My Dearest Sofia (Completed)

Chapter 6

Sofia tossed and turned on the queen sized canopied bed in the room that one of the servants had led her to. Dinner had been a fun event as she and the older Elliot bantered and shared stories. She felt really comfortable talking to him and she was not afraid to divulge any thought except the ones that she was thinking about his nephew.

Now, alone on the bed, Sofia could not sleep. She was too busy thinking about how quickly her life has changed over the past few hours. She had been struggling to make ends meet; working extra shifts in the Silver Diner; helping her mother go through therapy and making sure she took her medicine and got enough rest while worrying about her father's working hours.

She sighed and rolled on the satin sheets. If she did that in her bed at home, she would have fallen on the floor with a loud thud. Everything was too much to take in and there was something inside her that wanted to go out of the room and explore the house while nobody was there to see her. 

She remembered how her breath caught in her throat the minute she and Mr. Elliot stopped in front of the mansion with a huge wrap around porch. The driveway was circular and wide which could probably accommodate a couple of cars parked in it. 

The well manicured lawn and a huge swimming pool at the back of the house was something she only saw in magazines. It was also pretty awesome how the property stood by a lake.

She wished her parents could have seen this with her. It might not be their dream house, as it was just pretty huge, but parts of it were just along the lines of what they used to talk about during meals. She never really dreamed of a bed this huge but now, she was rolling and being restless in it.

With another heavy sigh, Sofia pushed herself up and propped her self on her elbows, trying to let her eyes adjust to the dim light the moon was providing inside her room. 

She spied her unopened suitcase by the corner of the room and saw the silhouette of the flower patterned furniture. There were figurines on one of the dressers, a full length mirror on the wall and a huge door that lead to a walk-in closet. She did not actually need that much closet space but still, it was something to be in awe about. 

Rolling to her side, she reached for the lamp switch and blinked as warm yellow light flooded the room. Sofia had given up on sleeping. Her mind was too busy about things and of course, formally starting her job in the morning. 

Hopping off the bed, she padded her way towards her lone suitcase, sat on the carpeted floor and opened it wide. She also noticed the many shopping bags that contained her new clothes and for the first time, allowed the girly-girl in her to appreciate the fine things.

She reached for one of the bags and pulled out a nice simple one piece. It was stylishly cut and fell just a little above her knees. Sleeveless with a wide round neckline, it showed off her long neck. She rubbed the material gently on her skin and sighed. She knew what she was going to wear to work tomorrow!

It was around midnight when she finished putting her things away in the huge dresser by the window. She opted to use it for her old clothes and decided to hang the new ones inside the walk in closet. 

She stretched and yawned when she heard a door open and then close. She stopped and listened as the footsteps got louder. It stopped just outside her door and after a few seconds, there was a knock.

Sofia grabbed her night robe, tied it around her waist and proceeded to opening the door. She was surprised to see Mr. Elliot standing outside looking a bit sheepish.

"Oh- Good evening sir!”

"I'm sorry my dear- I noticed your light was still on so I chanced to see if you were okay. I know how it can be when one is in a different place, sleeping in a foreign bed for the first time.”

Sofia grinned. The older Elliot beckoned for her to follow him and she did, her curiosity fueled. She never really felt any discomfort with the older man. In fact, he was really starting to be like a grandfather to her and Sofia knew she was going to start valuing these little times they have with each other.

They stopped in front of huge double doors and Mr. Elliot slid one of them to the side. Sofia's nose quickly picked on a familiar scent. She closed her eyes and inhaled. 

Now, this was pure heaven. 

She knew it was a library even before she opened her eyes. Sofia was not ready for its size though and could not contain a gasp when the older man turned on the lights.

Sofia's eyes scanned the entire room. It was huge, about two or three regular bedroom sized rooms. There was a wall to wall shelving system that met towards the center wall of the room where in a tall window blocked both ends to connect.

 The shelves were stacked with books of different colors, sizes and genres. She was highly aware that most of the books were hardbound and she would bet her entire wardrobe that most of them were first editions!

"Ah, I see we've hit a sweet spot, eh?”

Sofia nodded, swallowing another gasp. She knew it was cliche but she did not care!

She was still blinking in awe as she followed him towards the center of the room where the furnitures where. Mr. Elliot sat on a high backed leather settee which was near the fireplace. Sofia sat herself down on the sofa adjacent to him.

"I knew you were the type who would love books and libraries. You do not just get your rapier sharp wit from waiting tables and school!”

Sofia did not mind that the older man referred to her waitressing job. Really, he was giving her a compliment. She smiled and nodded. "Oh, I love to read. I've always wanted to be a writer.”

"Well, you can read whatever you like in here. I don't think we have that book about this vampire guy who- er- sparkles in the sun? I think young folks are more into those-“

"Not really. I think some enjoy a lot of different genres altogether. And don't worry, I don't really care much for fantasy and the supernatural.”

"Cynical? Realist? Idealist?”

Sofia smiled sheepishly. She tucked her legs underneath her and spoke. 

"I think I never had much reason to believe in fairytales, sir. My life is not exactly built on one but, don't get me wrong. I am a princess in my own right- I was rescued from that horrid orphanage after all.”

"So, less expectations, less disappointments?" 

Sofia nodded, looking down on her hands. It was the truth. Perhaps when she was little and got plucked from the orphanage, Sofia believed in fairytales and expectations. But, year after year as she struggled and grew up being less fortunate than others, all she had to go by, when it came to dreams and fantasies, where hard work, pitiful and scornful looks from others. 

Yes, she strived to reach higher but she also knew that she would never really fully pour her heart and soul into a dream.

"I did not mean for this to be sad conversation, dear girl. Hmmm... Why don't you pick out a book and read to this old man? I used to love reading when I was younger but now, it only reminds me of my failing eyesight!”

"Or probably your inevitable disability to stay awake as much as you would have loved to when you were young, sir!" Sofia chided the old man before she stood up and scanned the shelf on the East side of the room.

"The Count of Monte Cristo?" She called from the shelf. 

Mr. Elliot grunted in response and she pulled the beautifully bound book from the shelf. She returned to her place on the sofa and opened the first page.

She cleared her throat and began reading chapter one "On the 24th of February, 1810, the look-out at Notre-Dame de la Garde signaled the three-master, the Pharaon from Smyrna, Trieste, and Naples..."

Jonathon had heard his uncle's room door open and he figured he must be going to get some cuddle time with his new plaything. He sighed, stretching out on the guest bed, he did not dare turn off the lights in his bedroom. 

In fact, ever since the night his father died, he had refrained from sleeping without the lights on. Of course, nobody knew that he was being haunted by his memories of that night in their old house and a bunch of other just as devastating events that followed after.

Yes, there were monsters in the dark; he had been wrestling with them since he was on the verge of adolescence. On the outside, it might look like he was strong, conceited, sure of himself and a real big success in the business world but on the inside, sometimes he could not help but feel like he was that child again, standing between his father and the masked man.

Millions of dollars and years of heartbreak had not yielded any answer as to who sent those murderers that night. With all the family's power and connections, nobody was willing to give up the mastermind behind the plan until the police did not have any choice but to put the investigation on hold. But, Jonathon vowed he was going to find out who and when he did, he will unleash the full power of the Elliots.

Unable to keep his mind relaxed, he decided to just get up and go to the library and read until he fell asleep. It was his usual way of getting away from the world and sometimes, even away from himself. 

He did not bother putting a shirt over his pajamas since he knew nobody was going to be in the library at this ungodly hour. Besides, it was his house as well and he always did what he pleased.

Treading lightly on the carpeted hallway, Jonathon stopped when he heard voices from the library. The sliding door was slightly opened, wide enough for a cat or a dog to slither in between. It was just enough that the light filtered out and the voice drifted to the hallway. He heard his uncle's voice and then the girl’s.

He rolled his eyes. Great! My sanctuary will forever hold images of my uncle cavorting with a delectable female probably thrice his age! 

He sighed and was about to turn around and return to his room when the familiar words of one of his favorite books whispered into his ear.

"...What, no wine? said Dantes, turning pale, and looking alternately at the hollow cheeks of the old man and the empty cupboards. What, no wine? Have you wanted money, father? I want nothing now that I have you, said the old man…"

Jonathon found his feet slowly inching towards the doors and he took a peek between the gap. He blinked first at the soft hazy glow of the lamp by the table and when his eyes adjusted, he saw his uncle struggling to remain awake while the girl, in her prim and proper night robe, continued reading Alexandre Dumas' words.

He was unaware of the smile that slowly formed on his lips as he watched his uncle's vain attempt at pretending to be awake. The old man was now slumped on the chair, his chin resting on his chest which was heaving rhythmically. 

Jonathon’s attention turned to the oblivious girl, caught up with what she was reading out loud. Her hair was away from her face now and he could enjoy the view of her face to his heart's content.

He did not look in a hurry. This time, he let his eyes roam lazily across the planes of her face. 

Jonathon noticed her long sooty lashes that was in dark contrast to her alabaster skin. He did not need to see her eyes, he would never forget them as long as he lived. They were spectacular and has that keen sparkle of wit and humor.

Jonathon’s eyes noticed that her skin was not as flawless as it looked at first glance. There were freckles across the bridge of her nose. He grinned thinking about how it is a common physical trait but on her, he found it adorable. Jon would bet half his money and double it that the girl inside with his uncle did not give a rat’s ass about her looks.

Jonathon sat down on the carpeted floor after forcing his eyes to tear away from the perfect picture of her reading. He leaned back towards the wall and let the soft yet strong rhythm of her voice as she continued reading take him away from where he was. It had been a long time since he had felt at ease in this house and he thought that maybe having the girl in the house was not so bad after all.