TAKING BACK WHAT BELONGS TO HER

Sofia looked at the necklace and with trembling hands she took it from him. "Can I really have this back?" She asked him. Her nose felt stuffy giving her a nasal voice. "You won't take it away from me again?"

"No. It's yours. I gave it to you a long time ago and I am glad that you treasured it. Since it's found a good owner, you should keep it to yourself."

Sofia slumped on her bed while clutching the necklace in her hand. She stopped crying already and just looked outside her window.

"Do you want to talk? Maybe I could help." Ivan opened up but Sofia shook her head several times.

"Don't worry about me. I can manage myself. You can continue cooking. I'll be there when dinner's ready."

Ivan looked at Sofia but he chose to not say anything anymore. Since he used the window to get inside her room, he also jumped down there to get out. After all, her three best friends were still outside her door, making a fuss as to what they should do.

Sofia put the necklace on her bedside drawer and laid her body on the bed. Her tears started falling again. What she found was just too heartbreaking for her. She loved her parents and grandparents so much. She was angry that she was left behind but what can she do about it? Some people just didn't know how to be contented and has become so greedy.

"Of all people, why does it have to be him?" Sofia questioned. She just couldn't understand why things turn out the way it was when she knew that her father was never the selfish-type of person. He cares for his family more than anyone else. He shared his blessings to everyone and he never punishes people who commit a mistake. He would always forgive them and give them a second chance. "So, why?" Sofia questioned but there was no one who can answer her.

She stayed in the same position for half an hour until she felt her back has gone numb.

A knock on the door made her sat up straight. "What is it?" she asked while picking up her towel.

"Dinner's ready. Are you eating with us or should I bring your food here?" Niko asked while looking at the two men beside him who were also listening to every little noise inside her room.

"I'll be there." Sofia replied. "Just give me ten minutes."

"Okay."

The three of them breathed in relief after getting her response. They left together and went to the dining area where the others waited for them.

Sofia washed her face with cold water to and put on some makeup to hide her swollen eyes. She can't really wear glasses while having dinner, right? And she didn't want to show them that she's a weak person.

After ten minutes, she really came down and sat at the very end of the table with Niko on her right and Ivan on her left. They were all looking at her but since she looked nonchalant, they didn't ask her any questions. "Let's eat." Sofia said and took the platter of rice to put some on her plate.

Because she was so depressed that night, she ended up eating a lot which shocked everyone. They knew that she likes to eat a balance meal, counting her calorie intake because she didn't want to get fat but that night, she ate so much without bothering what others thought of her.

"Let me know if you need help." Niko said softly beside her.

"Sure." Sofia answered without really giving it much thought. In any case, she always run to Niko when she needed help for something. After eating her fill, she wiped her mouth. "I'm done. I won't be eating desserts tonight. I don't want to practice in the gym either. I'm taking a rest."

She stood up from her seat and without looking back, she left the dining area and went back to her room. She needed to plan things correctly. Since her family was ruined, she would ruin them as well. She needed to take it slow, make them feel the despair she felt all the years that she was all alone.

On the things that Niko handed her, there were lots of pictures and other evidences. All she needed to do was to take one of those and gave it back to the right owner.

Sofia opened up her laptop and printed her message instead of writing them. She cut them out and pasted it on the back of the picture. "Now, let's start with one picture tomorrow." She smiled to herself and patted her face gently. 'Get yourself together. You will make it.' She thought encouragingly.

She took another shower and washed off the makeup on her face before going to bed to get some sleep.

The next day, she went to school with a wide smile. The day has come for her to start taking back what were rightfully hers. She asked one of her men to send the picture to the address written on the small brown envelope. Without asking what it was, the man left and drove his car to the address that was given to him

As for Sofia, she left to get to school once again, hoping in her heart and mind that she would see Liam as well. 'Liam.' She uttered his name in her mind and thinking about him made her frown. For some reason, she noticed that can relax around Liam but she couldn't relax and put her guard down with Ivan.

"Strange." She muttered.

"What's strange?" Viktor asked. Today, he was the one who's driving her to school. The three men were taking turns to drive the car for her, ensuring her safety along the way.

"Something slipped in my mind and I just thought it was strange." She answered without elaborating what it was.

Seeing her expression, Viktor smiled faintly. "I'm glad that you've recovered quickly."

"Of course, I would. I'm not weak. I was just too shocked from what I found."

"So, you're taking actions against them?"

"Uh huh. I'm getting back everything that belongs to me." Her sweet smile turned sinister and Viktor knew that her heart and mind was set in motion. No one can stop her now.