Chapter 16: Everyone in my life Knows

SOFIA'S POV

The beeping noise pulls me awake. I'm familiar with this room.

My clothes from earlier are long gone and in the hospital robe with ECG electrodes (sticky patches) on my chest.

It's dark outside from the bright light and the window displaying city lights.

How long was I out?

The door opens and a familiar face pops in.

"Is your group with you to finish the job?" I ask, coughing a little.

She falls on the empty side beside me worried.

She does know that this wasn't her fault right?

She's in a black suit with an undone bow tie.

The smart look really suits her.

"No. Just me,"

"What's the occasion then? Am I dead?"

She chuckles.

It's adorable.

That sound.

The shallow dimples that appear when she does.

"Was that your plan? To miss your medication?"

"Why do you care, Castiello? Everything is a mistake to you,"

"It was just a kiss,"

"Well it wasn't for me, and I have my human feelings to blame,"

I pat the blanket, trying to sit up.

She's so careful with me but also very distant on command.

"I can't be that person, Tinkerbell. I don't think i can ever be,"

"I want you to be honest with me. You can be that,"

"You'd hate me,"

"I speak for myself, Castiello,"

A pause. She reaches for my hand. Caresses it with her thumb.

Her eyes are red and eyelids have dropped.

She's been drinking. And she's been crying.

I squeeze her hand gently.

"I like you. I think I liked you from the cringe book gesture you did in my lecture hall,"

Her eyes meet mine.

Searching for any hint of teasing.

"Why?"

"Who drops books then picks them up, while making eye contact?"

I chuckle in between the question.

She joins in.

"I wasn't thinking, I just wanted you to notice me,"

My eyes widen a little. She wanted me to notice her? Why? She was already a famous character on campus.

"Did you move in to the apartment for that reason too?"

"Yes,"

Her answer was simple.

Her face scrunched up a little.

Was she...embarrassed?

Her phone vibrates and she gets up, letting go of my hand.

"I have to go, but try to stay alive,"

She reaches for the door.

Her hand lingers on the door know. Then she turns and walks over to me, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. Who are you, Nova Castiello?

She checks the hallway before disappearing. I wasn't confused anymore. I was sure that what I felt wasn't wrong. And she felt it too.

I reach for my phone on the side stand. A few missed calls from Matteo and a few from my bestfriend. But something told me they knew where I was. The door opens with Mila rushing to my side along with Paolo.

"What happened?"

She asks sobbing. If people weren't able to tell us apart, they'd think she was my sister.

She worry more than I do.

The doctor walks in, her face neutral.

"Can I have a word with Sofia?" She asks but it's not up for debate. Doctor patient confidentiality was a thing.

They walk out hesitantly but they'd be waiting outside.

"Sofia you missed your medication, you're drinking, you fell back on your diet and your chats show high blood pressure too. Do you want to die?"

"Would that be so bad?"

"Your father will be here any minute, I had to call him to consent on some medical decisions,"

Even though she was being professional, her wall cracked a little.

The grip on the chart tightened.

I wasn't just a patient. I was her responsibility and if I died, it would weigh on her.

The door opens again and this time it's my step-dad.

In a suit but you can tell the concern on his face.

"Sofie," he charges towards me. Planting endless kisses on my forehead. Like a concerned parent.

It reminded me of the last time I saw him.

I challenged myself to stay by his side. To stay a little longer because he needed me more than my mom and sisters did.

"Mr Vescovi, I'm glad you're here. Sofia missed her medication so her lung started rejecting, but luckily her friend brought her in on time. She needs to stay away from stressful events, stop drinking and if possible have someone monitor her diet closely," she informs.

"I'm right here you know,"

I chime in but neither looks in my direction.

She excuses herself after declaring my stay for the night and maybe another night depending on the tests run.

He pulls the seat by the bed closer, sinking into it.

"Why don't you tell me what's really been happening?"

His voice nurturing and patient. He'd learnt from mom to wait before reacting. To listen before concluding.

"There's this girl,"

His posture stiffened a little.

"I have to worry about girls too?"

I chuckle. He's such a dad.

"Just girls,"

He nods in understanding.

I tell him everything. His expressions change with every twist and turn.

Then finally, he spoke.

"Did it have to be a member of the Castiello family?"

He buries his face in his hands.

What was it with that family that made people's expressions harden?

"You also hate them huh?"

"Not quite.We're business rivals. There's little to bond over,"

"Are you mad?"

"For having feelings? No. Sofie you're allowed to let your heart wonder. It's your life. My job is to protect you from anything that could harm you or anyone for that matter,"

He reassures.

A smile plastered on his face. Even at his age wrinkles fought for a spot on his face but never stood a chance.

"His phone rings and this time, he steps out to answer it, allowing my friends to spend time with me.

They walk back in.

"Matteo Vescovi is your father!!!?"

Paolo asks sternly. Maybe it was the shock.

"Yes. He has been since I was little,"

His face grows wider at the revelation.

"But you....Oh my God. It's intentional. Your little knowledge of fashion, its an act,"

He connects the dots in the air making Mila chukle. It wasn't intentional. It was both strategic and me wanting a change.

Most of my clothes were from my step-dad's brand.

It would catch people's attention.

"You're like a billionaire's billionaire's billionaire's billionaire. You're richer than Castiello. Oh my God," he says pacing the room.

I never really thought about it that way. That Matteo had a larger influence.

"Are you done fangirling over the same Sofia you've called a nun?"

Mila rubs her temples.

He squeels.

Then the final realisation hits him.

My mom and my sisters.

"I'm so sorry for your loss Sofia. It must be hard to have a constant reminder from the internet,"

"Don't worry about it, I still have my dad and that's what makes it bearable,"

My guard lowers.

"Does Castiello know?"

He rubs my arm.

"No,"

The reply is automatic said at the same as Mila.

She doesn't need to know.

The last thing I'd want is her thinking that I qualified to join her clique. We were nothing a like. But that kiss felt like we shared something similar.

They didn't ask about her so it settled that she was here discreetly.

Like she wasn't supposed to be.

And that made me happy. That she risked something just to see me for those few minutes. I'm here because she cared enough to bring me here. How did she know i didn't take my medication?

Or was it a wild guess?

My phone vibrates in my hand as the two argue over who's going to win a bet of me and Nova dating.

Their voices grow faint, like music in the background when I saw the text.

Castiello: You're an adorable sleeper

Me: That's the alcohol talking

Castiello :I remember everything I say when I'm drunk."

Me: You looked sexy in that suit then.

Castiello : Then why does the thought of

you taking it off me look even sexier?

Me: GIF

Castiello: Goodnight, Tinkerbell.

I press the phone on my chest, with two pairs of eyes on me.

Eyebrows furrowed.

"Are you sexting on a hospital bed?" Mila asks snatching my phone from me.

She shows it to Paolo.

"Can I have my phone back?" I raise my voice a little, coughing. My chest stings with each one I let out.

A nurse walks in. Informing them that visiting hours are over.

They leave but reluctantly.