CHAPTER 26
SOPHIA’S POV
I sauntered into the dining room, the morning light dancing across the table, and found Henry already seated, lost in thought. His furrowed brows and distant gaze made me wonder if it was too early to ask for a favor. But I couldn't let that deter me. With a cheerful smile, I greeted him.
"Good morning, Henry," I began, trying to set a positive tone. "I've got a little favor to ask."
He looked up, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "Sure thing, Sophia. You know you can ask me anything."
Encouraged by his response, I leaned in slightly, my voice tinged with enthusiasm. "I want to intern at your company."
Henry's response came quicker than I expected, and it was not what I wanted to hear. "No."
My smile wavered for a brief moment as I tried to process his answer. "But you said I could ask you anything."
He let out a resigned sigh, his expression unwavering. "I did, but this is something I can't agree to."
My determination flared, and I met his refusal with a healthy dose of persistence. "Why not? You've always told me I can do anything I set my mind to."
Henry remained resolute, his voice unwavering. "I stand by that, but not this, Sophia. I'll find you an internship elsewhere, but it won't be at my company."
Frustration surged within me. "But I'm more than capable of handling it, and I need it for extra credit. Plus, I'm pretty sure I can bring some fresh ideas to your company's social media."
The argument escalated as we exchanged reasons and counterarguments. I pushed my case with determination, emphasizing my skills and the convenience of interning at a place where I was familiar. Still, Henry's refusal remained absolute.
Our debate raged on, neither of us willing to concede. I was determined to intern at his company, and he was equally determined to prevent it.
Finally, it became clear that our standstill was unbreakable. Henry pushed his chair back, preparing to leave the table. His parting words reverberated in the room. "My decision is final."
I watched him go, a whirlwind of frustration and disappointment swirling inside me. I hadn't won this round, but I refused to let it end here. I couldn't help but wonder what lay behind his adamant refusal, and I was resolved to uncover the truth.
As I sat on the weathered bench in the bustling school courtyard with Jannette, our giggles danced through the warm afternoon air. The topic du jour? The recent test grades, of course. We were engrossed in dissecting the misadventures of our fellow students.
"Can you believe it, Sophia?" Jannette exclaimed, her eyes wide with incredulity. "Dave, you know, the guy who practically lives in the library? He got a C-minus!"
I shook my head in mock disbelief. "No way! Dave and his library fortress couldn't save him this time?"
Jannette's laughter erupted, a melody of mirth that echoed our own. "Exactly! And Sarah, the queen of color-coded study guides? She got a D!"
We shared a hearty laugh, marveling at the unpredictability of test outcomes. But just as we were getting into the juicy details of Sarah's tragic downfall, our merriment came to an abrupt halt.
A suave figure approached us, his trademark charisma trailing behind him like a loyal puppy. It was Jason, our ever-charming course advisor. Jannette, with a peculiar swiftness that caught me off guard, sprang to her feet.
"Hey there, ladies," Jason greeted us with a grin that could rival the sun. His pearly whites practically sparkled.
"Hi, Jason," I managed to reply, trying to sound nonchalant while wondering why Jannette had transformed into a human spring.
Jannette cleared her throat, her cheeks turning the shade of a ripe tomato. "I, um, just remembered I have to, uh, do something, somewhere, like right now. So, I'll catch you later, Sophia!"
Before I could process this whirlwind of an excuse, Jannette had made a hasty exit, leaving me alone with Jason. He arched an eyebrow, a knowing twinkle in his eyes.
"So, Sophia," he began, leaning in ever so slightly, "how are your grades looking?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at the predictability of the conversation. "Well, Jason, let's just say I'm aiming for the 'color-coded study guide' level of success."
He chuckled in response, his charm working its magic. Our conversation shifted to academics, but my mind kept drifting back to Jannette's sudden escape act. What was she up to?
I tilted my head, still a bit puzzled by Jannette's sudden departure. "Why did Jannette leave so quickly?"
Jason chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, Jannette and I go way back. She used to be my girlfriend, you know. She came to this school just to be closer to me."
I raised an eyebrow, trying to hide my surprise. "Well, isn't that convenient? It seems like every girl here wants you."
Jason leaned in closer, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Not every girl, Sophia. The one I unfortunately want has yet to decide if she wants me back."
My heart skipped a beat, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I shifted the conversation to more neutral territory. We talked about school, upcoming tests, and the struggles of balancing coursework with a social life.
Then an idea began to form in my mind. An idea to make Henry just a tad jealous, to remind him that I had my life and my options too.
"You know, Jason," I began with a sly grin, "I could use some help studying for the upcoming tests."
Jason's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Of course! I'd be happy to help. Where do you want to study?"
A mischievous thought crossed my mind, and I couldn't resist playing my cards. "Well, how about you come over to my place? We can have a study session there."
Jason didn't need much convincing, and he readily agreed. We exchanged contact information, and as we parted ways, I couldn't help but smile to myself. Henry was about to get a taste of his own medicine, and I couldn't wait to see his reaction.
As Jason and I arrived at my house, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment when I realized that Henry was nowhere to be seen. I had been looking forward to introducing them and sharing a pleasant evening together.
"Looks like Henry's out," I remarked, trying to mask my disappointment with a casual tone.
Jason flashed a charming grin. "Well, that just means more of your undivided attention for me, Sophia."
We settled onto the cozy living room couch, we study for some hours but I was getting bored and needed a break and I popped in a movie. It was a comedy, and Jason and I soon found ourselves engrossed in the hilarious antics of the characters on screen.
"This movie is a riot!" Jason exclaimed, his laughter filling the room.
I chuckled along with him, thoroughly enjoying our banter. "I know, right? The way they keep getting into absurd situations is just too much!"
We continued to watch and chat, sharing our favorite lines and moments from the movie. Time flew by, and I momentarily forgot about Henry's absence.
Just as the credits rolled and we erupted into laughter one last time, the front door creaked open. I turned to see Henry, dressed in a sharp tuxedo, entering the room. His expression was anything but welcoming.
"Hey, Henry," Jason greeted him with a friendly smile, completely unaware of the storm that was about to brew.
Henry's response was chilly, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Jason. "Who's this?"
I felt a knot of unease forming in my stomach as I introduced them. "Henry, this is Jason. He's a friend from school."
Jason extended a hand, but Henry simply nodded curtly. "Nice to meet you," he muttered, his tone dripping with disdain.
Jason, unfazed by the frosty reception, turned to me. "Well, Sophia, it's getting late, and I should probably head home."
I felt a mixture of relief and disappointment as Jason stood up and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. That innocent gesture seemed to send Henry into a boiling rage.
As soon as the front door closed behind Jason, Henry turned to me, his face contorted with anger. "Sophia, we need to talk."
I swallowed hard, bracing myself for what was about to come. "What's wrong, Henry?"
"What's wrong?" he exclaimed, his voice rising. "I told you I didn't want any guys over when I'm not here, and you lied to me!"
I felt the weight of his accusation, but I wasn't ready to back down. "Henry, I'm an adult. I can have friends over if I want to. Besides, Jason and I were just watching a movie."
He scoffed. "A movie, huh? You think I'm stupid? I saw the way he looked at you, and that kiss on the cheek? Unacceptable!"
I could feel my temper rising to match his. "Henry, you're blowing this out of proportion. Jason is just a friend, and that kiss was innocent."
The argument escalated from there, our voices growing louder and our words sharper with each passing moment. It felt like a clash of wills, neither of us willing to back down.
"I can't believe you'd disrespect me like this!" Henry shouted.
"I can't believe you're trying to control who I can and can't have over!" I shot back.
"if you want some things from me Henry, say something and quiet acting like my dad, you can't be this and that at the same time,"
In the midst of our heated exchange, I couldn't take it anymore. I pushed past Henry and stormed off to my room, slamming the door behind me. Tears of frustration welled up in my eyes as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.
"What a fucking mess!" I said to myself running my hands through my hair.
As I sat on my bed, the argument still echoing in my ears, I couldn't help but wonder if Henry and I could ever find a middle ground. It was a tumultuous evening, and I feared that our differences might be too vast to bridge.