SUSPICIONS AND QUESTIONS

SOPHIE

More than thirty minutes after Sophie found the roses, she was still shivering in fear. It was such a sight to see her shaken up, especially with how quick she always was to run her mouth. But with the earlier incident, she seemed to have run out of words and things to say.

That was apparent when Joyce stepped into her apartment after the uneventful call.

It wasn't that Sophie had called her to speak with her about the black roses she had found. 

Sophie hadn't hung up on Joyce during their call and Joyce had heard her scream which resulted in her dressing up and leaving her house to come for her.

Joyce snapped the door shut before rushing toward Sophie who was seated on the couch, withdrawn and quiet.

“Babe, what's wrong? I heard you scream and ran all the way here.” Joyce was panting but she didn't slow down as she crouched in front of a lost Sophie. 

When Sophie didn't say anything even after the concerned look on her face, Joyce moved to touch her to which she flinched.

“Wh-why did you come?” Sophie snapped as she bolted out of the couch, pushing Joyce off with her speed.

“I heard you scream on the phone and couldn't resist the urge to come to check on you,” Joyce explained as she watched her best friend. 

Sophie's hands trembled as her mind started to replay the events of the last hour. She hated how she was feeling on the inside. She hated how scared she was. She groaned aloud and started to walk the length of the room in quick strides.

“Sophie?” Joyce was worried as she watched Sophie bite on her nails. It was such a sight for her especially because Sophie didn't joke with anything that related to her beauty. She wasn't vain, just didn't like anything going wrong with it.

“Talk to me, please.” Joyce's voice was pleading as she ran a hand over her face in worry. Sophie stopped seeing the concern in her friend's eyes. That was the moment she lost it as her shoulder sagged, another round of terrifying tears escaping from her.

“Joy,” she croaked, sobbing loudly. Joyce was quick to rush toward her just before she tumbled back and hit the ground with how much she was shaking.

“The day couldn't get worse, I thought it couldn't get worst.” She sobbed. Joyce's heart constricted painfully in her chest as she held her friend close. She knew Sophie was struggling to put her emotions in check.

“What happened?” As much as Joyce didn't want to be that friend that pressured people into spilling their dark thoughts, she couldn't help asking. Her worry superseded any concern about being a wonderful friend.

“Joy, I saw a bouquet laying on my doorstep when I arrived. Just not any flowers, it was a...” Sophie trailed off, unable to speak anymore.

Joyce however got the hint because her eyes went very wide to the size of saucers and she couldn't help the gasp that escaped her parted lips. Almost immediately, her fingers started to shake too.

“Black rose,” she whispered, shuddering alongside Sophie at the realization.

Pulling Sophie's head off her chest, Joyce met her gaze as she uttered the next words. “Sophie, you have to tell your dad.” She mumbled, scared out of her mind.

“No!” Sophie's voice managed to remain firm and loud as she snapped at her friends. She veered backward and moved away from Joyce's hold like she couldn't believe that Joyce would say such words to her.

“What do you mean by no? You know this is very important. You have to tell your Dad. It must not happen—”

“—I am not telling my dad any goddamn thing.” Sophie deadpanned as she managed to pull herself up to her feet. Her blood was starting to boil once again as the frightened emotions wavered. 

It seemed the mention of her dad's name was the only thing that managed to get her all riled up and bring that effect on her.

“What do you mean? You know damn well that he is the only one that can protect you.” Joyce jumped to her feet, her expression one of disbelief as she eyed her best friend.

“Protect me?” Sophie sounded incredulous. “Are you even hearing yourself, babes? Dad will protect me? I did that to the lady time, put my trust in him yet see where it ended us. And you want me to do it again?!” Sophie was screaming now.

“I don't see any other way out of this if you don't let him know. Yes, he might have failed you once in protecting your Mom. Things might have gone the way they went but I'm sure your Dad would never compromise your safety.” Joyce was desperately trying to make her friend see the point in her words as she snapped her fingers at her.

“Yeah, he wouldn't. Coming from the man that is just about ready to get me married to just any man out there.” Sophie hissed, her eyes stinging with tears. 

If her mother was still alive, she would have never let this happen to her.

No, no. No, Sophie. Not today. Not this moment. 

She thought to herself.

“Those are two different things!” Joyce cried. “Two things that are different, Sophie. We have to tell him.” She insisted.

Sophie sighed as her shoulders slumped with exhaustion. She couldn't have this talk with Joyce without feeling drained. Joyce could talk and argue for hours even if it weren't her job but she couldn't. She didn't have the strength.

“We are not talking about this anymore.” She deadpanned. “Is it okay if I stay with you for a few days? Till I make sure that I'm at least safe, please? There is just no way that I can survive this night here.” She pleaded.

“Is that your temporary solution?” Joyce didn't like what she was doing.

“Can I stay a few days or not?” Sophie snapped.

“You know you are always welcome into my house. I just got to warn you that Nick is around.” Joyce mumbled the last part more to herself than to Sophie.

Sophie's smile widened. She wasn't aware of Joyce's boyfriend of two years was back from New York and was on a visit to his love. Since Nicholas lived in New York, he barely got to see much of his girlfriend, Joyce.

“Well, well, well. Guess who is keeping secrets.” Sophie teased before turning around to go into her room. 

Joyce didn't follow her, she gave her space to pack up her things. She knew Sophie was thinking hard and would probably need something strong to do the trick. Thank goodness she had brought the invites with her.

When Sophie strolled out minutes later carrying with her a small bag for the stay-over, Joyce got up from the couch so they could leave. They walked out of the room in silence, each deciding not to speak.

It wasn't until Sophie was behind the wheel and backing out of the house that Joyce spoke. Something she had been hesitating to do.

“Who do you think did it?” Her voice was barely above a whisper but it was loud enough for Sophie to pick it up.

“I don't know, Joyce. But my guess is Dad.” Sophie mumbled as she drove off into the seats. Joyce sighed heavily at her words.

“It's possible but I doubt it. How cruel would he be to his daughter to scare the shit out of her like that?” Joyce said seconds later.

“In case you didn't notice, my father doesn't have a heart.” Sophie hissed.

"He will do anything to get me back in the house. He doesn't understand that I'm standing by my words at that time.”

Sophie insisted.

A brief comfortable silence ensued between the ladies. All they did, while they held each other's gaze, was breathe.

“Sophie, ensure you speak to the security department. One of them should be able to say something.” Joyce wasn't ready to let things go.

“I already did that when they came to clear the flowers. They don't see it as a big deal and even one of the men told me plainly to my face that I was overreacting.” She hissed, a bit annoyed.

“Are you kidding me? What did you do about that?” Joyce asked.

“Nothing. I was too overwhelmed. And now I regret it.” Sophie blew. Turning toward her friend, her face sported a small smile.

“I need a drink or two. Any place we can go to?” She asked.

Joyce already expected the question. She knew that if Sophie didn't Party and get drunk, she wasn't going to be okay. That was her coping mechanism which was why as a friend, she always had something ready and planned.

“One of Nick's friends is hosting a small private party. He already gave me the invites since it's exclusive.” Joyce grinned before her smile turned bristle. “Don't worry, pictures won't be reaching your father this time.”

“Then, what the hell are we waiting for?” Sophie screamed excitedly and they both laughed.

It was always about partying for them or at least for Sophie.