Sophia Hart's monday morning, after the concert, started with a bang. Not the literal one. Brian called early in the morning as he knew she would have to be in school later on. A lot of money would be flowing into her account. Brian had lost his bet.
But the actual profit was less than expected. They had to pay through the nose to get items that were needed fast, that too on a weekend. As the working schedule planned for staff went haywire, they had to pay a lot more overtime. The raw materials had to be purchased retail, rather than wholesale. That ate quite a bit of money. But overall, they were still flush. So, the next goal. Keep pulling the customers based on their desserts and beverages rather than just a hype.
Sophia gave ideas based on what she felt as a customer. Then she busied herself till it was time for breakfast. She would not go there till she has to. Nathan and Chloe were the worst combo ever to face on mornings. The older Harts came second only because she never had to face them in mornings.
Nathan would have thought all through the night and even calculated how much money he could have made by rubbing shoulders of other influential people yesterday evening. He always over estimated himself while underestimating others. Based on the exaggerated estimate, the chances of punishment was more.
It was not that she was afraid of punishment. She just didn't want it. This freedom, however flimsy it was, was very dear to her. Maybe she should continue what she started yesterday night. Try to be complaining, capacious teenager who saw herself as centre of the universe. Let's give up playing music and painting and other activities and just concentrate enough on passing the exams. Make it as her own choice rather than a punishment. Maybe it will bring the confrontation regarding her college admission soon. But they won't be able to interfere now.
Unfortunately, Sophia was called way before the breakfast was served. Apparently, she was being served as appetizer.
The 'talk' happened in the library. Oh, so intimidating. Her parents were already dressed to nines. Hmm! Probably will go around to 'just chat' with few friends and accidentally reveal that Sophia had performed yesterday. Damage limitation.
Nathan played bad cop. He tried to be good cop most of the times, so a sudden switch was more effective.
"Get in here, now."
As soon as she came near the antique table, the library was closed softly. The butler was indeed very tactful.
"Do you even consider us your family?" Okay, Nathan Hart started with big guns. " How could you do this, Sophia?"
Sophia was now a dumb, perplexed girl. "Dad, Mom, I don't understand why you both talk like this? Why are you both so angry at me?"
Chloe said patiently, " We are not angry, sweetheart. We are sad. We are worried and distressed."
"But why?"
"Why didn't you let any of us know that you were performing yesterday?" Nathan thundered.
"Because it was nothing?" Soohia answered. "Look, it was such a stupid thing. I didn't even get to perform a whole Sonata. Who would even call that a performance?"
"It's not the matter of big or small. You performed. Yet, we, your family didn't know about that. What does that tell you?"
"That the performance was lame. It was so lame that it has to be his from everyone." Now, rush forward. "Urgh! I hate myself so much for even agreeing to perform. Ms Evans just threw a small performance as if I was a beggar. I am way better than Penny who performed second and I am indeed better than Tony who played Sonya's stanza. But Ms Evans wanted me to play a small Aria. I should have just given up playing piano when she said that. Stupid me, thinking about years of learning. In fact, that's what I am going to do now. I will withdraw from music classes.
Heck, why just music, let's stop all the extra curricular activities. Let's just laze around in home and prepare for entrance exams."
Nathan and Chloe were shocked. They didn't expect such a tirade. Not did they expect this stupid girl to concentrate on entirely different thing.
"Sophia! " Nathan's shout stopped her. "You are getting out of hand. Now, you will decide what to do? Not us, your parents? When did you become so disrespectful and uncaring?"
"Sorry, dad. I didn't mean to be that." Yeah, she did, totally.
"Now, listen to me. You are going to share every detail of your life with us. Even the trivial ones."
"What if it's lame?"
"Even then. We are your family. We will not mock you, my dear. We just want to be part of your life. We don't care that you behaved like a silly girl. You are our princess." Chloe said, with tears glistening at tip of her eyes. Just few more blinks and tears would pour like a waterfall. Just see how they assume she will behave like a silly girl. Not others will behave so, but her. Wait, this may be just word play. They might have not meant it. Oh, forget it. They are bad. Their thoughts are bad. Their words are bad. No need to think more.
"Okay, fine. I'll tell you. Now, may I be excused? I'm hungry. I didn't eat much yesterday as I was still angry."
Just like that, Sophia escaped from the lion's den.
"You are letting her go?" Chloe asked. What happened to all that they had discussed?
Nathan waves his hands. "Let her be. She is behaving just like Shirley now. We treat her like we do her sister and bring her to order.
Any way, what's done is done. In a way, this is good too. Nicole would have been angry if she had found Sophia was also performing yesterday. Now that she's gone, we can go around and share the glory of performing in front of Lexia Windsor. It should let me get few small deals.
Just....just pretend she's another Shirley. For few days."