My Dearest Sofia (Completed)

Chapter 9

Sofia woke up extra early the next day, excited about starting work. Finally, she would stop feeling guilty about the life of luxury she has been experiencing in the past days with the Lord Elliot. 

She eagerly laid out the dress she picked the other night and took a leisurely soak in the tub, thankful that she still had a couple more hours to get ready.

Finally satisfied with her bath time, she got out of the tub, towelled off and then began fixing her hair and then donning the dress on. She sighed as the rich, light fabric embraced her skin. It truly was a luxurious dress. 

She had to stare at herself a couple of times at the full length mirror and pinch her arm just to make sure she was not dreaming. With a sigh, she reluctantly went to the dressing table and tried to figure out what to do with her face.

Sofia never really used make up, at least, not in the way most of the flashy and rich teenagers did in school before. She would rather spend whatever money she saved on practical clothes, school materials and something for their house. But now, laid before her on the table, was a huge array of eye shadows, lipstick, blush and other tubes and tubs of cosmetics. 

She wished she did some quick research or at least, stole a quick glance at the magazines she found on Ava's quarters when the lady took her for another less scenic tour of the house.

Sofia sighed and decided she was going to be practical about it. Really, how hard could it be? She stood up and got a piece of paper and decided to mix and match colors on it before actually putting it on her eyes. 

After a few trial and error, she decided to use a brown eyeliner, mascara, a light neutral eye shimmer for her eyes. She teared up a bit when using the eyeliner but managed not to smudge the mascara. After a few minutes, she admired her handy work.

Her eyes looked bigger and even greener with the simple light eye make up. She was glad that it looked natural and not too flashy. She was a secretary after all, not a model or anything that required too much glamming up. She decided to stay with the lighter colors when picking her blush and lipstick. 

Soon, Sofia found herself slipping into a pair of nice white pumps just in time to hear Ava's knock on her door.

She walked carefully to the door and for once, she was glad that her mother had a love for shoes. She had been able to practice with heels since she turned 12. Sofia was not really that tall but with the extra inches, she was sure she could be at least at nose level with the tall Jonathon Elliot. 

Really, she muttered, there's no need to add more reason for him to look down on me!

She opened the door and expected the woman but to her surprise, nobody was there. She peeked and turned her head sideways but the hall was deserted. She frowned and was about to close the door when she noticed a piece of paper on the floor. She stooped down and picked it up.

She noticed that the paper felt really expensive. She inhaled its scent and was surprised to caught a whiff of drying ink. She immediately flipped the note over and blinked in surprise. 

The handwriting was smooth and beautiful. From the looks of it, she thought, it seemed to look like it came from the history books where people used quills and were naturally gifted with calligraphy! She smiled at the elegance but then realized as soon as she read the note that it was nothing to be happy about.

You're Fired.

Sofia had to close her eyes, breathe deeply before reading the note again. She did not have to guess who it was from. Really! How could such elegant writing be marred with these words. She hasn't even started yet and now his royal ass-ness is firing her!

Sofia wanted to crumple the note but the writer in her still appreciated the artistry of it. Instead, she placed it on top of her bedside table and then started counting to ten. She could feel her temper flaring and it took all her will power not to barge out of her room and punch Jonathon in the face.

Breathing through her nose, Sofia fought to get her bearings. She did not go through all the motions of doing her hair and make up so early in the morning just to get fired! The nice dress was not going to be put to waste and she was certainly going to keep the job!

Jonathon sat behind his uncle's desk, grumbling to himself. He decided to check his uncle's messages and found that it was a mess. It was an easy task, especially for someone with Jonathon's brains and skills but, it was something he did not have time for. 

He got an early call from his best friend and the New York office telling him that although the Chinese have managed to agree to settle for less, the Japanese were a different story altogether.

He smiled, despite the dilemma that it would cause him. Japanese people were proud and brilliant and he admired them. He was more worried though that perhaps his admiration for them is definitely not worth the number of weeks the company would have to be set back. Jonathon hated set backs and plans not going through as scheduled.

The computer in front of him alerted him to another one of his uncle's emails. He frowned and wondered why there were several bids on several restaurants and the hotel. His uncle never mentioned anything about selling. 

In fact, it was starting to get suspicious when he started reading some of the earlier messages. Jonathon had a feeling that his uncle did not have any idea about writing any of it.

The phone rang and he sighed. He knew it was going to be Pamela, the new intern that Delnard put on his team just because she was cute and sexy. Unfortunately, the slip of a girl did not have enough brains or talent to go with her allure. 

She was not actually on his "to-speak-to" list but since his best friend was out of town, mentally sparring with the clients, he should make this one consideration. He was about to pick up the receiver when the door to the office opened.

He blinked, shocked and for the first time in a long while, Jonathon was dumbfounded. He stared at the vision by the door and despite the fact that he knew he was gawking, he could not help but stare some more.

Sofia was standing in a simple cut white dress, her usually ponytailed hair was swept up into a nice bun. She looked sophisticated and beautiful. 

He felt himself swallowing a lump that formed in his throat as the ringing phone suddenly became a distant, inconsequential sound. She was staring at him, a clipboard clutched against her chest.

He had to force himself to breathe as soon as he met those jewel-like eyes. Out of nowhere the ringing phone stopped and Jonathon was able to regain his senses. He was starting to feel angry. 

Didn't he just fire her? What was she doing in his office? He heard his knuckles c***k when he fisted his fingers. How could this girl get him from enthralled to angry in seconds flat?

"Yes, he is here. Mr. Elliot is currently indisposed. May I take a message?”

Her pleasant voice permeated through Jonathon, he turned around to glare at her. She returned his glare but still managed to keep her voice even as she said goodbye to Pamela while writing something on her clipboard.

With a scowl on his face, Jonathon pulled out a notepad and grabbed the nearest pen to begin writing. Meanwhile, Sofia watched with a smirk on her face.

"You know, you can just talk to me instead of wasting time scribbling. Did you know your handwriting looks like a girl’s?"

Jonathon shoved the paper towards her. Sofia smiled and crumpled it in her hands.

"Yes, you did leave me a note, firing me early this morning. However, as I was contemplating what to pack for my return journey home, your uncle was quite adamant that I stay.”

It was a lie. Sofia did not really pack or told the older Elliot about his nephew's arrogance. She decided she was going to fight for this job on her own. Otherwise, how would she prove to Jonathon that she was not just some peasant girl who was way off her comfort zone?

She watched amused as he scribbled furiously. This time, Jonathon was surprised that her hand was already out, ready to receive the piece of paper. He dumped it on the table, stood up and went to open the door of the office, gesturing her to go.

Sofia read the note. It said only two words: Get Out.

She shook her head. “No!"

Jonathon's eyes were wide as he watched her march towards him and slam the door shut. She was still a full head shorter than him, despite the heels but the energy behind the glare she was giving him made him feel like he was a young little boy again. This made Jonathon even angrier and matched her glare.

He smiled in triumph because she was the first one to break off the glaring match. He was surprised though when she spoke to him, her voice soft and low.

"Listen, Jonathon, I know we did not get off on the right foot. I think, you were also caught unaware of having a secretary hired by your Uncle. Oh- I really hate this part- I'm pretty stubborn you see and I let my temper get the best of me- I don't usually do this and I- I think I'm going to regret this in a couple of minutes…but..."

Jonathon was torn between anger and laughter. The girl was rambling, wringing her hands together and blushing. What was she offering? Was she going to sell herself to him? He took advantage of her mumbling and let his eyes rove along her body. 

The dress was cut in a way that it accentuated her curves without really being to clingy. He was surprised when he realized she was a little bit on the chubby size, but he still thought she was sexy as hell.

His eyes traveled back to her face and he found himself staring at her eyes. He saw a glint of surprise; a flash of anger and something else that caught his attention. 

She blinked, managed to erase the emotion that betrayed her to him. He grinned slowly as he realized that she had been fully aware of how he was checking her out.

Sofia knew she was rambling but she could not stop herself. She was going to actually beg for this job back even if her pride were already in tatters. She would not fail her family this time and it did not matter if Jonathon was going to be a jackass, with the amount of salary the Elliotts were paying her, she kind of expected it. 

Yes, it was bruising to her pride and principles but she figured it was going to be only for 6 months, she would endure just to provide a solution to her family's monetary problems.

She stopped talking when she realized that Jonathon was no longer fixing her an angry stare but was actually leisurely checking her out. She could feel his eyes traveling all over her body. He left no part unnoticed and Sofia felt her body responding to this handsome man in front of her.

She almost lost all her confidence and bravery when she barged into his office. She saw him right away, a scowl fixed on his handsome face but he never expected him to look absolutely breathtaking. 

He was dressed in an off-white button down polo that was halfway buttoned. It had shown his well defined collar bone and made his neck look longer and stronger. His hair was casting shadows across his face as it fell in disarray across his forehead.

She felt suddenly under dressed and unsophisticated. Jonathon could be wearing a sack and still would end up on the cover of GQ or something. Now, up close, she could feel the heat coming from his body and before she knew it, she took a deep breath and inhaled his scent. 

He smelled of soap and a hint of after shave. He smelled like one of those young men she usually read about in romantic novels. Before she knew what was happening, their gazes met and Sofia tried hard to erase these thoughts before he could notice.

She watched as time seemed suspended, unable to speak. She vaguely noticed him pulling a small notepad from the table behind him and scribbling. She had to blink several times before she could look at the piece of paper in front of her. She quickly snatched it, hands shaking, her fury returning in full force as she began reading the note.

Are you offering your self to me like you did to my Uncle in exchange for the job?

Sofia felt tears welling up from her eyes. Is that what he thought of her? Did he think she was his uncle's mistress or girlfriend? Did he actually judge her to be a social climbing, money-hungry w***e?

Anger and humiliation raged inside Sofia. She crumpled the piece of paper with those appalling words, drew her arm back and punched the arrogant, vile guy in the face. 

She heard her knuckle c***k and pain traveled through her arm but she was oblivious. All she could think of was the satisfying feeling of catching Jonathon by surprise and actually hitting him squarely on the eye.

She watched as he staggered backward, totally bewildered before she stepped out of the room and slammed the door shut. She marched back to her room determined to pack all her things except the ones that the Elliots have bought her. It would be a cold night in hell before she'd work for Jonathon Elliot and that is that!