39

Sophia’s POV
After all the ruckus that happened outside, I take Jake and Tyler into the apartment, closing the door behind them. They both glance around, their attention momentarily captivated by the aesthetics of the room. The events that just unfolded outside seem to fade into the background, but I know Jake and Tyler well enough to realize they won’t let it go unmentioned for long.
Jake’s gaze shifts from one corner to another, taking in the carefully curated details. “Wow, Sophia, this place is amazing,” he exclaims, admiration lacing his voice. Tyler nods in agreement, a slight smile forming on his lips. “It’s so perfectly suited to your taste. You really hit the jackpot with this one.”
As they take in the surroundings, their eyes darting from one corner to another, I observe their expressions closely. They seem impressed, their voices filled with admiration as they comment on how perfectly suited this apartment is for me. It’s both comforting and amusing to see how well they know my taste.
“It’s not bad, but they still need t0 touch up on the framing,” he says while looking at me, and Tyler nods. I can’t help but sigh; there is nothing wrong with the framing… yet. But being who they are, I know the two are just nagging.
I’m fully aware of their fussiness and attention to detail, a characteristic I sometimes find endearing and other times exasperating.
After thoroughly exploring the bedrooms and bathrooms, we reconvene in the living room, where I’m arranging the TV set. Tyler’s calm demeanor stands out as he poses an unexpected question. “So, Sophia, how much did you buy this apartment for?” His tone is measured, giving away little about his underlying intentions.
Curiosity piqued, I respond with a touch of uncertainty in my voice. “It cost me this much,” I reveal, stating the price. I can’t help but wonder what prompted Tyler’s inquiry, wanting to understand his train of thought.
Tyler falls silent, his expression thoughtful as he absorbs the information. Jake, unable to contain himself, interjects with a mixture of alarm and amusement. “Sophia, you’ve been scammed!” he exclaims mischievously, a mischievous grin playing at his lips. “This grand and beautiful apartment shouldn’t be worth such a cheap price, let alone be located in the heart of the city.”
Tyler, ever the calm and rational one, interjects, “Jake, calm down. Let’s not jump to conclusions. Sophia, did you investigate well before buying? It does seem too cheap for such a grand place.”
His words make me pause and consider their concerns. Could there be something suspicious about the seller or the history of this apartment? The thought sends a shiver down my spine, but I quickly gather my thoughts.
“I understand your concerns,” I reply, my voice filled with a mix of reassurance and uncertainty. “At first, I was suspicious, too. But it turns out the previous owners were an elderly couple. They’re moving to another city to live with their son’s family, and they need to sell the place off in a hurry.”
Tyler seems to absorb this information, though a trace of doubt lingers in his eyes. He doesn’t insist on his initial claim but remains cautious. I can see his mind working, analyzing the situation.
Curiosity gets the better of me as I ask, “Do you think there might be something more to it? Something hidden or dangerous?”
Tyler pauses for a moment, contemplating his response. “It’s hard to say for sure,” he finally answers. “But it’s possible there might be some underlying factors. We should be cautious and keep an eye out for anything unusual.”
Feeling a mix of relief and lingering doubt, I appreciate Tyler’s level-headedness. His skepticism challenges me to stay vigilant and investigate further.
I watch as he continues to walk around the room, checking every nook and corner attentively. But probably due to the earlier conversation, everything seems tense. It is easy to notice, but soon Tyler breaks the tension with a playful comment. “Well, Sophia, since we’re here, what can we help you with? Cleaning? Repairs? You name it.”
“The couple left the place clean, but you can definitely help out with some cleaning and minor repairs if needed.” I say to them as I take in the room again. It is really such a grand place to be worth that price, but I’ve gotten it anyway, and the old couple really seem reliable, so I will risk placing my trust in them.
“Okay, I’ve noticed a few things that may need repair over here. You can give Jake a bucket and napkin to do the cleaning. He seems far more suited for that.” Tyler nods in agreement, already rolling up his sleeves and getting to work.
Jake groans and glares at him. “Stop being a cheat and taking the easy work.”
Tyler, however, shrugs in response, making me laugh. “It’s no easy work. It takes a lot of muscles.”
“We both know I’m more muscular,” Jake retorts, and I twitch my lips in laughter. God, I’m going to miss their banter now that I’ve moved out.
“You’re laughing?” Jake turns to me, deciding to make me the victim of his probing.
“No, I’m not.” I shake my head while trying to bite my lips to stop myself from bursting into laughter seeing how aggrieved he looks. Jake has always been all but mouth, and even compared to Tyler, I think he is the more sentimental one.
He always goes around with different women and changing them as fast as he changes his socks, but I know well that he always just pretends to be unfeeling and rude.
He grunts and begins to clean. Probably hitting a stench in the toilet, he soon comes out with his nose scrunched as he glares at me sarcastically, “Is this payback for all the condoms I made you buy?”
I chuckle at his sarcastic remark, fully aware of the times they’ve made me do chores at their homes. “Yes, I do hold grudges,” I reply, laughter bubbling in my voice.
He sniffs and does not reply as he grabs a disinfectant and a mask along the way, returning to his chore. I shake my head and laugh as I return to my part, too.
While we are working, Tyler suddenly coughs, breaking the momentum as he asks, “What happened earlier at the door?”
I look up at him, not knowing how to respond now that it has come to it. Eventually, I just shake my head. “It’s nothing.”
Tyler narrows his gaze at me. “Then what was all that crap he was saying about the kids been yours.”
I am quiet and i don’t respond. Tyler, noticing my reluctance to reply, breaks the tension with a soft tone. “Sophia, we’re here for you. You can trust us. If there’s something you need to tell us, we’re ready to listen.”
I glance at Tyler, appreciating his genuine concern. There’s a flicker of doubt and unwillingness in his voice, a hint that he senses there might be more to the story than what I’m revealing. But how can I possibly explain the truth? How can I tell them about my complicated history with Alexander, the secrets that have haunted me for so long?
Jake, unable to contain his impatience, interjects sarcastically. “Come on, Ty, she has always treated us like strangers. Why would she tell us about it?”
Tyler shoots Jake a warning look, his eyes conveying a silent plea for understanding. He knows Jake means well, but his words aren’t helping the situation. They’re only pushing me further into my shell.
I take a deep breath, torn between the desire to confide in them and the fear of their reaction. I know how Jake and Tyler can be-fussy, protective, and prone to overreactions. If I tell them the truth, they might go on a rampage, attacking Alexander.
“It’s not that simple,” I finally reply, my voice filled with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. “There’s a lot you don’t know, and… and I’m not sure if I’m ready to share it all just yet.”
I look at their troubled expressions, the lines etched on their faces. They’re genuinely bothered by my evasiveness, and it breaks my heart to see them like this. But I can’t risk everything unraveling just yet. I need time to gather my thoughts, to come to terms with the truth myself. I can’t also believe that those kids are mine… yet.
“I promise you, when the time is right, I will tell you everything,” I assure them, my voice filled with sincerity. “But for now, let’s just focus on what we are doing.”
Tyler’s gaze softens, his skepticism slowly giving way to understanding. He nods in acceptance, his actions speaking louder than words. “You can count on us, Sophia. We’re here for you, no matter what.”
Jake, though still visibly bothered, takes a deep breath and joins in the cleaning efforts. “Fine, but just remember, secrets have a way of coming out eventually.”
I laugh at his remark, knowing all too well how right he is. “Trust me, Jake, I’m well aware of that. But when the time comes, I’ll be ready.”
Together, we continue with the cleaning and repairs, our banter and laughter lightening the mood. I can sense the unspoken concerns lingering in the air, but for now, we choose to set them aside, focusing on the task at hand.