Chapter Text
Everyone knew about Richard Gun and his abundance of wealth thanks to the success of Penwood Incorporated.
His business, whose humble beginnings were in welding automotive parts, became a flourishing financial consulting group, earning top spots on Forbes's list of top 100 companies alongside giants like BDO and Deloitte. While he didn’t expect it, it was always a dream of his to achieve such a feat.
And like any powerful businessman, Richard became beloved. Every magazine had his face splashed across its cover either once or twice. He was so highly regarded that for several years, he was named “The UK’s Most Eligible Bachelor”.
Though Richard avoided marriage. It wasn’t because he loathed it, but he felt he didn’t have time for it. He likened his pastime to more pleasurable activities, one that allowed him to escape from the stress of the working world.
But of course, indulging in one too many drunken one-night stands had its own consequences. And soon enough, he had produced an heir to the Penwood name.
Except when he found out, he was absolutely enraged.
Richard never got a chance to formally know of his beloved daughter, nor even match a name to a face when determining who the child’s mother was.
No, Richard didn’t even get a note. All he got was a crying infant in a sleek baby carriage parked right in front of his doorstep on an awfully stormy evening. She had an armband, presumably from when she was born. The only remaining clue he’d ever gotten was her name: Sophie Baek.
But even with a name, Richard couldn’t decipher who this child’s mother was, nor identify any extended relatives that could possibly be related. Richard didn’t remember names.
He was not, however, a monster. So Richard chose to raise Sophie, despite his reluctance. Though his feelings were anything but present, and most of his interactions with little Sophie remained obligatory rather than out of affection.
He sent her to the finest schools and hired the finest help so that he could continue running his company successfully without needing to tend to Sophie for more than five seconds.
Richard believed he was fulfilling his legal duty, and so long as he kept Sophie fed, well-dressed and healthy, that was all there was to it. In turn, Sophie never experienced true quality time with her birth father. Heck, she couldn’t even recall a moment where they sat down and had a meal together, given that Richard was barely home, and when he was, he was already too tired and, by that time, Sophie had been fed by the phenomenal Mrs Gibbons and tucked into bed.
Life remained this way until Sophie finally moved out and began attending university in London. She thought it was odd when all her classmates during her high school graduation began crying and complaining about going their separate ways. For her, feelings were quite the opposite. Being accepted into university meant her world was changing for the better. It was thrilling, scary, but nonetheless exciting. She was ready to move out of the little bubble she’s only ever known and meet new people, start her own life.
Most of all, she was excited to free herself from the pressing neglect by her supposed father. Sure, she was grateful he could provide for her, particularly financially. It was a blessing that she never really needed to work part-time or worry about making ends meet since Richard took care of almost everything. But Sophie couldn’t lie. The emotional distance he placed between them was enough to make her reject any form of close bonding with anyone, friends from secondary school included.
Perhaps the only person Sophie was close to, and whom she opened her heart to, was Mrs Gibbons. She was definitely more of a parental figure for Sophie, what with attending her parent-teacher meetings, accompanying Sophie to field trips, and even attending her own graduation, which her own father could not because of “urgent matters” with Penwood.
At that point, Sophie was convinced no one else would ever get as close to her. But it wasn’t like she was willing to let anyone in anyway. After her first year, she’d made some friends, but they were nothing more than colleagues she’d attend classes or occasionally study with. Other than that, Sophie maintained her distance. There was really no point in letting her guard down to form meaningful relationships because those didn’t exist. Even if they did, they wouldn’t last either.
That was until one alluring, debonair yet humble art student crawled, without permission or warning, into Sophie’s heart.
Sophie remembers the exact moment she met Benedict Bridgerton. She was doing her weekly shopping at Aldi’s, specifically perusing the soup aisle. It was a rather cold and tired day, more cold and tired than the usual English weather, but she’d been feeling rather rubbish the previous day, what with a pounding headache and stuffy nose.
Besides drinking her herbal tea, she needed something comforting. And as much as she would normally concoct a hearty pot of miyeok guk (courtesy of Mrs Gibbons’ recipe from her childhood days, which Mrs Gibbons borrowed from one of her Korean neighbours), Sophie was not in the mood to cook. So a stash of Cream of Mushroom soup mix would suffice. Once she was better and had more energy within her, she’d fix herself a proper meal that was not instant.
While she scanned the selection of soup mix, a cheeky figure had the nerve to critique all the different brands in front of her.
“Mmm, that flavour is absolutely revolting. I wouldn’t get that.” A man’s voice crept its way through Sophie’s ear, leaving a melodious ring. Sophie jolted, almost dropping the box of Cream of Mushroom, and turned to match the voice to a face.
She scoffed, unamused. “What are you, a soup expert?”
The man, unfazed, with the cheeky lopsided grin, answered enthusiastically. “Yeah, something like that.”
Sophie didn’t have time to argue with some random boy about soup, a boy who was very obviously trying to hit on her. She was a few degrees away from developing pneumonia.
“I don’t have time for this…” She muttered and began to leave.
Benedict’s smile faltered, and he immediately went after her, feeling slightly foolish.
“I’m sorry. I-I-” He began to apologise.
Sophie crossed her arms. “What, that you were trying to lure me into whatever charming spell you were brewing?”
Benedict looked taken aback. “I was not- wait, you think I’m charming?”
Sophie cleared her throat and avoided prolonged eye contact, darting her gaze to the bread aisle. In truth, this man, however ridiculous he seemed, had quite the approach. Not to mention he was bold, playful and devastatingly handsome. Not even Sophie could deny it.
“No, I did not say-”
But Benedict cut her off easily. “Ah, but you said charming. I heard it.”
“Whatever, I just wanted my soup, yet you managed to ruin that for me, too. Thanks a lot,” Sophie huffed and began to walk away again.
Benedict cried out, perhaps a little too loudly for a supermarket shop. “Please, I’m- look, I didn’t mean to offend you. I just. You looked lost.”
“And somehow that makes it even better, hmm? Taking advantage of a lost woman in a grocery aisle? How noble of you,” Sophie bit off. She could’ve been out of Aldi’s well over minutes ago, but here she was, picking a fight with a man trying to flirt with her and maybe get in her pants. She was not having any of it.
“I was not trying to take advantage!” Benedict replied defensively. “I was-You-I-You were there for a good fifteen minutes picking up and putting down every soup known to mankind, and I just wanted to help. Give some recommendations,” Benedict confessed.
Sophie felt her cheeks blush. This was strange, if not rare. Men seldom noticed her. Not even in uni, not so much as a prolonged stare. For most of her life, Sophie felt invisible. Yet, here she was, out of all the times, she was sick as a dog, and a guy finally saw through to her.
Her senses were encouraging her to give him a chance, despite her head telling her to leave this situation at once. But, for a man to show interest in her, when she was feeling and looking the most disgusting she’s ever been, there was something about this man.
Sophie, ever so rare, let down her guard. She didn’t want to entertain this man any longer, but he left her with no choice.
“Okay, so what are your recommendations, then?” She folded her arms.
Benedict’s face softened. He didn’t think she would give in. Slowly, a boyish smile appeared on his face, and he led her back to the soup aisle.
“Okay, you have got to know your mixes. Some can be extremely terrible, some can be the best thing you’ll ever have, you’d think your mother just made it…” He started. Sophie couldn’t believe how enthusiastic he sounded talking about soup of all things.
As Benedict continued to explain, Sophie couldn’t help but notice how infectious his energy was. Even though she was quite ready to beat him with her umbrella, she was glad to have spent the better part of her afternoon debating back and forth about soup mixes and other nonsense topics.
That night, Sophie immediately phoned Mrs Gibbons to tell of her supermarket tale. That, and Mrs Gibbons wanted to know if Sophie was feeling any better since she got sick.
Mrs Gibbons found it hilarious that someone would be so passionate about soup that they’d resort to flirting. Sophie just laughed and insisted that it was the last she’d ever see of him anyway.
That was until it wasn’t.
Somehow, by some strange shift in the world, Benedict Bridgerton reappeared in Sophie Baek’s life. She wasn’t the one to turn him down, although she was a little hesitant about letting him become her friend.
She wasn’t used to people wanting to be so close to her. It was almost suffocating. But, at the same time, it was refreshing. She had someone, other than Mrs Gibbons, to talk to.
After a month, Benedict and Sophie continued to stay in touch, and Sophie realised that there was no getting rid of him. In fact, they took it upon themselves to catch up every week if they could. It was a little difficult, what with Benedict in art school and Sophie at another university. But they found out how close they lived to one another, and that made things a little easier.
—
“Love, I think he really likes you,” Mrs Gibbons whispered excitedly.
Sophie was back at Penwood House for the summer. Although she was sad to leave the familiar streets of London, she was more than happy to be back in the countryside, in her ancestral home. That, and she so terribly missed Mrs Gibbons’ cooking and company.
When Mrs Gibbons first heard about Benedict, she was delighted that Sophie had made a new friend. But, while her judgment of him didn't change, she was starting to believe Benedict’s intentions were beginning to become more than just friendly.
“No, don’t be ridiculous. He wouldn’t want to go out with me. I’ve heard his stories; he doesn’t date. He merely jumps around…” Sophie dismissed her presumptions.
“How many times has he taken you to dinner?” Mrs Gibbons questioned.
“I don’t know, I can’t really count that,” Sophie waved her off, as if the endless dinners they went on that past month were not telling.
“Hmm. And how many of those dinners were at a candle-lit restaurant?” Mrs Gibbons prodded in a teasing voice.
Sophie grew irritated. “Mrs Gibbons, I- look, he really likes them.”
Mrs Gibbons looked her dead in the eye, unamused. Sophie noticed her expression and lifted her left brow, puzzled.
“What?” Sophie groaned.
Mrs Gibbons shrugged. “Darling, I’m just saying. Men don’t just take girls they like to flash restaurants for nothing, especially ones with candle-lit dinners.”
“I-” Sophie began. She took a deep breath and sighed. “Look, he hasn’t said anything to me, so who am I to ask?”
Mrs Gibbons saw the look of exasperation mixed with a hint of sorrow on her face. She could tell Sophie was falling. Although at the time she didn’t realise it, like magnets, something pulled her towards Benedict. Like she had to know him.
And for the past 20-something years, Sophie never expected to open her heart to anyone else. She basked in her solace, and her occasional, yet consistent, calls with Mrs Gibbons were enough love for her. But Benedict made her feel different. And it was magical.
And clearly, Benedict didn’t want a situationship because only a madman would go so far in their attempts. Perhaps a madman and someone who was desperately and exhaustively in love. And he was, to Sophie’s realisation, the latter.
Once Sophie returned to London, they went for a quick stroll by the Thames after a ride on the Eye. Benedict opted for a change from their usual dinners this time, much as they loved them. That, and he terribly missed Sophie and wanted to spend more time with her, more than he ever imagined.
Just a few days after Sophie left for Penwood, he realised he wanted more than a friendship and more than that, he was in love with her. And he thought it was foolish to keep himself in anticipation. In fact, seven times he attempted to call her, confess over the phone or even on text. But, he thought that wouldn’t be fair for Sophie.
“So…how have classes been?” Sophie asked the same question every time they met up. Only this time, it felt like an icebreaker because the tension between them was thicker than usual. Benedict wasn’t acting like his usual playful self, and it was a little unsettling.
Benedict snapped out of his thoughts and looked over to Sophie, realising that she’d just asked him a question and was waiting for his response. They found themselves both seated on a bench, facing the still water while the slight breeze brushed against their cheeks.
“Oh, uh. Classes? Classes have been good…what about you?” Benedict answered.
Sophie noticed his oddness and tilted her head slightly to observe his mannerisms.
She replied, “Classes have been good too…” Then she noticed him fiddling with his hands restlessly and asked again. “Benedict, are you okay?”
Benedict’s head whipped towards her. “What? I’m-I-I’m good…”
Sophie quirked one eyebrow up, unconvinced. “You are not good.”
He heaved a sigh. There was no use hiding his feelings from Sophie; she was a masterful observer. And, from the moment they became friends, it was like she’d known him forever. Nothing could get past her.
Benedict wriggled to face Sophie. Clearing his throat, he began, “Sophie, I-I have something to say…”
Here goes nothing.
“We’ve been friends for…a while. And, despite knowing so many people in my life, save for my seven brothers and sisters, you have been the greatest friend I’ve ever had. Truly.”
Sophie’s heart began to race as she inched closer to Benedict to look at him more closely.
“And, I don’t want to set myself up, but I also don’t want to live in constant torture. So, I just wanted to know…if you feel anything more between us? Between our friendship?”
Sophie blinked, and then blinked some more. She was speechless, to say the least.
Benedict searched for an answer in her eyes, feeling thrice unnerved. He realised what kind of a bomb he had just dropped and quickly followed up.
“Because I…I do. I feel something more between us, but I hope that doesn’t come off as sudden and weird because it might change things between us, and I don’t really want to lose you and-”
Sophie placed her index finger in front of his lips to silence him. She didn’t look particularly enthusiastic, but she didn’t look disappointed either.
“Benedict, I, I don’t know what to say,” Sophie spoke up quietly.
He looked a little disappointed but kept his composure to ensure he wouldn’t cry just about now. He thought to himself, of course, Sophie would see him as a friend. She’d never once hinted about going or wanting to go beyond their friendship.
“I…Benedict. Meeting you was unexpected but fun. And I am grateful, but…” Sophie wanted so badly to say, ‘Yes, I do feel something more, ’ because in truth, she felt like she did. The way her heart fluttered when he was around. Even when he got on her last nerve, she always felt comforted by his company.
But her heart was so reserved, she didn’t think she was ready to give it away just yet. Or ever. And she didn’t exactly know how to love anyone else back. Not in the way she wanted.
“I get it,” Benedict answered hastily. He wanted to spare himself the heartbreak. “You don’t have to say anything more.”
Sophie frowned. She wanted to kick herself so bad after upsetting Benedict. But she needed to make sure that she was ready, and right now, she just couldn’t give herself fully. And she would resent herself even more.
Benedict feigned a reassuring, yet rueful smile and excused himself early, leaving Sophie sitting in pure shock.
That night, Sophie couldn’t sleep. Usually, she had no trouble drifting off - in fact, she’d do it all the time because of her love for naps. But it was two-thirty in the morning, and she was still wide awake, her conscience full of thoughts about Benedict and his feelings and how he wanted something more and how she wanted more.
She was restless.
Sophie emerged from her bed and paced back and forth, chewing excessively on her lower lip.
Slowly, she picked up her phone and searched for Mrs Gibbons’s contact. If she had no self-control, she would’ve called her immediately, without any warning. But she realised, it was two-thirty in the morning, and that would be rude, especially for her.
She thought about her conversation with Mrs Gibbons that one summer evening. How they talked about Benedict treating her like the only girl in the world by taking her out to candle-lit dinners. How he would call her so often. How he was the one always persuading her to go out with him.
Was I really that naïve? Sophie thought to herself. Of course, Benedict liked her.
Sophie flopped back onto her bed, sighing deeply. How was she going to face Benedict now? Scratch that, would he still even want to be friends with her?
For the longest time, Sophie never thought someone could alter her life so significantly. But Benedict Bridgerton was different. He wasn’t just someone who snuck his way into her heart, he was the first person to want to know her fully. To be her true friend.
And while her fears plagued her mind, the thought of Sophie losing Benedict shattered her.
Once again, Sophie rose from her bed and walked straight to her mirror to check on her appearance. She was still wearing her pyjamas and decided to change into something a little more comfortable.
She searched for the nearest hoodie, threw it on and quickly dashed out of her flat and into the streets of London.
Benedict wasn’t staying very far. A ten-minute bus ride and she was there at his flat, which he shared with his flatmate, Will. Surely enough, Sophie made it, and she marched herself to his doorstep before stopping herself.
“Come on, this is stupid. It’s 2:30 am,” She muttered to herself. Sophie carefully retreated, willing to accept defeat and head back home.
Then she thought, I already put in this much effort. So, she proceeded to walk back to Benedict’s flat’s front door.
Sophie gathered up all her courage and knocked a few times. She decided that pounding on the door would cause a disturbance, and she was already intruding at an ungodly hour as it was.
Sophie knew that there was a chance Benedict would be fast asleep and wouldn’t hear a thing. So, after a few knocks and still no answer, Sophie stepped back, eyed the door for any sign of movement and began to walk back.
As soon as she turned around to catch the bus back, the door creaked open and a sleepy Benedict, dressed in a night robe, stood tall, rubbing his eyes while yawning.
“Sophie…?” He asked, bewildered.
Sophie swivelled around to face Benedict. She was so certain he wasn’t going to answer that she failed to prepare a reason for her unexpected visit.
“Ben…I…Hi…” Sophie stuttered as she walked closer to him.
Benedict stepped out, closing the door behind him and walked towards her until they came face to face, barely inches apart.
“Hi,” He greeted back, although he didn’t sound enthusiastic, rather, very, very confused. “What are you doing here?”
“I like you…I mean….” Sophie started. “I want something more, too.”
Benedict’s eyes widened, his feet going slightly off balance. “Oh? I thought you-”
“Please, let me explain,” Sophie gulped, all nervous. She decided Benedict was owed an explanation after her confession. After all, this visit was a little too spontaneous; it seemed too good to be true.
Sophie laced her fingers together. “I haven’t been the most honest. I mean, you know a little bit about me and my family and my background and…all that…”
Benedict nodded, gesturing for her to go on.
“I just. I’ve never been in a relationship. Hell, I haven’t even kept close friendships. And for so long, I was at peace with that. I convinced myself I never needed anyone, probably, besides Mrs Gibbons, but the truth is. I don’t know how to put my heart out there. Or at least, I’m scared to put my heart out there.” Sophie confessed.
She continued. “But when I met you, as annoying as you were, my life changed. I had a friend. And it was nice. But, over time, I always felt this strange sensation that us being friends was…not wrong…but…”
“Not enough?” Benedict finished off her trail of thought.
“Right. Something like that,” Sophie nodded. “Anyway. I don’t know, I just didn’t know how to express it.”
Benedict’s eyes softened. He knew a bit of her background; her absentee father, her isolated upbringing, her knack for independence. He was no stranger to Sophie’s reserved nature.
“So don’t overthink it,” Benedict suggested, as if that were the very solution.
Sophie looked at him, puzzled.
“Like…it’s hard to explain, but, Sophie, I can’t hide my feelings from you, and clearly you can’t either. I don’t think it’s doing either of us a favour,” He reasoned. Sophie hesitantly agreed.
He grabbed her hands, clutching them tightly. He brought them up to his lips and kissed them, making Sophie blush.
“I understand your fear. I really do. But Sophie, I want to be with you. You’re the best thing that’s ever been mine.” Benedict’s eyes pleaded, like he longed for her love, longed for it for his whole life.
Sophie looked up to meet his starry eyes. “I want to be with you, too.”
Benedict smiled, the same one he had when he saw her in that grocery aisle over a month ago. “I love you.”
Sophie looked taken aback, but Benedict was embracing her so warmly, she never felt safer.
“I love you too.”
Instantly, he pressed his lips onto hers. Sophie gasped for air as Benedict left a trail of kisses down her neck.
Then, remembering they were quite literally outside on the street, in the middle of dawn, in public, the two of them parted.
Benedict grinned cheekily while Sophie blushed, smiling back at him, giddy as ever.
“So…what does this mean?” Sophie asked.
Benedict rolled his eyes and pulled her closer to him again, lacing his arms protectively around her petite figure.
“What this means, Sophie Baek, is we’re together,” He declared joyously, kissing her temple.
“Hmm, that works,” She joked, making him chuckle.
“And there’s no getting rid of me now,” Benedict replied playfully.
Sophie swept the hair falling over his eyes away and planted a sweet kiss on Benedict’s cheek. He smiled back, beaming. “There’s nothing I want more.”