Taming My Arrogant Husband novel Chapter 8

Sophia's POV:

When Andrew joined our conversation, my eyes automatically turned from where he came from and searched for his friend.

"He went outside." I glanced at him when he answered my silent question.

"I'm not asking for Daniel," I said in a defensive tone.

"Really? But your actions do. And don't worry I also wasn't referring to him." and he winked at me.

Jack was just standing in front of me waiting for my reaction, but I gave none.

"I like your dress, Sophia. You looked more beautiful." Andrew said after a while.

"Thank you, Andrew, you too."

"I also looked beautiful?" I rolled my eyes. "Just kidding."

We continued our conversation with Andrew leading the topic into music and that captured my interest. Both Jack and I were just listening to his story and corny jokes. Jack also shared his love of music but the problem is that music doesn't love him back. Well, unlike Andrew who showed us some photos of his musical instruments at home. But of course, I stayed silent and didn't tell them about my past college job.

I also played various musical instruments, but the one I most enjoyed using is my guitar. I was eleven years old when my Dad taught me to play instruments. I dropped out of dancing school when I was ten years old, that's when my Mom left us and I just focused on what Dad wanted me to do. And one day, he came home with a guitar in his hand,w and he taught me how to play and use it, and that's when I started playing them.

I really love dancing back then, but I have no choice but to stop because I wanted Dad to be happy despite my Mom's absence. I followed all the things he wanted me to do, but somehow I called it a blessing in disguise. Because I used it as my part-time job in college.

Andrew was in the middle of his storytelling about his guitar when I heard a familiar voice of a woman behind me. And the name she used to call me.

"Belle?"

I gulped as I slowly turned to see Rian standing a few steps away from me. I blinked repeatedly and my jaws dropped when I realized that it's really her.

"Rian?"

Our eyes finally met and my mouth formed an 'A' and then an 'O' shape at the same time. It's really a moment of surprise for me. We stepped closer to each other and hugged the life out of us.

"What are you doing here?" we both asked in unison.

She bit her bottom lip and I didn't miss the look she gave to Daniel who's frowning behind her.

"You know each other?" He asked the two of us.

"You know him?" I also asked, my eyes moving from her then to Daniel.

"Uhm... he's actually my brother."

"Ohh..." I said in a really shocking state.

What small world are we in? My fiancé and future husband is the brother of one of the trusted friend of mine since college. The person I shared all my secrets and stories is none other than the younger sister of the person whose last name I will be borrowing in two weeks.

All of us turned into silent. Nobody dared to speak until Daniel asked the two of us with a raised eyebrow.

"How did you two meet each other?"

With his question, Rian suddenly smiled and took my hand.

"We came from the same university. She's actually my mentor and the one who introduced me to my band." She answered him smiling--- no--- smirking.

"Mentor?" Daniel's eyebrows almost kissed each other.

"Yes, it's a long story, Dani, and don't ask me how, why and what because I know you're not interested."

She's calling him 'Dani', but that's not what caught my attention. It's her words 'you're not interested' and somehow deep inside me, I don't need to ask what she meant by that because I already know the answer.

I didn't miss how they shared a look and how Daniel glared at his sister, but Rian, the same old Rian just shrugged her shoulders and turned to the other man who was standing next to her brother.

"Hubby, she's the dance instructor I was telling you last time."

She completely ignored his brother but didn't let go of my hand.

"Really?" asked the man she called hubby. I also noticed the love and adoration on both eyes when he looked at her.

"Yes. By the way, hubby this is Belle my most beautiful mentor in singing and now in dancing. And Belle, this is Alex, my husband." She smiled as she introduced us to each other. Daniel was just watching behind her.

"Wow! You're so talented, Belle. Nice to finally meet you."

Alex offered his hand for a handshake and I gladly accepted it.

"Thank you. Nice to meet you too, Alex." I gave him my appreciative smile.

"Belle, welcome to the family."

Rian said with a smile as she hugged me again. I know that smile, it's sincere but there's something hidden on it. Questions.

"Why are you calling her Belle?" Daniel asked as no one spoke to him in the group.

She rolled her eyes before giving him a smirk.

"Ohh... my dear big brother. Tsk.Tsk.Tsk. I'm calling her Belle because that's her childhood nickname. And do you know what her real name is? It's Sophia Ysabelle Del Mundo." then she smiled sweetly.

I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my lips from how she responded with her brother. I was about to add some comments, but my phone beeped and a text message coming from Craig appeared on the screen. He's asking about the happenings at the party. I didn't answer him, I just put it back in my dress pocket.

"Belle, you also love Spongebob Squarepants, right?"

"Huh?" I asked in confusion. Her voice was a bit loud and the boys around us also turned to her, especially Daniel and Alex.

"Uhm... yeah. It's kinda cute." I replied having no idea what's going on in her mind.

"Spongebob Squarepants... uhmm.. yeah, that's pretty cute." She added a little louder and I chuckled when I noticed the two men glaring at her. Do they have an issue or a problem with Spongebob Squarepants?

"Belle, can I speak to you privately?"

Although I was confused by her reason why she suddenly wanted to talk to me, I still agreed with her.

"Sure."

"I have a secret and I want to share it with you."

I chuckled again when the two looked at her with a different expression. Alex's face turned sour while Daniel's face looked so horrified.

"Let's go."

She pulled my arm but we stopped when the two shouted her name in unison.

"Rian!" her husband's voice.

"Arrianna Angela!" and the glaring Daniel mentioned her full name.

"What's your problem boys?" she turned with a scowl and put both hands on her hips.

"I just want to talk to my sister-in-law privately! Do you have any problems with that? If you want you can watch TV and search for your favorite Spongebob Squarepants to lessen your foul mood!"

A loud chuckle escaped my lips along with Jack and Andrew before Rian grabbed my hand again and pulled me upstairs.

We entered one of the rooms and headed to the terrace. We sat at the outdoor coffee table across each other.

"Rian, why do you want to talk to me?" I asked her first, even though In the back of my head I already know what she will ask me.

"Belle." she sighed. "I didn't know you're my brother's fiancée. You didn't mention it when we met last week."

And I was right. I gave her a half-hearted smile. "Yeah. I remember you told me before that you have a brother, but I never thought it was him."

"Yup. It's Dani, Daniel Kelley." she paused taking a deep breath. "Belle, could you please tell me the reason why you accepted this agreement? And why are you marrying my brother?"

I blinked and avoided her gaze. Now I'm starting to ask myself if this decision to marry her brother was the best way to see Joseph inside the prison, or is it even right?

"Rian.."

"Is it something about your past?"

I bit my bottom lip as I looked directly at her.

"Is it about Joseph?"

I closed my eyes just hearing her mentioning his name. The memory was still fresh in my mind as if it was just happened yesterday and not six years ago.

"Belle, tell me the truth. Is this about that man, who tried to rape you six years ago?"

-'Oh God!'-

I nodded with my eyes closed. "Yes. It's because of him. It's because of that fucking bastard!" I said through gritted teeth.

"Oh my God! Why didn't you tell Daniel?" that was the first question she asked me after telling her the truth.

"No, Rian!" I said shaking my head.

"But why? He needs to know every single detail of you and your life."

I chuckled just to hide the new waves of pain that crept into my chest.

"Do you think he would care? Would he listen? No, Rian! He doesn't even know my full name. Your brother is made of stone!"

"No Belle, believe me. He's not that cold when you happen to know him more."

"He doesn't smile, all he knows was to smirk, glare at me and insult me!"