My Dearest Sofia (Completed)

Chapter 4

Jonathon got out of the black SUV and surveyed the place before him. It had been almost more than half a decade since he last set foot in this massive mansion that his Uncle Jeff had called home for the last surviving Elliots. He tried to make this Jonathon's home too after he tragically lost the one he had grown up in but it did not work out for him or his mother. 

Instinctively, Jonathon reached for his neck and traced the thin line that slashed its way diagonally from somewhere near his ear down to almost the bottom part of his neck. As if to mimic his mood, dark clouds passed over the sky, obscuring what's left of the daylight.

He finally decided to agree to his Uncle's request for him to go back to Raleigh and live there with him temporarily. 

In truth, Jonathon would rather have his extremities cut off than go back inside the Elliot "Cage" which Delnard had charmingly dubbed it. But, this time, he had to do it for the old man. He owed him that much. Besides, he was able to haggle with his uncle and told him he was willing to stay for only half of the year.

He knew that his uncle would take whatever he could give because Jonathon was as stubborn as he was. Jonathon could not help but smile a little as he recalled the meeting with Dr. Carter and his uncle a few days ago. 

The younger Elliot's instincts were telling him that there was a farce going on with his uncle's sudden health issues. It was not that difficult to engage Dr. Carter, who has been a close family friend and physician for years, to go along with the charade. Sometimes, these old folks with money and connection did not have anything better to do than meddle with lives.

Unfortunately, the statements and medical records that Dr. Carter produced looked valid enough and Jonathon did observe his uncle easily getting tired and having a coughing bout. 

He then decided that he was going to give the man who finished raising him the benefit of the doubt. After all, like he said before, he owed it to the old man.

"Sir, all your bags have been taken to the master suite-"

"No, George. I don't want to sleep in my mother's old bedroom. Take them to the huge guest room near the library. Thank you.”

"But your uncle-“

Jonathon sent his personal butler a look and George nodded, relenting and then proceeded back into the house to relocate the luggages. Jonathon sighed. He sometimes did not like the power that came with the Elliot title. But, it had its perks, especially for getting what he wanted and making sure some people stay away from him. 

He had been announced and introduced into the world of business in no less than the cover of TIME magazine. The youngest CEO and owner of one of the biggest oil companies and business enterprise in the world. 

At the age of 20, he graduated from Harvard and have already begun working as head of the board and CEO of Elliot Enterprises. For people, it might look like he was some child-genius but for Jonathon, it was not at all like that. He had been living this life since he was seven. It was all he was groomed for and trained for all his life.

Sometimes, when he was driving down the streets of New York with his trusted butler and driver, George, he would ask him to drive down the streets of Queens or the Bronx. He would look out into the world of street gangs, drugs, poverty and pointless lives. Then he would wonder what it was like to live like that; to earn money by getting your hands dirty. He wondered how it would feel to have to worry about your next meal or go to a place where nobody recognized you.

Jonathon often went home with lots of things to write down on his journal. Yes, he kept a journal. He fashioned a leather one with old parchment paper as leaves and he used a quill just to be different. He liked the feel of the feather in his hand, the smell of fresh ink and the sound of the quill scratching the parchment, etching away pieces of his soul that nobody will ever dare touch again.

A little drop of water hit him on the nose and Jonathon looked up, now distracted from his brooding thoughts. The sky had turned extremely dark and it was inevitable. 

Rain was his enemy at the moment because it was forcing him to take shelter into one of the darkest place in his life. 

As if on cue, one of the armed men who rode with him in the SUV, opened up a black umbrella. Jonathon could almost not resist making a joke out of a mean looking bodyguard holding a girly contraption over his head. But then, he remembered, this was a new guy hired by Delnard. 

Jonathon still had no reason to add him to his To-Speak-To list.

He remembered that he had to make a phone call to his best friend in a couple of minutes to make sure that he got to China all right. He had sent him there to close a deal with the Chinese government about building a factory that will manufacture clothes for the newly opened department store in Anaheim. 

Delnard had wanted to accompany him during his move back to Raleigh but China had to come first otherwise, it would be a waste of money and time.

Jonathon shook his head and proceeded towards the house. He was determined to take small, slow steps though. Money he thought with a small smirk. The whole world knows he had enough money to provide every single person in the world at least a couple of hundred bucks. 

In fact, he was thinking of doing it but unfortunately, right now, he only had control over 75% of the Elliot wealth. His uncle had signed over his share a year ago. The other 25% were held by the board of trustees who, in his opinion, were a bunch of stuck up, old fops!

"Master Jonathon! It is so good to have you back here! Your uncle has been out since this morning but he said he would be home by supper.”

Jonathon was surprised that he was already standing on the front porch of the house. The porch stretched about a couple of yards wide and wrapped around the entire mansion. He remembered how his pet dog, Woof, would run around the house, chasing him. He almost smiled but then another memory overshadowed the happy one and he immediately locked it inside.

He distracted himself by letting Ava, the head housekeeper and more like unofficial aunt, gather him in her chubby arms for a hug. He inhaled her scent and was immediately reminded of cookie dough, extra cups of warm hot chocolate and one of his human shields against the onslaught of his mother. 

He swallowed back a scowl. Was there any happy memory in this house that was not tarnished by her?

"Hello, Ava." He replied, a whisper into her ear. 

She pulled back and then scrutinized his face. "You're still not on this silly vow of yours, Jon are you? Really, it's not healthy!”

Jonathon simply smiled but said nothing. Truly, he had become quite accustomed to not speaking much. He found that he could control most of his emotions and keep a perfectly stoic demeanor if he did not talk much. 

He had learned long ago how words were such powerful tools to persuade you to believe in things that were not real; to lure you into false hopes and promises; to blind you from the harsh realities of life. Yes, words had power and Jonathon was not willing to let it rule his life anymore.

Ava gave him a disapproving shake of her head but then gave him another hug before tugging him along inside the house and not catch cold. Jonathon sorely wondered how he would catch cold with a bodyguard holding an umbrella over his head and a warm hug from somebody who took care of him his whole life.

Jonathon stepped inside the front door and hesitated. Ava seemed to notice his reluctance and squeezed his hand, giving him a soft smile. 

"Remember, Jon. She's no longer here." 

He blinked for a moment and then let out a huge breath. He noticed that the house smelled of hot cocoa now instead of the irritating flowers that her mother used to put on every available vase and table all over the house. It had caused him to develop allergic tendency to the smell of some flowers but she did not care. 

Now, the hot cocoa was better. He thought and entered the foyer with a lighter heart.

On the center of the city, Jefferson Elliot is having a good time taking Sofia to shop and just have a great time out.

"Oh, I really could not, Mr. Elliot. This is too much! Please, stop!”

Sofia's eyes were huge and her voice was shaking but not out of fear. It was mostly out of annoyance and exasperation. She was surprised when Mr. Elliot decided to pick her up personally from her family's apartment this morning. 

It was a good thing that he did because he was able to spend time to talk with Sofia's parents and assured them that he did not have any lewd intentions with their daughter.

He was simply looking for a companion for himself and his nephew. She would be doing no heavy chores but rather some secretarial work and odds and ends.

They left her apartment with Sofia feeling relieved that the look on her parents' face were less worried and anxious. They were easily charmed by what Mr. Elliot called as the family's charming disposition. 

Sofia had to giggle at how silly the older man sounded. She actually liked talking to Mr. Elliot, who insisted she calls, Uncle Jeff. He was not like some of the snobby rich gentlemen who she sometimes had to endure at the place where she waitressed.

Jefferson Elliot is a very, very charming, down to earth and funny as hell fake uncle she's ever met. And right now, he was pointing out to her that he was going to be quite generous as well as she found herself being tugged into a dress shop that looked highly expensive.

On the onset, Sofia felt out of place in her faded jeans, simple plain white tee from Old navy and a pair of flip-flops. She did not know they were going into town before heading to the house. She could have at least worn one of the two nice mini-dress she owned. 

Now, ten or so stores later and a hundred of shopping bags stowed in the limo, Sofia did not feel it was right that Mr. Elliot had bought her a lot of clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.

She was starting to feel a little cheap and dubious about his intentions. She was there to work for her wages and earn her keep- not to be lavishly spent on by some rich old moneybags.

"Really, Sofia. I insist!”

She shook her head and turned around to exit the shop. She fought the tears that were threatening to fall down. It was a little bit of fun at the start but now, it was just terribly wrong and insulting. 

She did not have great clothes, yes but they were her clothes. She bought them with her own money. Why did it always seem like the rich folks thought of people like her as somebody who would jump up and down when lavish things were foisted upon her? 

She had been teasing her father the other night about his pride when she knew full well it was instilled in herself too.

She heard the door open and heard the old man stop behind her. She did not turn around but continued to stare straight ahead, arms across her chest. 

"I'm sorry, my dear. In my excitement to treat you like I would a niece if I had one, I completely forgot that you are unlike some of the young ladies I know.”

Sofia was surprised at how warm and sincere the old man's words were. She turned her head slightly to look at him but she did not smile. 

It was best that Jefferson Elliot knew she had a mean and stubborn streak in her. She could be proper and witty, playful even but she is a Wright and she had pride and a huge temper that went with it. 

"I hoped you would be delighted but then now I know that you are not the type of lady who can be bought by silly trinkets. Hence, you have passed the test.”

Sofia spun around, open-mouthed with surprise. "W-what do you mean?”

Jefferson let out a laugh. This young lady was slowly worming her way into his heart and if he had been married and conceived a daughter, he knew that he wished it would be someone like her.

The ride from her dreary side of town to to the city had been filled with intellectual sparring and laughter. She had such spirit in her and a sense of wonder in the world that the old man found refreshing. She was still a little too crude for the society he and Jonathon moved in, but he knew with a little polish, she would outshine every heiress in the country!

"Well, I wanted to see if you were easily lured by riches because frankly my dear, we are so filthy rich that you might want to vomit. I cannot employ someone who would easily be swayed by a bribe or a pretty dress. I need to know I can trust you in every way."

Sofia closed her mouth and frowned. She should really be angry at the old man for tricking her but in a way, she kind of understood what he was saying. Still, she did not want him to get the wrong impression of her.

"Mr. Elliot-“

"Uncle Jeff- you should get used to that by now.”

She shook her head and refused to call him such. Instead, she continued talking.

"Please do not think that I am perfect or cannot appreciate the wonders of fine silk, pearls and the likes. I am a girl and shopping is innate as well as fashion. I get easily wowed and awed by things and people that are too expensive to ever set foot in the kind of life that I had.”

She looked at the old man and slowly smiled. "However, I can assure you that I know my principles in life and I have the famous Wright pride running through my veins. Yes, I will be astounded by how rich you are and how wonderful the things you might own. But sir, I know in my heart I would rather enjoy such frivolities if they were bought by my own hard work and grimy hands. You may call me a fool or a silly, deluded nitwit. But it's true.”

"So you're saying, you can never be bought by anyone? With Anything?”

“Positive."

"Even homemade hot chocolate, eclairs and probably steak for dinner?" He added with a chuckle and a wink. Sofia watched as the old man offered his arm. She decided to smile and take it. She knew that Mr. Elliot understood that she was not going to be bought or fooled by however money he had.

"For those things, I am willing to make an exception. Of course, with the promise that we are not setting foot into any of these silly boutiques ever again.”

"I promise. We can go home now, my nephew is probably angry at me for making him go into that house alone." He replied, his smile dimming a bit. 

Sofia found the statement odd but when the car door opened and she saw the shopping bags, she stopped. "We also have to return these, Mr. Elliot. I insist."

"We can't, Sofia. I'm sorry but I promise you, this is the last, unless you ask of course. Think of it as your office ensemble. You will be needing such things because part of your job is to attend some balls and parties; charity fund raisers and dinners that are more about deals than conversation, really. Of course, on some occasions you will be accompanying my nephew, Jonathon.”

Sofia frowned and then relented. He was just being practical and she knew she did not have the right clothes in her suitcase that would suit any of those functions he mentioned. Still, she did not want to take things for free.

"If that is the case, please allow me to pay you back once I have enough money after I pay for my mom's therapy." She haggled, biting her lip and hoping that Mr. Elliot would agree.

Jefferson looked down on her beautiful face, insecurity and fear clouding her eyes. He smiled and nodded in agreement. He was finding more and more reasons to think that he had found the right girl who would save his nephew from a lifetime of misery.