My Dearest Sofia

Chapter 02

"Would you look at that pretty little lady sitting with your uncle, Jon. I would not mind getting her for dessert! "

Jonathon's gaze swept through the entire dining hall of Elliot's and spotted his uncle Jefferson before he exploded into laughter. The sight made him smile, although it was a small one which did not alter or lighten his brooding, serious face.

A lot of magazines have coined him as one of the most delectable, coveted and eligible bachelors in the city of New York. He really did not care. He was more concerned at how they managed to get a photo of him when he rarely even went out of his stately apartment.

"New plaything, perhaps?"

He looked at the gentleman beside him and raised an eyebrow. Delnard Savage was his best friend since he was a toddler. They both had gone through the stages of growing up together, shared everything from drunken brawls to bedding girls, women and divorcees.

Now, they were even on the same list as eligible bachelors with Delnard coming at a close second behind him. He loved the guy and he was the only person Jonathon trusted aside from his uncle. Still, his best buddy always seemed to surprise him and act like he was a different person.

"Come on, let's get an introduction! I did not skip Blake's bachelor party because you're being an old man who refuses to leave his house without me. Really, Jon, maybe you should think about proposing marriage to me."

Jonathon grinned, this time his smile reaching his eyes. He avoided being seen in public and would rather much stay inside the house and read or write. He did not like saying or talking much either. He only conversed with Delnard, his uncle and a handful of people who worked for him and his company.

His company... He thought wryly.

If it was not for the memory of his father, he would have ripped Elliot Enterprises to shreds, sold them separately and buy an island somewhere in the Caribbean then disappear from the world that he hated so much. Maybe then, he could erase a whole lot of his past and cease tormenting himself.

"You're brooding, bro. Really... you should get out more."

Jonathon shrugged and proceeded to go down the steps and meet with his uncle. He would've stayed in New York instead of going down to Raleigh but his uncle insisted.

In truth, Jonathon knew that Uncle Jefferson just wanted him to breathe natural, fresh air instead of inhaling the stale air in his apartment brought by centralized air conditioning.

He was glad though that Delnard was able to cook up something for the press. Right now, they were waiting outside the Elliot Museum of Fine Arts because he had leaked the news that Jonathon was going to be making an appearance. Then, he was able to sneak him off to the company's private hanger at La Guardia airport and they flew privately to North Carolina for this meeting.

"Oh damn! She's leaving!"

Delnard's voice made Jonathon snap his attention back to where Uncle Jeff was seated. He watched as the lady, perhaps 18 or 19...? placed her hands in his and squeezed.

Her back was still turned to him but he could tell she was laughing by the way her shoulders shook. She stood up, pulling her hands away from his uncle's and then proceeded towards the opposite direction to exit.

Hmm... Was his uncle really back to his old ways of wooing young women with money, jewelry and social parties?

He sighed and chastised himself. His uncle could do whatever he wanted to do. After all, Jonathon owed him a lot and he was not going to judge the only person who truly cared for him when his father passed away.