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.”
“I am not nervous,” she retorted quickly. “Why would I be?”
“You have been fidgeting since I picked you up…” he smiled.
Sofia immediately frowned and avoided his gaze. By now, the car was already inside the parking lot.
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“She is nice.”
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“I 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 I 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.”
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“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.
“I 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,
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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. “I heard that you do not have any allergies, so I prepared a lot. How about desserts? Do you have any preference? I would love for you to try my homemade ice cream. The milk is from an organic farm not far away from here. I 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
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