"Sophia, come on!! We have to go! We're gonna miss our flight!" Sebastian yelled from downstairs, fixing up his tie, he and his daughter are going on a flight to New York for his photoshoot.
His acting career is on its peak since the movie will star in just started filming, interviews everywhere, photoshoots, etc.. etc. It was all so sudden for Sebastian, but he's trying to balance everything out while still giving time to his adopted daughter, Sophia.
"Okay, dad! Hold on, I'm just packing my stuff!" Sophia yelled back, he could hear thumping footsteps from upstairs, Sebastian smiled. It's the first time he'll bring Sophia to New York, he hasn't been there for a very long time himself.
Sebastian adopted Sophia when she was only ten years old, that was six years ago. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she was eight, since then she's been staying at an orphanage. The first time Sebastian laid eyes on her, he knew she's gonna be the one to grow old with him, her brunette hair just sits on her shoulder, freckled cheeks and big blue eyes. Sebastian knew she'll make him happy, and he never regretted that decision.
Six years ago was tough for Sebastian, no regular jobs, the tv show he starred in was cancelled. It was a crisis, in a manner of speaking, and to top off that year, he had just been dumped by Leighton. He was heartbroken, turning his attention to alcohol most of the time. He was growing old.. And fast. But ever since he went home with Sophia, the sun shines brighter and everything was a lot better. The little girl kept him grounded and happy, that was more than enough for Sebastian.
"Sophia! Come on, please! Daddy needs to hurry.."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry! Here I am!" Sophia said apologetically, stumbling down the stairs, most of her clothes falling off the still open suitcase. "I'm really sorry, daddy.. I will fix that when we get home."
Sebastian sighs, he didn't mean to raise his voice and upset her. "It's okay, Sophie.. Don't be upset. Look, when we get to New York, I'll show you where me and grandma used to live, huh?"
She nodded enthusiastically, grinning at Sebastian in the cutest way, he swears, sometimes she reminds him of....
"Mr. Stan, we have to go, the plane's leaving in less than an hour." Dean said, Sebastian's driver.
"Yeah, okay.. Uhh, Soph? You ready?"
"Yeah, dad, I got it all covered."
~
New York.
Ah, home sweet home. If this is what one calls a home, Sebastian lived here for the first sixteen years of his life, he hasn't been here in almost eighteen years. He didn't dare set foot in this city, but everything's in the past now. That's what he liked to think.
"Dad, are we gonna be here for a long time?" Sophia said, leaning on the car window beside him.
"I guess so, sweetheart. I'm going on a photo shoot and after that I need to film a movie, I think.. So, yeah.. We'll be here for a while. Might have to enroll you to a school.." Sebastian sighed, he knows how difficult it is for his girl to make friends, or even talk to other teenagers her age. "..or if you want, you can be homeschooled?"
"No, daddy. I'm sixteen, I think I can handle this."
"Okay, tiny adult. I trust you.. We'll look into some private schools first thing tomorrow, okay? We gotta settle in the hotel for now."
The ride to the hotel was quiet and nostalgic, the familiar roads and stores, the pizzeria Sebastian used to go to with his father is still there. Seems like a lot has changed, but not really.. The same alleyway he got beat up to is still there, his highschool still stands. The corner of he ice cream shop where he had his first kiss. Being in the city again brings back good memories, of course.. In good memories comes the bad, too.
"Mr. Stan, we're here." Dean says, snapping Sebastian out of his thoughts. He nodded at his driver and smiled.
"Sophie, we're here!" Sebastian exclaimed. Are you excited?"
"Of course, dad. This is your hometown, I wanna see what life is like here."
Sebastian and Sophia headed towards the receptionist to check in. Sophie looked around the grand hotel, a few old people in the lobby and some adults walking around in posh suits and elegant dresses. It makes her wonder how she would fit in in this sort of town, she fidgeted slightly and moved closer to Sebastian. 'I'm not gonna get used to this life', she thought.
~
Hotel Room.
Sebastian sits at the balcony, sipping on his beer, the view from up there was surreal. The city's glowing lights illuminated the night sky, the cars below him reminded him of his days when he was young. Those were the days he wanted to remember but he can't shake the feeling of dread and sadness when he remembers his last days here,
*December 1998*
The cold air hit Sebastian's face as he walked hand in hand with you in a slow paced walk on the pavements of New York.
"I don't want to leave this town. I don't wanna leave you here.." He whispered, voice mellow and sad.
"You are, though. You are leaving me here. I can't imagine a day without seeing you. I wish we could do something." You whispered, hot tears forming on your eyes.
"I'm sorry... I'll find you again, I promise. I'll find you, and I'll make you happy."
You walked beside him, quiet, thoughts swimming in your head. What would you do the day after he leaves? What would happen to you?
"You won't. But I'll hold on to that promise."
*
Sebastian could never forgive himself for that, for forgetting about her. He wanted to hate himself, his parents, everyone around him.
He did try to find her, but realizing after, that she might have moved on already. She might have found the man she deserves, someone who won't leave her, who'd treat her right. Sebastian thought that contacting her might result to a mess in her life. He let her move on.
"Daddy! I found a good school for me!" Sophia yelled from the inside, startling Sebastian and losing his train of thought. He run his hands on his face, sighing lightly before standing up to see Sophia.
"You did?" He sat down on Sophie's bed and squinted his eyes on the laptop. "Let me see.."
"Look, it's private, good quality of teaching, they even accept late enrollees. Dad, it's perfect. And it's near the city! Mr. Dean can drive me to and from." Sophia said, showing Sebastian everything she researched about this school.
"I think it's pretty great. Wanna look at it first thing tomorrow?"
The teenager only nodded and smiled at Sebastian, grinning so cheerfully at him. She definitely reminds him of his young love, always so happy and eccentric.
"Okay, kiddo. It's getting late, go prep for bed." He said, leaning in to kiss the top of Sophia's hair. "Goodnight, dad."
"Goodnight, sweetie." Sebastian said before switching off the lights and laying down on his own bed. Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day, he might forget about her... But he doubts it.
