CHAPTER 9‘’You know, I’m surprised you don’t know how dope S-group’s vacations are given you’re literally the boss’s sister,’’ Josh exclaimed as he chewed on his chocolate cookies. Its crumble falling upon his white, plus size t-shirt that he did not care about nor the mess he was making.Sophia lifted one shoulder in a lazy shrug. ‘’It wasn’t a dad’s thing. Only started when Miles became the in charge. And I hadn’t been involved into S-groups nor visited it since until now,’’ she defended herself. Josh rolled his eyes at her making her giggle. The next second she shrunk into her seat as the wind blew into her face from the roof top where they say at a café. She smiled at the sun that was slowly settling down, a hint of orange being visible as it shrank into the ocean bed. Even though the days were pretty warm, the twilight always carried a breeze of cold air that no one complained about.‘’How do you guys go about it really?'' Sophia asked sharing a glance with Josh above the coffee
Chapter 10A quiver ran down her spine when she felt the blanket slid away from her body, no longer providing her any warmth to her body. A small whine escaped from her lips with the discomfort. Sophia could never sleep without a blanket, just like her mother. Eventually, she squinted her eyes open and realised that she was no longer leaning onto her brother but was laying on both the seats, legs curled up and hands tucked under the chin. Miles had shifted away when she fell asleep and took another seat to sit on, all without waking her up. Which was pretty surprising because she believed she was a light sleeper. And if Miles had moved or carried Sophia in her sleep without waking her up, then that should be considered as a real talent.Sophia was about to bend her hand down to pick the blanket that fell but a hand appeared and picked it up before she could. She thought it must be Miles. The blanket was spread upon the length of her body again. When she looked up to thank him, she was
CHAPTER 11The breeze felt soft against Sophia’s skin, making her muscles rest. She relaxed as the breath-taking view in front of her that mesmerized her eyes with utter awe. The early afternoon sky was a pale blue with almost no sight of any clouds. The sun shone bright also doing a pleasant job at making the atmosphere warm and moist. The mountains were as if having a peak from behind the lake staring at the group of people being all goofy all for once.Sophia held the camera in her hands and pressed it against her face. She adjusted the angle with one eye open and one eye closed. Her tongue sticking out yet being bitten by her teeth in concentration. In front of her were her fellow colleagues. Everyone were in the water, wearing their swim attires. All and sundry held a huge smile as they swam in the water, splashed it on one other and did dives into the lake.Smiling in satisfaction at the picture she just took, she nodded at her camera with a fond smile. It was something about ca
Chapter 12Love. Such a simple yet compelling word. Holds so much passion and value. Has meaning bigger than the iceberg that destroyed the Titanic. But so much similar to it at the same time. Love might seem like a minor verb from a grammar workbook but it embraces depth at unknown meters in complexity just like that underestimated iceberg.Love. Something Sophia did experienced, but was offered by none other than her family. They were the only people who had ever said ‘I love you’ to her and they’re the only people too who’d ever heard her say ‘I love you too, from the moon and back’.She never had a potential partner. Well, she never really tried to have one. Nevertheless, doesn’t mean she never wanted one. In reality, her fate never offered her one. Sophia’s primary school years were spent being too naïve for being in a relationship or even understand the term itself. Her high school years were spent being home schooled giving her no chance of a typical school love life. By the ti
Chapter 13 Later when Sophia reached home, she was welcomed by her parents with warm smiles. And when she reached her room, her dear room, she realized how much she'd missed her bed. She collapsed on the sheets and grinned like a maniac with closed eyelids and felt every ounce of comfort the bed had to offer. Her body relaxed which was sore from the whole long bus ride from the camp and back home. Oh, at how ease she felt! So much better than those sleeping bags back at the camp. She didn't even realize when her serene and heavy eyes dropped and she fell in a deep slumber, only to wake up feeling like she had slept for not more an hour when in reality she was asleep for more than eight, later acknowledging the same when she realised that it was the twilight now. It was Lana who woke her up telling her to come and eat something downstairs. When she reached there, she met her parents in the living room as if they were already waiting for her. She smiled and sat with them on the couch.
The Smith family elegantly walked into the living room, their heads shifting in every direction observing the house that certainly met their standards. The parents nodded involuntarily in a gesture expressing that they were impressed by the beautiful house they’d just stepped in. Then, their eyes settled on the girl they’d especially come here for. She stood their shyly, her delicate and teeny hands fidgeting with the hem of her beautiful floral, long dress. The girl was looking back and forth between the parents and Joshua, a petite and in a way forced smile dancing over her matte lips. ‘’Introduce yourselves, kids,’’ Roy spoke for the first time.Miles walked forward taking the initiative. He stood before Joshua and raised his hand. His voice, in a way, was like a warning.‘’Miles,’’ he introduced himself firmly.‘’Joshua,’’ he accepted the handshake. ‘’And you must be?’’ He asked raising his eyebrows, as if wondering.‘’Sophia’s older brother,’’ He worked his chin towards where sh
CHAPTER 15Two days. Sophia had two days to plan her escape. Well, at least from the utter mental torture her dear parents gave her. Yes, she was getting engaged, probably married too with the guy, Joshua in a couple of years. But she also needed time. Time to recover from the sudden trauma she experienced within the 12 hours of her returning from the trip. Who knew all the refreshment would go in such waste. Sophia wanted to prove to her parents, especially her father that she didn’t need a man to look after her, to provide for her, or to satisfy her.She would be rather be known as young and mature than young and beautiful.Day 1; Is when Joshua took Sophia on a date, her first-ever date. People usually feel a mix of emotions such as eagerness, anxious, and even joyful about and for their first date. But Sophia walked out of the house with a low-spirit that day. If it were in her hands, she would swap herself with someone else. What was rather funny was the fact that most of the ti
CHAPTER 16Sophia grunted in frustration. The people who used to live on rent in this apartment had left it behind like a tornado had passed by. The curtains were dirty and torn. A layer of water was built up by the bathroom with disgustingly rotten and dead insects floating on and underneath it. In no way was she going to call the tenants and argue about their uncivilized behaviour when she had so much on her plate to digest.That Saturday night, Sophia spent most of the night cleaning the living room. She decided to go one to two rooms every day until the flat was all neat. The next day, which was a Sunday was devoted to the kitchen and washroom. The kitchen needed so much more attention than the other rooms. Open lids of containers, spoons, and dishes were fallen onto the ground, some even had half-eaten food around it. The window for ventilation was covered with dust, a few spiders making it their home. The evening passed by shopping for her new home. Home décor. She had a bright
Chapter 30Sophia was never the kind who allowed violence to possess or surround her. Instead, she preferred to envelop herself in an innocent bubble that conjured care, loyalty, morals, and a hell lot of self-respect. The last one being the explored part of herself since she found herself not being in her parent’s care and influence anymore. If she was the light for her parents to give them a reason to wake up every day then her role in her sibling’s life was to making them believe that people do exist with a heart that pure and a smile so bright that they feel the need to protect and attack if it comes down to it.She was never weak. No. Her existence inhered strength that blossomed the world around her. Although, the world failed to give her the strength back. Growing up she was tiger parented, compared to her older siblings, then brainwashed, overpowered, and overwhelmed by the people who she once thought were good.But then she met this boy. This boy with curly head, those dimple
CHAPTER 29Sophia struggled under Joshua’s hold.She was pushed against the wall, causing white hot pain to shot in her ankle that got twisted in the tussle. The only reason she didn’t fall on the ground even after losing the strength to stand was because of Joshua’s arm that was wrapped around her torso, almost strangling her and squeezing the breath out of her. She tried her best not to breathe against the cloth pressed against her face. She knew what he wanted to do; make her pass out. Her screams were muffled, almost inaudible, even to her. In no way would anyone had been able to hear her for the rescue considering the closed door and the towering Joshua pressing a cloth against her mouth. The subtleness of his plan stood by his side and not hers.No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t help but breathe an atom of breathe every few seconds. The substance that got in her system was chloroform. She learned a little something about it from college. It would make her weak, not fain
Chapter 28‘Announce us official. I’ll take all the allegations on your brother down’With her eyes fixed at the text on the screen brighten and highlighted in the dim room under the bulb by the window serving luminosity to the room, she glared at her phone. Sophia’s steady breathing that heaved with passing seconds threatened the thought of a migraine. Oh no, not now. She was worried as she sat on her bed, cross legged, her phone in her hands gripped so tightly that red marks were slowly forming on her palms as she read the text away.‘’asshole,’’ She muttered slowly forcing her eyes to lift.‘’asshole, bastard, son of a bitch, a-a … a luniac …’’ she cursed away. All of this time when he was trying to contact her, this was what he wanted. This was what Joshua Smith wanted to talk about all this time. And Sophia just wished that she hadn’t opened the message. But the curiosity was eating her alive.‘’Never,’’ Loath seeped through her voice as she looked back at the screen on her phone
CHAPTER 27Brinda made a visit. It was a small sit and talk session where she inquired about Sophia’s health. After almost one month of her thyroid surgery, she felt much better. She had Brinda to thank for. Without her assistance at being her nutritionist, she wouldn’t have recovered at this pace. She never had a bad impression over Brinda being her brother’s girlfriend, so it wasn’t hard for them to become friends either. She was always able to carry this warm aura that radiated with comfort and care.‘’I’m glad that you’re recovered,’’ Brinda squeezed Sophia’s shoulder.Sophia smiled timidly and looked down. Her fingers caressed the sheets of her bed on which both of them sat. This guest room at Miles’ place had become her safe place where she felt at peace and at home. She smiled at the thought but gloom clouded her face quicker than the smile that arrived earlier. Her chest almost hurt at the rate of pressure she put on them. ‘’Is something wrong?’’ Asked Brinda craning her neck
CHAPTER 26The drizzle turned into a downpour out the window. A serene, still, and peaceful ambiance engulfed the room. The heavy rain poured like some rhythmic music and hummed like a lulling melody. The atmosphere was cool. In a way that invited laziness with open arms and a few more minutes of sleep for an excuse. The blanket did a fantastic job at serving warmth and closeness, as the couple snuggled close into each other.Soft humming filled the quiet room, the sound of rain performing the background music. A pair of fingers combed her hair behind her neck and kissed the earlobe. The motion kept repeating like a broken record until Sophia stirred. She moaned lightly and fluttered her eyes. She was momentarily confused at the relatively unfamiliar room.‘’Troy?’’ she suddenly said lowly and softly.‘’I’ve been trying to wake you for a while,’’ he whispered in her ear from behind.Sophia smiled lightly with her eyes closed. She could remember a humming sound just behind her ear but
CHAPTER 25Unwinding chills of excitement hid behind her face of nervousness at the thought of returning to work. The leave felt longer than a month even though it wasn’t and she felt the need to visit the office. The thought of seeing her friends, her cubicle, even her annoying neighbouring colleague made her jump in excitement. But then the thought of her apartment crossed her mind and she felt sad, the comfort it radiated flashing before her eyes. She simply had gotten used to calling that place her home and staying away from the same made her feel blue. But she knew Miles’ overprotectiveness wouldn’t let her be yet. The stay at her brother’s was indeed relaxing and healed her properly. She even received a green signal from her doctors for continuing with her routine. Although, because of her recent medical conditions, they had suggested for Sophia to take it slow and be cautious about stress, which was like salt on a burning wound for her sibling’s worry. Though, Brinda had manage
CHAPTER 24Despite the fact that Sophia had skipped death, her eyes remained serene and she radiated comfort as she remained on the hospital bed, immobile. Her face was flushed and lids were sealed which felt like forever to others. Her lips sometimes parted leaving small and soft groans, sometimes moans. Meaning she was slowly waking up.Troy’s breathing hitched when Sophia again groaned softly but this time, also tilted her head to the side lightly where he sat.‘’S-Soph?’’ Troy whispered and tried to reach out for her hand.Burt another hand collapsed on his lightly, making him raise his eyes.‘’Let her wake up on her own,’’ Miles suggested, in a surprisingly calm voice.Troy nodded and took his hand away. Both men were back to residing in silence as they sat there in the eerily quiet room where the only sound was Sophia’s shallow breathing against the oxygen mask.Another moment of awkward silence passed by and Troy couldn’t stand it anymore. He shifted on his butt uncomfortably o
CHAPTER 23There was a halt. The halt of time. It was as if time had stopped when the two women put their eyes on one another. Nothing moved. Not a muscle, nor a leaf. Every particle in and around the room stopped, only to have a look at the sudden commotion. The world paused to look at the two woman. Sophia and her mother. Their eyes clashed like two meteoroids that blew into a million pieces. The clash gave rise to several kinds of emotions in Sophia’s heart. For an instance, joy. Oh, how at ease she felt at seeing her mother after so long! She felt a momentary relief considering selfishly that Lana cared and that’s why she’s here. But, then rage appeared in Sophia’s mien. She was neglected, ignored, brainwashed, and left to feel unloved. Intentionally or not. It all started with Lana and ended with her too. Lastly, confusion. Why now? There were numerous opportunities when Lana could make an appearance, when Sophia needed her presence. If not then, why now?Sophia was as stiff as a
CHAPTER 22Almost immediately, Sophia was told to rest in her new bedroom in Miles’ house where she would be staying temporarily. It was as big as her former house with her parents. Miles escorted her to her room and leaned against the doorframe. After making sure that he’d made her tasks clear; i.e. to shower, change and go to sleep, he left her alone.Sophia spent a good twenty minutes devouring herself and her body in the fountain of hot water. She changed into a funny yellow top with a print of a Pokémon on it and lazy black leggings. She blow-dried her hair until they were only slightly damp and finally, with a loud sigh, dropped herself on the bed and blindly covered herself with the thick comforter. Miles’ house was modest, and so were the bedrooms. Although her room at her father’s was nice, this one took the extra point. The bright curtain and the unique shade of seafoam green walls radiated comfort. The furniture like the wardrobe was inbuilt to the wall making the room see