Time had a way of sneaking up on them. One moment, Bobby and Sophia were kids, running through the Knight estate, stealing each other's food, and daring each other to do ridiculous things. The next, they were teenagers, and their lives slowly shifted from playful innocence to something neither fully understood.
At fifteen, Sophia was already turning heads at any event their families attended. She had inherited her mother's elegance and wit, always poised, always aware of how the world expected her to behave. But Bobby knew the real Sophia the girl who could outargue anyone, the girl who climbed trees in expensive dresses just because he would dare her to.
And Bobby? Bobby had grown taller and broader. His once-messy hair was now stylish, and his brown eyes were charming and infuriating. He carried himself with confidence, He was starting to be groomed as the future CEO of Knight Industries. But despite his growing responsibilities, his mischievous side had never changed.
They were best friends, They always had been. But now, something was different. Sophia just didn't know what it was yet.
Sophia stood outside on the balcony of her family's estate, arms crossed as she stared out at the skyline. Bobby came up next to her, his back leaning on the railing, hands inside of his pockets.
"You remember our bet?" she asked
Bobby looked over at her. "What bet?"
Sophia turned to face him, a smug smirk curling on her lips. "The one from when we were eight."
Bobby's brow furrowed. "Remind me?"
She grinned. "You told me that by the time we were grown up, I'd be begging to marry you. And I told you that'd never happen."
Bobby chuckled. "I do remember that."
"Well?" Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Are you still convinced?"
Bobby tilted his head, looking at her, his brown eyes flickering with something unreadable. "I don't know," he admitted. "But you do seem to like having me around."
Sophia scoffed. "You're impossible."
Bobby smirked. "And yet, you keep coming back."
Sophia rolled her eyes, but her heart was beating in a way she wasn't expecting.
At first, It started with small things.
Like at a charity gala, Sophia started talking to James Calloway, the son of one of their father's business partners. He was handsome and polite, but before their conversation could go anywhere, Bobby came over putting an arm around her shoulder.
"James," Bobby greeted with a perfectly fake smile. "Didn't know you liked talking to Lancaster royalty."
Sophia elbowed Bobby in the ribs. "You're being annoying."
James chuckled. "I was just telling Sophia that I—"
"Great," Bobby interrupted. "We'll see you later."
Then, he grabbed her hand and pulled her away.
Sophia glared at him. "What was that?"
Bobby shrugged. "I just didn't like the way he was looking at you."
Sophia blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
Sophia huffed. "And why do you care?"
Bobby opened his mouth, then closed it. He didn't have an answer or rather, he didn't have one that he was wanted to say out loud.
"Just forget it," he muttered quietly.
Sophia studied him, something twisting in her chest.
This was new. It was Different. And she wasn't really sure what it meant.
That wasn't the only time Bobby acted strangely. Over the next few months, he got more protective, and more irritable whenever another guy talked to her. And Sophia, independent as ever, wasn't having it.
One day, after a school function, Sophia found herself cornering Bobby near the parking lot.
"You really need to stop doing that," she snapped.
Bobby leaned lazily against the car, smiling. "Doing what?"
"Scaring off every guy I talk to."
His smile faded slightly. "I just want to make sure you don't waste your time with these guys."
Sophia crossed her arms. "Who says it's a waste?"
Bobby's jaw clenched. "they're not good enough for you."
Something in Sophia stirred something dangerous, something thrilling.
She stepped closer to him. "And who is?"
Bobby didn't answer.
For a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them was full of tension so thick she swore she could touch it. But then Bobby did what he always did—he laughed it off, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Relax, Sophia," he said, in his usual cocky tone. "I'm only looking out for you."
Sophia exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling in her chest. "Then stop treating me like I'm a kid, Bobby. I know how to handle myself."
She turned and walked away before she could say anything else. Bobby watched her go, his expression unreadable.
Their relationship remained the same—best friends, occasional rivals, always orbiting around each other but never crossing the invisible line. Until the night they almost did.
At seventeen, they attended a private party, hosted by one of New York's most powerful and prestigious families. The event was extravagant, the ballroom glowing with chandeliers, drinks being passed around (even though none of them were legally allowed to drink), and music that vibrated through the halls.
Sophia looked breathtaking, dressed in a midnight-blue gown, her long golden hair flowing down her back. And Bobby? He couldn't stop staring at her.
Neither of them knew who had initiated the dance one moment, she was standing at the edge of the room, and the next, Bobby was grabbing her hand and pulling her onto the dance floor.
The world around them slowly faded as they danced together. It was as if they only saw each other. Her hands were resting on his shoulders, his arms wrapped around her waist. She felt his fingers tighten slightly, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.
"You're staring," she murmured.
Bobby smirked "Can't help it."
Sophia's heart skipped a beat. This wasn't the normal childhood teasing. This was something else. Something neither of them were ready to name.
The song ended, but neither of them moved. They both stood there, frozen. Looking into each other's eyes
"Bobby," she whispered.
For a second, he looked at her like he was about to kiss her. But then, someone called her name—one of her friends, breaking the moment.
Sophia turned just slightly toward the voice. And when she looked back, Bobby had already stepped away.
After that night, something was different. Bobby stopped being as playfully annoying and started being more careful. More distant. Sophia found herself watching him more, noticing things she never had before.
The way his jaw tightened when she talked to someone else. The way his hands would clench when she walked away. The way he stared just at her just a little longer.
And she hated that part of her liked it.
They were bound by their families, by their past. But now, they were bound by something else. Something neither of them could put into words.