Chapter 3 " Many Women Drooling Over Him

• Peter drives to Melissa's house, who is one of Rebecca's best friends.
• " Oh! I can't believe you brought me to see Mel. I miss her so much, but I thought this time would be just for us.
• " Relax, babe, we'll have plenty of time for that. If I didn't bring you here, your friend would kill me. Let's go inside. " As they enter the living room, everyone shouts "surprise," startling Rebecca, who wasn't expecting that.
• " Oh my God, I can't believe it! You guys are amazing! " She says with her hand on her chest, recovering from the shock, and goes around greeting each one of the guests. When she spots her two cousins, she gives them only a forced smile and doesn't approach them.
• " Look at my beautiful college girl, I miss you so much, my love. Graduate soon, I can't stand being away from you and taking care of that guy. " Melissa says, staring at Peter, who gives a mocking smile. " He's a handful, many women drool over him. " She laughs and hugs Rebecca.
• " I can't believe you guys did this! I love you all, you crazy people! I miss you so much, Mel, I miss you so much in Massachusetts. I told you to come to college with me. Where are Susan and Andre?
• " Yeah, I know, I know, but it wasn't the right time, friend. My plans have always been different. They couldn't come today.
• " I won't forgive them for that. So, what are they doing here?
• " Don't look at me like that, blame your boyfriend. He invited them, they arrived from Massachusetts yesterday too.
• " So, darling, why are they here? You know we don't have the best relationship.
• " I'm sorry, my love, I just didn't want to upset your uncle, especially since we're collaborating now and about to close an excellent partnership.
• " I'll forgive you just for that, Peter. Don't do it again, they and I don't like each other and you know that very well.
• " Alright, baby, I won't.
• " Where are my lovely friends who didn't come to greet me?
• " Becca, Susan had to take a trip to the countryside, but she'll be back tomorrow. You know Andre, he must be with some random woman. " Melissa amuses herself, making her laugh.
• " Andre deserves a slap, but I'll forgive him because, as he says, women come before friendships. I miss them so much.
• " Tomorrow we'll meet up with them, catch up on the gossip. " Melissa concludes. They continue celebrating at the party, talking about various subjects.
• In Boston, Sophia arrives at the Ramsey mansion for the party. Everyone notices how stunning she looks. She spots Olga Shaw and her two daughters, Ana and Amanda, smiles, and walks over to them.
• " Grandma, it's so good to see you here. Where's grandpa? " She asks as she approaches.
• " Hi, my dear, Nicolas went on a trip to Seattle with your boyfriend, didn't he tell you about it?
• " Oh, yes, he did! Grandma, I forgot. " She lies, embarrassed to admit that she didn't know.
• " So, my dear, how are you guys? Are we finally announcing this engagement? " Ana asks.
• " He hasn't asked me yet, mother"in"law, but I believe so, we're doing well. Alex is reserved, but I know he loves me. " Sophia says, hiding her doubts.
• " They definitely will, look at you, you're a wonderful woman, you're perfect for Alex. " Amanda concludes.
• " Thank you, Aunt Amanda. I'm going to get some fresh air, enjoy the party! " Sophia walks towards the balcony, grabs a glass of champagne on the way, and feels the gentle breeze on her face, while questioning if she really wants to go through with it.
• " Hello, cousin. " Bryan says near her ear, she startles and drops the glass on the floor.
• " Oh my God, Bryan! What do you want? Scare me to death? " He laughs and hands her the glass he's holding.
• " It wasn't my intention. So cousin, how are you? Where's your jerk of a boyfriend? I only saw his family.
• " Come on, Bryan, don't start. You know your brother never comes to Ramsey family events. Don't start bothering me about it.
• " Okay, okay, no need to get defensive. How about we go in and have some fun tonight?
• " Not now, I need some fresh air.
• " Alright, tell me what's going on? I know you, you're not happy.
• " I don't know, everyone expects Alex and me to get engaged at the end of the summer, but I don't know if that's going to happen! I don't even know if I want it to happen, and it seems like my parents are just expecting it from me.
• " Hold on a second, what do you mean? You were so happy, what happened?
• " What happened? It's simple, Alex. He doesn't make me happy. I haven't been happy for a long time, Alex is so emotionless that I don't even know if he loves me. Lately, he's been even ruder than usual. I want to feel loved, and I don't. I'm so angry that I don't know if I still love him. I put in so much effort for him, and he never reciprocates. I'm exhausted. " Sophia sighs, holding back tears.
• " Cousin, kick him to the curb. You're a catch, you don't need him. You know our family sees your marriage as a business deal, they don't care if you're unhappy. It's all about money, babe. As long as you have that jerk Alex Shaw in your hands, our family will be happy.
• " I think I've turned our relationship into a business. At some point, Alex and I loved each other, at least I think so, but now we seem like strangers to each other. I hate the fact that he always hides. Why can't he just be Alex Shaw? At every event, I have to be alone because he doesn't want to expose himself. I hate it, how he's never satisfied with anything.
• " My brother has always been a clown, especially with this nonsense of not using the family name to avoid exposure. He's only who he is because he's the only grandson of the Shaw family.
• " He's weird, or maybe it's me, for being in a relationship with him for so long. " She drinks all the champagne in one gulp. " Let's go inside, I want to have fun. I won't think about this tonight. I'll forget about Alex for a few hours and tomorrow I'll think calmly about our future. " They both returned to the hall and went to the dance floor together. The Shaw ladies watched their cousins from afar.