Broken Pieces

Chapter 11

That evening, Simon texted Sofia. "Hey princess. How are you? Can we meet tomorrow? I want to talk to you about something. It's important. Meet me in the park in the morning. Love you." 

Sofia replied after a while."Yeah. I'm fine. Okay, I'll meet you in the morning. Love you too."

That evening, Jeremy and Bella talked about Sofia and Simon. Bella was angry because she didn't want a common man with no money to marry her princess and make her life miserable. She had other grand plans for her daughter.

"Its time we talk to Mrs. Harrison, honey," Bella said to Jeremy. No matter how broke their own marriage was but they never failed to put up the act of a loving couple for the people.

"Yes, we need to do something about this boy before things go too far." He replied as he placed his napkin in his lap and started eating his dinner.

"I'm inviting Mrs. Harrison for dinner this weekend. Before that, we can talk to her privately." She said as she picked up her phone and called Mrs. Harrison. Jeremy nodded his head in approval.

The next morning, Sofia woke up earlier than usual. She was restless throughout the night after reading Simon's message. She had a feeling something bad was about to happen. She put on her tracksuit and went out to jog in the calm air under the wide sky. Her room was suffocating her.

She jogged for a good ten minutes before she saw Simon sitting on their usual bench. Their childhood bench. It was where they made so many memories. But today it was different. His shoulders were slightly slumped as if he was tensed.

"Hey, Simon. Good morning." Sofia said as she touched him on the back. She felt him relax under her touch. His body had been so stiff.

"Hey princess. Good morning. You look beautiful." He said and Sofia blushed a beautiful shade of pink as she tucked an imaginary strand of hair behind her hair.

"What do you want to talk about?" She asked him as she played with the ends of her ponytail.

"Umm...Sofia, I want you to be my girlfriend." He said as he looked in her mesmerizing eyes.

"What..? Are you proposing to me?" She asked.

"Yes.... but I don't have a ring. But I can give you this." He said as he gave her a tiny plank of wood with a letter "S" carved with a crown on it. Simon had carved it for her years back but he said he'll give it to her when the time's right.

"I told you that I'll give this to you when the time is right. There's not a better moment than this. I want you to be with me forever. Be my princess." He said as he got down on one knee. Sofia gasped.

"Sofia Taylor, would you like to be my girlfriend?" Simon said as he held the plank in his hand.

"Yes...yes, yes!" Sofia said as she took the plank from him. Simon got up and kissed her forehead. Sofia mentally cursed herself to think bad about him.

"I'm so happy, Sofia. I don't have anything now. But I promise I will become the man who will have everything you need to live happily." He said as he held her tightly into his embrace.

"Things like money and all those luxury items don't mean anything to me, Simon. I'd love to experience a simple life with you. It's not about having a lot of money. It's about love." She said as she heard his heartbeat under her cheek as she rested her head on his strong chest. The morning was a bit chilly but she was thankful for the warmth radiating from him. They sat there for some more minutes and saw the sunrise together.

"This is going to be our sunrise," Sofia said as she looked at him lovingly.

"May it brings the best for us," Simon said as she kissed her forehead again. Sofia nodded.

Sofia was extremely happy when she got home. She was practically beaming with happiness. She was literally hopping around as she entered her home. Her parents were seated for breakfast. She went over to them sporting a huge grin.

"Morning Dad!" Sofia sang as she side hugged her father.

"Morning princess." He replied as he touched her arm.

"Good morning mum!" Sofia said as she kissed her hand.

"Good morning Sofia." Her mother replied as she eyed her daughter suspiciously. She was extremely happy.

"Would you like to join us for breakfast, princess?" Jeremy asked.

"Sure dad. I'll just go put this in my room. I'll just be a minute." She said as she waved the little plank. Bella eyed the plank curiously.

"What has made you so happy this morning, Sofia? Care to share with us so we can be happy too?" Bella asked as she eyed her daughter bubbling with happiness.

Sofia put her fork down beside her plate.

"I don't think you'll be happy, mum," Sofia said as she sat with her hands clasped together. Bella scrunched her eyebrows while looking at her daughter.

"What do you mean?" Jeremy asked.

"Simon asked me to be his girlfriend this morning and I accepted. I'm Simon's girlfriend now. I'm so happy, mum." Sofia said as she looked at the frown on her mother's face.

"Princess, are you sure?" Jeremy asked.

"Yes, dad. I'm sure." Sofia said as she continued eating her food. Jeremy's eyes widened for a moment.

"Sofia, we have dinner with some really important guests. I suggest you come down with me to the store to get your dress for dinner. Knowing you, you wouldn't hesitate to wear a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants for dinner.  I have to make sure you look presentable." Bella said as she threw a taunt at Sofia. Sofia nodded and continued eating her food quietly.

Later, Bella took her to her shop for her dress. Sofia decided on an emerald colored dress that fit her like a second skin. It was beautiful with a v neck. It showed more of Sofia's fair skin than she preferred. Sofia took her dress and reached home. After reaching home, she talked to Simon for a while and told her about the dinner.