23. Then take me with you
Sophia's Pov:
June had just picked me up from Oliver's house, and we were on our way back to her apartment when my phone rang.
A video call.
A video call from Adrian.
I showed the screen to June.
She frowned. "Why is he calling? That too a video call?"
I shrugged and picked it up.
The moment the call connected-
my heart dropped.
Lily.
Her nose and cheeks were red, eyes glassy, face blotchy.
She had been crying.
"Mommy..." she sobbed, "Mommy..."
And then she broke down completely.
My grip on the phone tightened.
"Lily, what happened? Did someone say anything? Baby, talk to me-what happened?"
But she just kept crying.
Then the camera shifted.
Adrian.
He looked at me, slightly uncomfortable.
"Actually... Mary made vegetable soup today. With broccoli. She saw it and started crying. Now she wants you."
I didn't wait.
"I'm coming."
I cut the call.
June didn't ask anything-she just took a sharp turn.
In the evening also when Lily called at that time also she was saying she was missing me. I thought she would be fine without me like always but...
Within minutes, we reached the Whitmore mansion.
I rang the bell.
James opened the door.
"Mrs. Whitmore-"
I just nodded and rushed inside.
I didn't have the time to correct him.
Not now.
I ran upstairs to Lily's room.
The moment I entered-
I saw her sitting in Adrian's lap, her face still teary while he tried to console her.
And then-
she saw me.
"Mommy!"
She ran straight to me and hugged my legs tightly.
I bent down and picked her up.
"Yes, baby... Mommy's here."
She wrapped herself around me completely-arms around my neck, legs around my waist.
Behind me, June entered.
Lily's face lit up instantly.
"Oh my God! Aunt June is here too! "
June laughed and pinched her cheeks. "Of course we came. Our princess was crying so much."
I placed Lily down and cupped her face.
"What happened, baby? Why weren't you having dinner and crying?"
Instead of answering my question--
she gasped, covering her mouth.
"Mommy... is this your work outfit?"
I looked down at myself.
Black pants, white shirt tucked in neatly, and a black trench coat.
So different from what she was used to seeing , a loose gowns.
I smiled. "Yes. Does Mommy look good?"
She beamed. "Very good! Pretty and smart! Yes Daddy??"
She turned towards Adrian.
Only then did I look at him.
He stood there, hands in his pockets, sleeves rolled up.
He was still in his formals only... maybe he too returned now.
"Y-yeah," he said, a little startled.
I ignored him and looked back at Lily.
"Now stop buttering me up and tell me-why didn't you eat?"
She smiled sheepishly.
"I wasn't hungry... and it was soup...with broccoli in it"
I raised an eyebrow.
"And... I don't like broccoli..."
I kept staring.
"And.... and Daddy woke me up... and he didn't even hug me or kiss me like you do..."
Her voice softened.
"I was missing you..."
She looked down, fiddling with her fingers.
My heart clenched.
I crouched down and kissed her forehead.
"My baby girl..."
I hugged her tightly.
I had thought she didn't need me anymore.
That she had chosen Vanessa.
But right now-
everything felt confusing.
I picked her up again.
"Okay. First dinner. Then we talk."
She shook her head immediately.
"No! I don't want broccoli soup!"
"I'll remove the broccoli."
"No! I don't want soup!"
I sighed and then said a bit firmly,
"Lily, good girls eat healthy food."
She looked down, defeated.
"Okay... but you have to tell me a story... and stay with me..."
Then she added softly,
"Pleaseeeee..."
I smiled and nodded.
We went downstairs.
June and Adrian followed behind us.
Mary smiled seeing me.
"I'll serve dinner, Mrs. Whit-"
"Bennet," I corrected calmly.
She paused. "Oh... yes, Miss Bennet."
Lily didn't question it.
She had heard me say it before.
Mary brought four bowls of soup.
I took off my coat and hung it on the chair, then sat beside Lily and started feeding her.
As always-
I began telling her a story.
About a naughty girl who hated vegetables.
Lily listened, completely absorbed.
And just like always-
she finished everything without realizing as she was so engrossed in the story.
I smiled.
"So Lily is not a naughty girl. She finished all her vegetables."
She beamed proudly looking at her bowl.
"Yes! I'm a good girl!"
Then she pointed at me seriously.
"Now Mommy, you also be a good girl and eat. You got tired from your oral tests."
I laughed softly. "Yes, ma'am."
She then asked, concerned,
"How are your legs? You said they were hurting..."
"They're fine now, baby."
She nodded seriously.
"You should eat more veggies or you'll get weak."
June laughed.
Lily turned to her, crossing her arms.
"Aunt June, why didn't you pick my calls? I'm angry."
June held her ears playfully. "Sorry! I was in a meeting."
Lily nodded. "Mommy told me. When she lost the keys and her new friend came."
We all smiled faintly.
Throughout dinner-
I could feel his gaze.
Adrian.
But I didn't look at him.
I didn't react.
Dinner ended.
I stood up.
It was getting late.
And I had an interview tomorrow.
I looked at Lily softly.
"Baby, Mommy has to go now."
She shook her head immediately.
"No, Mommy! Stay! You promised! I even ate vegetables!"
I crouched down.
"I would stay... but I have an interview tomorrow morning. And my clothes are not here."
She pouted.
"Then take me with you..."
I smiled sadly.
"You have school tomorrow, baby."
Before I could say anything else-
Adrian spoke.
"Don't worry. I'll pick Lily from your place and drop her to school in the morning."
For the first time that night-
I looked at him.
And this time-
I didn't look away immediately.
I will make the next update today only in the evening most probably.
Lily is really cute and sweet?? , she loves her mommy it's just that Vanessa tried to use her to get closer to Adrian .
Next update is a good one if I had to give a hint so it is......... Oliver , Adrian and Sophia will be seen together.????