Sophia had drifted off for a bit in her room upstairs when she was roused by a knock at the door. Leaning back against her headboard, she called out, “Come in!”
Evelyn breezed in with a smile, “Hey Sophia, feeling any better?”
Sophia nodded, “Slept a little, definitely helped!”
As Evelyn walked further into the room, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, your balcony is huge! It's way bigger than mine.”
Sophia remained silent.
Turning to her, Evelyn grinned, “Grandpa really spoils you.”
Sophia offered a faint smile, “Yeah, he’s good to all of us.”
Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed, making casual conversation, “I just saw your boyfriend earlier - he's quite the looker. Classy guy. Is he from J City?”
“No, he's just working here,” Sophia replied.
“Oh, so you guys aren’t living together?” Evelyn asked, her curiosity piqued.
With a soft voice, Sophia responded, “No, we’re not engaged, so we’re not living together.”
Evelyn was dismissive, “Oh, come on. These days couples move in together at the drop of a hat; who waits for an engagement?”
Sophia pressed her lips, “My family is a bit traditional about these things.”
After an awkward chuckle, Evelyn gazed out at the sunlight pouring in from the balcony, “I just love the winter sun. It's so comforting.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned back to Sophia, “Since you’re hardly ever here, do you think we could switch rooms? Mine gets all gloomy by the afternoon, no sunlight. It's just not cozy.”
Sophia’s short hair framed a face pale but for clear, composed eyes as she regarded Evelyn, “There’re plenty of other rooms in Old Mr. Quintin’s house. Pick any other and move there. I'm used to this one, sorry.”
“But you're barely here, and none of the other rooms have a balcony as big as this one!” Evelyn pleaded with an innocent look, “Grandpa said you're like an older sister to me. You’d let me have it, right?”
“Who do you think you are, asking her to give up her room for you?”
“Can’t you see she’s trying to push you around?” Jason’s voice was stern, “She wouldn’t dare speak that way to Estelle because she knows you're too soft!”
Sophia hummed softly, “I’m not afraid of her. Let her talk.”
Jason’s voice was edged with anger, “Why tolerate such disrespect?”
“She’s Old Mr. Quintin’s granddaughter!” Sophia insisted.
“That’s not even confirmed!” Jason retorted, “Even if she is, as long as I'm here, she has no right to bully you.”
Sophia laughed, “It’s okay; don’t be mad. I think she’s just like a kid who’s found her family and wants all the love she can get, without sharing.”
Jason scoffed, “You sure have a knack for making excuses for her.”
Sophia just shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Someone needs to send a new picture of Trevor to Oliver and Luke so that they will get their requested reports to Gonzalez asap. If they didn't know, now they know what awaits them if they continue to disrespect and NOT follow orders....
Well, well, well. I love how Gonzalez sent out the warning that he's the CEO and either they will acknowledge him as such or get their due diligence. I'm waiting to see how the Franco family will be walking on eggs and come into a new understanding of Gonzalez taking charge. Thank you so much for the five updates....
Adrian is hoping that he has a chance with Norah and will do everything and anything in his power to keep Norah and Xavier apart....
Thank you for the updates. I hope that Norah will remember Xavier and their relationship before the accident and that they will ever be to....
Thank you, thank you for the updates today, which is also my birthday. The saga continues. I really want Norah and Xavier to be together... but he has to want Norah....
May we have updates please. Thank you....
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Norah took Estelle to tutor her brother. Both of them are around the same age. So why is Janice and Xavier father feel that there's an age gap for Norah and Xavier. L I know they will be together....
Norah isn't a girl, but a twenty -five year old beautiful woman that loves Xavier Fleming/Gonzalez/Hanson....