Chapter 11

Chapter 11

For a while, Sofia felt like she floated, drifting into the sea with the waves surrounding her—except, she never fancied swimming,

and she disliked the water.

At first, she wondered why she felt this way. Wasn’t she going to meet. Alexander's aunt? It was not his mother or his father; it

was his aunt.

Sofia’s heart raced a bit faster as she approached Alexander's aunt's place. The butterflies in her stomach were doing

somersaults, and she couldn’t shake off the nervousness. She fidgeted with the edge of her scarf, trying to distract herself from

the jumble of thoughts in her head.

She should think about her plans with Karina, and focus on making those people suffer. However, for some unknown reason, it

seems she had already forgotten the plans they concocted just a few hours ago.

Meeting someone important to Alexander was a big deal for her. She wanted to make a good impression, but uncertainty was

like a foggy mist in her mind. What if she said the wrong thing or made a clumsy move? The idea of disappointing Alexander’s

aunt made her feel like she was tiptoeing on thin ice.

Her racing mind was interrupted when Alexander suddenly held her hand. She turned towards him as he slowly drove the car

into the parking lot of a two-story Japanese-style house.

“Calm down... she won't bite.”

“lam not nervous,” she retorted quickly. “Why would | be?”

“You have been fidgeting since | picked you up...” he smiled.

Sofia immediately frowned and avoided his gaze. By now, the car was already inside the parking lot.

H

Chapter 11

KO

“She is nice.”

XN 14:20

“| have heard about her,” Sofia said. Jenny Thomas was a well-known Hollywood actress in the ‘90s. Everyone knew her not just

because of her beauty but because she was pretty good in the film and received a few awards before she stopped acting to

focus on her marriage.

Jenny Thomas was someone that Charlotte liked. Charlotte even had some originals of Jenny’s movies! She had been wanting

to meet Jenny, but the latter no longer showed herself in public.

“Come on...” Alexander smiled as he got out of the car and then walked towards her side to open the car door.

“Do you think she will like the gift that | brought her?” Sofia asked for the umpteenth time.

“Of course, she will...” Alexander then took the paper bag from the back of the car and held her hand before he slowly pulled her

towards the house.

“My Aunt’s grandmother was from Japan,” Alexander said. “She and my mother first learned Japanese before they even learned

English.”

desf

“Oh...” Sofia nodded. She turned and looked at the modes yet elegant

house.

The Japanese-style house looked like something out of those serene postcards. It wasn’t huge, but it had this peaceful vibe that

instantly wrapped around Sofia. The garden was like a painting with flowers scattered here and there, painting the scene with

soft pinks and whites. It was like stepping into a calm oasis, far away from the bustling city.

“| didn’t know that there is a place in Champaign,” Sofia muttered. Champaign, Illinois, is the home of the University of Illinois

and always had that vibrant college-town atmosphere.

As they walked towards the entrance, Sofia noticed a little man-made river,

Chapter 11

OON 14:20

or maybe a small lake on the side of the parking lot. It was like a secret touch of nature, a quiet addition to the surroundings. The

water flowed gently, creating a soothing sound that made the whole place feel even more tranquil.

The house itself was modest yet elegant, standing amidst the greenery with a timeless charm. The sliding doors and wooden

accents gave it a traditional touch, and Sofia couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect for the cultural connection Alexander’s

family had.

“This place must look magical in winter...” she said.

He nodded. “We can spend a few days when the snow starts falling. The waters are heated so it would keep flowing. It is

magical.”

Sofia smiled at the thought of experiencing the enchantment of the house in winter. It was currently July; winter would come in

just a few months.

The two stood in front of the door, but before Alexander could knock, the door suddenly burst open, revealing a blond woman in

a bun.

“What took you so long?” Jenny Thomas smiled, her blue eyes crinkling. She looked at Alexander before turning her gaze at

Sofia. Then without any warning, she pulled Sofia into a tight hug. “What a waste! You are so beautiful! How could you marry a

bloke like my nephew?”

“Aunt...” Alexander said. “I can smell something delicious...”

“Ah, right. Right!” Jenny smiled. Then she suddenly held Sofia’s hand and pulled her inside. “| heard that you do not have any

allergies, so | prepared a lot. How about desserts? Do you have any preference? | would love for you to try my homemade ice

cream. The milk is from an organic farm not far away from here. | am certain you would love it!”

Sofia absorbed every word as Jenny started talking about food, ingredients, and her Montana farm—a place where she really

liked.

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Chapter 11

The notion that the glamorous Jenny Thomas, with her elegant presence in photoshoots and movies, had a soft spot for farms,

cows, and horses- caught Sofia off guard.

Her gaze shifted to Alexander, a chuckle escaping him. In the end, a smile graced Sofia’s face as she immersed herself in

Jenny’s words, a comforting warmth settling in her chest.

“Aunt, shall | ask Old Trish to prepare the food?” Alexander interrupted. their conversation. “We have been driving for more than

two hours. | am certain my wife is famished.”

Jenny turned to Alexander; she raised an eyebrow then she chuckled. “I never thought that this man would be capable of caring

for another

woman...”

“Aunt...”

“Alright. | know... Old Trish already prepared everything. Shall we go to the balcony?” Soon enough, the three of them went to

the house’s second floor and onto the balcony where Sofia could see the beautiful view of the man-made lake. This, coupled

with the good conversation, seemed to enhance Sofia’s appetite. In the end, she quickly finished her meal.

“| heard that you are the creative designer of LH Design?” Jenny asked, her blue eyes sparkling with gentleness as she twirled

the wine glass in her hand.

“Yes... | have been in the industry for two years now.”

“Alexander never mentioned having a girlfriend as accomplished and talented as you. If | had known, | would not have signed

some deals with another company. LH Design has been doing very well in the market these days. That’s because their clothes

are pretty comfortable and fashionable even for older women like me.”

“Older woman? How could you call yourself old?” Alexander smiled, his

tone light.

“Flattery would not help you,” Jenny glared at her nephew. “You think this would make me feel better? You failed to introduce

your woman to me before you got married! How could you do this to Sofia?” Jenny looked at Sofia, she then held Sofia’s hand

and dramatically said. “If this man ever does something insulting or degrading, you must call me. | will personally have a decent

conversation with him. You must not let him bully you. Do you hear me?”