Ellen's Point of View
Marlon and I are currently seated in a restaurant, a little bit far from our usual spot. The place is
a little bit packed since it's a Sunday.
We have barely warmed the booth seat when something or rather, someone attacks him from
above.
A full-body tackle.
Marlon's legs shoot up like a man being exorcised.
"SOPHIA! JESUS!" he screeches, choking as she pins him into the vinyl cushion like a wrestler.
"You. Have. The. Audacity. To. Let. Her. Come. To. You. First.
" She hisses.
Marlon wheezes.
"Attack the perpetrator, woman! Not the victim!"
"I am attacking the problem.
" She flicks her finger against his forehead, continuing.
"You. Are.
The. Problem.
"
He looks at me for help, betrayed.
"Ellen, please tell her to free me from this torture.
"
I raise my hands in mock surrender.
"I can't. I need both of you alive.
"
Sophia rolls off him with a dramatic sigh.
"I am offended. Deeply. Offended.
"
Marlon gasps for oxygen.
"I am traumatized.
"
I lean closer to Sophia and whisper,
"I didn't plan anything. I… reacted.
"
Her jaw stays clenched.
My voice softens.
"I'm sorry.
"
Nothing.
I tap her shoulder.
"I come bearing peace offerings?"
She turns just enough for one eye to glare at me.
"Proceed.
"
"What do you want?"
She doesn't blink.
"Fries. A bucket. Not a plate. Chicken. And an Oreo milkshake.
"
Marlon stares.
"That's so specific.
"
And with a snarl from Sophia, he shuts up minding his business.
Ten minutes later, a waiter places an entire bucket of fries and a mountain of chicken on the
table like it's a peace treaty.
Sophia takes one fry, bites it slowly, then sighs like a queen that has forgiven her citizens.
"You may speak.
"
So I tell her everything I told Marlon.
She listens calmly at first. Then explodes
"That godforsakingmanofauselessscumbag!" She mutters under a single harsh breath.
She's seething so hard, gripping her fingers on the table that I fear her nails are digging too hard
and carving the wooden furniture.
Sophia grabs my hand.
"You are not marrying some random walking cigar just because your
delusional father is allergic to emotions.
"
"I wish it was that easy.
" I reply.
"We can surely do something about this. We can't sit and watch you get married to a pig. Not
under our fucking noses.
"
Marlon nods at her comment as they both stare intensely at me. I wave them off, trying to
lighten the mood. At that moment, a phone rings.
Marlon tries to ignore it but the constant ringing earns him a smack from Sophia. He scoots
away from us a bit and picks it.
"Babe, I swear It's an emergency,
" he murmurs.
"Yes I know I said fifteen minutes but...
"
Sophia cups her hands and mimics him in a baby voice.
Marlon puts a napkin over his face.
"I'm surrounded by demons.
"
We laugh. Loud, uncontrolled laughter that hurts my ribs and loosens something tight inside me.
And just at that moment, I felt light again.
As Marlon sorts out the bill, Sophia scoots close. Her voice dropping to a whisper.
"I have an idea.
"
Which is always dangerous.
"What are we plotting now?" Marlon joins, giving a suspicious look.
"We need privacy. Drive us to Ellen's house. Then leave. Go be a boyfriend or kick asses.
"
He groans under his breath but says nothing.
On our drive home, Sophia suddenly turns to me.
"What is your father's most treasured asset?"
I blink hard.
"His reputation?"
"Idiot, something physical. Something he would cry over.
"
I think again.
"Probably his car or his wa—
"
Her smile widens like that of a felony criminal.
"Perfect!"
"Whatever this is, I want no part of it.
" Marlon grumbles.
"Then drop us off and pretend you never met us.
"
Hiding a smile, he drops us at my gate and leans out of the window.
"Try not to do anything that
lands you in jail. I've got no cash for bail.
"
"No promises.
" Sophia chirps.
I roll my eyes and lead the way.
"Now, take me to your garage.
"
"Why?" I ask suspiciously.
"This is operation destroy the villain number one.
"
"I am not helping you do anything absurd.
"
"Fine. Then you can watch.
"
After five minutes of arguing, I cave reluctantly.
We slip through the service entrance because using the main door would set off sensors.
My stomach knots.
"If my father sees you, we're dead.
"
Sophia squeezes my shoulder.
"If your father sees me, I'll remind him I eat people like him for
breakfast.
"
We creep toward the underground garage.
Sophia freezes at the sight of the cars.
"Holy mother of— is that a Lamborghini? That car costs more than my entire bloodline!"
Then she spots his Ferrari.
Her voice drops low and reverent.
"Ellen… the universe wants me to slash his tires.
"
"No.
"
"Yes.
"
"No.
"
She brandishes something shiny from her pocket.
A pocketknife.
"Sophia. Why do you even HAVE that?"
"I'm a woman who takes public transport. I would be stupid not to have it.
"
Fair point.
She crouches beside the Ferrari.
Raises the knife.
I yank her back.
"WE ARE NOT COMMITTING A FEDERAL CRIME.
"
She pouts.
"And we do this to ex boyfriends, not.. parents.
"
She glances up.
"Sweetheart, your father is now your ex father.
" And with repeated slashes, she
tears the tire.
A part of me is panicked at her act, but the major rebelling side of me is satisfied at the act itself.
Choking on a laugh, I grab her arm convincing her she had done enough
"Now let's break into your room.
"
"What?"
She smirks.
"We are making friendship history tonight.
"
Giving in, we sneak past staff like playing chess on carpet. At one point we have to flatten
ourselves against the wall because the housekeeper and butler pass by discussing wine
inventory.
Sophia mouths a silent: "THIS IS SO FUN.
"
I mouth back: "THIS IS HOW PEOPLE DIE IN MOVIES.
"
We reach my room.
She steps inside and stops.
"Holy— Ellen, you have a walk-in closet?"
"It's just a closet.
"
She moves to the balcony.
"Your balcony has a view of the city. My apartment window has a
view of a wall.
"
She hops onto my bed.
"I get why your father never lets people over. This house is too
powerful.
"
I smile weakly, sinking onto the floor beside the bed.
And for a moment, we just breathe.
No rumors. No marriage arrangements. No shadows.
Just peace and quiet.
Sophia turns toward me.
"We're going to fix this. All of this. You're not alone anymore.
"
Tears sting the back of my throat.
Before I can answer, the door handle twists.
Both of us freeze.
Footsteps.
Not Nana's cautious shuffle.
Not the butler's slow stride.
A different footstep.
Sophia's eyes widen.
"Shit. That's not yours, right?"
"No one except staff is supposed to be home.
"
The knob turns again.
Sophia mouths: "CLOSET.
"
We sprint into the walk-in closet and shut the door silently.
The bedroom door opens.
Footsteps enter.
Sophia whispers in my ear.
"Tell me your father did not hire a professional killer.
" I shush her as I
struggle to take a peak of who came in.
Everywhere goes quiet for a while and it seems the person leaves my room. I and Sophia stare
at each other, eyes wide.
Who the hell just entered my room?