10 A joke

SOPHIE

The next day, I woke up to a text message from my mother. More precisely, an invitation card for a fucking company dinner party dated tonight.

When would my parents finally realize that I didn't care about their company, that I didn't want to follow the path in life that they had taken? Never I guess. In their eyes, I was still that sixteen-year-old girl who made a mistake, the same sixteen-year-old who didn't know how to do things or make decisions for herself and they'll continue to downplay me. No matter what I achieve.

( It's an order from me and your father. You must be there ) those words were attached to the invitation picture.

A joke. That was honestly what they thought I was. They never bothered to ask me how I was, when I got back, or if what I was accused of was true. In fact, it was never talked about, and now I'm invited to their dinner party like my life was perfectly in order.

Insane.

Despite the strong headache, I pulled the blankets away from my body and dragged my tired feet across the room and into the bathroom, having to stop countless times because of how dizzy I suddenly felt.

After thirty minutes which felt like hours, I finally got dressed and headed out of my room.

I was surprised to see Zara in the kitchen, making breakfast when I walked in, given that It was ten in the morning and I expected her to have gone to work.

“Good morning,” she greeted me when her eyes settled on me.

I rubbed my forehead like it would rid my headache and headed towards the cupboard to grab a glass cup.

“Good morning,” I muttered in reply.

Now our conversation was weird. This is what I get for venting my anger on the wrong person. This should be Ryan, Jake, and the people who spread the wrong news about me.

I took my seat at the table after swallowing two pills of Advil to reduce my headache.

She dropped a plate for me and the other for herself as she took the seat opposite me.

Breakfast was avocado toast and egg. Simple, yet my favorite.

“I'm looking for places to move into. I have an appointment with a broker tomorrow morning,” I began, in a bid to break the awkward silence.

She looked up at me, her brows narrowed in surprise.

“Is this about yesterday night?“

“It's to prevent what happened yesterday from repeating itself,” I replied slowly.

“And I'm sorry for taking out my anger on you,”

She nodded slowly. “Let me help with-”

“No, I want to do it myself,”

She sighed. “At least let me help by recommending good places to look at,”

I nodded. “I guess I can take that,”

She smiled.

“Oh, and my parents are holding a party tonight. Don't know what it's for, don't care but apparently I have no choice but to attend,”

She chuckled. “Do you want me to go with you?“

I waved her off and picked up the toast.

“You don't have to,”

“I just hope it's not some scheme or excuse to instate me into some position in the company,”

“I don't think they'd do that. You've made it clear you have no interest,”

I snickered at her statement. She really had no idea what kind of people the Adams were. She'd lose her marbles if I told her the conversation I had with my mother when I first got back.

We, unfortunately, were not the perfect family everyone thought us to be.

“I would hope so,” I replied quietly.

After breakfast, Zara headed to her workplace and I used the rest of the afternoon to have a meeting with Aimee and potential buyers of my company building. I was scared that no one would want to buy it after everything that happened, but I guess that was not the case, because there were buying requests sent immediately after she listed it for sale.

I planned to use the proceeds to pay off my remaining debts, pay an advance f*e for the apartment I'd rent, and save the rest while I looked for a job.

It was still mind-blowing that I was back to a position I swore I would never be. And even though my parents had that money, I wouldn't be meeting them for help anytime. They must be expecting that but I've made a promise to myself.

Later that night…

“Is that not Sophia Adams? The only daughter of the CEO?“

“Didn't she leave the country? When did she come back?“

“I heard she failed at fashion so she came back to work in her parent's company,”

I tightened my fists as I walked past the group of women who were just talking about me. They didn't even make an effort to reduce their tone as I walked past.

How perfect.

The event was held in a large hall. Grandeur decorations and all that usual thing. It was a thank you party for something. I didn't give my full attention as usual.

I found my mom easily.

I stopped heading towards her when I realized the women she was talking to were her friends, but before I could turn and walk away, she saw me and called me over.

Straightening my back, I forced a smile onto my face and made my way to her.

“Sophia, it's been a long time since we last saw each other in person. You are much more mature now,” the first woman began.

“It's nice to meet you ma'am,” I tried to sound as interested in the conversation as I could.

“We heard what happened. What are your plans now?“

“Nothing. I'm taking a break for now”

They both looked at me in surprise like I spoke a different language. Did I perhaps say something wrong?

“What she meant to say is, she's taking over the position of the director at the office.,”

I chuckled. “I'm-”

“Just like I've said before. " She cut me off, giving me a look that meant to shut up. Then she turned back to the women with a smile.

"Sophia is just like me, she's realized that business is where she comes from and belongs,”

I realized too late what she was doing. She sneaked her arm to link mine as she smiled at me.

I'd only wish it was from her heart.

“And I'm glad she's taking that step,”

No, I'm not.

Her friends smiled, clearly satisfied by her answers.

“You are right, she takes after you,”

I tried to unlink our arms but she turned to me, her smile tightening. I sighed and turned back to her friends.

“Thank you,”

“We will be on our way now. Congratulations once again Hayley,”

My mother nodded. “Thanks for coming,”

Once they were gone, I slipped my hands away.

“What the hell was that?!“

“Language Sophia Adams,” she replied curtly, her fake smile falling off her face.