The door opened and she swiftly stepped through into the stunning foyer. Sunlight and a view of the city spilled through the huge glass doors that opened onto a stone balcony which boasted a hot tub. There was shiny stainless steel chef’s kitchen, and a huge TV with countless entertainment devices arranged around it. Surround sound speakers were strategically hidden throughout the walls. When Sophia had agreed to take this place as part of the divorce settlement, she had decided to live there since it was in Manhattan, not far from New York Times headquarters. It was agreed that Tony would leave the place furnished, and clearly Tony had followed the instructions and left the main pieces of furniture and accessories in place. She hadn’t been made aware just how decadently expensive the furnishings were. But with Tony’s corporate attorney salary, he clearly was able to leave everything and buy new stuff for his newer and larger apartment further uptown. He had been pretty glum to hand over the keys, though. And small wonder why.
And of course he had not wanted to share this place with her. It was his city hideaway, far away from their family home near their parents in Long Island. It was apparently where he brought all of his girlfriends and had his outrageous parties. The news kept trickling back to Sophia but she did not believe it at first. How could Tony, steadfast and lovely Tony, Tony whom she had known since they were playing in diapers at his mother’s house, Tony who nearly died from starvation when he forgot to eat while studying law at Yale – how could Tony have this hidden cheating side she knew nothing about? Then the gossip started, and when she finally saw photos, her illusion that this man could be trusted was finally and irrevocably shattered. Her world had been spun upside down before it totally crashed to the ground. But she eventually picked herself up and put herself back together. And now she was here.
Somehow, though, she wanted to be here. It was like spite. Some sort of vengeance, a way to get back at him. By living here where he had hurt her so deeply, and now being free to have her own trysts, she was reclaiming herself in the face of his ultimate betrayal. She was forming her new identity in the ashes of what had defined her before, her marriage. For indeed, she had known Tony all of her life and he had been there as she formed into the woman that she was now, or at least the woman that she had thought she was. She had depended upon him totally for everything. He had meant everything to her. As a good wife, she had always asked for his approval and done what he wanted. Even when he had misgivings about sending her to Journalism school, she had only gone when he relented and had given her real permission.
She set the heavy box down on the floor with a grunt. Though she had tried to pack lightly, time proved how heavy her things really were. The thought that twenty more boxes waited for her downstairs made her groan heavily. Moving always was the worst. She really should have hired a mover.
As a child, Sophia did plenty of moving together with her mother, Lupe, and her grandmother, until her Mom finally married and settled down on the Island. They had drifted all over the city, trying to find a place to call their own. They must have moved four or five times, and without the help of her father who had died in an industrial accident when she was little.
Life as Mexican immigrants was hardly easy, and her childhood proved that. Things only got easier when she married Tony, proving that men just made life easier, especially when you allowed them to take care of you. But could she really live that old way the next time, letting a man pay her bills and thus have control over her? This time she would break out and live more independently, paying her own way, making her own decisions and doing her own thing. She did not really understand exactly what would be involved, but the idea was appealing. And now that Tony had broken her heart, he proved to her that relying on a man was just not worth it. No matter how much easier it might make life.
Just then, the elevator dinged open down the hall. The two loud men from the lobby came down the hall, still jabbering about that party, and paused at her door which she was holding open with her hip. “Do you need some help?” the younger-looking one offered. “It looks like you might need some.”
Sophia turned with a smile to decline their offer. Then she momentarily froze, and then did a double-take, and then blurted out, “You guys are the Franklin brothers”, as if they didn’tknow. But they were standing right before her! And they were even better-looking in person than in the magazines. As discretely as she could, but without a bit of shame, she scanned the ripples in each of their tight T-shirts which revealed their excellently toned muscles. Continuing down, she noticed the obvious bulges in their khakis. These guys were built!
She was a single woman, after all, and it had been many months since she had felt the touch of a man. Sometimes she even found herself fantasizing about the pizza guy who often delivered at her house in Long Island. But these were the billionaire Franklin boys, handsome guys that she had never imagined meeting in the flesh. They were even more stunning and exciting in person!
“Yes, we know,” Adam laughed. “I’m Adam, and this is Blake.”
Blake reciprocated Sophia’s look and quickly checked out her fabulous form, unable to comprehend how a woman could be so curvy and shapely without any unsightly fat. She was not thin like a supermodel, but she should be one. Blake thought he would love to see a woman like that on the runway, making clothes look as full and flattering as she made her clothes look. She wasn’t even dressed that fancily and she had no makeup on but she was absolutely stunning. His eyes could not stop tracing the hourglass shape of her figure as she stared him down with her piercing dark eyes.
“I’m Sophia,” she said, feeling suddenly self-conscious under his stare. Then she realized that Adam was also staring at her in the same way. Her face grew hot. These handsome brothers were billionaire bachelors, surrounded by lots of hot women, yet they stared at her like she was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen! She suddenly felt attractive and flirty. This was kind of nice! Sophia couldn’t remember when a man had last looked at her like that. Well, other than workmen on the street, but they were not high-quality guys, and eligible bachelors, like these two.
“Sure!” she agreed. “I could really use some help. There’s a lot more boxes downstairs. The movers were supposed to help me but they never showed up,” she said, telling a little white lie.
“Let’s go,” Adam declared. He led the way, clearly the more dominant and outgoing brother. But Blake lagged behind to smile at her and ask her about her move and when she had taken over the penthouse. They clearly had no idea who she was. Of course not. Tony had never brought her here; she had never even seen the interior of the place. It was supposed to be his pied-à-terre – his place to stay while he worked late in the city, but of course it had become his getaway from his wife and his boring life in the suburbs.
The two brothers helped her with the rest of her move carrying all her remaining boxes and other items, emptying the U-Haul. She quickly began to unpack a light box containing items of her Catholic heritage. It was bad luck to move into a house without first hanging up a cross near the entrance. Then she stopped and wiped the perspiration from her brow, grinning at them. “Thanks for all of your help. Can I ask you guys for one more thing?”
“What’s that?” Adam gladly volunteered his full attention. Blake hung back, clearly the more reserved brother.
“I need a nail and a hammer.” She held up the cross. It had been a gift from her grandmother before she had passed a few years before.
“Sure thing, I’ll be right back.” Adam almost ran to his apartment, while Blake lingered awkwardly in her suite.
“So you just got this place?” he asked, taking everything in. He seemed impressed that this gorgeous woman not only owned one of the penthouses, but also owned such expensive furniture and had such great TV and sound system. Sophia knew what Blake’s next question was going to be, before he even asked. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m separated and got the condo in the settlement.” Sophia gave a bitter laugh, then reigned her
emotions in. “It’s a nice present from my ex-husband.”
“Ah, Tony Garcia was your ex-husband?” Blake seemed taken aback. “He seemed nice enough. I met him a few times up here or in the elevator. But I never knew he was married.”
Sophia shrugged. “He certainly has his good side. But yes, I’m sure he kept his marriage as secret from you as he kept his girlfriends from me.”
Blake looked seriously uncomfortable and Sophia briefly wondered what Blake knew about Tony and his many trysts. But she shoved the thought from her head. After all, it was in the past and she didn’t want to let it cause her any more pain.
Sophia decided not to respond. Just then, Adam appeared with a hammer and a few nails. He asked Sophia where to hang the cross and she directed him.
“Well, thanks, guys.” She looked from one to the other, then smiled. “I bet there’s beer in the fridge. Would you guys like one? I sure could use one.”
Both brothers nodded and grinned widely. They clearly didn’t want to leave.
She opened the fridge and smiled at the rows of fine Mexican beers on the bottom shelf. There were also containers of limes. Tony was still reliable old Tony. She had known him all of his life and knew his taste in beer well. Pulling out three bottles, she expertly popped off the caps and served the guys who had taken seats at the kitchen bar. “It looks like we have tequila too,” she offered.
“Nice,” Blake said, surveying the label on his bottle of beer. “I love Modelo.”
“Want a lime?” Sophia asked.
Both brothers nodded their heads. They seemed mesmerized by her and could not stop looking at her. She felt her chest swelling with heat as she sat next to them and began to sip her own beer. For the first time in a long time, she felt sexy. And she hadn’t even tried today! But she knew that she was one of those lucky women who get away without makeup. Her skin was smooth and poreless, her face beautiful, her lips full and a rich pink, and her eyelashes long and curly. She was a stunner, even when she felt low and at her worst.
“Well, we would hate for you to spend your first evening in the condo alone. I get divorce can be pretty debilitating,” Blake went on, finally warming up from his accustomed shyness. “If you want something fun to do, we are having a get-together in our unit. We live just down the hall in 27D.”
Sophia hesitated. She had not partied since college. Sure, she had beers with her girls sometimes and living in a Hispanic household entailed nearly endless get-togethers with all of her cousins coming over for a few drinks. But she had been endlessly loyal to Tony and she knew that he would not approve of her going out. This would be her first party since she had graduated with her Master’s in journalism at NYU.
“Sure,” she surprised herself. “It will be better than settling in alone.”
“Yeah! Welcome to the building!” Adam cheered.
As they left her condo, the boys again told her their suite number, making sure she hadn’t forgotten. Almost as soon as the door closed behind them, Sophia began to plan what to wear. She imagined that not only should she impress these hot brothers, but the party would probably also be a great networking event - a way to meet successful business people in Manhattan who might help her at her new job. A good journalist never stopped trying to meet new people and find new sources for information. Since her column concerned finances and the brothers were deeply involved in that field, she imagined it would be a great opportunity for her.
“Welcome to my new life,” she said, raising her beer and toasting herself.
Chapter 2
The Franklin boys seemed more excited than usual for their party to start. More than a few guests seemed disappointed at the look they got when they arrived. Around 9 o’clock, Adam answered the knock eagerly and stopped to drink in the sight of his new neighbour. He stepped back and looked her up and down, unable to stop staring because she was a sight for sore eyes. She was wearing a clingy purple mini-dress that showed off her beautiful dark legs and voluptuous curves. Her silky black hair was pulled into a tight and perfect French knot, displaying her flawless neckline. Even with minimal makeup, she looked like a supermodel. Adam grinned and welcomed her in and couldn’t help but watch her perfect, round ass as she walked past him. What an incredible woman! He seemed to be thinking. And Sophia could sense that. It made her back tingle as his eyes stayed on her the entire time as she walked into the room.
The party was already well underway. Sophia was fashionably late. Mostly it was clients, gathered together to blow off steam after a hellacious week. Everyone was well-dressed and sitting in the living room, enjoying wine and cheese. They all stared at Sophia, wondering who this beautiful new stranger was. It was like she was the only woman in the room.
“Do you want a drink?” Blake eagerly offered, hopping up from his place at the end of one of the sofas. He indicated to a large bar with its lovely array of wine bottles and fine liquors. They had all the finest things to drink, which pleased Sophia. Despite her upbringing, Tony’s new lifestyle as a corporate attorney had accustomed her tastes to the finer things in life.
“Oh, I suppose a glass of Merlot,” she responded as she tenderly sat down.
Adam began to introduce her to the guests. Each of the men and women were fashionably dressed. They clearly seemed to all be well-established business executives. She couldn’t wait to be introduced. Sophia warmed up and offered everyone a dazzling white smile.
“Sophia, how did you happen to meet these Franklin brothers?” a man named Dennis inquired.
Sophia smiled and positioned herself more comfortable on the couch. The couch was made of some slippery material that was hardly cozy. “I just moved in down the hall today.”
“Wow.” He seemed impressed and looked her up and down. “And what is it that you do?”
“Yeah, I meant to ask that earlier,” Blake interjected as he brought her the glass of Merlot. “Are you a model?”
She laughed. The Franklin brothers were her neighbors and they were flirting with her! “Actually, I am a new financial columnist for the New York Times,” she declared.
Everyone congratulated her on her new position. Dennis began to discuss his experiences with the Times and Sophia tried to listen. But she was continually distracted by the way Adam and Blake hung on her every word and stared at her as she spoke. They were obviously mesmerized by her. She had a naturally sultry voice and she used it to entice them further, letting her words wrap around them seductively. Clearly her magic was working and that pleased her. These guys hung on her every word. She noticed the other guys in the room trying to join in the action too, but she paid them no mind. She had already decided that she was here for the Franklin brothers and for the Franklin brothers only.
“Have you lived in Manhattan before?” another one of the guests asked.
“Never. I lived in Long Island with my Ex, when I was married, and with my mother in Long Island before that.” She gave an embarrassed laugh. “Yes, I am soon to be freshly divorced.” She displayed her bare ring-finger on her hand as if she were showing off a brand new engagement ring. The baldness of her finger had been painful for her to accept from the time she and Tony had agreed to split, but she did not mind it now. Everyone looked rather pleased to know that this stunning woman was single and available.
As one of only a few women at the party, Sophia had to tone down the flirting and show off her professionalism. She was a welcome relief to the other men, judging by how the party was going. Conversation switched from business to dating and divorce. As the drinks flowed, everyone started laughing and having a good time. Her initial sense of awkwardness at meeting new people faded away, and she relaxed, becoming her authentic self.
“So I just want to describe for a moment what it’s like growing up Hispanic,” she told the attentive group at one point. Everyone began laughing hard as she described her strict Catholic mother, who had been widowed when Sophia was little and who had moved them in with her even stricter grandmother. She described her moth
er’s bizarre threats about God watching whenever she got on the phone with a boy, and then being yelled at to take the trash out so as to cut short her call.
“And Catholic school? Forget about it!” she went on.
Everyone was laughing. The brothers agreed, for they had gone to St. Xavier’s themselves. Then Blake butted in, “So you had a pretty strict upbringing, huh?”
“Yeah. I didn’t even attend my first real party until college.” She laughed. “Though there was that one time I snuck out, right after my mom finally remarried.” She guffawed at the memory. “I was seventeen and some of the girls from school wanted to meet some boys from St. James, the all-boys Catholic school.”
“Oh boy,” everyone laughed, rolling their eyes and imagining how that happened.
“I was getting a bit cozy with this one cute boy. I really liked him and he was on scholarship, just like me. Well, towards the end of the evening and just as we were about to kiss, my mom showed up. She ended that pretty quickly.” Sophia didn’t go into how she had been grounded for months, having to do extra housework, and how her mother didn’t speak to her for most of the time.
“Then you got married?” Adam prompted. He seemed fascinated about her life. She came from a background that he had no clue about.
“Yes. I had known Tony since I was little. I was supposed to marry into the Garcia family.” She shrugged. “He was my Godbrother and the Garcias were close friends of ours for generations. They came over to the States before we did and helped us get established. My mother was poor after my father passed away, and the Garcias were there for us, helping us find a place to live and helping my mother find a job. Tony and I were always close. I always thought he was a good man, at heart.”
Everyone exchanged looks. Sophia’s heart sank. What did she not know? Did they all know about his escapades? That was humiliating, thinking that everyone knew how unfaithful Tony had been. She hoped no one would start telling her stories.
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