Becoming Queen

Chapter 8: Start afresh

Finn looked up to Elias for everything. He was his shadow. But the day he broke my heart was also the day he broke my family. Finn and Nora were too young to understand, so I just lied and said he moved away.

"No sweetie, he's not. He's already moved far away".

Nora started playing with her fingers whilst giving me a sad forlorn expression.

"When is he coming back? You need to get married just like he promised".

Looking away from her, I tried to reign in the tears that were starting to form in my eyes.

I hated myself for being so weak and letting him have such control over my head and heart. He promised me the world. He promised it in front of my siblings and then everything changed in the blink of an eye.

Sometimes when I let my thoughts take over, I wondered if there was more to it. How can someone so in love change overnight. I had come up with theories, possibilities, but it didn't make sense. Even my father's reaction was so unexpected. I was waiting for rage and anger, but he was just as devastated and upset.

"Life changed that promise. He had to leave, but don't worry. I am never leaving you".

Scooping Nora up in my arms, I spun her around and covered her chubby cheeks with kisses hoping to distract her away from the one person I couldn't stop thinking about.

"Now, let's go find Finn so I can make it up to him".

******************

Hours had gone back and I had crawled back into the refuge of my room. The wrong was now right. Finn had sought the comfort of mum after hearing me insult all boys, but after correcting my statement to all boys suck except him, we had become best friends once more.

As much as I craved moving out, I would miss this. I would miss my family more than anything.

"Sofia?".

Looking up from my laptop, I saw my mum walk in with a smile on her face.

"Hey mum, everything alright?" I asked whilst closing the lid of my laptop.

She gave me a sad smile before reaching her arm out to me.

"Come, your father wants to talk to you".

Normally I'd feel nervous when I was summoned to the office. But from the look of love and happiness on her face, I knew it was something exciting and important.

Letting my mum pull me up, I followed her footsteps and let her guide me out the room all the way to my father's office.

Slowly walking into the office that had never aged, I looked to my dad who was standing by the window with his hands behind his back.

He turned around once the door had shut and smiled at me as mum went to wrap her arms around his waist.

They both stayed silent smiling at one another before looking back at me.

"Are you gonna tell me why I'm here? I have a date tonight, so could we hurry this up".

Dad's soft eyes suddenly hardened at the idea of me going out on a date, but he'd have to get over it.

"About time" mum winked earning herself a glare from dad, but like always, she ignored him and smiled at me.

Dad cleared his throat and walked round to his desk before handing me a folder.

"What's this?" I questioned as I took the folder from him.

"Open it sweetheart" he smiled as he pulled mum into his embrace.

I opened up the folder and stared intensely at the photos of a beautiful looking apartment with expensive furniture.

As I flicked through the pages and stopped at the last, my heart stopped.

To our babygirl,

May this home be the start of many amazing memories to come. We are both so proud of the woman you have become. You are successful, powerful and strong and we wouldn't want you any other way. I know we may have been tough on you, but it's only because we love you and want you to have the world. Even though this home is yours, don't ever forget that you will always have us and a room to come back to if you should ever need it.

Love you forever.

Mum & Dad x

I couldn't help the tears that welled up in my eyes at the realisation of what they had done for me.

"I-I, I don't know what to say" I mumbled out with my eyes still fixated on the photos. It must have cost an absolute fortune.

"You don't need to say anything. I was a little worried because just like your mother you're incredibly stubborn and I thought you'd want to do it all yourself, but I wanted to spoil you. Over the years you've never let me buy you anything. You have grown into a little workaholic and I couldn't be more proud. However, the thought of you moving out made me, um uneasy".

"You're such a liar. We've had nights when your old man cried not wanting you to leave" mum interjected making dad scoff and fight against her accusation, but I knew it was true.

"Anyway, I know my daughter. I know your wishes and tastes. This is a penthouse apartment in central London. It's close to your work and mine, if you should ever want to give your old man a visit. It's also got a state of the art security system with guards on the entrance so I know you'll be safe. Everything is sorted for you and I have had furniture already put in. I am happy if you wish to get your own, I just wanted it ready so you could move in whenever you wanted".

As much as I hated my dad spoiling me, I was blown away by the gesture. Me wanting to move out was taking it's toll on dad. I could see the bags under his eyes and him twitching every time I talked about leaving the family home.

I didn't mind the extra security to put his mind at ease as I knew he was close to locking me up and never letting me leave.

Completely overwhelmed with emotion, I threw the folder on his desk and ran into his embrace.

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I nestled my face into his white shirt whispering words of gratitude and love.

He wrapped his own arms around me and rested his chin on top of my head.

"You've been through so much, I think it's high time you start afresh, but this time with you in the center. Sofia Rose Hendricks, the girl who puts everyone above herself. My beautiful girl" dad whispered into my ear before kissing me on top of my head.

Slowly pulling away, I ran over to mum and hugged her tightly. She too wrapped her arms around me and whispered how proud she was of the woman I had become. I couldn't help but smile as I rested my head on her shoulder. The comforting smell of her coconut lotion filled my senses as I thanked her endlessly.

"AHHHHH GROUP HUG" a small voice shouted from the doorway.

I pulled away in fright to see Finn running towards us with 2 cookies in his mouth and Nora and Amelia behind him.

One by one, they crashed themselves into my body and held me tightly.

I couldn't help but giggle as Finn climbed up dad like he was a tree and sat on his shoulders whilst rubbing his hand on my hair.

Fucking hell I loved my family. I am going to miss this.

Aw, cute.

But enough of this, time for some drama and heartbreak.