My Dearest Sofia (Completed)

Chapter 8

"I apologize for my nephew's absence, Sofia.”

For the nth time, Sofia had to smile and remind Mr. Elliot or Lord Elliot, as she just discovered, that she did not mind Jonathon's absence. In fact, as the morning was starting to end, a nervous knot had started twisting inside her.

When Jefferson Elliot accompanied her down the hall, outside the patio behind the house and down the long stretch of the wooden dock to a nice, rowing boat Sofia was ecstatic. Of course, it was obvious that Mr. Elliot was too old to row and Sofia was introduced to Jackson, one of the many man-servants of the estate.

Sofia had always pictured riding a boat like this on a lake just spending the afternoon reading or daydreaming. She did not imagine it to be as luxurious as this one though. 

The boat was simple, long and elegant with nice fluffy pillows to sit on. In fact, Sofia mused, all they needed was for Jackson to wear a striped top and a red neck piece and it would be a Gondola! Really, the Elliots knew how to live a lavish life.

The lake seemed to stretch for miles and Sofia squinted her eyes as the house turned smaller and smaller as Jackson rowed them out to enjoy the fresh morning air. Birds flew over them and Sofia could not help but grin. She was surely living a fairytale. 

She turned her attention to Mr. Elliot who was giving her a rough history of the place and adding a few of his own. His grandmother was cousin to somebody who was related to a Duke in England so technically, if he went to London, people called him a lord.

Sofia gasped. She was in the presence of royalty and yet they were quite informal. She even asked him if she should curtsy. This made the old man laugh. 

Soon, they enjoyed a comfortable silence and then Jackson opened the ice box to produce breakfast that consisted of a variety of fruits, French toast and a choice between coffee, fresh milk or freshly squeezed orange juice.

Sofia and Jefferson enjoyed the rest of the morning and were on their way to return home. Sofia could not help feeling guilty and spoiled again. She was here going on fancy boat rides with the rich and her parents were going on with their poor lives. 

She must not lose herself to such frivolities! She reminded herself. Sofia, you have barely been here for 24 hours and you are relaxing and laughing. Focus!

But another part of Sofia was telling her that there was nothing wrong with taking a break. She had been working since she could remember and it was not a crime to enjoy a little bit of luxury, especially if it was being foisted upon her. 

She did not ask for the Elliot to treat her like he would a niece or a daughter but that does not mean she had to be rude and uppity to decline it. 

Still, she sighed as the house got bigger, she was in this situation for a purpose; something bigger than herself or her dreams. She turned to the old man who was almost dozing off.

"Excuse me, sir. But, I still have a couple of questions about the job I'm doing. Ava told me I start working for Mr. Jonathon tomorrow. I- I don't want to be unprepared. Would it be too much to ask if you could brief me of my tasks?”

Jefferson immediately snapped out of his sleepiness and frowned at her. "My dear, you need not be so formal with me. I have told you time and again that I see you as sort of a niece so you can ask anything of this old man- except maybe, run a marathon with you- that I cannot do. As for your task, it's pretty simple.”

The conversation was cut short when Jackson docked. He quickly jumped off and secured the boat. He offered his hand to Sofia and she stepped unto the wooden planks. She turned to assist him with the older gentleman. As they walked slowly towards the house, Jefferson continued.

"You will be working as Jonathon's secretary. He will need you to answer his calls, emails and whatnots. That shouldn't be too hard. My nephew just recently agreed to manage my businesses here in Raleigh so, on top of the other offices and enterprises outside this city and the country, you can say he has his hands full.”

"Does he have time for anything else?" Sofia asked then stopped herself. 

It was none of her business how the younger Elliot spent his time. If she was to be a good secretary, she would have to learn to keep her mouth shut and just take orders. She was surprised with Mr. Elliot's response.

"My sentiments exactly!" His voice boomed across the dock and Sofia jumped just a little. "I keep telling the boy that the company has been established well enough, ever since before he was born. It can practically run itself, you know. I want him to live life as men are supposed to live at the age of 21!”

"You mean, run amok, paint the town red and sow his oats, sir?"  Sofia asked with a cheeky smile. Heavens, it was too easy to feel comfortable with the charming Jefferson Elliot. 

She was starting to feel like he was her grandfather or something. The Lord Elliot was indeed rich, titled and sophisticated but there was a kindness and comfort in him that made him endearing to Sofia.

"Yes!" He replied. 

As they neared the house, Jefferson stopped and turned to the lovely young woman beside him. She truly is beautiful, even if her face had gone a little bit red from the sun. 

He looked at her and saw how his daughter should have been if he was not too proud or too independent to scoff at marriage and having children. It was surprising that after all his cavortings with different women in his lifetime, he was not able to produce a bastard or two.

Sofia was going to be more than just a secretary or a joy to his heart. He hoped and prayed that she was going to be Jonathon's saving grace. 

He felt a little bit bad at playing cupid. Manipulating people's feelings and choices in that department was really way below Jefferson's list of morally correct actions but he was desperate!

Jonathon has known so much sadness in his life. Yes, he had a great childhood when his father was alive. The boy had nothing to wish for but Jefferson knew, he was not a spoiled brat. He was not the type of rich kid who would ask for things or be bossy to the servants. He was intelligent, compassionate and really happy to just spend time with his parents.

Then the accident happened. 

The night that Jonathon's father was killed despite his son's efforts to disarm the gunman and save all of them, who would have thought that it would unravel something so solid and enduring as Jonathon's mother's love. 

It was bad enough that the kid lost his father but to slowly watch and suffer his mother's wrath and crazy notions day by day, it was torment.

"Are you all right, sir?" Sofia's soft voice broke through his thoughts and Jefferson cleared his throat, embarrassed that she caught him being sentimental. He smiled and shook his head.

"Forgive me, my mind was somewhere else." He replied as he placed a hand on her shoulder to steer her towards the direction of the house. 

"My dear, Jonathon is a complicated man. He has gone through so much at an early age. It is not my place to tell you these things perhaps one day, if you and my nephew get comfortable with each other, he would open up to you.” 

Jefferson smiled warmly at Sofia.

“But for now, aside from your tasks as secretary, I need you to just be patient with him. I need you to help him and be friends with him. Jonathon does not trust just anybody and he has the right to do so. But, to forever shut himself from what the world has to offer, I cannot allow that.”

"I will not leave this earth knowing that Jonathon is in the state he is right now. I know you don't understand but I need you to be yourself. Be the vibrant and smart lady I met in my restaurant. Engage him in banter, make him angry! Make him laugh!”

Sofia stopped walking. She turned to the old man and frowned. 

"I- Yes, it's quite an unusual request sir. I mean to be professional in my task and I think Mr. Jonathon will not take likely for me to address him as informally as I speak to you. In fact, don't you find it most unusual that he has not said a word at all in my presence?”

"Oh no, it's not unusual at all, Sofia. You see, my nephew had this bullocks of a notion to only speak verbally to those he really trusts. Again, I cannot tell you why but his reasons are valid. I believe the whole vow of silence is ridiculous but as you already might have deduced, Jonathon does what he pleases and can be as stubborn as hell.”

Sofia found it highly strange but curiosity was the primary reaction that was forming inside her brain. How come Jonathon Elliot had become such a puzzle? Why would a person endure silence? 

"He does not speak at all?" Sofia clarified.

Talking is one of the most fun activities in the world. Exchanging thoughts and verbal sparring made life more colorful and more interesting. How sad that a person would wish to disengage from it. 

"Oh, he speaks but only to those he wants to talk converse with. He even has this silly list he keeps and it's pretty short."

Sofia scoffed. "Seriously? I can't imagine how things will work our on the job for me, sir. If he chooses not talk, how would-"

"Right now, Sofia. The best thing you can do for this job of yours is to be patient. I promise you, he will be worth it.”

Sofia watched as Mr. Elliot grin at her and then continue walking towards the house. She on the other hand was rooted on her spot. 

What did the old man mean by his last statement? She was optimistic that she would discover more things about the Elliot in the boat ride but how come all she got were even more puzzles and mystery? Besides, why did it sounded like Lord Elliot was hinting at something which pertained to a romantic liaison with his nephew? Surely the older man did not mean to imply such notion!

She sighed and plopped on the grass, staring at the calm, serene lake. She knew she was miffed at herself. She did not like Jonathon Elliot one bit but she had to admit to herself, he was getting more and more interesting by the hour. 

Sofia shivered. Why did she suddenly feel like she was going to regret her decision to take this job?