Sophie was still sleeping soundly at 10:00 in the morning.
The only thing that had eased her anxiety was James's message. It had given her a brief respite from her troubles and she could slept well.
Sophie had never paid much attention to James, nor did James know much about Sophie.
Yet, he had reached out to her with kindness and support after seeing her break down in the restaurant.
Indeed, unexpected sources often provide the greatest comfort... perhaps Sophie didn't feel anything about James, yet his simple words had calmed her nerves.
But soon a loud noise woke her up. She didn't need to guess. It was her parents' fighting, as usual.
Sophie felt helpless and tried to sleep again, covering her ears with the pillow...but still she could hear each and every word of them , clearly.
Henry Grant: "What is this? Another article criticizing my company? How could you do this to me, Margaret?".
Margaret : "I'm just doing my job, Henry. I'm a journalist, not your PR agent. I have to report the truth."
Henry Grant: "The truth!!? Or your biased opinion? You always side with the environmentalists and the activists. Don't you care about the economy or the jobs that my company provides?"
Margaret : "Of course I care, but I also care about the people. Your company is polluting the air and the water, exploiting the workers, and evading the taxes. You should be ashamed of yourself."
Henry : "Ashamed!!? I'm proud of what I've achieved. I've built this company from scratch. I've worked hard to provide for this family. And this is how you repay me? By undermining me and embarrassing me in front of the public?
Margaret : "I'm not repaying you anything. I'm not your subordinate or your trophy. I'm your wife and your equal. I have my own career and my own voice. And you won't silence me or control me."
Henry : "Is that what you think!!? That I'm trying to control you? You're the one who's trying to control me. nagging me and criticizing me. You're always telling me what to do and how to live. You're always interfering with my business and my decisions."
Margaret : "I'm trying to help you. I'm trying to make you see the bigger picture. I'm trying to make you a better person and a better leader. But you're so stubborn and arrogant. You never listen to me or anyone else. You think you know everything and you're always right."
Henry : "I am right. I know what I'm doing. I don't need your help or your advice. I don't need you at all. You should be grateful that I married you and supported you. You should not forget that with the help of my money, you started this career of yours. Without me, you would be nothing."
Margaret : "Nothing!!! How dare you say that? I don't owe you anything. I earned my career with my own talent and hard work. Without me, you would be lonely and miserable. You don't appreciate me or respect me. You don't even love or care for Sophie. You only love yourself and your money."
Henry : " That's not true. I do love Sophie. She's my daughter and my pride. She's the only good thing that came out of this marriage. And I do care for her..."
Margaret : "No, you don't. You don't want the best for her. You want the best for yourself. You want her to inherit your legacy and your fortune. But you don't care about what she wants. You don't care about her dreams and passions...."
The anger they had towards each other was visible in their voices….
Sophie couldn't bear this anymore. She got up from her bed and walked slowly to their room, where her parents were still arguing.
She stood in front of them, silent but defiant.
Their voices died down as they noticed her presence. They looked at her with a sense of guilt in their eyes, but she only showed her disappointment.
She didn't need words to express how she felt. Her expression said it all.
Sophie's parents were always at odds with each other.
Her father Mr. Henry Grant was a successful businessman who valued money, power, and status.
He wanted Sophie to follow in his footsteps and become a leader in the corporate world.
Her mother Margaret Grant was a renowned journalist who valued truth, justice, and freedom.
She wanted Sophie to pursue her passion and make a difference in the world.
Sophie felt torn between her parents' expectations and often wished they would understand each other better.
She loved them both, but she also wanted to find her own path in life.
Sophie's parents hardly ever saw each other. They were too busy with their own work and their own lives.
But when they did meet, they always argued. They had different views on everything.
Yet, they both cared deeply for Sophie. And when it came to her, they would do anything.
Sophie loved them back, but she also felt suffocated by their love. The Grant family's love was hidden behind their professional differences.
Mr. and Mrs. Grant wanted to give their daughter everything. They didn't even want her to work for anyone else. But Sophie's way of thinking was a little different from theirs.
Sophie's parents showered her with love and gifts, and she accepted them with gratitude.
However, her heart ached for the world's struggles, poverty, crime, and other hardships.
Sophie's unwavering desire was to make a difference, to extend a helping hand wherever possible but with her own hard-earned money not with her father's wealth.
So, despite her comfortable life, she worked as a software developer in a startup company. Every penny of her salary went toward aiding others.
Sophie's social circle also remained intentionally small.She avoided the privileged progeny, so-called 'rich brats' who frequented her parents' social gatherings.
As for the others, they sought her companionship solely due to her father's influential position.
Sophie was always aware of this. Whenever she met anyone new, she always tried to hide her identity. And always wanted such people in her life who would not be friends with her because of her parents position.
That's why Sophie spent most of her time online, creating a fake profile. She chatted with strangers, weaving stories in the digital realm.
The anonymity provided comfort, a safe haven away from her complicated life.
And that's how she met Gabriel….
Gabriel, an unexpected arrival, swept away her loneliness. They wove a tapestry of shared secrets, laughter, and midnight musings.
But then, like a ghost, he disappeared leaving a painful void inside her. The empty spaces echoed with memories, and she wondered if he'd ever come back to mend their broken bond.