Chapter 5

Sophie Pov

Anna came back with the head chef right behind her. I could feel my heart beating faster.

“You called for me, ma’am,” he said, with his two hands behind his back.

“Yes I did Alberto, tell me, is there garlic in the sauce you cooked?” Mom asked. My heart beat faster. I could see Anna smirking at me. Oh, lord let me be right, if I am wrong I am going to be in big soup because Anna and mom will accuse me of trying to make Papa Pat like me. They might put me on house arrest. I don’t go out much but I still don’t like me being on house arrest. It’s terrible cause that is when I will feel like going somewhere and dad will never come to my rescue.

“Yes ma’am, there is garlic,” he said. I breathe out a tremendous sigh of relief, thank the lords. They would have accused me today and also kept me under house arrest. I smiled while mother and Anna frowned and also glare at me. But I don’t care just as far as I’m right and they were wrong.

“Thank you Alberto, you may leave,” dad said. Alberto bowed and left. I continue eating my food in silence, not looking at anybody, but I could feel the glares and tension in the room. This lunch has been awkward and intense so far and I just want to leave, but I can’t. I still wish I could, though. Papa Pat laughed. His laugh made me bring my head up.

“Well, I can’t believe you. remember I am allergic to garlic. You just saved a life. Henry and Jessica, you should be proud of your smart daughter,” he said to my parents. If it’s possible for an already deep frown to become deeper, it did, because Anna’s frown is deeper. Mother faked a smile. I looked at dad and he was looking at me with a look I do not understand. I faced my food and continued eating. Not like they ever will be proud of me. I just want to get out of this awkward dinner. It is just too intense.

“So Anna, what are your hobbies?” papa Pat asked. Anna was happy again with the attention on her. She just love attention, she craves and bath with attention.

“Well papa Pat, I absolutely love singing and playing piano” she said. What a white lie, she doesn’t sing. Her voice sounds like a dying pig. And she definitely doesn’t play the piano. And why is she calling him the name I gave him? I internally rolled my eyes. Drama queen.

“Oh wow, what an interesting talent, mind singing for me dear?” he asked. Mother and Anna choked on their food or drink, whatever was in their throats at the same time. I smiled. This is going to be very funny.

“Well papa Pat, I lost my voice, I can’t sing,” she said. I don’t know why she is still calling him papa Pat.

“Your voice sounds normal dear. Just drink water and sing me a song,” he said. Anna looked around and looked at mom for help. But mom didn’t say anything, and she looked back disappointed. Ouch. Maybe this lunch is not that bad after all.

“But no song is coming to my brain right now,” she said nervously. I could see a sweat running down the side of her face. She took a serviette and cleaned her face nervously. That is why you don’t tell lies.

“Ooh well, we all know the nursery rhyme, tinkle, tinkle, little star. You can sing that,” he said. I smiled. This man is so stubborn and doesn’t give up. I think he knows she was lying or something, or he is just genuinely curious.

“Hm okay,” Anna said slowly. I feel like laughing right now, so I took my drink to hide my smile. Mom looks white and dad has a tiny smile on his face. He looked down and cough a little. Is he trying to hide his laugh?. Anna cleared her throat to sing. There it goes.

“Tinkle, tinkle!, little star! How I wonder!, what you a…..” Papa Pat cut her off.

“Okay!, I have heard enough, sheesh girl. Did a rat get stuck in your throat or what?” He said. Oh my God, this is so funny and savage. She has the most horrible voice. Was she screaming or singing? I wanted to laugh so bad. My hair covered my face as I held my stomach and looked down. I laugh lowly. I hope nobody is hearing me. The biggest mistake I have ever made was looking at Anna. Her face was so red! I couldn’t hold it any longer. I burst out laughing. I held my stomach, laughing. My whole body was vibrating with laughter.

“Oh mm...my G…od” I said, laughing badly. It was like my laugh was contagious because Papa Pat and dad joined me laughing. Tears were coming out of my eyes. My stomach was hurting from laughing. We all laugh for sometime and I finally managed to catch my breath. I slumped in my seat, weak from laughing. Dad and Papa Pat also stopped laughing. I knew I was in big trouble later, but I was happy that I got a good laugh. I didn’t bother looking at mom’s face because I know she is angry at the moment, and I was feeling the holes she and Anna are digging in my brain. We all finished eating our food in silence. After eating, we went back to the living room. I have a feeling papa pat will choose me, but for my sake and everyone else, I pray he chooses Anna.

“So, you’ve seen both my daughters. Who is it going to be?” Dad asked.

“I must say, Henry, both your daughters are amazing, but as we all know, there can only be one bride and that is Sophie. She is an amazing girl, and she is the only one I want for my grandson”