Sofia, p.1
Sofia, page 1
SOFIA
Bittersweet FAMILIA
Book 4
By
MELISSA JANE
Published by Melissa Jane
© Copyright
This book is licensed for your enjoyment only. It is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblances to people living or dead, locales and events are entirely coincidental. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient
Produced by Melissa Jane
Editor: Kaylene at Swish Design & Editing
For more information about the Bittersweet Duet series, please visit
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Bittersweet Duet
Little Doll (Book 1)
Crimson Desert (Book 2)
Bittersweet Familia
Laughing Eyes (Book 3)
Sofia (Book 4)
Author Notes
Sofia is the fourth book in my collection. It follows The Bittersweet Duet, Little Doll and Crimson Desert and Laughing Eyes. While only a minor character in the first two books, Sofia takes center stage in Sofia. Hers is a story that began many years before Little Doll. It’s heartbreaking, it’s tragic. We’ve caught a glimpse of her already, but what really is Sofia’s story?
Sofia contains SERIOUS SPOILERS for both Little Doll and Crimson Desert. Laila and Aiden are not completely embellished characters in this novel as they have already had their story told in the Duet. Therefore, if you opt to read Sofia first (which I seriously beg you not to), you may find that Aiden and Laila are not well described. I did this to benefit all my readers of the Duet.
WARNING:
As well as serious spoilers, Sofia contains EXTREME adult themes and must be approached with maturity. While this is a work of fiction, there may be cause for triggers in some readers.
Sofia contains Abuse, Violence, Language, Sexual Content and Graphic Imagery.
You never know who can truly trust until it is too late
PROLOGUE
My name is not Sofia.
Marcela Alejandra Ortiz is what I was christened twenty-five years ago. No one here knows who I really am, not that they care to find out. For the last four years, the name meaning ‘wisdom’ has been nothing less than a brutal punishment.
A painful reference to my past.
A reason to remind me of indiscretions that were not my own.
They all say it so freely, smirking as they do so. Every one of these men know I’m destroyed a little more each time. In the beginning, they would laugh as the tears rolled down my cheeks, finding humor in my weakness.
For years, I’d go to bed dreaming it was me they had killed. Now, I plot my retaliation. Waiting for the perfect moment to avenge my sister and the life they stole from me.
In this volatile new world I live in, I have no middle or last name. I am only known as Sofia.
CHAPTER ONE
FOUR years ago
“Marcela, you’re drawing attention to us. Please just relax.”
“I’m trying, it’s just…a little difficult.” I was fairly positive it wasn’t my behavior that was generating the perverse looks.
“I don’t see why.” Her perfect brows furrowed together. “You look stunning and we are finally on our own.”
Sofia, my younger sister by sixteen months, wiggled her hips to a regaeton riff, a wicked smile only highlighting her striking natural beauty.
“It’s not me I am worried about, Sofia.” I scanned the club which looked exactly like I’d imagined. Seedy, dark and smelling of stale alcohol. “At least I’m legal, you’re not!”
“I know, but Alex did an awesome job with the ID and the bouncers didn’t blink an eye. So for fuck’s sake, just relax. Nothing’s going to happen.”
Heaving a sigh, I gave in to my sister’s attempt at rationalizing her irresponsibility. I also knew but wasn’t going to highlight the matter, that the bouncers didn’t blink an eye because, from their height advantage, they were greeted by Sofia’s not so conservatively hidden breasts.
“Fine!” I relented, my eyes doing another quick scan, this time over all the patrons. “Where is he anyway?”
As if on cue, a man I could only guess as being Alex, wrapped his arms firmly around Sofia’s shoulders and planted a showy but affectionate kiss on her cheek. She swooned with the sudden attention, spun around and passionately kissed him on the lips. Left standing awkwardly next to the couple, I shifted from foot to foot until they broke apart and commenced with the introductions.
“Alex, esta es mi hermana Macela,” Sofia introduced, a proud smile on her face.
“Hello, pleased to meet you,” I lied, unimpressed with the flirtatious look in his eye.
“¿por qué no hablar en español.”
“I speak English as much as I can,” I replied. In truth, I was always asked why I never spoke Spanish, especially whenever I returned to the village I was raised in. My parents had worked their knuckles to the bone to get Sofia and myself to a school where English wasn’t just a random timetable filler taught by an inexperienced native. English is the door to the universe, my father would say, even though his own ability was poor.
Sofia interrupted with a flimsy wave of her hand. “Marcela is studying English and wants to travel the world to teach it. I keep telling her, there’s not enough money in it, but she doesn’t listen.” What she said was half true. I was now studying English to teach, but my destination was the US, nowhere else. I did realize that I wouldn’t be living a life of luxury, but I’d be doing better than most from my barrio.
“Then I shall do my best to speak English.” He spun me a dazzling smile that he obviously thought would impress me. The truth was, it didn’t. Alex was a good looking man in his mid-twenties, with thick gelled back hair and had nice clear skin. Thick lashes framed his eyes and I could see why my little sister fell for him. But there was something snake-like about his demeanor.
“Shall we?” Sophia grinned as she ushered us further into the nightclub. “First round of shots are on me,” she exclaimed.
And then it started.
***
As the night progressed, the music got livelier. Sofia and I hit the dance floor and fought off the many advances from wasted gringos. They were all the same. Red face, burnt from the Mexican sun and trying the same line on us every time thinking our panties would get wet.
Hola. Is all they would say, then eagerly await our response with drunken eyes and groping hands.
The three of us had drank a lot ourselves and I was starting to feel its effects on my thought processes. I’d never been a big drinker and the Bacardi rum we were all consuming, tasted and smelled more like jet fuel compared to what I had sampled in the past. We were all getting along well, even if it was courtesy of the alcohol, and thanks to Alex showing some of his better qualities throughout the night, I was actually beginning to like the man.
When a booth finally became free, I wasted no time in claiming it. Overwhelming joy filling my soul as my sore feet were given a reprieve. Alex walked a giggling Sofia over and soon another round of shots were ordered. We laughed, told jokes and drank some more before Alex got suddenly serious.
“So!” He leaned forward to be heard over the music. “Tomorrow, I’m leaving Cancun to drop a superyacht off in Cuba. I would love you ladies to join me on my travels. Who’s in?”
Sofia didn’t look at all surprised by the request and I figured he must have asked her beforehand. She still couldn’t hide the excitement on her face.
“I don’t know,” I replied, biting my lip in thought. “Wait a second. You have a superyacht?”
He laughed at my reaction before shaking his head. “No bonita, I wish it were mine.”
“Alex does the maintenance,” Sofia interrupted, looking as though she needed to defend him. He smiled at her and she continued, “His boss is some mega-millionaire and requires the yacht taken over to Cuba. We can spend some time there before heading back. Come on, it’ll be fun.”
Sofia and I, more often than not, did not share the same idea of fun.
“Sure,” I announced. “I’m in.”
My little sister squealed and Alex held up his shot to salud.
“We are going to have a ball,” he said as we clinked our glasses.
***
“So, what do you think?” Sofia asked me.
“About what?” I replied, slinging my bag further on my shoulder. The sun felt nice against my face even if I was feeling the effects of alcoholic induced dehydration.
“Alex, of course!” she insisted.
“He’s all right, I guess,” I said attempting to hide the smile on my face. I liked to stir her because she always so easily took the bait.
“Holy shit!” Sofia gripped my arm, her perfectly manicured nails digging into my skin. We came to a sudden stop on the boat jetty as I winced in pain.
“Does he even know how to drive that?” We both stared, awestruck at the yacht that stood out amongst the rest. We spotted Alex on board moving around preparing for departure. When he noticed us gawking, he stopped and waved, his shirt marked with sweat from the day’s soaring temperatures.
Weakly, we waved back, still caught in the moment before coming to our senses and making our way down the ramp.
“Beautiful day to cruise,” he greeted while helping us on board.
“It most certainly is!” Behind Alex, a man appeared from the gallows. Dressed in low-slung jean shorts and an unbuttoned white cotton shirt, he looked every bit the God of water. As the gentle breeze blew, his stunning tanned abs were revealed and despite knowing I should have more grace and look away, I simply couldn’t tear my eyes off his perfect body. His face was chiseled to perfection, eyes a gorgeous hazel green. His heritage had me interested. The mystery man’s features were dark, but with the hue of his eyes I placed him as being a Mexican-American. He caught my gaze, an odd yet curious expression crossing his face.
“Marcela,” Alex’s voice brought me back to the present, “this is X.” He moved to the side to allow his friend into the conversation.
“X?” Sofia questioned pushing her sunglasses on top of her head. “Is that your birth name?”
He flashed a patient smile. Clearly he’d been asked the same thing many a time.
“No, it’s short for Xavier. You can call me whatever’s easiest.”
This time his smile was meant for me. A dazzling, enticing, delicious smile that sent my heart into a flutter.
“Well, this is my girl Sofia and this is her sister Marcela,” Alex said, finishing off the introductions.
Xavier nodded in greeting to my sister before turning his attention again my way. “Marcela, it’s a pleasure.” His voice was deep and velvety and it was doing wicked things to my insides.
“Likewise,” was all I could manage. His gaze never broke from mine, the intensity overwhelming.
Behind us, Alex cleared his throat. “All right let’s get this party started.”
CHAPTER TWO
Fifteen minutes later, we were cruising through the open water. Xavier had disappeared down into the gallows and Sofia was with Alex at the wheel. She had her arms wrapped around his waist as he steered, laughing lightly and casting affectionate glances.
The weather was simply stunning. Taking a seat on one of the lounges, I allowed the sun’s rays to warm my skin, the breeze blowing my loose hair. While I had been hesitant about joining Sofia and Alex on the trip, I couldn’t have been happier. My reservations about Alex were beginning to slide as I watched the two interact. He had a way of controlling Sofia’s hyperactivity to the point where she became a purring kitten in his hand.
I had this sense of protection toward my sister, who had on many occasions, exhibited to us all her inability to handle her own well-being. We’d been sent away to boarding school, separated from our parents and the friends we had grown up with. People from my barrio were close. We all knew each other’s business and we all had each other’s back. My family wasn’t wealthy, but we weren’t poor either. Whatever we did have, went to Sofia’s and my education.
My sister didn’t see it that way.
She didn’t understand that my parents had devoted their entire adult life to ensuring we were well looked after. Not long after we arrived at the boarding school, Sofia began her long rebellious stint. The other girls didn’t take to her. She was too beautiful and even worse, she knew it. Flaunting her silky mane and naturally toned body had gotten a lot of the girls off side. After all, who was she flaunting it to? There were no boys around. Her heart-shaped face and stunning green eyes were the envy of most, including me. I considered myself pretty, I wasn’t ugly, but what I lacked, Sofia certainly made up for.
There were many times I sat in the principal’s office with a glum looking, but secretly contrite Sofia, as I begged for our parents to not be called. On four occasions, Sofia had been caught sneaking out of the boarding house to meet a boy who waited at the gates in his lowered car, thinking the thick rumble of the engine wasn’t waking the entire grounds. One night, Sofia had even taken it upon herself to steal a birthday cake from the cook’s kitchen that was intended for the matron, so she could share it with her roommate as a midnight snack. She only got caught because the chocolate ganache used contained nuts which the roommate was intolerant to. ‘How was I to know she was allergic, or that it had nuts?’ Sofia said, while being reprimanded, followed by ‘That’s the last time I ever do anything nice.’
That was her way of an apology.
Unlike me, my sister did not make the most of the opportunities given to us. On one occasion in English, she answered every question in Spanish, a defiant move protesting against the introduction of two extra Anglo classes that according to her, were unnecessary.
Sofia was excellent at English.
Because it was something that came so naturally to her, I couldn’t fathom why she was opposed to the whole idea. Personally, I was excited about it. ‘We are losing our national voice,’ she implored while I was doing my best to reprimand her childish behavior. As time passed, with more of the same, we both finally graduated. We were in the same grade, although born a year apart. Sofia had been bumped up a grade in primary school because she’d been considered a gifted child. Although, what she had in intelligence she lacked in street smarts, and essentially, what’s good for you.
“Are you awake?” My heart skipped a beat hearing his voice. With my eyes closed, my body in a complete state of relaxation, I hadn’t realized Xavier was standing there. Lifting my sunglasses, I folded my legs allowing him to take a seat next to me.
“So…how do you know Alex?” He leaned back, crossing an ankle over his knee, his arms outstretched along the backrest.
“I met him last night at a club. I knew he was dating my sister, but I haven’t had the chance, until now, to be introduced.” Xavier considered my words as if evaluating each one. “How about you?”
“Through a mutual acquaintance.”
I waited for further explanation, yet even though he was still eyeing me, he wasn’t about to elaborate.
“You seem like unlikely friends,” I probed, curious with his hesitance. While Xavier appeared straight-laced with a mysterious edge, Alex was still young-minded and full of mischief.
Xavier cast a glance in Alex’s direction, then met mine again. “Let’s just say, some friendships are exceptions to the rule.”
Determining he was not keen on sharing anymore, I sat back and watched the waves fan out in the boat’s wake.
Xavier’s fingers began an irritating drum on the fiberglass side, our conversation or lack thereof apparently getting on his nerves. As the seconds passed I’d become uncomfortable in his presence. The carefree laughter from my sister and Alex behind me only adding to the feeling.
“What made you decide to come out today?” he asked, breaking the silence. His tone was one I was struggling to decipher.
In any other situation, it would appear as a normal question. Either he had a particularly brash delivery about him or he was just being rude.
“I was asked to.”
He nodded his head and again contemplated my words. He was odd. Or his behavior was odd.
I didn’t quite know what his problem was or why he seemed so cagey with me, but it was starting to get on my nerves. I didn’t need someone who was, other than for the past twenty minutes, an unknown interrogating my life.
“Excuse me, I think I might go exploring for a bit,” I said, gathering my towel and bag. We were on a yacht bigger than my house that I hadn’t yet investigated. Xavier gave another slight nod, his face a mask of indifference. His eyes still hadn’t broken from mine, an apparent challenge passing between us. Turning my back, I headed to the gallows.
The interior was simply beautiful. No expense had been spared on its polished timber walls and thick, plush carpets. The yacht oozed luxury and decadence. Why the owners had entrusted Alex with the responsibility, I wasn’t sure. Perhaps he was a better man than I was giving him credit for.
Below was a dining and lounge that looked like it would’ve held some lavish parties in its time. Further down, there were off-shoots of bedrooms along both sides of the hall, and a bathroom bigger than the one I had at home.
Finding a bedroom that didn’t look taken, I put my overnight bag in the corner and admired the welcoming double bed. With crisp sheets and a padded bed cover, I could feel it beckoning me after my time in the sun. Climbing on all fours, I crawled into the center and lay flat, my head loving the cushioning pillows. The gentle rhythm of the waves beneath caused my eyes to droop as sleep waited for me.
