CHAPTER ONE

                 General POV

Sounds of heels and all sort of shoes were heard from a long corridor, as many walked their way towards a big door that stood at the end of the corridor. The door was opened to seeing other people dancing to a slow, all dressed elegantly in white as it was a white party.

But what was it all about? Why a party as such, with great men and women of high authorities? 

A man stood at the front, dressed in African white designer wear. His looks told of a man in his late sixties with the wrinkles clearly visible on his face and few touches of grey hair on his head and chin.

Despite his old age, he still had the energy of a young man.

"You all are most welcome to this party." He said on the mic which he had in his hands with his voice a little husky. 

"I am most delighted to meet most of you. I am happier to meet Senator Hartz here with his son. I want to s_" He didn't finish his statement as they all heard the sound of a car drive into the compound.

"I think the celebrity here just arrived." The man said, gaining laughter and chuckles from many at the party.

                      Sophia's POV

My black Hyundai accent just drove into my dad's large compound.

I saw numerous vehicles parked and definitely my dad had a party thrown for me. He does have money yes but not that much to waste on cars.

[smiles]

I couldn't help but chuckle at my dad's behavior as it felt so childish to me. He's so energetic for a man of his age.

I remember very well the day I got admission into the biggest medical university in India, he carried me and swayed me around. I was very happy too. He threw a big party and invited many of his friends.

Now, it's been five years and I'm coming back with a first class honour. What could be better in this life? 

My car already parked at its lot and my driver came to open the door for me..... 

"Thank you." I said and looked at him as his eyes didn't trail off me. 

"Anything else?" I asked and he smiled sheepishly. I took out some notes and handed it over to him and walked back in. I don't think I cared to know if he had thanked me or not. 

I entered the house and saw no one there, just a maid.... 

"Welcome back Miss Sophia, from India. Please follow me." I looked at her from head to toe feeling somehow jealous of her features. 

She is pretty, much more curvy than I am. She has a slim face and a flat tummy, giving her the perfect shape you might have heard as 'figure eight'.

I on the other hand am not that way curvy, though I also have a flat tummy, but my curves don't show like hers. 

My rare beauty draws its source from my piercing green hypnotizing eyes....

I am white skinned like my mom, but I am from African American descend. My dad is an African American whilst my mom is from Hungarian, American and English descend. I think I am a horrible mix breed. 

I followed the maid after taking a stern look at her.

"What's your name?" I asked and she turned to me. 

"I'm Stella, Miss." She replied with a little smile. 

"And how old are you?" I asked again. I don't know why but I kept asking her the unnecessary questions. 

"I'm 18 miss." She answered and I shrugged. 

She lead the way to the hall my dad had built for special occasions, according to what she said. 

I didn't see this building before I left which only meant there were lots of improvements while I was away and that I was yet to know. She opened the door and lo, everyone was in white.

They had thrown a white party and before I could say "A" they all yelled.

"CONGRATULATIONS" They all said at the same time. I smiled a little and walked down the staircases to a handsome dude that handed me some flowers. They were nice anyways, so I collected them without uttering any word and without showing any sort of excitement or gratitude. 

"Welcome home my darling." My dad said and pecked both sides of my cheeks. I smiled then at him. 

"Thank you dad. There are lots of improvements in your house and I must appreciate, you've turned this house to your mighty castle." I said with some little enthusiasm. 

"Oh wow. I'm glad you like it." He replied.

"Welcome home, Sophia." I looked up and scoffed at her sight. 

Must she be the one to be here? Her smile was so fake.

"Thanks Millicent." I said returning the smile. 

Millicent happens to be my step mom. My mom died eighteen years ago and my dad came home with this woman and her children. According to sources, she was my dad's mistress and she even gave birth to twins for him. My mom and I never knew of that. Or maybe I never did..... She died of a heart attack. Ever since this woman came, she has made life hell for me. She always called me the mistress's daughter while her twins were my dad's real children. 

"You don't have to be rude to your mom,  Sophia" My dad slightly raised his tone as he said this. 

"Dad please I just came back" I said and he smiled.. 

"Come with me."

Taking my hands, he lead me to a kind of stage and we stood there in front of the many people that were present to celebrate my return with him. 

One of our servants handed the mic to my dad and left the stage. From where I was standing, I spotted the guy that handed me some flowers a while ago. 

"Welcome home my angel." My dad said into the mic and everyone cheered. Guess I was lost into the looks on people. I smiled at him. 

"Please come up here Tony." My dad said again and the guy who handed me the flowers walked up the stage and stood beside an aged man.... Sure his dad. 

I turned around and sighted Cindy, my stepmom's daughter and she smiled at the guy genuinely. She turned and her eyes met mine and she scoffed. I rolled away my eyes too in a scoff....

I looked up to the guy she was smiling at, Tony. He is somewhat cute... Tall, fair, dark haired, but he had some tints of golden on it. He wore a white suit with black pairs.

The striking thing I notice are his eyes. He has dark eyes that could tell you that he was a shady person, but looks can be deceitful.

Oh! And he has pink lips too. Well he's cute somehow... 

"... By marrying our children." I heard the last part and turned to my dad who was smiling broadly to the other aged man who reciprocated the smile but the man at his corner, Tony of course, didn't smile. 

"So we hereby announce that Sophia Grace Devale is officially the fiancee of Tony Hartz." 

"What!" I exclaimed and to the attention of everyone. It wasn't supposed to happen yet it did.... 

(PRESENT)

"I remember that day as if it were yesterday." Cindy chirped in. 

"Yes! Who wouldn't? I was so angry because dad got me engaged on the very day I returned from India, on my welcome party.

"Must you tell the story in that manner?" Dad asked in a little frown. 

I smiled back at him, "But of course." I replied and turned back to the rest.

"Ready to hear what happened after that?" I asked them and they nodded.