Atticus and jasper stood face-to-face, the air around them heavy with unspoken tension. They glared at each other.
"What the hell are you doing here?". Jasper asked tightening his grip on Sophia waist.
Atticus's gaze flicked down to Jasper's arm wrapped possessively around her. His jaw tightened; his fists clenched. Slowly, he raised his eyes to meet Jasper's.
"I'm talking to you!". Jasper said raising his voice, drawing the attention from nearby guests. His guards began to close in.,
Atticus's frowned deepened. Thomas sensing the danger, quickly signaled to Atticus's men Within moments, they too had moved in, surrounding the hall. And The once-elegant ballroom shifted into a standoff — guests frozen in shock, holding their breath, waiting for the next move.
"I need to talk to her". Atticus replied calmly, his eyes never leaving Sophia. She turned her face away, unable to meet his gaze. A small smirk tugged at Atticus's lips.
But Jasper felt offended. His expression hardened. "Look at me when am talking to you". Jasper shouted. " I don't care who you are, if you need more money for saving her, talk to my manager. Take what ever you want". He glared, voice low and sharp. "Now get out."
Atticus looked up at him, his golden eyes cold.
"Never tell me what to do". He declared.
The guest were shocked and soon a murmur rippled through the hall.
"Does he know who he's talking to? That's Reynolds heir". Some guest whispered. But Atticus shrugged, he didn't care.
"What did you say?". Jasper said, brow arched. "I said get out". He pointed toward the door.
Atticus chuckled, a low, dangerous sound, and took a step forward, about to reach for Sophia, when Thomas quickly intervened.
"We should go". He whispered in Atticus's ear. "If we cause a scene, it will escalate and we don't want that kind of attention".
Atticus gnashed his teeth. He knew what Thomas said was right. A public confrontation would spiral fast, Still, every muscle in his body burned with restraint. He hated seeing another man's hand around Sophia's waist.
He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to step back. His gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. She still refused to meet his eyes, her head bowed.
"I'll see you soon, cutie cat". A faint smirk playing on his lips.
Sophia raised her head and met his gaze, he smiled and raised his head to jasper. His smile faded into a hard frown before he finally walked away, his men following close behind.
Jasper frowned deepened as he watched Atticus's retreating figure. He didn't know why, but from the first day he met him at the hospital, he didn't like him. He felt as if Atticus had taken something precious from him, something Jasper couldn't name but knew he couldn't bear to lose.
When Atticus was gone, Jasper turned to Sophia who was still lowering her head.
"What the hell does he want? How did he know you were here?" He asked her.
Sophia lifted her head. "I don't know...I don't know what he wants".
The word immunity echoed in her mind. It was clearly absurd. But the way he asked her about it, he acted so sincere and serious. 'could it be true?...No it can't'. She thought to herself.
"Hey". Jasper said gently, noticing the distant look in her eyes. "Don't think about it, I'll have my men guard you from now on and find out who he is".
He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear.
"I don't need you to do that, I can take care of myself". She said biting her lips.
"Sophia". Jasper said with a concern tune.
"Jasper". Sophia said in warning tone, looking into his eyes. He sighed in frustration.
"But I will have my men dig up everything they can on him. Your safety is all I care about". He replied.
"Well you do not-".
"Jasper!". A voice called out, interrupting her.
They both turned to him, It was a middle-aged woman in red gown. Her silver-white hair was perfectly tied into a bun, and a graceful smile played on her lips.
"Sophia Williams". The woman said with a warm smile. " It's so nice to meet you here".
Sophia frowned, glancing at Jasper, who gave her an apologetic smile.
"Son, i'm so happy to see you. How about we have dinner". She continued. "Miss Sophia, how about you join us it will be our pleasure".
Sophia removed jasper's hand from her waist.
"There's no need for that, I'm going now". Sophia replied. The woman's smile dampened.
"I'll take you home". Jasper offered quickly.
"There's no need, Good bye, Jasper Reynolds". Sophia walked away.
Jasper watched her retreating figure, he sighed in frustration. His eyes filled with longing. He turned.
"Mom, what the fuck..." He began.
Meanwhile, across the room watching them a man in black stood, his gaze fixed on the girl retreating form. He turned to the man beside him.
"It is time". He simply said.
######
Sophia walked out of the ballroom, standing at the entrance waiting for her car. Maya had gone to tell the driver. Her mind replayed what happened at the ballroom: the whispers, the stares, the tension, she had always been a person that hid from the crowd yet tonight, she was the centre of attention.
She always liked being a background character, if she couldn't be character at all, she would love that.
A few ladies came out from the ballroom, their eyes sweeping over Sophia before they hissed in jealousy. Sophia quickly shielded her face with her palm.
"Oh my God". She mumbled under her breath.
More people began pouring out of the hall, and the growing attention made her skin crawl. Unable to stand it any longer, Sophia decided to find the driver herself.
But as Sophia walked to the car park, an uneasy feeling crept up her spine. It felt like someone was following her. She turned around — nothing. The silence pressed on her ears. She quickened her footsteps.
Then, she heard it — the low rumble of a motorcycle approaching fast.
Sophia froze.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Gunshots split the air, Sophia squeezed her eyes shut, her breath catching in her throat — but instead of pain, she felt warmth.
Someone had pulled her close, shielding her body with theirs.
She opened her eyes and saw him. Sophia's eyes widened in shock. His golden eyes locked into hers. Did he just take a bullet for me?
Her gaze dropped, the bullet had hit him from the three holes on his shirt, yet his skin was untouched, as for the bullets, they laid scattered on the ground, as if they had bounced off him.
Sophia's breath trembled. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Atticus smiled faintly. "Are you lost, cutie cat?"