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Family Ties [bit, NightStalker73au]

B

bit

Super-Earth
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
It was a chilly day when she stepped out of that cab, looking up somewhat terrified at the complex before her. So skinny. So tall. And nothing at all like her modest house back in Washington. Nothing was the same except for the same gray wash she was accustomed to which, from what the cab driver told her, would clear up.

She stood there, looking misplaced in a crimson over coat, so small, clutching to two cases with SOPHIE printed neatly across the handle as she looked up at the building before her. Blond hair was cut right under her chin in bob-style, topped with a beret-style cap. Such pale features, accompanied with such a sweet, upturned nose gave an innocent, mild demeanor. That mouth, so pretty (and usually so proper!) hung slightly again, lips painted the same red as her coat. The girl kept trying to shake off the notion that she was a completely lost, but it was hard to as she stood there, unable to move, while an endless sea of people bustled about her as if she wasn't there. The girl had family, though... her uncle. He would be able to show her the ropes.

And yet... really? What could she do with him without seeming pathetic?
Especially to all of the fashionistas that occupied the territory.

Then she had to remind herself that that was not the reason she was here. The girl was taking exams and needed to prep for them, and her uncle was supposed to help. She figured that entailed making sure she didn't slack too much and maybe helping her complete some paper work.

Sophie would never know, though, if she stood there like an idiot, too incompetent to even find the front door by herself. She tried to make her way primly, realizing soon that there would never be an opening in the people, and she would simply have to butt through. A quick rap on the door, her heavy-lidded blue eyes taking in everything in a dreamy way. And so the girl waited, fidgeting and feeling uncomfortable, to see the man she was going to be staying with.
 
Charlie knew when she would be arriving from the plane details he had checked out two days prior. Everything in the guest room where she would be staying had been freshened up, the small bar fridge restocked. His house was not entirely that, several large rooms towards the back off limits to most were his studio area. His black hair sat atop the solidly built 6 foot body. One of his staff heard the cab approach and the knock some time later, opening the door and ushering the young lady inside as Charlie made his way towards the large entrance area. Foyer was grand with two ornate marble statues lining the floor, in the middle sat a large fountain. His blue eyes met her face as he entered and spoke.

"Hello there Sophie, glad you found us okay. Will get you settled in. Leave your bags there and follow me."
 
The girl barely had time to catch her breath. From the moment the door was thrown open she was ushered in clueless and sudden, staring into a pair of eyes she did not recognize, except from pictures. A nervous smile twitched at the corners of her mouth, unsure. No where to get a word in edgewise, she simply did as was told and found a strange relief at that. Setting the bags down she then proceeded to shrug off her coat, revealing a modest off-white button-up top, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. A matching skirt wrapped itself around her waist, loose and falling above her knees, exposing milky legs. The hat was set neatly on top of the small pile she'd created.

"Oh, yeah." Her voice came out flat an tony, "And you must be Charlie?" She spoke timidly as she followed him.
 
Charlie turned and strode towards the large lounge area no sooner she had put her bags down, not noticing anything else until he heard her soft voice. Glancing over his shoulder his eyes took in the blouse and skirt quickly before taking a seat in the large black leather reclining chair. Opening the drinks cabinet right near it he spoke.

"Yes I am, Can I get you something light to drink. Tell me all about the flight, those taxi drivers"
 
She took in the marble statues, obviously impressed. An underlying artistic interest the girl didn't realize she had was inspired just look at them. His 'humble' abode (so described in the e-mails to her mother) was completely different than what she had excepted. His voice pulled her out of this trance, always getting lost in her own thoughts.

"Uh, cherry Pepsi?" she asked lamely, knowing full well that he was fishing through actual drinks. "I'm eighteen." Trying to justify herself, the girl was proving to be a rule follower. Sophie figured he would be happy about this - a bachelor taking in his pesky niece for the summer was generous.

"My goodness," and she too seated herself, "It was long and tiring. The hostess was nice, though. And I had a book of crossword puzzles, so I wasn't too board. I think it just wore especially hard on me because I don't like the thought of flying." A brief pause. "The taxi driver was nice, too - and quite a talker. Although I could hardly understand him."

Those eyes kept falling on the items he chose to adorn his home with. "Wow, I must say - Mom never let on how well off you were. If, ah, if you don't mind me asking, what do you do?"
 
Charlie chuckled softly as he heard her drink comment, she could do what she wished here with him. There would be no set rules as such for what she drank or ate. Her parents slightly strict, his sister's fault for the most part and he knew it. The bitch had always been that way. Taking out what she had asked for he placed it on the small table in between them. His eyes meeting hers for a few brief seconds.

"Yes I know how the taxi drivers can be around here. Glad to hear on the flight. I direct movies." His words cut off as he did not wish to go any further with that for now.

"So you need some help with exams then?"
 
The girl leaned forward and pried at the tab, a fizzy release, and cupped both hands around the drink before pulling it up. Sophie say upright in the chair, feet crossed and resting to side. It really looked like the most unsatisfying pose in a recliner, but habits were hard to break, especially when they'd been practiced since such a young age.

When he said he directed films her eyes immediately fluttered to him, her interest genuinely piqued. Films? Why did she not know this? But... he obviously didn't want to talk about it. How... aggravating.

"Advice is more what I need," she didn't want to linger in old topics, trying to keep up. "I've studied all of the texts and attended all of my classes. It would just be awful to get there and have all of this knowledge then... bomb it because I'd been using ineffective study habits or, even worse, a sudden case of test anxiety."

She certainly could ramble when inspired, pausing to take a sip.
 
Charlie had poured himself a small scotch, his own other usual drink was coffee. Both great tasting to him and had been for many years. Listening quite intently to her words he moved slightly in his chair and leaned forward on it. Setting his glass down he spoke in a soft tone.

"Sophie I can offer that advice and also upstairs in the room you will be using are some fake college tests I made up. Yes I attended there many years ago and did quite well scoring top marks in three subjects studied."
 
"Oh?" Again, another small surprise. Her uncle certainly seemed to be chock full of such things. Another sip, so small, careful not to smudge the color on her lips. "You attended college?" From the few things that were said about her uncle, Sophie built the impression of some uneducated low life.

"That sounds fantastic." She continued to ramble off useless statistics that reinforced the old adage 'practice makes perfect', stating in too many words that she liked the idea. "Mom did well in selecting you to sort of, ah, tutor me then - offer me a guiding hand and keep me on track." There was a smile that broke her lips, and this time it was genuine approval.
 
Charlie smiled at her words, he could only hypothetise as to what she had been told about him. None of it would have been good and yes he had kept parts of his life quite closed. He was not ashamed of it but more not wanting the extra publicity that could have come from it. His eyes flashed and sparkled a little as he smiled back, still leaning forward he took his glass and a few sips from it. Glancing up and around the room he spoke softly.

"You are most welcome. Only fair to help pass on some knowledge to you if I can. Perhaps I am not being too upfront by saying if accepted into college you will stay here more permanently."
 
The way he spoke, so gentle and placid, it really put the girl at ease. She'd been wound tight and jittery for so long about this whole ordeal - adapting to change (along with trying to adapt to it smoothly) was not her strong point. The girl liked to fall into a groove and stick with it. She liked the mundane. And that's what had troubled her about coming to stay with her uncle in such a busy city.

Her brows jumped when he mentioned staying, but other than that she remained still. "Ohhh," and Sophie sounded like she didn't believe it was a real possibility, "no way." Another glance around the area they were sitting in. It was all so extravagant, like one of those homes in a magazine. You could look as much as you want, oh yes, but it wasn't attainable. She bit into that lower lip, indulging in a dream, and waved it off after a moment. "There's no way," she repeated, "I'd be too much of an imposition, I'm sure," sipping at the humble soda.
 
Charlie moved back in his chair, the leather fitting perfectly to his body like a glove as he listened to the few words she spoke. The nervousness was apparent as the last one left those kissable lips, the kind he would love to see in action but could never tell her that, at least not yet. Taking a few more sips of his scotch he grinned into her eyes and stood up. Reaching down he lightly touched her shoulder and spoke.

"Sophie you would not, I will not hear another word of you staying anywhere else either."
 
If you can imagine it possible, the girl's body tensed another degree when he placed a hand, however friendly, on her shoulder. The family she grew up with was a very physically detached group of Quakers. She'd only ever practiced brushing a kiss across each parents' cheek before bed. Other than that, they kept to themselves, hands folded in their laps. While she realized it didn't mean anything at all, it was so supremely different, causing her to involuntarily tense up.

"Ohh, thank you," smiling up at him, "I am sure Mom would be grateful. Although she'll probably look into, uh, financial aid and any scholarships I can use to apply to the dorm." She felt bad saying such things, especially when he was so well off. Admitting they used assistance felt like saying a cuss word for the first time. "Besides, you don't know what kind of kid I am, yet - I could end up being one of those wild nightmares that make you lose your hair." And then she looked at her cherry Pepsi - something that could have been more adventurous and chuckled, thinking to herself, 'yeah, what a wild one I am.

"You know, you're a lot different than I expected," Sophie admitted, "A lot nicer." She ran perfectly polished nails through her hair, tucking anything out of place back where it belonged.
 
Charlie felt her body tense up underneath his hand, if she could not learn to relax he could induce it so many ways as his grip relaxed and left her shoulder. Taking his scotch he walked across to the large oak bookcase, eyes scanning the shelves like he was looking for a book but he was not. Turning back to face her he spoke.

"Sophie nothing you say or do will make me change your mind. Pass those exams and you stay here."
 
He was really serious. It wasn't just him being nice to the new guest, filling her head with a bunch of promises they both new were empty in an attempt to be polite. Instead it was him truly offering his home to her, insisting, even.

Her face beamed. "Why, thank you! Oh, you have no idea how much that would help." One less thing to worry about - and it wasn't small either. That one thing carried at least half of the weight of her worries. And he made it seem so easy to trivial such things and take them away. She supposed it was easy, though, if you had the proper funds. "Thank you," she couldn't say it enough.

"I suppose I'll have to work extra hard on the exams, then, to make sure I don't disappoint." The thought of staying made her positively giddy. It was so different from her old home and, well, she was beginning to get the feeling that it wasn't such a bad thing.
 
Charlie walked casually back from the bookcase, setting his drink down on the table he moved past her and out into the entrance foyer. His words left hanging in the air as he effortlessly picked up her luggage, placing her coat and hat on the racks along the hallway. "Follow me to your room"
 
"Oh yes, I'd love to see it." Sophie lifted herself to her feet and, following suit, left her drink on the table under the impression that her uncle didn't want it taken into private rooms. Her heels clicked briskly to catch up with Charlie. "If it's anything like the rest of the house I am certain that I won't be disappointed." Her eyes took in every ornate decoration as they walked, only getting more and more impressive. She watched him grab her things and tried to offer some help, not wanting to feel useless, ending in a meek, "Thanks," as he clearly had it covered.
 
Chalrie took the stairs two at a time even with the bags, stepping out onto the large carpeted hallway upstairs. Turning left then going north down a slightly narrower corridor he stopped in front of her room and opened it, placing her bags just inside the doorway as he spoke. "Bathroom is just across the hallway, will let you settle yourself in."
 
Sophie clammed up when his replies became more brief, not wanting to pester or seem too much like a kid. 18 really is such an awkward age. So she bit her tongue and refrained from rambling. "Okay, thank you." That would be nice having the bathroom directly across the hall.

She took that as a sign to get to it, and stepped past her uncle into the room. Oh yes, it was certainly going to do. She placed her hands on her hips, taking it all in and basking in the thought of having her very own room. It took half a minute to spot the dressers.
 
Charlie smiled at her words and watched her dart into the room, eager to explore it. His cell phone rang and walking down the hall he answered it before making his way downstairs. Stepping into his office at the back , he made a few notes before pulling up the small video on the screen. A few more quick words spoken and the phone call ended, replying to the emailed video with a yes he penciled the young lad in to star in his next film. Leaving and closing the door of his office he whistled, entering the lounge and picking up his drink.
 
It didn't take her long to unpack. Sophie was a very neat person and had everything perfectly organized in those two little cases. All it took was going through the motions of transferring things from one place to the other, leaving once to put her preferred shampoos, soaps, and raspberry lotion along with a toothbrush in the bathroom. After sliding the cases under the bed she was settled in, hiding any evidence that she was a visitor.

Sophie checked her phone and saw seven missed calls. There was no surprise when she saw they were all from her parents. She placed a call quickly and reassured them that yes, she was there safe; yes, she was going to remember to take her vitamins; yes, her uncle was being nice. It was a brief call, lasting maybe ten minutes, with her parents doing most of the talking and worrying.

Sitting on the bed she flipped through a couple of the channels on the TV in her room and found it all boring. So she stood and observed herself for a minute in the vanity, making sure nothing looked out of whack, and approved. The girl left the room, thinking hard for a minute trying to remember what turns they had taken to get to her room, before making up her mind. It took only a minute and she'd found her way back. "Knock, knock," she said when she entered the room, noticing he was in there and not wanting to startle him.
 
Charlie had settled himself into the large black leather recliner with his drink and book, his down time was needed after the hectic hours of not just photo shoots but preparations for them. The current film was moving at a faster pace than he had imagined, openings very rare but still there as he heard the knock from her. His eyes meeting hers and with a warm smile spoke to her.

"No need to knock, this is your house too unless you find a door closed then please do stay out."
 
"Are there such doors?" this surprised her. She didn't persist, though, figuring that, if he did have shut doors and warned against them, then he certainly wouldn't want to talk about them. "So, you're a reader?" she asked, "That's pretty neat." Standing there awkwardly, holding hands behind her back, Sophie was hum-hawing around.

"Hey, I've got a question," stating it plainly before working in the nerve to ask anything of him, "Uh, what's that taste like?" She nodded her head, indicating the glass in his hand.
 
Charlies eyes watched her body move slightly as she stood in the large open area in between the two rooms. Taking a sip of his scotch he took the bottle and poured a small amount into another glass setting it down on the table. Adding a little ice his eyes met hers again as he spoke.

"Please do come and taste it. Our little secret and soon enough you will need to face this and many other small tests offered by boys at college."
 
Every time his eyes met hers, her own gaze faltered (just for a second) and fixed itself back. She bit into that lower lip, a terrible excitement bubbling inside her when she watched him pour her drink. It wasn't much, and she was perfectly fine with that. When indulging in a first lapse or moral judgment, it was always better to take it one small, tiny step at a time.

"Oh? Yeah, I suppose that is true." Sophie reached out and placed a hand on the glass, a big breath to boost her confident. "Although I really hope not. I'm very awkward in social situations, and can't imagine having much fun."
 
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