Page 82 of Beautifully Broken
The cool fall air has me pulling my jacket tighter around as I make my way into the office from the parking lot. It’s almost winter and the weather outside reflects that we’re heading into those frigid months.
Once in my warm office, I get settled and let my mind drift to Trevor. We’re supposed to grab coffee later after we go over the requests for a party we are both working at this upcoming weekend.
It’s been a little over a month since the day he surprised me at the farm and we’ve been able to hang out a few more times when our schedules have aligned. And I’m excited because after the event this weekend we have plans to catch a movie.
A ping from my computer pulls me from my thoughts and I get to work on my inbox.
I'm so lost in my emails that I lose track of time when my watch vibrates, telling me it’s time to stand. I walk over to the other side of my office, stretching my legs when my mom pops her head in.
“Morning! You look nice today, Sophia.” She smiles and walks off.
Well, I guess today’s going to be a good day.
Things have been up and down with mom since our enormous blow up, but they haven't gotten worse and now she’s complimenting me. I’ll take it.
Sitting down at my desk with a grin, I get back to work confirming venues, menus, and quotes for events. A calendar reminder goes off, letting me know I have five minutes until I have to meet with Trevor. After we have our meeting, I’m done for the day, so I pack my things.
I’m already sitting in the conference room when Trevor walks in and takes the seat next to me. We try to keep our meeting as professional as possible, but we can’t avoid the longing stares and small hand grazes .
It doesn’t take us long to iron out all the details we need for the party before we’re walking out of Your Dream Event and into the local coffee shop.
After ordering, we find a table and sit down.
“Are you excited about this weekend?” Trevor asks before taking a sip of his drink.
I nod. “Yes, I am.”
He reaches his hand over and sets it on top of mine. “Good, I am too. Our official first date.”
I giggle. “I can’t believe it’s taken us this long.”
He winks. “At least we’ve been able to hang out, even if they weren’t official.”
“This is true.” I bring my cup up in agreement.
“Busy day? I didn’t see you at all.” Trevor rubs his thumb on my hand.
I nod. “It was okay. Very busy. I had to reply to a bunch of event inquiries. What about you?”
Trevor shakes his head. “Not too busy. Finished editing the photos from last weekend's events.”
When we finish, Trevor walks me back to my car at the office.
“I’ll talk to you later?” he asks, pulling me into a hug.
I wrap my arms around his waist. “Of course.”
Releasing me from his hold, Trevor drops a kiss to my cheek. “Get home safe.”
“You too.” I smile and turn to get into my car.
In no time, I’m pulling into the driveway and going inside straight to my bedroom.
After changing into my pajamas, I go to text Trevor when I hear my mom call out for me from downstairs to meet her in the kitchen.
Pocketing my phone, I trudge down the stairs to the kitchen.
I take a seat at the island. “What’s going on, Mom?”
She takes a seat on the stool next to me. “We need to talk about Trevor.”
This again?
I take a shaky breath. “Okay, what about him?”
“The two of you will not be spending any more time together. Any events you plan that need a photographer, you will need to book Andrew. If the client requests Trevor, you will hand off the event to myself to delegate to someone else,” she calmly tells me.
I scrunch my face. “Why?”
She purses her lips. “I’ve told you before, I’m not blind. The two of you have become very friendly and are spending more time together at work. I can only guess the few times you’ve been out of the house and not at work have been with him.”
I roll my eyes at her, not caring that she can see me. “Heaven forbid I have friends.”
“It’s not that you can’t have friends, Sophia. But you need to pick friends who are good for you and won’t bring you down. People who are doing something positive with their lives.”
Is she serious? God, she’s so damn judgmental. I’ve had enough.
I stand up and glower at her. “You don't get to choose my friends. I’m an adult who can make her own choices. I’m not a child who needs to be protected anymore. You don’t get to decide for me. You need to trust that you raised me to be insightful and make good decisions on my own.”
Her mouth opens and closes. Stunned. She has no words. But it doesn’t take long for her to recover.
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I will decide for you if I know you’re making bad ones. Trust me, Trevor is a terrible decision. If you want to date, I can set you up with one of my friend's sons who will treat you right and be able to provide for you.”
I scoff. “No thanks. I don’t need you to set me up with anyone. My dating life isn’t your business as long as I’m not being abused. And for the record, yes, I do like Trevor. And you know what? He likes me too!”
“Enough!” She slams her hand on the island. “You like him? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he doesn’t really like you. You know how I know?” She pauses, taking in my wide eyes of shock. “I paid him off to stay away from you.” She gives me a smug look, as if she’s won.
There is no way he would accept money from her to stay away from me.
I shake my head. “No, he wouldn’t. You’re lying to me.”
She laughs. Actually laughs as if she’s the evil villain in a movie. “Nope. I offered him a check for ten thousand dollars. And he took it. Happily. ”
She has to be lying. Why would Trevor do something like that? I thought we were friends at the very least. Let alone building a foundation to start something more.
“I don’t believe you,” I say just above a whisper, hands rubbing down my face.
She shoves her phone at me. “Here’s your proof.”
I snatch her phone from her and scroll through the message thread she has up. It’s between her and Trevor where he agrees to take the money. It’s from today and it was just before we met in the conference room.
I can’t believe this is happening.
“Why would you do this?” I ask, tears welling in my eyes.
“Because I had to show you he didn’t care about you, Sophia. If he did, no amount of money could tempt him. I’m sorry, but this is for the better.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. Her behavior has officially reached its limits for me.
“Better for who?! You are just a judgemental bitch who is lonely. What’s the saying?
Misery loves company. Well, I won’t be the company you keep there.
I’m done. You don’t listen to me. You don’t know what I want out of life.
It’s always what you want and what you decide is right for me.
You talk about others caring for me, but you don’t even care!
If you did, you would see how you talk and nitpick on everything about me literally makes me sick.
The panic and anxiety you cause me has me pushing a finger down my damn throat to gain some sense of control!
But I can’t do it anymore. This was the last straw. I’m done!”
Before she can get another word in, I turn around and run to my bedroom.
I can’t believe I just stood up for myself.
Holy cow. I just called out my mom on how I feel and told her exactly how she affects me.
I roughly grab my suitcase out of my closet and pack my necessities. I refuse to live under her roof anymore and subject myself to being manipulated by her.
Once my suitcase is full, I make my way back downstairs, where she still sits in the kitchen.
She arches an eyebrow. “Where are you going? ”
“Anywhere but here. Don’t expect me at work tomorrow and don’t bother calling me unless you’re ready to apologize and make changes.”
She scoffs. “Oh Sophia, you’re being so dramatic.”
I shake my head, grabbing the handle on my suitcase. “That right there is why I can’t be around you anymore. Bye Cheryl.”
I wheel my suitcase out of the house. Once in my car, when the house I grew up in is no longer in my rearview, I take a deep, shaky breath.
I did it. I took the first step towards gaining back control of my life. And now to deal with everything falling apart, including things with me and Trevor.