Thank you

Thank you
#MORNING#
#HIGGIN'S MANSION#

SOPHIE'S POINT OF VIEW 
  I found myself unable to look away from her as she continued to chuckle softly, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush that deepened with every passing moment. It was a delightful sight, yet I couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity wash over me. 
 What could possibly be the source of her amusement? She would occasionally flash me a bright smile, her lips gently biting down as if to hold back her laughter. Then, she’d distract herself by fiddling with the spoon in front of her, almost as if it were a toy, rather than the utensil meant for the food that lay untouched on her plate. Every so often, a light and infectious giggle would escape her lips, causing the air around us to feel charged with an unspoken joy. 

We’d been seated at the dining table for a little over four minutes, and throughout that time, she had hardly taken a bite of her meal. Instead, her attention seemed entirely devoted to this whimsical state of giggles and blushes. Was that a sign of a happy disposition, or was it something more? Wait a second… could it be that mental illness is somehow contagious? That thought crept into my mind, and I felt a mix of concern and intrigue.

“Umm, Doctor Kimberly?” I called out tentatively. Yet she didn’t flinch or even acknowledge my voice; it was as if she existed in a realm of her own making, far removed from the dining experience we were supposed to be sharing.

“Doctor Kim!” I raised my voice a notch, hoping to bring her back to reality. At the sound of my slightly louder tone, she snapped her head in my direction, her expression shifting to that of mild surprise.

“Hey, Sophie,” she mumbled awkwardly, a wide smile still plastered across her face.

“Are... Are you okay?" I ventured, trying to understand what was happening. 

"I’ve been calling your name for a while, but you’ve just been sitting there, smiling and blushing non-stop. Did something amusing happen that I’m not aware of?” 

At my question, her eyes widened, and she abruptly choked on her own saliva, a quick burst of confusion flashing across her face. 

“Here,” I offered, quickly reaching across the table to hand her a glass of water. I watched intently as she grasped the glass eagerly, bringing it to her lips and gulping down the contents with surprising speed. It was almost as if the water contained the answers to the questions swirling in my mind.

“Thank you,” she said, a warm smile spreading across her face after taking a refreshing sip of water. I nodded slowly, settling into my chair with my full attention directed toward her, curious about the thoughts swirling in her mind. 

“Are you okay?” I inquired, my concern evident in my voice as I studied her face for any signs of distress. She responded with a gentle nod, which I found somewhat comforting, but I could still sense that something was off. 

“Of course I'm okay, Sophie. I’m feeling much better now, all thanks to you,” she replied, her words ringing with sincerity as she continued to smile, which eased some of my worry. 

“You’ve seemed rather absent-minded lately, just lost in your thoughts and smiling to yourself. I started to grow a bit concerned… You know, I thought...” I trailed off, unable to finish the worrying sentence. At that moment, she quickly shook her head, cutting me off.

“No, Sophie, it’s nothing like that at all,” she said, her tone dismissive yet lighthearted. “I was simply reminiscing about something really amusing, something that brought back some memories.”

My curiosity was piqued; I nodded in response but then diverted my gaze back to my plate of food. What on earth could be so amusing that it made her appear so lost in thought, sporting that sheepish smile?

After a few minutes of silence, she finally broke it, calling my name.

“Right, umm, Sophie,” she said, her tone suddenly more serious, and I immediately lifted my head, attentive to her shift in focus.

“Yes?” I responded eagerly, intrigued by what she was about to say next.

“When was the last time you heard from your brother?” she asked, her question catching me off guard. I felt a scoff escape my lips almost instinctively.

“I... I don’t understand. Of course, I talked to him just yesterday… Remember? I walked right into the room while you were checking up on him,” I explained, recalling the recent interaction as my heart quickened a bit. But to my surprise, she shook her head immediately, her expression indicating that she wasn’t satisfied with my answer, raising even more questions in my mind.

"Why is she asking me about that? Is something wrong with Donovan?" I pondered, a sudden wave of anxiety washing over me at just the thought. My mind raced with possibilities, each more unsettling than the last. But before I could gather my thoughts, her next statement rendered me utterly speechless.

"No, not Donovan... I meant Giovan," she clarified, and my immediate reaction was to choke on a mouthful of my lunch.

"How... how do you know about him?" I managed to stammer, my gaze fixed intensely on her. 

"I mean, not many people know that Donovan isn't my only brother."I said surprised. 

"Donovan told me," she replied matter-of-factly, her tone devoid of the hesitation that usually accompanies sensitive information. I couldn't help but gasp, my shock palpable.

"He did?? That's... that's incredibly surprising!" I exclaimed, incredulity spilling from my lips. The notion that Donovan....... who held such animosity toward our shared past—would willingly divulge anything about Giovan was almost unfathomable.

"He despises those memories! He gets furious whenever I even dare to mention anything concerning Giovan. It's astonishing that he would share that with you directly," I continued, my voice laced with disbelief.

"Yes, he did. But, umm... have you seen him lately?" she inquired, her gaze softening as she shifted the conversation.

"Not at all," I admitted, 

"He called me once, wanting to talk. But honestly, I hung up on him. And then there was this one time he showed up at my school, but I just shrugged him off. I didn’t feel there was anything worthwhile to discuss, especially considering how malevolent he can be... not after everything he’s done to his own twin brother." My anger flared as I thought about all the pain Donovan had caused, an abstract storm brewing within me as I reflected on our fractured family dynamics. 

"He truly is," she retorted, her voice laced with frustration.

"I mean, I’ve really tried to wrap my head around how one brother could inflict such pain and suffering on his own twin, all driven by jealousy. It’s absolutely mind-boggling. Donovan has endured so much at his brother's hands. Yet, even in the face of all this, he still has the nerve to insist that Donovan should give me to him. Does he actually believe I’m just an object—some kind of stone or a mere toy?" She concluded her thoughts with an incredulous scoff, the indignation radiating off her.

"Wait... he did that?! And hold on a second... do Donovan and Giovan actually talk to each other?" I inquired, my frown deepening as I processed her words. She nodded, confirming my growing unease.

“It’s a long and complicated tale, Sophie,” she said with a hint of weariness in her tone.

“But I assure you, I promise to share the details with you later. Right now, though, you’re getting for school,” she added, glancing at the clock on the wall. I shook my head immediately, stubbornness welling up inside me.

"No, I'm not late! Besides, honestly, I don’t even feel like going to school today," I shot back, my voice tinged with defiance. 

“Please, just tell me...” I began to plead when the sound of footsteps interrupted our conversation. I turned around, surprised to see Donovan making his way toward our table in the dining room. His unexpected presence caught me off guard; what was he doing here??.......He hates coming to the dining room.

"Good morning, Brother!" I greeted him brightly, my smile stretching across my face as I watched his own lips curve into a wide grin, a rare and delightful sight that illuminated his features. It was one of those moments that brought warmth to my heart, seeing him so genuinely happy.

"Morning, my only sister," he replied, his voice warm and lighthearted as he leaned down to give my hair a gentle peck, a playful yet affectionate gesture that always made me feel loved.

"You seem to be in a good mood today," I observed, my curiosity piqued as I noticed him gravitating closer to Kimberly, an action that sparked a flicker of intrigue in my mind.

"Yes, I am, Sophie… I finally get to hear something I’ve been dying to hear for ages," he said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. My eyebrows knitted together in confusion, genuinely puzzled by the depth of his excitement.

"And what's that??" I inquired, my tone playful yet inquisitive. Just then, I caught him stealing a glance at Kimberly, and my head instinctively turned to follow his line of sight. What I saw took my breath away; her complexion was flushed a deep crimson shade, and it looked as though she was having difficulty catching her breath, which made my heart race.

"Are you okay, Kim?? Your face is so damn red right now!" I exclaimed, concern lacing my words as I took a step closer to her. She responded by dramatically fanning her flushed cheeks with her hands, prompting a chuckle from Donovan that seemed to echo my own worry.

"I'm just feeling a bit hot, Sophie," she managed to say, her voice slightly shaky as her eyes darted toward Donovan, who was still beaming with that infectious smile. The way they interacted hinted at something deeper, something that stirred a mix of curiosity within me.

"So what are you doing downstairs??"I asked and he chuckled. 

"Of course I'm here to eat, what else do they do in the dining room?"He asked and sat down close to Kimberly.

"But you hate eating at the dining table ,what changed??"I asked. 

"I..... Just want to eat here today Sophie, Or don't you want me to???"He asked. 

"Of course not, I'm just really surprised....I mean this is the first time In years that you're sitting in the dining room "I said and he nodded. 

"I think I'lld be coming to the dining room more often"He said and winked at Kimberly who smiled widely.

Okay, something is definitely up with these two, I thought to myself, my mind racing with possibilities and speculations about their chemistry.
 Just then, my phone buzzed ominously from within my bag, cutting through the charged atmosphere like a bolt of lightning. I quickly rummaged through my belongings, pulling out my phone to see it was my best friend calling, her name flashing on the screen.

“Urmmmm... I’m already running late for school, so I really need to get going now,” I said reluctantly, stealing a glance at Doctor Kim to convey my understanding. I could sense the weight of our conversation would have to be postponed. 

“Okay, Sophie, take care! We’ll continue our discussion later,” she responded with a reassuring smile. I nodded and quickly rose to my feet, my heart racing as I made a beeline for Donovan. Leaning in, I planted a swift, affectionate peck on his cheek.

“See you later, brother!” I exclaimed with a hint of excitement in my voice, hurriedly escaping the room before he could reply.

Once I reached the driveway, I dashed to my car, my mind racing with thoughts of the day ahead. As I slid into the driver’s seat, Peter, my ever-reliable chauffeur, immediately started the engine and maneuvered the vehicle out of the grand mansion’s entrance. Just as we began to roll down the street, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket, pulling my attention away from the morning rush.

“Hey! I know I’m late, but I got caught up with some stuff... I’m on my way now,” I answered breathlessly, only to be met with a playful chuckle on the other end of the line.

“You don’t check who’s calling before you answer, do you?” My mom’s familiar voice rang through the receiver, and at that moment, I sheepishly pulled my phone away from my ear to glance at the screen. Sure enough, there it was—my mother’s name lighting up the display, her picture flashing right at me.

“Oh shoot! I’m so sorry, Mom... I thought it was Darcie calling. She had just rang me not too long ago,” I admitted, a strong sense of embarrassment washing over me as I realized my mistake. My mother let out a light laugh, and I could practically see her shaking her head at my preoccupation.

“Oh right, Darcie! How is she doing these days?” Mom inquired, her tone shifting to one of genuine interest. 

“She’s fine, Mom,” I replied, reassuring her as I began to relax.

"That's great to hear! How are you doing, Sophie?" she inquired, her voice warm and familiar. 

“I’m so sorry that I haven’t reached out in a while.” A gentle smile crept across my face at her words, a mixture of affection and understanding.

"I'm doing well, Mom, really," I replied reassuringly. 

"And it's perfectly okay; I completely understand how busy you must be with work and everything. By the way, how's Dad doing?" I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of curiosity about how he was managing in my absence.

“He’s doing just fine, dear,” she responded cheerfully. 

“He just stepped away to take his bath. He actually meant to call you as well; he’s been thinking about you.” The thought of my dad wanting to connect with me brought a sense of warmth and comfort.

“Oh, that’s nice to hear! So, how is your business trip going?” I asked, eager to know more about her professional commitments and the experiences she might be having out there.

“It’s going great, actually," she said, her tone brightening.

“But wait a moment… now that I think about it… you mentioned you were on your way somewhere… Are you headed to school right now?” she inquired, and a sudden wave of apprehension washed over me. I bit my lips nervously, my mind racing with the implications of her question.

“I… I… I woke up late,” I stammered, my cheeks flushing slightly from the embarrassment of my tardiness.

“Seriously, Sophie, you really shouldn’t be heading to school at such a late hour,” she chided gently, her concern evident in her voice. 

“It’s already past eight! You’re going to miss important classes.” I could almost picture her shaking her head, the way she always did when she was worried about my habits. I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me, and bit my lip again, hoping to convey my silent acknowledgment of her worry.

“I promise it won’t happen again,” I said softly, barely loud enough for her to hear. I truly meant it; I didn’t want to give her any more reason to fret.

"It better not! Now, tell me, how’s your brother doing?” she asked, changing the subject and bringing the focus back to family.

“Mom, you wouldn’t believe how well he’s doing! It’s incredible. You really need to see him, Mom. He’s transformed into such a happy, lively person. He even came down to the dining room for breakfast this morning!” I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement. I heard her gasp on the other end of the line, a gasp that spoke volumes about her surprise.

“What did you just say? He actually came down?” she asked, her voice a mixture of astonishment and disbelief.

“Yes, I’m serious! He joined us for breakfast, sitting right at the table! It was a big step for him,” I reiterated, thrilled to share this news, and I could already hear the smile spreading across her face as she processed the information.

“Oh my goodness, this is truly amazing news!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy. 

“I know, right? He has been smiling a lot more lately. But there’s also something else I noticed that’s really intriguing... I think he has a bit of a crush on Doctor Kim—or maybe it’s mutual! They seem to have a connection,” I revealed. The sound of her soft giggle traveled through the phone, adding an extra layer of warmth to our conversation.

“Are you serious? Oh my goodness, I can’t express how happy this makes me! I’ve been waiting for some good news like this! I felt deep down that something wonderful like this would eventually unfold!” she said, her excitement radiating through the line. 

I arched my eyebrows in surprise at her confidence. 

“You knew this would happen?” I probed, curious about her seemingly prophetic insight.

“Absolutely, Sophie. While I worried that maybe she would turn him down, I truly believed they had a chance. It’s such a relief to hear that this isn’t just a one-sided affection. It really gives me hope,” she replied, her voice bubbling with happiness and relief.

“Speaking of Doctor Kim, how is she doing these days?” she inquired, shifting the focus back to the woman who was apparently capturing her son’s affection.

“Oh, she’s doing quite well, actually. Um, Mom…” I hesitated, biting my lip as I tried to figure out how to express my next thought without overwhelming her. 

“There’s something else you should know...”

“Is there a problem, honey?” my mom asked in her usual concerned tone, a hint of worry in her voice as she shook her head ever so slightly, obviously picking up on the change in my mood.

“No, it’s nothing, Mom...I just remembered something,” I replied, carefully omitting the details of my thoughts. As much as I wanted to confide in her about Giovan, I felt it was best to keep my lips sealed for now. The last thing I wanted was to add stress to her already busy schedule while she was away on that important business trip. I knew her well—if I mentioned Giovan’s name, she would likely insist on cutting her trip short and rushing back home, and who could blame her? After all, who wouldn’t be terrified at the mere thought of a person like him? 

“Alright, honey. Just remember, we’ll be back in two weeks. Make sure you take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to call me if anything comes up,” she said reassuringly. I nodded, even though she couldn't see me—offering her a smile to convey my gratitude and the comfort of her words.

“Okay, Mom. Bye for now,” I replied before ending the call. 

As soon as I hung up, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself, 

“Geez, after hearing her voice, I miss her even more.” I sighed, sinking back into the plush seat of the car, letting the familiar sound of the city buzz around me. 

#7 MINUTES LATER#

With my heart racing and thoughts swirling in my head, I flung open the door of the car and practically tumbled out, racing towards the entrance of the school. I was so embarrassingly late! The hallways were eerily quiet, and the absence of students only heightened my anxiety.
 I took a quick glance at my watch—my stomach dropped as I realized how much time had slipped away already. 

My mind raced through the possibilities of what lay ahead in the classroom. I really hoped it wasn’t the biology teacher in charge today. The mere thought of her stood me cold—she was notorious for singling out latecomers and making an example of them in front of the entire class. 

I could already envision her smirking as she called me out, and the embarrassment of being the center of everyone's attention was almost too much to bear. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for whatever awaited me, reminding myself that I could handle this, even if it meant facing that annoying teacher.

As I approached the classroom with hesitant steps, the faint sounds of a lesson wafted through the hallway, each word signaling a rush of anxiety within me. As I drew nearer, I could distinctly hear the voice of the teacher articulating concepts, and my heart skipped a beat. I instinctively bit my lip, feeling a wave of relief wash over me at the realization that the instructor was not the biology teacher I had dreaded facing. 
 The absence of Mrs. Thompson's commanding voice filled me with a sense of unexpected comfort.

Gathering my nerve, I took a deep breath that filled my lungs with courage, and I gently pushed open the classroom door. The sudden creak of the hinges seemed to echo in the silence that followed as all eyes, including those of Mrs. Sandra—the chemistry teacher who commanded the room with her presence—turned toward me with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"Seriously, Sophie, are you just coming to school??" she questioned, a hint of disbelief in her tone, punctuated by a scoff that made my cheeks flush. Instinctively, I lowered my gaze, ashamed to face the scrutiny of my peers and the piercing gaze of my teacher.

With a sheepish demeanor, I murmured an apology,

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Sandra. I... wasn’t feeling too good last night, which kept me from sleeping properly. That’s why I overslept." I hoped my excuse would be convincing enough to satisfy her curiosity and avoid further inquiries about my tardiness.

"Oh really? How's your health now?" she asked, a note of concern creeping into her voice as she studied me closely. 

I seized this opportunity to play along, responding,

"I'm still dealing with a headache, but I'm sure I'll be fine." Her reply was a simple nod, which I took as a sign of her acceptance of my explanation.

"Go and sit down," she instructed with a wave of her hand, and a broad smile broke across my face, filled with gratitude for her understanding nature.

"Thank you, ma'am," I replied cheerfully, buoyed by the gentle encouragement in her voice, and I turned to make my way to my seat. 

As I walked past the rows of desks, I caught a glimpse of one familiar face—Royce. My stomach twisted in a knot of nerves, and I couldn't help but frown deeply, feeling the weight
 of his gaze. Almost instinctively, I looked away, suppressing the flutter of emotions that threatened to surface as I tried to focus on finding my place in the classroom.

As I sat in the classroom, immersed in my thoughts, an unexpected sound broke the air—a sharp hiss. My attention was instantly drawn to Linda, who was staring at me with a fierce intensity. Her deep frown etched across her forehead, which only added to the tension in the air. With a mix of irritation and resignation, I rolled my eyes, knowing the look she was giving me all too well. 

Then, from my side, I felt a gentle nudge. It was Darcie, who leaned in and whispered, 
“Hey, what’s up?” Her tone was playful, almost conspiratorial. I couldn't help but flash her a cheeky wink in response, conveying silently that I was just fine despite Linda’s glaring eyes.

Mrs. Sandra, our teacher, who had been patiently waiting for us to settle down, cleared her throat to regain our attention.

“So, back to what I was saying…” she resumed, seamlessly picking up from where she had left off. Fortunately, I had successfully managed to sit down and pull out my books just in time for her to dive back into the lesson.

#25 MINUTES LATER#

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mrs. Sandra finished her lecture and began to leave the classroom, the bell signaling the end of her session. Darcie turned to me, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
 “It’s strange today. Mrs. Sandra's class wasn’t as dull as it usually is,” she commented, glancing around the room to gauge if anyone else shared her sentiment and I couldn't help but agree. 

“I was going to say that too, Darcie... It’s peculiar that I was actually keeping up with everything,” I replied with a light-hearted chuckle as I methodically packed my books back into my bag, savoring the brief moment of relief from the monotony that often accompanied our classes.

“So what happened that you came to class so late? I was beginning to think that you wouldn't make it to school today at all,” she said, her voice laced with impatience. I let out a loud, exasperated sigh, feeling the weight of the morning's events press heavily on my shoulders.

“I was tied up in an important conversation with my brother’s personal doctor. It was one of those discussions that couldn't be postponed,” I explained, hoping to convey the urgency without burdening her with the details of my family troubles. She nodded in understanding, her expression softening slightly.

“Royce has been asking about you more times than I can count. Honestly, I was starting to lose my patience waiting for someone to show up before Mrs. Sandra finally walked in,” she remarked, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of amusement and irritation. At this, my frown deepened as I processed what she had just said.

“Why on earth is he asking for me?” I inquired, my voice dripping with disbelief as a scoff slipped out unconsciously. The very thought of Royce inquiring about me filled me with a combination of confusion and annoyance.

“I think you should ask him that directly, face to face,” she suggested, her gaze drifting behind me, and curiosity compelled me to follow her eyes. To my surprise, there was Royce, standing a few feet away, his expression caught somewhere between curiosity and guilt as he stared at me with a hopeful yet apprehensive look.

“Um, I’ll just excuse you two,” Megan interjected with an awkward smile, clearing her throat as she slowly made her exit from our conversation. She walked away from her seat, leaving the atmosphere thick with tension and unspoken words.

“What do you want?” I demanded briskly before he had a chance to formulate his thoughts. Royce, visibly taken aback, took a deep breath, almost as if trying to summon the right words from somewhere deep inside.

“Let’s go outside and talk,” he suggested, the earnestness in his voice made me chuckle humorlessly.

“I really don’t have anything to say to you,” I replied firmly, standing my ground. But before I could process his next move, Royce reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me with unexpected insistence out of the classroom, the bustling hallway feeling suddenly overwhelming as we stepped out together.

"Let me go!" I shouted, my voice ringing with a mixture of anger and desperation as I forcefully pushed his hand away from mine, the contact sending a jolt of frustration through me.

With a furrowed brow and a hint of exasperation in his voice, he replied,

"What's wrong with you, Sophie? I've been trying to reach you—calling your phone repeatedly—but it seems you’ve blocked my number. Can’t you at least grant me the chance to explain what really happened?" His tone was pleading, but it only made me scoff even louder, unable to hide my disbelief at his audacity.

"Explain what?" I shot back, my irritation bubbling just under the surface.

"Please excuse me, I have some notes to copy for class," I said dismissively, making a move to walk away from this unpleasant confrontation. However, just as I started to turn, his voice boomed after me, stopping me in my tracks.

"Sophie, what on earth is wrong with you? You're the one at fault here! I stood on the rooftop waiting for you, but you never bothered to show up on time. If my memory serves me right, I sent you that text message over thirty minutes ago!" His words were laced with anger and frustration , and my lips instinctively pressed together as I flipped around to face him again, the weight of his accusations wounding me.

"And that was because I was stuck in the ladies’ restroom!" I shot back, my voice laced with frustration and indignation. The air between us crackled with tension, an invisible barrier formed by misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

"What??" He blinked at me in disbelief, the surprise evident in his tone.

"I don’t understand... who... I mean, how did you end up locked in there?" His words came out in a stutter, as if he couldn’t quite wrap his head around the ridiculousness of the situation. I rolled my eyes at his confusion, feeling even more exasperated by his lack of understanding. The layers of this misunderstanding felt thicker than ever, and I wished he would just listen and stop adding fuel to the fire.

"I saw your text and rushed out to see you but decided to use the restroom first since I was pressed. As I walked in it was just Shirley in there applying some makeup on her face, and after I used the toilet I found out that I was locked inside...... she was no longer in sight. 
 I was lucky when Chloe and Rita opened it because they wanted to use the toilet too.I immediately rushed upstairs just to see you and Linda in that position"I said and he frowned immediately. 

"It's all Linda's doing, She must have obviously told her bestfriend to do that because she knew that you'll be coming to me"He said and walked closer to me. 

"Look Sophie, I'm so sorry for what happened.....i swear there's nothing going on with Linda and I. She's just some desperate spoilt bitch who thinks that she can get everything in life......It's  you that I want"He said and held my hand and this time I couldn't push him off. 

"Please don't push me away again. You don't know how I felt when you blocked me and wouldn't even glance at me...... It hurts"He said and that melted my heart instantly. 

"I'm sorry Royce, I acted that way because I was so jealous and mad. I mean you should have seen the smirk she gave me..... I'm a really jealous person Royce..... I hate it when others touch what's mine. I... I love you and I know that you love me too so I think we should just start dating already"I said before I could stop myself and he smiled widely. 

"Allow me do it properly........., Sophia Higgins would you please be my girlfriend??"He asked and I smiled widely before nodding my head, my cheeks already crimson red. 

"Yes Royce,I will be your girlfriend"I said and bit my lips. 

"Come here"He said and pulled me into a kiss.

"Thanks for agreeing to be my girlfriend, Sophie"He muttered and resumed kissing me in the hallway not minding some eyes on us.