Chapter 9: Taking a Big Step Comes With Many Sacrifices
Part 1
"Today was a great day," Sofia murmured while her lips drew a smile that did not reach her eyes. He walked briskly, almost floating, as if the whole world were at his feet. I was able to fix things with Adolfo, and everything is going great. Love... Love seems to be something spectacular.
But deep down in her being, a pang of uneasiness pushed her to search. He scanned the square with calculated precision, as if he knew exactly who was about to appear. And then, there it was.
On the other side, Isabel walked unhurriedly, with her gaze distracted, oblivious to the storm that Sofia felt growing inside her. For a brief second, Sofia gritted her teeth, but then she put her smile back together, now colder. This time he was not going to allow things to continue as before. The humiliation she had felt when Elizabeth ridiculed her, though partly through her own fault, would not be repeated. Today was the day she would regain control.
Sofia approached with firm steps, but her voice as she spoke was light, almost playful, as if what she was about to say was part of an innocent game.
"Isabel, we need to talk," he said, getting in his way. Isabel looked up, surprised to see Sofia in front of her. However, he did not lose his composure; His expression was calm, but there was a cautious gleam in his eyes.
"What do you want, Sofia?" Isabel replied, crossing her arms. Although his tone was neutral, his posture betrayed a slight tension.
Sofia smiled maliciously. He enjoyed this little confrontation more than he would have liked to admit.
"Adolfo belongs to me," Sofia blurted out, bluntly, as if those words were an immutable truth. So you'd better stay away from him.
A dense silence fell between them. Isabel stared at her, and for a moment her eyes reflected a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. But he did not allow himself to be provoked. With a slight sigh, he answered without losing his calm.
"After you denied knowing him, do you think he belongs to you now?" Isabel said, tilting her head. It seems that you underestimate Adolfo. Or could it be that the slap I gave you at school made you imagine strange things?
Sofia's smile widened, but this time she was not only malicious, but calculating.
"Say what you want," he said, letting out a small laugh, "but in the end, he would never notice you."
*
Sofia's ambition
"Love, eh..." He thought as he walked away from Isabel. There is only one thing I truly love in this world: the stories the world has to tell me. People are open books waiting to be read. At first glance, some seem very simple, but under the surface they can hide wonderful stories or stories so repulsive that they would make you flee. Adolfo... He is a book that I am still beginning to read.
Sofia had read about all kinds of historical figures, each with a different story. For example, Nikola Tesla, the great scientist who was born during a storm. That detail alone made it fascinating. But among all the stories, there was one thing that connected them: control. Whoever knew someone's story had power over that person.
"That night, I really enjoyed being part of your story. A pianist who only lives for his piano saw reflected in me what he loves most"
And Adolfo, with his innocence, with his love for the piano... He also had something to tell me. But this time, I wouldn't settle for just being a spectator.
"Let's see what you have to tell me, Adolfo.
*
"What do I do, what should I wear, what should I say, this is the first time I've been dating a girl and she's the girl I've dreamed of dating so much, right now I'd love to have a friend to talk to."
"Adolfo, Adolfo, look, let's go to that place, please, yes?" This café is very nice.
"This is the cafeteria I invited Isabel to that time"
Adolfo shifted in his seat, uncomfortable, while he watched Sofia from the other side of the table. They were in a small café with large windows that let in the afternoon light, creating a warm atmosphere. Despite her nervousness, she couldn't help but notice how radiant Sofia looked. She was talking excitedly about a movie she had seen recently, and although her words seemed to fly in the air, something else about her demeanor caught her attention.
"It's one of my favorite stories," Sofia said with a sincere smile. I love it when the characters take control of their destiny. Don't you think?
Adolfo nodded slowly, feeling that she was talking about more than just the movie. There was something in his eyes, a spark he hadn't seen before. He had always assumed that Sofia was distant, almost cold, but at that moment he noticed a genuine warmth in her eyes. For an instant, the tension in his chest eased.
"Sometimes I feel like we're the ones writing our story," Sofia continued, her voice now softer. But it's not always easy, right? Sometimes the decisions we make... they are not that simple.
Adolf frowned, confused by the turn in the conversation. Before I could answer, Sofia changed the subject with a light smile.
"Look! He said, pointing to the piano in the corner of the cafeteria. I bet you could play something amazing there. I'd love to hear from you.
Adolfo's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't played in public for a long time, and the idea intimidated him. But when he looked at Sofia, he didn't see the mockery he was so afraid to find. Instead, his eyes reflected sincere curiosity.
"No... I don't know if I should," he stammered, scratching the back of his neck.
Sofia leaned forward a little, her hands folded on the table, with an expression much softer than he had expected.
"Adolfo," his voice was now almost a whisper, "you are incredible at what you do. You shouldn't hide it just because sometimes things get tough. I... I want you to trust yourself. I'm not telling you this just for the sake of saying it. I really think you have a special talent.
His words, so unexpected, disarmed him. For so long he had seen Sofia as an unattainable person, someone who was beyond his comprehension. However, at that moment, everything seemed different. She wasn't being cruel or indifferent. For the first time, it seemed to him that Sofia was really seeing him, not just as a young pianist, but as someone worthy of admiration.
"Very well, I don't want to pressure you, I wish I could give you something so that you can see this world from another perspective.
Don't give things you may regret.
"Adolfo, I didn't want your hands, what have I done?"
No, not what I will do, it would be better if we had never met Adolfo.