Broken Pieces

Chapter 3

Years went by and the kids went to different high schools. But they always stayed in touch with each other. They were still best friends.

"Keep talking to me, Sofia. Take care." Simon had said as he departed for his college.

"Yes, I will. You take care of yourself too." She said as she hugged him with tears in her eyes but she chose not to let them fall. Simon hated to see Sofia crying.

Sofia grew up to be a striking beauty. Every boy wanted her to be his. Unlike the girls of her age, Sofia dressed in the least attractive clothes with the cheapest accessories so she could avoid less attention.

Simon also grew up to be an extremely handsome guy with a well-defined face. His thick dark hair was always ruffled because he always combed them with his fingers. Unlike the boys of his age, Simon had a goal. A goal to be successful enough to reach Sofia's father and ask his permission to pursue Sofia.

You may be surprised but that's what he always thought. He was with Sofia not because she was his best friend but because he wanted to be more than friends with her. Over the years, he developed feelings that were stronger than friendship.He liked her.

Simon started loving Sofia when they were in their senior grade in school. But he never told her his feelings because he thought that she was rich and would reject him. He buried his love deep in his heart when he went to study college away from his home. He had gotten a full paid scholarship at a reputed college. He went there to study and acquire good grades so that he could start his career. So that he was financially stable before he approached Jeremy Taylor. 

He knew that Bella didn't like him very much because he was from an ordinary family with no rich lineage. He understood her concerns. Everyone who saw him with Sofia together the first time thought they were a couple.

After completing college,  Simon returned home. He had good grades so he got admission in a well-reputed university of the city. Jeremy kept tabs on him. He wanted to make sure that any person who her daughter socialized with was a clean person and not a threat to her or him  in any way.

Sofia still went to meet Hazel and Samuel because they were her good friends. Hazel was the best friend and like a sister to Sofia. They did everything together. From cooking, baking, and painting to dressing up and having fun.

Sofia loved little things. She loved playing on the soft sand with Hazel and Samuel on the beach while Camilla made them some of her delicious sandwiches and hamburgers.

It was Sunday. Sunday was a beach holiday for Sofia. She woke up early in the morning, did her exercise and freshened up before appearing at the breakfast table to eat with her parents. Her father was looking extremely handsome as ever with just the addition of silver streaks in his hair. Her mother looked gorgeous as always.

"Good morning father. You're looking handsome as ever. Is that a new shirt?" Sofia greeted as she kissed his cheek.

"Morning, princess. Yes, it's a new shirt. My darling wife gave it to me as a gift." He said as he winked looking at Bella. Bella didn't like to show affection in front of her daughter towards her husband.

"Good morning, mum," Sofia said as she kissed her hand. Bella avoided kissing on the cheek because her face was the most attractive thing and she didn't like it if even a small pimple appeared. Why would she like to ruin a face which cost her thousands of dollars a month?

"Good morning, Sofia." Her mother replied in a firm tone.

"Why are you dressed like you don't have any clothes to wear?" Bella asked Sofia as she eyed her up and down. Sofia was wearing an old flower patterned dress with little flowers all over it with her old sandals. She looked beautiful as ever.

"Because my dear mum, I'm going to the beach with Hazel and Sam. It's  Sunday. Remember? "She said to her.

"At least care for our image if not yours. Please dress nicely. People would think you're some ordinary girl like the people who you call your friends." Her mother said taunting her with every word.

"Mum, I don't mean to disrespect you but I am not the little girl who you would tell how to dress. I know what's good for me and what's not." She said as she stood up from her seat. Bella stood up too.

"Sofia Taylor! Watch your words while you're talking to me!" Bella hissed. Jeremy sat there watching his daughter fight for herself and feeling proud of her.

"What words? You are always taunting about my friends. You are always badmouthing them! What's their fault? What have they done to you?" Sofia stood in front of her mum.

"They are ill-mannered common people. You are our daughter, our princess. You have a status to maintain. You have a reputation to maintain. Instead of socializing with the people of your standard, you're spending your days and nights with those poor people!" Bella said as venom dripped from her words.

"However they are, rich or poor, they're not like your rich snobby excuse of friends who are with you because you're powerful. My friends care for me. You're talking about status. Okay then as soon as I find a house for me, I'm moving out of this house. You don't have to worry about your reputation getting spoiled because of me. You don't have to see me. I'm a burden for you, right?" Sofia raised her voice as tears ran down her cheeks. She ran upstairs all the way to her room with Jeremy in tow.

"Sofia! Princess! Wait!" Jeremy said as he left his seat and ran after her.

"Why are you running after her? Let her do what she wants!" Bella called on after him. Jeremy ignored her and kept ascending the stairs. Sofia was way ahead of him.

"Ahhhhhh........" Sofia screamed.

"Sofia..." Jeremy gasped. Sofia came rolling down the staircase. Jeremy held her where he was standing. There was a gash on the side of her head and it was bleeding profusely.

"Princess please... don't close your eyes. Stay with dad. Okay?" Jeremy said as he picked her up and shouted at Bella to get the car out. The car was out by the time he reached the main door.

"Drive fast, Mark," Jeremy told Mark. Bella was too shocked to move. She gathered herself and tried to get in the car.

"No! You will stay here." Jeremy told her sternly as he closed the car's door. Bella was feeling guilty a little bit but she shook her negativity off.

Jeremy brought Sofia to the hospital. The doctors shut him out and took her in the OR. He prayed to God for his daughter to be safe. He was angry at Bella for forcing her ways on his princess. If Bella hadn't started, Sofia would've been happy with her friends playing carelessly with her friends at the beach.

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