The Ecstatic Life Of Sofia

Chapter Eleven: Reunion

At the market, Sofia gathered up the groceries that were needed then moved to the checkout line. She was almost there when she was cut off by a young man slightly older than her. She ran into him, despite her attempts not to.

The man turned to glare. "Could you watch where you're going!"

Sofia took a deep breath trying to control her anger. She stared daggers at him. "Sorry, excuse me sir." She said coldly and walked around.

The man scoffed and moved on.

As Sofia drove back to the inn, something nagged at her. When she arrived there she noticed an unfamiliar car. She walked inside and headed to the back.

"Hey!" A voice called out. "You can't go back there."

Sofia turned. Then something suddenly clicked. Sala, Anthony Sala was Mr. and Mrs. Sala's son and the guy from the grocery store. Sofia stared blankly at nothing, she marvelled at how forgetful she was, at how dumb she was not to have put two and two together.

Realization dawned on Anthony's face. "You're that girl, Sofia."

Mrs. Sala emerged from the back. "Sofia, don't just stand there. Bring the groceries back."

Sofia turned and smiled. "Coming."

In the kitchen Mrs. Sala turned to her. "I see you remember my son now. What do you think of him?"

Sofia paused with what she was doing. "No offense Mrs. Sala, but your son is a little rude."

Mrs. Sala laughed. "He's like that on the outside, but on the inside he's a very kind man."

Sofia smiled. "I hope so."

Later that evening Sofia entered with Mrs. Sala. She sat down at the table and Anthony looked up from the paper. "What, do you live here now?"

"Anthony!" Mrs. Sala scolded.

His father glared at him. "You'd better treat this woman with respect. You never know who she may turn out to be."

Anthony glared at Sofia.

"No, he's right. I shouldn't be taking advantage of your hospitality." Sofia got up from the table. She smiled at the older couple. "I'll see you two later." She kissed them each on the cheek and turned to leave.

"What about dinner, dear?" Mrs. Sala asked.

"I'll grab something out." Sofia smiled, then she left. Sofia walked towards the cafe, but was stopped by a car that pulled up next to her.

"Where are you going?" Brad asked her.

"I'm going to the cafe for a drink."

He smiled. "Hop in I'll give you a ride."

Sofia got into his car and they drove toward the cafe. They sat and chatted for awhile along with Sara who took her break while they were there. After they had their drink, Brad insisted on taking her to the park for a walk.

Sofia and Brad walked side by side through the park and woods just chatting. She thought about showing him the bench, but felt like she wasn't supposed to, like it wasn't meant for him, so she steered clear from it.

Eventually, Brad became restless and offered to take them somewhere else.

Sofia laughed. "No I'd rather go home, I'm a little tired."

Brad looked at her, then smiled. "Home, got it."

When Sofia got up into her apartment she wanted to go to sleep, but knew she should wait a little longer. She looked in the refrigerator and remembered she had no food. She yawned, then went to the grocery store.

At the grocery store she stumbled slightly almost asleep. She had stumbled again when suddenly she heard her cart hit another.

"Could you watch where you're going?" A man spoke rudely.

Sofia turned to face a very familiar glare. "You again?" She yawned.

"Don't say 'you again' when you're the one who ran into me twice in one day." He snapped.

Sofia glared. "Who goes to the grocery store twice a day anyway?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"The first time I was here for your parents. Now I'm here because I have no food at my house. Can you explain why you're here twice in a day?"

He glared. "I don't have to, but if you must know my parents needed some more groceries."

Sofia's vision blurred and she lost her balance for a moment. "Okay." She mumbled quietly. The sound that came out was barely a huff of consent. Sofia moved on stumbling slightly barely keeping her eyes open, she gave the cashier twenty extra dollars when she paid. Anthony, who was checking out behind her grabbed the extra twenty and gave it back to her. When she got to her car she dropped the keys five times before Anthony dragged her to his car to drive her home.

"Where do you live?" He asked rudely as he pulled out. After a few seconds of silence he looked over at her. She was asleep, he rolled his eyes and drove back to the inn. He opened the passenger door and lifted her sleeping body into his arms. Her arms went around his neck and she nuzzled her head against him.

The next day, Sofia woke up in her old room at the inn. It was eight in the morning. She got up and looked in the mirror, she was in her outfit from yesterday and her hair was slightly disheveled. She sighed and walked downstairs.

"You're awake, we saved you breakfast." Mrs. Sala smiled from behind the counter.

Sofia offered a smile. "Thanks." She entered the back, passing Mr. Sala on the way. Sofia sat down across from Anthony who was reading the newspaper. Sofia grabbed a donut and sat back munching on it.

There were a few moments of silence before Anthony sat down the paper and leaned forward to look at her. "So what was the matter last night? Were you drunk?" Even though he was asking a simple question he still managed to sound rude.

"What? No!" Sofia glared at him. "I was just really really tired."

"Mhmm" He leaned back.

Sofia swallowed the last of the donut. "Well I'll see you around Anthony, thanks for the ride last night, but I need to get my car and go home. Where are the groceries I bought last night?"

"Should be in the kitchen."

Sofia went to the kitchen and found the bags on the counter. They were full, minus the milk which she found in the refrigerator. Sofia gathered the bags and moved to the door.

"Wait." Anthony called. "I'll drop you off at the store so you can get your car."

"Thanks."

Anthony scoffed. "I'm only offering because my parents like you. I have business elsewhere." He grumbled as they walked to his car.

"Sofia!" A voice called behind her.

Sofia turned and laughed. "You always manage to show up at the best times." She turned to Anthony. "Looks like I won't be burdening you today." Sofia turned and walked off with Brad.

Anthony watched after the pair, he stared daggers at Brad's back. Then scoffed and got into his car.