Chapter four: unexpected
759 Words
sofia was still trying to act normal.
which was becoming harder every second.
vivian was beside her talking freely like always, dropping her bag on the couch and continuing one long story she had apparently started outside.
“and i told her if she sends me another voice note longer than five minutes, i’m blocking her. i’m not joking anymore.”
sofia laughed softly but her attention kept shifting.
because he was there.
actually there.
adrian cole.
the man vivian had talked about so many times without even realizing it. the rich family friend that was somehow always traveling, always busy, always somewhere else. she had heard enough stories about him to already form an image in her head before today.
but none of it matched the man standing a few feet away from her now.
he looked better in real life somehow.
too handsome without even trying.
there was something calm about him that made everything around him feel quieter. the rolled sleeves, the watch on his wrist, the way he barely spoke but still somehow carried the entire room without effort.
and when he looked at her—
god.
that small spark hit again before she could stop it.
fast. unexpected.
she looked away quickly before it became obvious.
vivian was still talking completely unaware. “sofia are you even listening to me?”
“i am.”
“liar.”
before sofia could answer, her phone rang.
she looked down and smiled immediately. “it’s my mom.”
vivian dropped onto the couch beside her instantly. “put it on speaker before she thinks you forgot about us.”
sofia laughed softly and answered.
“hi mom.”
“my baby,” mrs adams said warmly. “finally. i was starting to think school kidnapped you.”
“mom please,” sofia laughed. “it’s been busy lately.”
“busy enough to forget your mother?”
“never. i missed you.”
her mom’s voice softened immediately. “i missed you too, sweetheart. how have you been?”
“i’ve been okay. classes are stressing me out a little though.”
“i told you not to carry everything on your head.”
“i’m trying not to.”
vivian suddenly leaned closer. “help me greet her.”
sofia laughed. “vivian said hi.”
“you this girl,” mrs adams replied immediately, already laughing. “you’ve appeared again.”
“of course. somebody has to take care of your daughter.”
“that poor girl,” her mom said dramatically.
“exactly!” vivian said proudly while sofia shook her head laughing.
“how’s work?” sofia asked her mom. “last time you sounded tired.”
“work is still work,” mrs adams sighed. “your father is here disturbing me as usual.”
“i heard that,” a man’s voice said faintly from the background.
sofia smiled immediately. “dad is there?”
“yes, your dad is here with me. do you want to greet him or you’ve forgotten him too?”
“mom!”
mrs adams laughed before the phone shifted.
“my princess.”
sofia’s face softened immediately. “hi daddy.”
“how are you doing?”
“i’ve been fine. i miss you though.”
“i miss you too, princess. how have classes been?”
“stressful sometimes.”
“hmm. and are you resting properly or just worrying yourself every day?”
“i’m resting.”
“that answer sounded suspicious.”
sofia laughed quietly. “daddy, i’m serious.”
“good. because your health comes first.”
“what about yours?” she asked immediately. “mom said you’ve been working too much again.”
“look at this small girl trying to lecture me.”
“i’m serious. are you taking care of yourself?”
mr adams laughed softly. “yes princess, i am.”
“you better be.”
vivian leaned against sofia dramatically. “see love. see affection. must be nice.”
“nobody asked you,” sofia muttered while laughing.
“i’m being emotional over here.”
even mrs adams laughed in the background.
the conversation kept flowing after that, easy and warm, moving from random stories about home to her dad complaining that she hardly visited anymore while her mom defended her immediately.
and through all of it, every now and then, sofia could still feel adrian’s presence somewhere behind her.
quiet.
watching sometimes.
and somehow that made her heartbeat feel strange all over again.
- Writer
