Broken Pieces

Chapter 8

Simon got up and followed Mrs. Clarke to Jeremy's study. It looked like a library. It had a double door made of some expensive wood. Maybe oak or teak.

"Come in," Jeremy answered to the knock on the door of his study.

"Mr.Taylor, you wanted to meet me?" Simon asked as he stepped inside the door.

"Yes. Come in. Have a seat." Jeremy said as he closed the file he was reading. He took off his reading spectacles and put them in his coat pocket. Simon sat down opposite to him on the large cherry wood table. The study was magnificent. There was a family portrait of the Taylor family and many pictures of Sofia through the years. Sofia looked beautiful in every picture.

"Simon, you seem like a sensible nice young man to me. I don't want you to get into trouble with my wife because clearly she doesn't like you and she wouldn't think twice before ruining you." Jeremy said in the most professional tone.

"Mr. Taylor, I don't want to be disrespectful but Mrs. Taylor has never liked me or my family. She never approved of my friendship with Sofia. If she wants to ruin me then I won't stop her.  She can do whatever she wants. Today, I came here just because Sofia wanted me, against my will. I just want to help Sofia walk again and regain her confidence." Simon said as he explained his point.

"After Sofia starts walking, you will be out of my daughter's life. You will leave her and go away from here just like you were for the past couple of years."Jeremy stated.

"Mr. Taylor, last time I checked I was a free human being. You can not force me to do anything." Simon replied.

"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to go back to Sofia. She must be waiting for me." He said as he got up to leave. Simon let out a deep breath. He didn't know what he was going to do after Sofia started walking.

"Hey, what happened?" Sofia asked as Simon came inside her room.

"Nothing. He just wanted to talk about something." He replied with a smile.

"What are you doing?" He asked as he sat on the chair beside her bed.

"I'm just bored. I don't want to do anything." She replied as she pouted her lips.

"C' mon lazy daisy, get up. We have to work on your legs. We need to get you back on your legs ASAP." He said as he helped her sit in the wheelchair.

"The cast is off but my leg still feels heavy." She said to him.

"Hmmm yeah. It happens." He replied.

"Why are you so quiet, Simon? " she asked him.

"Because I'm thinking about how to shoo your boredom away." He replied.

"Let's paint!" He said as he clicked his fingers.

"Or you can make my sketch," Sofia said.

"Okay. Let me get some supplies." Simon said as he ran back into her room bringing a box of paints and some other art supplies.

They sat painting for a while. Sofia had never felt this happy doing such a simple thing. Although she painted frequently but she never found it so relaxing until today.

"Hey what are you making? Care to show me?" Sofia called out to Simon who was sitting with his back to the tree.

"You can see when its done, princess! "Simon replied.

After half an hour it was time to go inside. Simon hid his drawing in the back of her wheelchair as he took her in.

"What did you make?" Sofia asked again.

"Okay fine. I made this." Simon said as he put up his hands in surrender and opened up the sheet of paper.

"Wow. This is so beautiful!" Sofia said as her mouth hung open. It was her sketch in a field of flowers. It was amazing.

"Do you like it, princess?" Simon asked her. He was nervous. He was hoping she'd like it.

"Yeah. Very much. It's the best picture of me. Thank you! "She said as she hugged him tightly knocking the air out of him.

"Princess, you're crushing me," Simon said as he laughed a little. Sofia released him only to smack him on his head.

"Okay. It's time for me to go. I'll come tomorrow. "Simon said as he stood up and kissed her forehead. Sofia closed her eyes relishing the feel of his soft lips on her forehead. It was an intimate gesture and brought warmth to her heart.

"Okay. I'll wait for you. Bye." She said to him.

"Take care, princess.  Bye." He said and left.

As Simon came home, he had a sad look on his face. He didn't want to lose his best friend, his childhood love and his girl so soon. He just confessed his love to her. It was too soon. They hadn't even done anything romantic together yet. It was making him sad. It was hurting him.

It was evening by the time Simon reached home. His mother knew something was wrong with him the moment she saw him. She let the matter slide until after dinner, she saw him sitting on the swings on which he and Sofia used to play together in his childhood.

"Hey, Simon. How's Sofia? How was her appointment?" She asked as she rubbed his back in a soothing motion.

"It was good, mom. She's fine." He said still keeping his eyes trained on the swings.

"If everything went well, then why do you look sad?" She asked him.

"Yeah boy. Answer your mother." His father said as he ruffled his hair and joined them.

"Mom, dad. I want to tell you something. "He said.

"What? Have you done something wrong? If you have then sort your mess on your own." His dad said as he raised his hands up in surrender.

"John, let him speak. " Camilla said to her husband. John laughed a bit and asked him to continue.

"I love Sofia." Simon blurted out.

"Shit!"John cursed.

"John!" She said as she scolded him.

"Since when?" He asked Simon.

"Since I saw her the first time," Simon said as he looked at his dad.

"Aww. My little boy has fallen for his princess. It's so wonderful. "Camilla said as she ruffled his hair.

"But her father wants me to leave her as soon as possible." He told them.

"If you really love her, then don't be afraid to fight. A real man is never afraid to fight for the woman he loves." John said as he patted his son's back and encouraged him.

"True love is the rarest thing in the world. Not everyone is lucky enough to find it. If you think she's the girl you want to come home to, then don't let anyone stop you. We're with you." Camilla told him.

"Thanks, mom. Thanks, dad." Simon said as he hugged them both.

"C' mon let's go inside. You need to sleep." John said as he pulled Simon up with him as he stood up.

"Good night mom, dad," Simon said as they went to their room. His mother blew him a kiss.

Deep down in her heart, Camilla knew this love was going to be a challenge for her son but she wanted to see how strong her son is and how he would cope if he is thrown a challenge.

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