Just as Sophia and Aria finished up there dinner, the bell rang.
Sophia got up and went to open the door while settled down in the living room. Sophia also returned to the living room followed by a middle agaed woman. Sophia sat beside Aria while the middle aged woman sat down on the sofa infront of them.
"Princess this is your auntie Sarah; the one I told you about and Sarah, this is my daughter Aria." Sophia gave a quick and simple introduction to both of them.
"Hello Aria. It's really nice to meet you." Sarah softly greeted; feeling a little out of the place at the sudden invitation from Sophia.
"You must be wondering why I called you here and that to all of a sudden, right?" Sophia began the conversation, trying to lead it in a better direction. Sarah just nodded in response.
"The last time we met, remember you told me you were looking for a job. It just happened to be that I am also looking for someone to work as my assistant and a manager. I was wondering if you are up for the job?" Sophia asked, speaking directly to the point without wasting any time.
Sarah was shocked by the sudden turn of events. Just a few minutes ago, she was still in a state of panick and stress and here, a few minutes later, she had all the solutions of her problems.
"What do I have to do?" Sarah asked; fidgeting her fingers at her entire body shaking from stress as well as relief.
"Currently I have three major projects at hand. The first is re-constuction and interior designing of a restaurant and the other two projects are the construction and management of a greenhouse and a vineyard. Tomorrow, I will be meeting the people from the company to which I want to give the re-construction project and you will have to accompany me there just to know them as I want you take over the remaining two projects under your supervision. From selecting the location, finalizing it, the construction, the liscence from the government, the staff, the work to every single thing will be under you." Sophia explained the entire work in detail.
"I...I..I can't do this. I am not capable enough for this. You should hire someone who is skilled and confident enough to do this job; not someone like me who doesn't even know the direction of where her life is going." Sarah stuttered out; completely taken aback by the trust Sophia was showing in her. 'She didn't deserve this. A person like her can never do this.' These thoughts hept on reappearing in her mind.
Sophia stood up and down again but this time by Sarah's side. Taking Sarah's hand in her own, Sophia firmly held on to it, trying to calm her down.
"Yes you can and you have to. Don't let other's thoughts direct your life Sarah. You are an independent woman capable of achieving anything. You just have to trust yourself and abilities. Be confident and strong, not just for yourself but for the people you love and the people who actually love you. I have been there where you are right now and I know how difficult it is to get out of there. But the thought of Aria always motivated me and gave me the stength to overcome all my fears. If I can do it then so can you. Just go for it." Sophia said; trying to give stength and motivation through her words.
Sarah's eyes welled up and the the past flashed by her eyes; all the torture, all the pain and all the cruelty she faced. But then a face flashed in her mind; The only person who had given her the stength to fight and to overcome it as well; her only family, her daughter Alice Jones. Just the thought of her gave her the power to fight and win as well. Taking a deep breath, Sarah took a decision; for herself and her daughter Alice.
"I will do it. Sophia thank you very much for everything. You really are a great friend." Sarah said; her heart feeling light and elated. Sophia hugged Sarah in joy and excitment. Maybe because of their similar experiences or their alike personalities, they both always felt instant connection between them unaware that this was a freindship that would last for a lifetime; a pair that would be famous and equally deadly in the near future. A friendship of life.
"Then tomorrow while we are away, Aria can stay with my daughter till we return." Sarah suggested; well aware how difficult it can get to leave such a young daughter alone.
"You have a daughter auntie?" Aria finally interjected in between; curious about the new information she got. Sophia also never mentioned it.
"Ohh! I totally forgot to tell you about that, Sarah have a daughter around Henry's age, infact maybe a year younger. Her name is Alice." Sophia said; remembering the details she forgot to tell.
"Yeah, Alice is 17 this year and is going to give her national enterance examination this year." Sarah said; her voice filled with undisguised pride.
"Rally? Even brother Henry is also going to give his national enterance examination this year. This is going to so much fun with me, brother Henry and sister Alice together." Aria said; excited for the new bond that was about to be formed.
"Uhmm! Henry?" Sarah asked; confused by hearing the unknown name again and again.
"Ohh Yeah. I forgot to tell you about them. The main chef of the resturant is brother Noah and assisting him will be his wife Jenny. They have a son, Henry. Actually it went like this, a few days ago....." Sophia reminisce the entire events till the date.
"Infact I planned to leave Aria with Henry at the hospital. You know what, Alice should also join them. Alice and Henry could meet and also study together as well." Sophia further suggested; wanting all the children to spend time together and to bond with each other.
Aria also eagerly nodded, excited to meet Alice and spend time with both her elder siblings. Sarah hesitated for a moment but later agreed as well. After everything set, Sophia and Sarah excused themselves, locking themselves in the studyroom to plan everything for their meeting tomorrow while Aria decided to laze around in the living room, giving herself the well deserved break after completely losing herself in the design model.
A few hours later, Sarah left for her own house, deciding to meet again tomorrow early in the morning with Alice.
Opening the door of her apartment, Sarah made her way towards Alice's room and gently knock on the door.
"Come in mom." came Alice voice from inside. Sarah opened door and entered the room, gazing at her daughter sitting on the study table, concentrating on the book infront of her.. Closing the book, Alice faced her mother.
"How many times do I have to tell you mom, you don't have to knock before entering. YOu can come in anytime you want. And don't say anything about disturbing because you can never disturb me." Alice said; her heart filled with affection as well as ache. She knew how hard her mother was trying to hunt for a job just to support her. Sarah just nonchalantly hummed, taking a seat on the bed.
"I have a really great news to share. Remember the woman I told you about who once helped me deal with your father?" Sarah excited said; eager to share the joyful news with her daughter. Alice thought for a moment but then hummed in agreement.
"Her name is Sophia and she just offered me a job of a manager, instantly making me incharge of two huge projects. So it went like this....." Sarah told the entire incident in detail not leaving any details behind.
"That's wonderful mom. congratulations. I am so happy for you." Alice shrieked merrily, truely happy for her mother.
"But I have to leave you alone because of this job." Sarah pointed out the worries she had in her mind.
"Don't worry about it mom. I can manage alone. You can go to work without any hesitation. " Alice calmly told Sarah.
"I can't leave you all alone. Sophia suggested that you should accompany Aria in the hospital till Henry is there and later three of you can stay together when the elders are busy at her house. Since Henry is also giving the national entrance examination this year, you both can help each other as well. With you with them, I can atleast keep myself at ease that you are in safehands." Sarah cautiously told the plan to Alice, well aware how much her daughter preffered her lonliness but she wanted Alice to go out and make friends and currently this was the best way to do so.
Alice fell silent; her thoughts running wild at the thought of meeting new people but then looked into her mother's expectant gaze and couldn't bring herself to disagree with her. She knew that Sarah was doing this for her own good and she also didn't want to add on to her mother's worries any further. At last, Alice took a deep breath and finally agrred to Sarah's suggestion.