My Dearest Sofia (Completed)

Chapter 7

A soft nudge on his shoulder woke Jonathon up. He groaned before forcing his eyes open. Was it midday already? 

He squinted as his eyes got assailed by bright yellow light. He wanted to bark an order about shutting the blinds and leaving him be but before he could open his mouth, a girl's voice broke through his sleepiness.

Sofia was going out to get a blanket for the already snoring old Elliot when she found the pajama clad Jonathon, back against the wall, snoring softly.

"Excuse me but I don't think the floor is too comfortable to sleep in.”

Jonathon realized what had happened and bolted up to his feet. He had fallen asleep right outside the library door. Worse of all, he was found out by the girl he was actually irritated at. He cleared his throat but kept his mouth shut. 

He stared at her while getting his composure together. He could see the amused look shining behind her jewel-like eyes. A small smile was tugging at the edges of her mouth as she looked at him with a knowing glance. 

She was clutching the book close to her chest, the library door wide open behind her. So that was where the streaming light came from.

She cleared her throat and his eyes snapped back towards her magnificent eyes. He bit his tongue as he almost opened his mouth to talk to her and ask her about his uncle. 

Fortunately, he was able to stop himself on time. Instead of thanking her, he turned his heel and left her standing in the middle of the hallway.

He could feel her stare burning a hole through his head and this made him smile. Jonathon kept his stride steady and slow to ensure the girl that she did not faze him or catch him off guard. 

It was embarrassing enough that the "plaything" found him sleeping on the floor after eavesdropping on her reading; she would not get the satisfaction of thinking he was flustered or affected by her presence. 

He retreated into his room just in time to hear his phone ringing. He looked at the screen and saw Delnard's face. He answered before falling into his bed and staring at the ceiling. Maybe he should change the color of the room. 

His mind was floating around the hues of jades and greens. He huffed and closed his eyes in defiance and focused on his best friend's voice.

"Good news, Jon! The deal pushed through earlier than we expected." Delnard's voice sounded excited and a little bit slushed. 

"I'm guessing you are celebrating your triumph over the company?" Jonathon replied with a smile.

It was great to hear that his friend was being happy and carefree. Being his mother's only son was not actually a walk in the park for Delnard. Oh no, not when your mother is Josephine Savage.

"Yes. We're celebrating! I have two delectable women here with me- Oh, I forgot, you're not here. Well, more for me, brother!" 

Jonathon laughed. Delnard was a ladies man and it was rare that a woman did not say yes to his advances. He was doing it for fun and just living for the moment but Jonathan knew his best friend was the type of guy who would love forever if he found the right girl. Well, he was rooting for his best friend since Jonathon had lost all hope for himself. 

"Are you going back to New York soon? Or do you feel like visiting your dragon of a mother?”

Delnard laughed. "Can I go for a quick visit with the matriarch and just spend a couple of days at your uncle’s?"

"She will find out, you know. Josephine will not like it that you would rather be in the Elliot manor!" Jonathon chided. He knew Delnard can handle his mother but still, why poke a sleeping Lioness?

"No way, man! I'm staying with you after I visit with her- of course, you will have to visit with me. She will also want to see her favorite adopted son!”

Jonathon grimaced but consented. He would not leave his best friend at the clutches of the ruthless and stiff Josephine Savage. They always had each other's back, ever since they were kids. Delnard was there when nobody could understand what Jonathon was going through concerning the loss of his father; the craziness of his mother and of course, taking over the multi-million empire.

"Okay, fine! When do you think you'll be back?”

Jonathon could not help but grin when all he heard were tinkling of glasses, laughter, giggles and toasts. He ended the call knowing full well that his best friend was already too distracted to continue. He would call again tomorrow or the day after, groaning from a huge hangover.

He waited for sleep to return and claim him for the rest of the night. He was never the one who could sleep for hours, his nightmares made sure he woke up sweating and crying, afraid of the dark. He sighed and recalled how her voice was steady and strong, reading The Count of Monte Cristo…

The incessant knocking on his door made Jonathon jerk his head up from his mound of pillows. He blinked, disoriented and reburied his head under the soft pile. He was sure this time that it was morning and he was surprised to find out that he had actually slept through the night. For the first time in a long time, he did not wake up scared and out of breath.

Another series of raps on his door made him groan out loud. Who in the blazes would want to disturb him at this time of day? He chose to ignore the noise and tried to go back to sleep.

He sighed when he heard the door open and heard the familiar booming voice of his uncle. Jonathon could never understand how his uncle could be so energetic in the morning.

"Well, this is a first! You slept through the entire morning, boy!”

Jonathon rolled over, bringing one of the pillows and then covering his eyes with it. "I was on my way to sleeping through the entire afternoon as well, old man." He murmured. 

Jonathon knew that his uncle wanted something from him otherwise, he would not be inside his room waking him up. "What is it this time, Uncle?”

"What do you mean? Oh- Really, I was just making sure you did not kill yourself or smoked pot..."

Jonathon smiled, despite his grogginess. His uncle always had a way of making him smile or laugh at any time. He threw the pillow aside and propped himself on his elbows. He was greeted with the sight of his uncle dressed in a pair of really colorful shorts, a shirt and he was totting a straw hat.

"Where- Why are you dressed that way?" He asked while stifling a laugh.

"If you must know, I am off to take Sofia on a boat ride to show her the lake. I am expecting you to accompany us and get to know the girl. She is after all your secretary!”

Jonathon took a moment before the statement sunk in. He laughed. No way that he would let his uncle's girlfriend be his secretary. It would be a cold day in hell before the girl works in the company as well! 

"Will her ambition know no bounds? Really, uncle. I am still half awake and I do not have time for your jests. Go and have fun with your little Sofia on a boat for all I care. I don't need a secretary, thank you! Please lock the door on your way out." 

Jonathon buried his head under the pillows to block out his uncle and everything else. He did hear his uncle grumble something and then disappear from the room, the door shutting with a bang. He chuckled as he thought about Sofia working for him. 

Really! One would think that being the latest plaything of Jefferson Elliot, the girl will have no need to work ever again. Jonathon chuckled again before falling back to sleep.

Meanwhile, Sofia had been up since dawn, only sleeping for a couple of hours. She was so excited for her first day and of course, half of the night she was busy trying to erase the perfect picture of Jonathon Elliot's upper body and handsome face.

She had sighed a couple of times that night. No matter how she felt about his attitude, it cannot be denied that Jonathon was extremely handsome. 

Hmp! But of course, he knows that extremely too well! Sofia thought. 

She could remember how lean and strong his body was. Oh, he wasn't the typical guys she saw who were too bulgy or bulky. No, he had a lean, strong and hard body with well defined pecs and abs. 

She blushed. She never touched him when she woke him up last night. But, she did imagine how his somewhat tanned skin would feel under her fingertips. She longed to brush off the stray hair that fell across his face. 

He looked troubled and brooding, even in his sleep. She looked down on his lips, remembered him smirking but wondered how he would look if he smiled.

Sofia would never admit it to anyone but she did spend a good couple of minutes scrutinizing hm physically while he was asleep. She could recall how her eyes took their fill of his defined jaw, straight nose and slightly thin lips. 

He had long lashes and Sofia was still wondering what color his eyes were. She also noticed the scar on his neck. It did not lessen his beauty but she liked that it was there. Perhaps a reminder that this god-like man was human after all.

Sofia had scolded herself several times before going to sleep. Men like Jonathon Elliot went out with women who were sophisticated, beautiful beyond reason and of course, wealthy. She would never have the chance to be with a guy like that in a million years. Besides, what did Sofia know of love?

Yes, she has had her share of suitors and went on a couple of dates but she never really had the time to be serious about a relationship. It was all school, work and home. She did not consider the friendly peck on the lips she allowed Benny Henson during sophomore year as a kiss. 

Sofia was terribly naive when it came to physical intimacies that went on between man and women but she was not stupid. She's had her share of novels and movies after all. Still, reading about them and experiencing them were two different stories.

A knock on her door made Sofia stop musing and reach out for her robe. She quickly put it on and went to the door. She knew it was still early, around six thirty in the morning, but since Mr. Elliot haven't discussed work schedules and all, she had lingered in bed.

She was surprised to see Ava, beaming and looking fresh as morning dew.

"Good morning, dear. I'm sorry to wake you up. I just wanted to tell you before everyone gets too busy with their household chores.”

"Oh, it's nothing. I-I was wondering what time work starts. Mr. Elliot did not actually give me that much instruct-“

"Sometimes that old man needs a memory jolt!" Ava cut her off in mid sentence. "He forgot to tell you that you'll be starting work tomorrow. But, you will be accompanying him instead on a boat ride across the lake. Around seven or eight- if he remembers to wake up!”

"What? But I'm supposed to be working. Isn't Mr Jonathon Elliot holding office today? It's Monday after all." Sofia asked.

"Jonathon works whenever he feels like it. I think it's different when he is in the New York office but when they work at home, the Elliots don't exactly have a rigid schedule. They do as they please." Ava replied with a smile.

"There's still time for you to sleep some more. Don't worry, the old man will probably speed you up on things on the boat later. See you later, dear!”

Sofia could only watch in helpless surprise as Ava continued down the hall and disappear into one of the rooms. She followed her advice and slept some more.

Later, at exactly seven thirty, Mr. Elliot came and she was glad that she got ready by the time he knocked on her door. She had chosen to just wear one of her simple jeans, a soft white blouse and her flip flops. 

What did people wear when going on boat rides? It can't be different from going to the beach, right?

Once she saw what the older man was wearing, she stifled a laugh and thought that she was dressed appropriately. His energetic and happy demeanor quickly rubbed off on Sofia and despite the sleepless night, she felt eager to go out and explore the rest of Elliot Manor. Who knows what she could unearth?