Sophia’s POV: Unforeseen Circumstances.
SIX DAYS LATER.
I woke up with a terrible headache. Again. It has persisted for days and the only time I get a break is when I fall asleep. My head throbbed so hard it was almost impossible to blink without wincing. I reached blindly for my phone.
I glanced at the screen and regretted it instantly as I winced at its brightness. “One thirty-seven pm,” I muttered to myself.
Notifications from missed calls and messages came flooding in and I opened the group chat first.
Nick: Hey hon. You good?
Nick: Been trying to reach you, but calls keep going straight to voicemail.
Daisy: Good morning babe.
Daisy: Why aren’t you picking up? It’s been days since you last texted or answered your phone.
Daisy: You sure you’re okay?
Daisy: Okay, I think I’ve respected your space enough, it’s been days now, and getting out of hand.
Nick: Yea, Daisy is right on this. You won’t tell us what happened. You distanced yourself and wouldn’t take calls, now that’s disturbing.
Nick: I don’t want to think about the last time you did something like this. It’s scary.
Nick: Can we come over? You have us worried.
Nick: At least, send a text. Just an emoji would do.
Nick:
Daisy: Seriously, what’s going on?
Daisy: No reply… That’s it, I’m coming over with Nick.
I groaned. How long have I been out for? I think I slept for a day after I got drunk and cried myself to sleep.
The last text was by 11:29 pm. They should be here soon. I didn’t really tell them what went down at Dad’s office that day, I just distanced myself wanting to be alone.
I scrolled through my call log and saw missed calls from Harry too. Sighing, I sent a text letting him know I was doing good.
Me: Hey, I’m sorry I missed your calls. I was down with a fever.
Lying to him wasn’t fair, but I couldn’t exactly tell him the truth now, could I? I didn’t want him to think I was weak or to see how much my father hated me.
I thought I’d become stronger, that I was no longer that child that craved love from her father but I was wrong. That day at his office, the walls I had built up for myself were torn down with his words.
Harry’s text came in immediately.
Harry: Fever? Christ. I was worried because you weren’t picking up and I was too caught up with work to visit.
Harry: How do you feel now?
Harry: Need me to come over?
Me: No, please. You don’t have to, I’m better now. My friends are on their way here anyway.
Harry: Sure?
Harry: I don’t mind coming over right away.
Me: I’m fine. Trust me.
Harry: Alright, please let me know if you need anything. Do not hesitate to call me, okay?
Me: Sure
I placed my phone on my dresser and took in the state of my room, it was a complete mess. I haven’t stepped out of my room since I left Dad’s office. I’ve been surviving on nothing but snacks and beer. I told my housekeeper to stay away.
Groaning, I stood up with great difficulty, internally begging my head to stop pounding. I got to work, cleaning the mess in my room. Discarded empty cans of beer, snacks wraps, and clothes were littered everywhere.
I was only done putting the empty cans away when the keypad sound on my smart lock chimed. Right, they knew my passcode.
“Hey! Soph!” Nick’s voice echoed.
“Babes?” Daisy called.
“I’m in here!” I called out. Seconds later they came rushing to my room. They stood at the doorway with a look of concern plastered on their faces.
“Holy fuck, you are a mess,” Nick said at the same time Daisy said, “What happened in here?”
I sighed. They can be dramatic sometimes. “Just help me clean up, you can ask questions later.”
“Naaa, I didn’t sign up for this,” Nick grumbled and that earned him a slap to his arm from Daisy.
“We are going to help her clean, stop being lazy,” she scolded and Nick scowled but got to work anyway.
Minutes later, we were done cleaning. They went to the living room while I freshened up. I took some time in the shower cause I hadn’t been bathing, I think yesterday was the last time I had my bath.
“Hey, I ordered food. From what I’ve seen here, I don’t think you’ve had a proper meal in days,” Daisy said as soon as I joined them in the living room.
I plopped down on the couch as Nick passed a plate of food to me. I opened it and inhaled sharply at the enticing smell of the Chinese food. It wasn’t until then I realized I was really hungry.
“So… what’s been going on with you?” Daisy asked around the food she was chewing.
I scrunched up my face in disgust. “At least finish chewing on your food before you talk.”
“Literally,” Nick muttered.
“Fine, but you’re not getting out of this,” She said firmly. “You scared the shit out of us.”
“I know… okay. I’m sorry I ignored your calls and texts, but half of the time I was either passed out drunk or sleeping,” I explained.
She mumbled something under her breath.
Once we were done eating I put our plates away. They both wrapped me in a tight bear hug after I explained to them what had transpired between Dad and me and how I came home with a mental breakdown.
“Oh God, you poor thing,” Nick said as he kissed my forehead.
“I’m so sorry baby,” Daisy whispered, she pulled back and her beautiful amber eyes glistened with tears. “I know I’ve always pushed you to stand up for yourself but I never thought how much it would affect you.”
I took her hands in mine and caressed it slowly. “Hey, it’s not your fault. I had to one day and I have come to realize that I may never get over the fact that my Dad hates me.”
“That really sucks, Soph,” Nick said softly as he stroked my hair. “We are here for you, always.”
“I know…” I croaked out as I fought back tears. “Are you both looking to adopt a twenty-four-year-old? I think my Dad’s gonna take away everything,” I joked, trying to lighten up our moods.
Daisy grinned widely. “You don’t have to ask twice.”
“Well, only if you promise to do the chores, every single day,” Nick added.
“Seriously, you’re shameless,” Daisy scolded.
“Hop off my dick, will ya.”
“Shut up.”
My phone rang and I tuned out their bickering.
Rosie’s number flashed on my screen, and I wondered why she would be calling. I swiped to answer the call.
I could hear her sniffle as soon as the call connected.
“Rosie?”
“Miss, there’s been an incident.” Her voice came out shaky and wrecked.
“Talk to me, what’s going on?”
“I- it’s… your Mr. Smith. There’s Oh God,” She sobbed.
“Dad?” Dread pooled at my core. “Talk to me!”
There was a pause, she sniffled some more before she replied. “His private jet crashed, only the pilot survived and is in a coma.”
“Dad… Dad is dead?”
“What?” Daisy and Nick gasped but their voices were muffled by how hard my heart was beating. They rushed to my side, possibly trying to hear what Rosie was saying to me but I could barely register anything.
This couldn’t be real, right? Dad couldn’t be dead, he was my only family.
I didn’t know what to do. I felt numb and confused. With shaky hands I hung up on Rosie and tried to call his number but it wasn’t reachable. I have to go over, I need to see for myself. It felt like a dream, how can life be so unpredictable?