The public had never supported what Sophia chose to do as long as it meant it concerned Derrick.
But the reaction to her getting engaged to Derrick was worse than anything she had faced before. Their news quickly spread through blogs, gossip sites, and social media feeds like an uncontrollable fire.
Everyone had something to say, especially people who knew nothing about them.
But Sophia didn't let that disturb her day. She was happy with her current life and her current decisions, she knew where she was heading to.
Despite all the online commotion, she still asked Derrick to join her at a public event she was scheduled to attend that weekend.
It was a private party hosted by a designer she often worked with a gathering for invited guests only, full of influencers, celebrities, and people who needed approval from social media.
It was the kind of place where everyone dressed to impress, where one wrong outfit could cause an uproar and bring shame to the person, and where Derrick felt completely out of place.
When she asked him to go with her, Derrick hesitated.
"Are you sure?" he asked, scratching the back of his neck. "I don't… belong there."
Sophia took his hands almost instantly.
"You belong with me. That's all that matters."
He tried again. "Sophia… people already disapprove of this. They'll talk even more."
"They're already talking," she shrugged. "Let them talk. You're coming."
He couldn't refuse when she looked at him that way.
So he agreed.
Sophia spent the next morning helping him choose something to wear. Derrick didn't own many shirts, and only one of them was even close to being suitable for that specific event and that outfit still didn't meet the standard.
But Sophia had already thought about this.
She has offered to take him out on shopping numerous times but he refused saying he didn't want to be what the public thought him to be.
She arrived at his apartment with a neatly folded outfit,
a button down shirt from a brand Derrick didn't know off, but was sure it was a famous one, well fitting pants, and well polished shoes.
They were simple compared to the showy designer clothes the guests would wear, but they looked good on him.
Really good. He looked neat, stylish, and well-groomed the best version of himself.
"You look great," she said with a smile.
Derrick raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Be honest."
She tapped his chest lightly. "You look perfect."
He didn't feel perfect, but her confidence calmed him down.
The event was held in a mansion like building with a large hall, bright lights, and expensive decorations that made Derrick feel uneasy the moment he stepped in.
Fancy cars lined the driveway smooth black sedans, flashy sports cars, and vehicles he had only seen in magazines.
When Sophia got out of the car beside him, cameras immediately turned to them.
"Sophia!"
"Sophia, this way!"
"Is that her fiancé?"
Derrick tensed up. Every camera flash felt like he was in his own spotlight, showing all his shortcomings.
Sophia quickly squeezed his hand, leaning toward him as if protecting him from the prying eyes.
"Relax," she whispered. "Just walk with me."
He nodded, but his heart still wasn't at ease.
Once they were inside, the feeling of being scared was even stronger. The celebration bloomed with riches, chandeliers hanging from above, gentle music played softly, and people walked around wearing outfits worth more than his pay for a year.
Sophia has fitted into this scene perfectly. Her clothing was fancy, her smile was bright, her sense of self was strong.
But Derrick felt like a dirty spot on clean clothes.
He stood out simple, ordinary, and clearly not fitting in.
The quiet talk started almost right away.
No one had to tell call him out, he knew he was the one.
"Is that him over there?"
"That ring probably didn't cost much."
"He's good-looking, but he shouldn't be here."
"Why did she pick him?"
He tried to ignore it, but quiet talk travels. It always does.
Sophia's friends came to see her, one after another girls wearing shiny clothes, with makeup that looked professionally applied. They hugged Sophia, said nice things about her dress, congratulated her loudly, then turned to Derrick with fake smiles.
"Hi," one said in a voice that sounded too nice to be true. "So, you're the one she's going to marry?"
Derrick nodded politely. "Yes. I'm Derrick."
"Oh," she answered, blinking slowly. "Okay, then."
But it was not okay. Not even a little bit.
Each friend made new comments that seemed like jokes.
"You're so lucky! Sophia really likes you a lot."
"Be sure not to upset her; she's very kind."
"You're quiet. Are you always so shy?"
Sophia noticed, of course she did, and the annoyance in her eyes grew each time someone spoke.
But she stayed calm.
She showed Derrick around, introduced him to others, and stood close enough that it was clear she supported him.
Still, he could feel the quiet judgment. The unspoken you don't belong here.
And then a group of girls came who didn't even try to hide how they felt. They gathered around Sophia like birds of prey wearing expensive perfume, laughing quietly and nudging each other as they looked Derrick up and down.
"Your guy is simple," one said, stressing the word simple like it was an illness.
"Simple is good," another added. "Just hope he's not simple when it comes to money, too."
The girls started laughing loudly.
Derrick looked down at his drink. His throat felt tight. His hands felt sweaty. He wondered why he had come. Why Sophia insisted he come. Why did he ever think he could be in a room full of people who seemed so much better than him?
But before he could feel any smaller, Sophia's voice broke through the noise, sharp, clear, and clearly angry.
"That's enough now."
She moved effortlessly through the crowd and then stood backing Derrick, her eyes glaring down at the girls