"Sophia, we are going on a small trip," her older brother opened the door to the room and saw Sophia sleeping face.
Sophia rolled around the bed and covers herself with a blanket. Her older brother heaved a sigh and suddenly pulls the blanket away from her.
"Brother!" Sophia surprises her brother with a hug when the blanket removed from her.
Get down."
"Okay," Sophia let go of him and grab the blanket from him.
"Auntie Mae said that we are going to the beach," her brother sat down on the bed as he speaks. "All of the family will join us."
"Okay! I will quickly pack some stuff, brother," Sophia put down the folded blanket and quickly rummage through her bag. Her brother stands up and left her inside.
Sophia happily hums a song as she pack a small luggage.
"Is she preparing?" outside the room, her mother asked her son.
"Yeah, and she is quite excited," her brother replied. He grabs his small bag, and step out the house while tapping his phone.
"Looks like Sophia's thrilled for this trip," Aunt Mae emerged from behind smiling. Sophia mother nodded on her remarks.
"That is just her. Willingly go without complaining."
"She's a good girl. I'm happy she grows up well, Jess," Aunt Mae patted Jess shoulder.
It wasn't that long when everyone finishes packing and preparing. Everyone was excited.
The family gets in the pick-up car. The others, who are not fit inside, stay behind the car. Luckily, everyone fits in.
The people, who are outside, embrace the cold wind as the car dash toward the direction of their destination. They enjoy the scenery right in front of their eyes. The clear sky with its beautiful clouds, birds flying, and trees that are passing them slowly.
Meanwhile, the people inside the car quietly sat down. The only voice you heard are the older who can relate to the topic of their conversation. Sophia only listened to them as she watches outside.
It took them an hour to arrive at the beach. Everyone quickly get down the car and ran across the beach. The others brought the food and bags inside the cottage area. While the elder pay the entrance fees.
Sophia helps carry the stuff toward the cottage with her cousins.
"After this, are you going to swim?" her cousin, James, asked her as he put down the baggage on the floor. Sophia shook her head and look toward the sea.
"Later, I want to tour around the area. How about you?" she glance at James who is listening to her. James crossed his arms and nodded his head.
"Same with you, I have to take some pictures to post on my instagram," he pulled out his phone inside his pocket, and shows his phone. Sophia smiled at his remark. James bid farewell at her as he turn on his camera to take a shot.
Sophia turned around in a different direction and slowly walked around the area. She was mesmerized by the beauty of the resort. She takes some shot at every beautiful spot she encountered.
At times, she comes across with her relatives. They were bringing some alcoholic drinks, and snacks with them. She knew whose ideas it is. It was like a traditional to the family to drink some beverages to enjoy their day. Only her, and Jess, her mother are the only people who don't drink alcoholic drinks. Fortunately, their relatives don't force them to drink with them. Unlike others who only force people to entertain themselves. Reminders don't be a bad example to the children.
"Hey, do you see that man over there?" Sophia was walking down a path when she overheard some girls talking to themselves. She came to a stop and look toward the direction the girls are looking at. Indeed, there was a man.
"He is so handsome," one of the girls commented as she take her phone and take a picture of him. Undeniably, the man is very handsome with his formal suit, and expensive watch.
"Look, he's taking a foot spa," Sophia saw the man remove his socks, and shoes, and dip his feet on the water.
"He's like a model. Should we ask for his number?"
"I wish I could, but he's kind of scary," one of the girls stated. Sophia nodded her head as she stand behind them. Although the man is handsome, he has this air of anger. No wonder the girls are scared to get near him.
The girls gave up this idea, and began to take their step away from that place. Only Sophia remained there standing as she looks at the man. She wasn't captivated by his looks. Her eyes were not the same with those girls who fancied him. It was full of curiosity. She wanted to walk away, and forget what she saw, but her conscience tells her not to.
Sophia only interacts with people if they wanted to, or she sense that these people needs some help. This side of her what people drawn to her. She wasn't the type to neglect someone in need. That is why her family sometimes scolds her for being too kind. She gave beggars her food, or gave them coins if she has some. And she always says these words, "If someone is in need of help, I want to help them the best way that I can."
Right now, she is facing this kind of situation. She took a deep breath, and slowly approaches the man. There was no other person beside him. She removes her sandals, and put down her bag on the ground. She sat beside the man while remaining her distance. When her feet sank in to the water, the fish slowly gathered around her feet. The feeling was kind of ticklish. You can feel the mouth of the fish touching your skin.
She maintained her composure, and thinks some words to start her conversation with this man. She took a glance at the man beside her. The man didn't even notice her presence for he was in deep thought.
This man was the same person inside the black car. It was Matthew Stanford.
'Those old men are kind of annoying. Trying to gain my favor just by mentioning their daughter's right in front of me. I know that I'm already at the right age (25) to get married, but that is not my priority right now. And what's wrong with that old man?! Mr. Thompson is really trying his best to agitate me. What worse is her daughter, sticking close to me, and what with her clothes?! Didn't she realize that the cleavage of her clothes is too low? Just remembering it makes me sick,' Matthew thought. His close eyes are squinted with his anger, and his hands are tightening on the edge of the pool.
"If you keep that up mister, you might destroy the pool with your bare hands," then out of nowhere he heard a woman voice. He opened his eyes and glance beside him. There was a girl beside him gazing at the fishes below her.
'Is she talking to me?' Matthew looks around, but there were no other person beside him.
"Is today a bad day for you?" then the girl beside him look up to him, and stare at his eyes. Her eyes were different from the girls that he met so far. There was no malice behind them. She only looks at him normally. It was the first time that someone looked at him warmly.
All these years, all the eyes that met his tell him that they despised him, or desired him for his position. They only look at him as Stanford, but not as him as a person. He was standing on a ground full of needles. Every time it pokes him, it makes him grow stronger, and made him forget the pain. Throwing all his precious emotions only to withstand the heat gaze right in front of him. But, right now, he doesn't feel any of that. Rather, what he felt is warm in the girl eyes.
"You got it wrong, all these years is a bad day for me."