unlikely partners

The evening sky was painted with shades of gold and pink as Sophie stood in front of the mirror in her dressing room. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease bubble up inside her. Tony had insisted that she go to a charity event with him—a formal gala hosted by some of his closest business associates. The idea of attending a social event like this, surrounded by people she didn't know, made her nervous. Especially considering that Tony had been insistent on her wearing a stunning outfit, handpicked by him, something that would ensure she stood out.

Her gaze swept over the sleek, deep emerald dress that clung to her curves. The fabric shimmered under the light, elegant yet striking in a way Sophie had never allowed herself to be before. She barely recognized the woman staring back at her. The Sophie in the mirror was confident, poised, and undeniably beautiful. It wasn't a look she was used to, but Tony had always had a way of pushing her to embrace parts of herself she hadn't known existed.

She wasn't sure if she was ready for the attention this dress would bring, but she had no choice. Tony had made it clear—this was an important event, and she would be by his side, no questions asked.

As Sophie adjusted the dress one last time, she heard the sound of footsteps outside her door. It was Tony.

"Are you ready?" His voice was soft, but there was an edge to it, as if he could sense her hesitation.

Sophie nodded, giving one final glance at herself before opening the door. Tony stood there, dressed in a sharp tuxedo that seemed to highlight the commanding presence he always exuded. His eyes swept over her, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence between them. Sophie could feel the weight of his gaze, the approval and something deeper—a sense of possessiveness that stirred something inside her.

"You look incredible," Tony murmured, his eyes darkening slightly. "But I don't need to tell you that. You already know how stunning you are."

Sophie smiled softly, trying to hide the flutter in her chest. "Thank you."

Without saying anything more, Tony took her arm and guided her out of the room. They were greeted by his driver, who opened the door to the waiting car. The ride to the gala was filled with a strange tension—neither of them spoke much. It was as if the reality of what this night meant had set in.

As they arrived at the venue, the red carpet was lined with flashing cameras and curious onlookers. The glittering lights of the ballroom loomed ahead, filled with society's elite. Tony guided Sophie through the crowd with ease, his presence commanding respect from everyone they passed. The people in the room were no strangers to him—many were investors, business partners, and old acquaintances.

But Sophie couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place. She wasn't part of this world. And as they mingled with the guests, she could feel the whispers, the curious stares. Some of the women were sizing her up with sharp eyes, while others exchanged knowing glances. Sophie could tell they were sizing her up, assessing the new woman in Tony's life. It was uncomfortable, to say the least, but she forced herself to hold her head high, determined not to let the judgment get to her.

But things took a turn when Tony had to step away briefly to handle some business at the event. Sophie, left alone among the guests, immediately became the target of the women who had been eyeing her from the start.

A tall, blonde woman with sharp features approached her, a knowing smile on her lips. "So, you're the new Mrs. Hunter," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "How nice. Tell me, do you feel overwhelmed in all of this? I'm sure it's a lot for someone like you."

Sophie forced a smile, trying to ignore the jab. But before she could respond, another woman joined in, this one with dark hair and an icy smile. "She's probably just here for the name, don't you think?" the woman sneered. "I mean, what else would she be here for?"

The group of women around her giggled, their laughter laced with malice. Sophie's discomfort deepened, but she refused to let them see how much it bothered her. She was Tony's wife now, and she wouldn't allow anyone to make her feel small.

As the women continued to hurl insults, a man—clearly one of Tony's associates—approached, his eyes scanning her up and down with a look that made Sophie's skin crawl. "Well, well, if it isn't Mrs. Hunter," he said, his voice oily. "Such a beautiful woman, but I'm sure your husband doesn't really appreciate you the way he should. If you ever want to be treated like you deserve, you know where to find me."

Before Sophie could respond, her heart raced as she saw Tony across the room, heading in her direction. His expression was dark, his jaw clenched in a way that sent a chill down her spine. He didn't look pleased.

Within seconds, Tony reached her, his presence suddenly overwhelming. The room seemed to quiet down as he stood beside Sophie, his arm instinctively wrapping around her waist. His gaze swept across the group of women and the man who had dared approach her. A dangerous silence hung in the air, and Sophie could feel the tension thickening.

Without a word, Tony pulled her closer to him, his hand gently but firmly resting on her back. His voice, when it came, was cold and sharp, carrying the full weight of his authority.

"Anyone who thinks they can hurt my wife, whether with words or actions, will regret it," Tony said, his eyes never leaving the group of women or the man who had been eyeing Sophie. "Do I make myself clear?"

The air seemed to grow even colder as the women shrank back, realizing they had pushed too far. The man who had spoken to Sophie looked at Tony, his smirk fading as he realized that the boss wasn't in the mood for games. He quickly backed off, no longer interested in engaging.

Tony turned to Sophie, his expression softening, but the possessiveness was still there. He kissed her forehead gently, his voice low. "Don't let them get to you, Sophie. You're mine, and I'll protect you from anyone who tries to harm you. Always."

Sophie nodded, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. The warmth of his embrace, the way he had defended her—it made her feel both safe and cherished. But it also reminded her that the world she was now part of was filled with power, control, and danger.

As they moved through the event together, Tony kept a careful eye on the people around them, never letting Sophie out of his sight. She had become more than just his wife—she was part of his world now, and he would make sure no one dared to hurt her.

And Sophie, for the first time since entering this world, felt a strange sense of belonging. No matter what came next, she knew one thing for sure—Tony would always have her back.