Serenity | Fragile Hearts

chapter 23- new friends

I figured this would be a good time to check on Sofie so I made my way back to Ronan's office, all while mentally processing what just happened.

I couldn't believe he was now going to be my boss. I wanted to know what I did in my past life to deserve this.

I reached his office and knocked. From the outside I heard an immense amount of giggling, telling me she was most definitely awake. After hearing a brief "come in", I entered. The sight before me made my heart melt.

Ronan, Sofie and another girl (who I'm guessing was his daughter) sat on the couch together, all of them giggling.

Sofie sat in between them, while Ronan and his daughter sat next to her, both of them fully immersed on the show.

Sofie had a phone in her hand and by the sound of it, I'm guessing Ms. Rachel was playing.

"Hi mommy" she said with a bright smile as she waved her small hand.

"Hi baby, I see you met some new friends?" I smiled to her as I leaned on the door frame.

"Silly mommy, this is Ro. Member he saved us a while ago?" She asked me with an incredulous look. I laughed. "Oh yes I remember."

"And this is his daughter, Charlotte. But she said I can call her Lottie cause it's easier." she beamed.

"That's so kind Sofie!"

"She's my friend now! Mommy I have a friend!" She said excitedly as she jumped up in down.

I would be lying if I said I didn't feel a pang of guilt in my heart. She would've had more friends if I would've had the money to put her in preschool.

Hopefully I will soon.

Ronan stood up, and his daughter came up right after him. "Aila, this is my daughter, Charlotte." he told me. She put out her hand and I shook it. "It's so nice to meet you!" she said with a bright smile.

"Same here!" I told her. She was adorable. She had her father's dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

"Did you meet your new boss?" Ronan asked me with a sly smile, acting all innocent as if he did nothing.

"Yep, I did. What a delight." I told him sarcastically.

Surprisingly, I've grown comfortable in Ronan's presence. A few weeks ago, I would've been afraid to talk back. But with him, it felt like more of a sibling relationship. He looked out for us. And it felt good. Between the job offer and everything else he's done for Sofie and I, I could tell he didn't mean any harm.

"He'll grow on you, trust me." he said confidently. "Men are like that. They like to think they can do it all, but in reality, they need a woman to show them how." he told me with a grin.

"Uncle Grey is a total teddy bear. Don't worry, if he gives you any trouble, you can always let me know." Charlotte winked.

Her dad nodded. "True. She might be more effective than me." He smiled.

I giggled. "I will keep that in mind, thank you!"

"Of course, us girls gotta stick together." She smiled out.

By the looks of it, she definitely had both of them wrapped around her finger.

I laughed. "Thank you."

"Mommy do we have to go?" Aila asked me as she held onto my hand and gave me those puppy dog eyes.

And each time I melted.

"Yes baby." I said with a sad face.

"B-but mommy I don't want to leave my new friends." she said with a sad face.

"Don't worry, Sofie, I'm sure you'll see us again! Besides we have to go on our ice cream date!" Charlotte told her as she bent down to her level.

"Wait, yes! I almost forgot! And we can get ice cream with a loooooootttt of sprinkles." She beamed brightly.

"Only if I can get cookie dough ice cream with caramel and Oreos." Ronan told her in a fake- serious tone.

"Duhhh" she screamed with the biggest smile on her face.

"It's a date!" he smiled to her.

I smiled to the both of them. "I'm looking forward to it!"

"Perfect, we'll see you guys sometime!" Charlotte told us.

"Bye Lottie, bye Ro." Sofie said as she waved to them.

"See you later Sofie!"

I grabbed Sofie's hand and I couldn't help smile on my face after seeing her so excited.

Maybe working here might not be so bad after all.