Martha was well-experienced and perceptive. She saw through the facade of Arthur asking Sophia’s help to look for the necklace and understood his purpose. Truth be told, he was using it as an excuse to keep Sophia at his side.
“Miss Goodwin, I’ll keep an eye on the secondhand market for the necklace. For now, I only need your help for one thing. I need you to leave Artie.” She was brisk at handling things as a full plan was formed in her mind and she spoke it immediately. “I have an idea. Do as I say.”
“Old Madam Weiss.” Sophia gaped at the elder woman dressed in a refined outfit and luxurious pieces of jewelry. “What do you want me to do?”
“You’ll need to bring a guy you know to see Artie and tell him in person that you love the guy. If Artie’s feelings for you don’t waver, then the two of you will get engaged. Besides, I’ll compensate for your loss because I promised to treat you with care.” Martha was hoping Arthur could make a firm decision on his love life as she knew Sophia wasn’t the best suitor for him.
Sophia stared at the phone on the table with hesitation. Martha’s words hurt Sophia badly as if it stung her heart. However, she agreed with Martha’s plan eventually. “All right. I’ll follow your plan.”
“I hope you can put on your best acting because Artie is very observant. Beware not to let him find out anything.”
“I will,” Sophia answered with a nod meekly as she lowered her eyes.
At that time, she received a message on her phone. She took a quick glance at the message that appeared on the screen.
‘What are you doing right now?’ The sender stated Arthur’s name.
“That’s all for today. I won’t blame you for losing our family heirloom.” Martha waved in dismissal. “It’s not your fault at all. You can go now.”
Sophia picked up the phone from the table and headed toward the exit. Once she went out, the bodyguard who had been waiting offered to send her home, but she rejected it nonetheless.
This time, she was walking to get home. Staring at Arthur’s messages, she had lost the mood to reply long since the conversation between Martha and her.
Taking a deep breath, she then dialed someone’s number.
The person on the other side of the phone answered with a clear voice. “Hey, girl! Do you already miss me?”
Sophia saw no point in beating around the bush. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Sure! What can I help you with?”
“Pretend to be my boyfriend.”
“No problem! I’m the best at doing this kind of thing! Are you having an obstinate pursuer?”
“Don’t ask. I’ll tell you the details tomorrow.”
“All right. I’ll wait for your call.”
After the call ended, Sophia took and let out another deep breath. The man whom she sought help from earlier was her childhood friend, the son of her father’s friend, and one of her good friends.
The phone then notified her that a new message had been received. Taking a quick glance at it, she wasn’t surprised to see it was from Arthur again. He asked, ‘Why aren’t you replying?’
Thinking that he was enjoying their interaction since he found exchanging messages interesting, she didn’t bother to reply. When he didn’t get her response, he decided to call her instead. Soon, her phone rang.
Sophia took a look at the caller ID and pressed the “mute” button eventually. Sinking back onto the park bench, she watched the phone vibrate with a heavy heart.
Finally, the ringtone stopped when she left it unattended. But soon, it rang again.
Sophia wasn’t expecting him to keep calling her without knowing to take a break. Is he worrying about me?
The incoming call stopped sharply just as she was pondering and not answering it. This time, Arthur sent her a message instead. ‘Why are you not answering the phone? What happened to you?’
Before this, she had never been cruel to anyone she had met. Even a new friend wouldn’t receive such cold treatment from her. However, she had promised Martha earlier to keep her distance from Arthur.
I’m sorry, Arthur.
She was aware that Arthur and she never belonged together. For instance, even though she only stayed in the atelier for a few days, she could still recognize from the pictures she had gone through that the jewelry pieces Martha wore were worth more than 10 million per piece.
Sophia could never wish for attention from a noble man like him.
Not to mention, they were in the early stage as Arthur was only having affection for her so far. The kisses were merely affected by the dopamine and didn’t matter his feelings for her. She couldn’t reciprocate his feelings if he was looking for a short-term relationship.
Finally, Arthur stopped sending her any messages.
It seems like he isn’t that interested in me, Sophia thought.
