

I continue to look out the window as I appreciate the view and even though I feel a burning gaze coming from a lad named Dimitri, I pretend not to notice because deep down, it shows just how much he couldn't look away yet pretending to not looking.

''Aren't you going to scroll?'' Dion asks, causing me to turn.

''What? What do you mean?'' Dimitri raises an eyebrow, pulling his phone away from Dion's view.

''You've been staring at the same page for the past eight minutes. Not just that, you're reading the weather report?'' He continues to speak, pointing at Dimitri's phone as he moves it further away from Dion's grasps while I continue to look at him. ''Let me see. What's so interesting about the weather report? Is it going to rain?'' He asks.

''I'm still your boss, Dion.''

''Let me just—''

''—no,''

They two just continue to chatter on and it's pretty usual for Dion to fearlessly bother Dimitri even though he knows how much his career depends on Dimitri. As soon as we've arrived at the venue, Dion steps out of the car first and as I turn to follow him, Dimitri holds me back. My eyes wander up to meet his, ''What is it?'' I ask.

''Let me,'' He replies.

My eyebrow furrows in confusion but as soon as he steps out of the limousine and give me a hand for me to take, I begin to understand. Just as I expect him to let go of my hand, he didn't. The warmth of his hand is still mixing with mine and the grip of his hand onto my own is still vividly clear, not like a fantasy but a reality. My lips begin to curve up into a smile as we step inside, being greeted by the other different guests here as soon as they notice Dimitri's presence.

''It's nice to see you again,'' Dimitri continues to hold my hand as he greets other people and for once in my life, I don't mind.

The wedding is held outdoors and as soon as we're all seated to wait for the bride's arrival, I turn to look at Dimitri beside me. My eyes wander up to his hair in their usual state, messily neat and attractive before looking down at his face, seeing him focusing onto the surroundings and seeing how he has a five o'clock shadow from not shaving since yesterday yet they seem pretty neat. Then, down to see the suit he's wearing, perfectly defining his toned body and broad shoulders and last but not least, to the sight of our hands holding.

It's as if he doesn't notice it. It's as if we're used to holding each other's hands.

''Dimitri,'' I call out, slowly leaning closer.

''Yeah?'' He turns to look at me before realising that it causes our faces to be inches apart, close enough for us to lean in and for our lips to meet if we move but both of us remain still—he does the same as he looks into my eyes. As soon as our eyes meet, ''What is it?'' He asks, his voice lower and almost audible.

''Uh . . . what was I—uh,'' I frown.

He chuckles, ''What is it?''

''You're a friend of the groom?'' I ask, leaning back a little bit.

''Yeah, we used to be business partners until he decided to stop a couple of years ago.'' He replies.

I continue to look at his profile as he focuses on something else, everyone chattering as we all wait for the bride's arrival. ''What made him stop? A fight?''

''No, he wanted to settle down. So, he gave it to his brother who I'm dealing with now from time to time.'' He clears his throat, ''He said he wanted to travel the world with the woman he loves—in fact, he did. He's marrying her,'' He adds with a smile slowly creeping up his face.

I smile back, ''You don't have anything against weddings and marriages?''

''No, not really. As much as I should or want to, I don't. Marriage is a sacred thing; it may or may not work for some, it's like a gamble. Actually, I like how he views things in perspective. How he quit his business just to be with the woman he loves, to spend most of his time with her and how she can accept him for who he is, I like that. I want that,'' He continues to speak off as I listen, ''It's something I didn't get when I was married. It's something I want to experience in the future with the right person.''

Then, he turns to look at me. ''Pretty sure it's not going to be easy but I want to try,''

''What did it feel like?''

''What did what feel like?'' He asks.

''Being married,''

''Different. Like you're not just you anymore. You're you and your partner,'' He stops for awhile. ''Everything you do. You do for the both of you. It's not like having a relationship where you try to understand each other and be there for one another. In marriage, you have understood your partner and you are already there for each other—you're not at a phase where you have to try,'' He adds.

''You really were married,'' I mutter and both of us begin to chuckle.

The orchestra begins to play and everyone starts to stand up, turning to look around as the bride walks down the aisle. Both Dimitri and I stand up, our hands are still holding onto one another as we both turn, ''You know if he didn't quit his job for that woman . . . I don't even know,'' I say as soon as the sight of the bride is vividly clear—a beautiful woman smiling as she walks, she's entirely breathtaking.

The bride reaches the groom and everyone is to be seated. It's like everything else drowns in as they both say their vows, letting me hear the sincerity in their voices, the smiles plastered on their faces and the nerves visible by the shakiness of their hands. ''I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,'' The priest says, letting them seal their marriage with a kiss as everyone claps.

At last, our hands are no longer holding as we both clap.

Just like that, the reception has begun and everything else is just as beautiful as the lovely couple. For them to have their first dance under the shining stars and under the moonlight, it can't get any beautiful than the sight of this—for once, I feel like marriage is indeed a sacred thing and not just a burden of responsibilities. Through the hardships, there are goodness. There are happiness and joy.

I look around to find Dimitri talking to a group of men, them laughing and smiling as they continue to chat in the conversation but I take my time to only look at one visible man—not any other man in the group, no matter how attractive they may be. My eyes are only focusing onto the one attractive man who solely have somehow caught my heart in these thoughtless weeks we've spent together and just by sitting here all by myself, listening to the music being played in the background, I'm left looking at just him.

How is that possible?

''If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you. Drive highways and byways to be there with you. Over and over the only truth, everything comes back to you, mmmm.'' Someone sings as the band continues to play the song in acoustic, letting other people join the bride and groom as they dance—enjoying being in each other's arms. Even though the song is about the other person who has moved on while the other is still being madly in love with her, yet the words are beautiful.

I look away to take a sip of my champagne before sighing.

''May I have this dance?'' A familiar voice asks.

Our eyes meet as they begin to play a different song but the sight of Dimitri's smile meeting my gaze and the sight of his hand holding out to meet mine, it's like an invitation of a lifetime. Just like that, our hands meet and we begin to walk towards the dance floor—both of his hands around my waist as I wrap my arms around his neck. ''Don't step on my feet though,'' He whispers as we both laugh.

They begin to play and sing an acoustic version of Wings by Birdy.

''Sunlight comes creeping in, illuminates our skin, we watch the day go by, stories of all we did. It made me think of you, it made me think of you.'' A woman begins to sing, her voice soothing and beautiful—letting both Dimitri and I to slow dance, focusing onto ourselves and forgetting the rest of the world. Everything that once troubled us, that was a burden, it's only us. ''Under a trillion stars, we danced on top of cars, took pictures of the stage. So far from where we are, they made me think of you, they made me think of you.''

''You know . . . if I'd met you five years ago—wait, no.'' He stops.

''If you'd met me five years ago, I'd be eighteen. That's a legal age,'' I lean closer as we both smile.

''Not if I'd met you nine years ago,'' He replies, glancing down at my lips for a few seconds and it takes me awhile to realise how far apart we actually are. ''Still . . . excluding of age, if I'd met you and didn't meet Chloe, you'd be my first.'' He adds, both of his eyes piercing deeply into mine and every word he spoke, it's as if I could feel it sinking in my soul.

''Yet, I wouldn't meet the amazing Brody.'' I grin, feeling him pulling me closer. ''I know at times like this you might think like you made a mistake and how things would be different in other ways but Dimitri, you're who you are because of what you chose. You could've been a different person before you met Chloe, before you got Brody and before you let her go. We were different until something happens in our lives,''

''Oh, lights go down in the moment we're lost and found. I just wanna be by your side if these wings could fly,''

''You're different, Sophia.''

''Good different?'' I raise an eyebrow, smiling.

''Very good different. Refreshingly different,'' He chuckles.

''There's no one else out there who can match up to me,'' I joke and we both continue to laugh, enjoying the company of one another without thinking of anything else. ''I like this . . . I like this pace and it's making me anxious to know that this is just temporary. This is just a moment right now and when it's over, it's over.'' I breathe out, trying to calm myself down. ''Knowing I'd have to get back out there to the real world, where everything is just bad, it scares me.'' I add.

''Sophia . . . '' He cups my face before wiping away the fallen tears, letting me look away from him. ''Look at me,''

Our eyes meet once more and within seconds, I find him closing the distance between us as I feel him brushing his lips against mine before tilting his head to the side—meeting our lips for a kiss. As soon as our lips touch, my heart starts to beat quicker than before and my mind goes blank as if everything around me has disappeared into complete bliss. So, it doesn't take me long to kiss him back.

The softness of his lips causes me to crave for more and the way his lips move in a slow yet tempting way, it's like a taste I've never had before. It's like we're both standing here on our own with no one else and we're having the best time of our lives; not bothered by the presence of others. It's that exact kind of beauty surrounding my mind, the beautiful temporary.

I admit it, I want this man. I want him.