Dad's best friend secret baby

Chapter 6

Evie

I stood in front of Sophie's door. It had been a little over a week, and there were still no changes. It wasn't like I expected her to just... change. I knew all good things took time.

Like every other day, I waited for a while before knocking. As usual, I heard footsteps for a while before I knocked. Then the door opened. She turned her back to return to the bed when I entered.

I still didn't know what pre-morning routine she had. In order not to be forward, I planned to ask her some other time. When she would be comfortable enough to tell me.

"How are you doing today, Sophie?" My smile was anything but fake. Even though I knew there may be no response, I still smiled genuinely at her. And I hoped she could see that.

I hoped she could tell that, unlike the others, I didn't see her as a project. I was interested—invested— in the process.

There was no response as she remained in her usual position. Knees tucked to her chest, and face half tucked between them. Before I could urge her out of bed, she untucked her legs and slowly climbed out of bed. She stood still when she reached me.

With another smile, I lowered myself and then started undressing her. As I did so, I noticed her eyes glued to my head. And her blank expression slowly gave way for another, curiosity.

I briefly tried to recall if I did anything extra with my hair. I didn't. So, I wondered why she was staring.

Perhaps she liked my tight bun today?

I was still in the middle of undressing and thinking when I felt a feathery touch on the side of my head. The touch was light, it felt like I'd imagined it. But when I looked up, I found her holding her index finger to her chest.

That's how I knew she'd indeed touched me. Furrowing my brows, I brought a finger to the part she'd just touched. Oh...

Suddenly, I recalled I'd worn a small hair clip— a shiny, silver one. I quickly straightened my brows. "Do you like my hair clip?"

I held her gaze until she moved her eyes to her feet. She probably liked it. I gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Thank you, Sophie."

The urge to give it to her was strong. But I only just realized she had no such accessories. I wondered why? Why did Alicia not let her have any?

My heart dropped.

"Let's have your bath, Sophie."

I made a mental note to ask.

When we were done and now sitting at the dining table, Virginia was nowhere to be found. My best guess was she was busy in the west wing.

Our food was already served. As much as I hated to admit it, Joseph did a good job. His meals tasted delicious and each of them were served like they belonged on the cover of a culinary magazine. It was hard to fault him.

Today's breakfast was a frittata. Nicely baked and sliced in precise wedges. Glistening bits of ham and cheese peeked through the surface. Indeed, it looked yummy and, when I tasted it, it was delicious. Probably the most delicious frittata I've had. But I wouldn't inflate his already oversized ego.

I didn't add vegetables because Sophie doesn't like it." I looked up to find Joseph staring directly at me in his chef uniform.

Did I ask?

"Either way I know the meal is delicious."

Raising an irritated brow, I started. "You could—"

The sound of the doorbell interrupted my words. I expected him to attend to it but to my irritation, he called for Virginia.