More Than What We See ✔ (Lesbian Story GxG)

Part 16

Clara smiled as she stood and watched Elliot's grandmother pull her into a tight hug. Sofia's eyes caught hers before the redhead stood and turned back to the kitchen to give the women their privacy.

Clara followed her high school sweetheart into the kitchen and watched her for a moment. She thought about their years together. She was grateful to have found a woman like Sofia, the woman she could never imagine herself living without.

"You're amazing, you know that?" Sofia startled the young brunette knowing she was lost in thought evident by the faint crease lines formed on her brow. Their gaze turned to the happy reunion between Elizabeth and her grandchild.

Clara wrapped her arm around Sofia when she moved to her side. "You think she'll be ok?" She asked as she leaned her head against Sofia's shoulder.

"It will probably take some time, we'll help her the best we can," Sofia answered and turned her girlfriend to face her. "I can't begin to imagine what she's going through, and I never want too." She whispered.

"Me too,"

The conversation throughout dinner was surprisingly cheerful maybe because they purposely avoiding any topic relating to Patricia and the great time they spent in Fiji.

"What are you girls taking in school?" Elizabeth asked. Elliot listened as the girl talked about their classes. Sofia was doing her undergrad in Criminal Law in preparation for her LSAT the following term, while Clara worked on her bachelor's in graphic design on the other side of campus.

"I have someone in my office that would probably be willing to help you prepare if you like." Elizabeth offered Sofia, "and Elliot's a natural when it comes to computer design, Clara." Elizabeth placed her hand on her granddaughter's arm in attempting to get her into the conversation.

"Ah, yeah, sure." Elliot looked up from her meal. "Whatever you need." She answered, as hard as she tried she still found her mind still distracted by thoughts of Patricia. "It's honestly been great seeing all of you and I'm glad you stuck around," Elliot spoke once more. "I think I've wasted enough time, I should get back to my work. I'll be in my studio if you need me."

"Eli," Elizabeth called as her granddaughter stood. Clara could still see the sadness in her friend's eyes and stood with her.

"Oh, it's ok." Clara shot from her seat, "Elliot actually offered to get me the photos from our vacation." She offered Sofia a weak smile. "I'll clean the kitchen before I come up to bed."

"Don't be silly, go on and enjoy," Sofia knowing Clara was making an excuse for Elliot, she stood and placed a kiss on Clara's lips. "I'll see you in a few."

"Thanks," Elliot whispers when they were out of the kitchen.

"No problem I'll leave you to catch up." Clara leaned in and gave her friend a hug, "just don't..."

"I won't." Elliot squeezed Clara tight. "I promise." She confirmed before making her way down the dark stairs that took her to the studio. She let out a sigh, noticing a few scatter paintings, the ruined paint and brushes that must have been left out since the night they had returned.

She grabbed the large trash bin and cleaning supplies. Elliot set off on a cleaning frenzy, with each item she tossed she felt a sense of relief and each swipe of the rag. She imagined herself letting out her pent up frustration.

Elliot knew sitting in her room did her no good. She wanted to get back to her life. A part of her wanting to try to forget, the other, well the other refused to let go.

She pushed the thought aside and checked her email for any available assignments to keep her mind busy.

************

"Good morning Ms.Harrington, you have a board meeting at eight." Patricia's secretary hurried to keep up with her, " and there was a message from an Elizabeth Shaw and..." Patrician stopped walking and took the pieces of paper from the older woman.

"Did she leave a message?" Patricia asked wondering why Richard's grandmother was calling her.

"No ma'am,"

"Thank you, Rose, if she should call again please put her right through." Patricia turned and twisted the handle of her office door.

"You have a visit..." Rose called out, a noise from across the room grabbing her attention.

"What do you want Richard?" Patricia spat and made her way to her desk purposefully leaving the door slightly ajar.

"Now, now dear, is that any way to talk to your future husband." Richard grinned and moved toward the desk.

"Don't be so smug, you think I'd seriously want to marry you if I had another choice?" Patricia growled.

"You could have the company over to your father," he smirked. " Maybe then he'd let you out of this little deal but then again I might not." He let out an evil laugh. "You were always meant to be my wife Patricia, it was our father's' plan from the very beginning."

Rose stood at the door and eavesdropped on the conversation thinking she'd get to hear happiness and excitement from the newly engaged couple. Instead, she placed her hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp.

How could this be? She wondered, she had worked for the company long enough to know Patricia's grandfather would never allow such a thing. "So you see, I could take you right here and no one could stop me." Richard pressed his body against Patricia pinning her to her desk, the blonde pounded against his chest begging him to stop.

Rose wanted to tell someone, to help Patricia but who could she possibly call if Patricia's own family was behind this?

She turned to return to her desk to call security only to bump into an unknown woman. "Don't worry, I'll handle this." the woman winked and pushed her way into the office.

"Trish are you ready ...." the woman burst in pretending to be surprised. "Oh my god I'm so sorry." She covered her eyes.

"Sofia?" Patricia cried out in both surprise and relief. "Wh- what are you doing here?"

"Really Trish are you going to forget I told you I was coming by for a chat?" Sofia put on her best smile as she looked at Richard. It had taken weeks for Sofia to track Patricia down only to find out she was right here in New York. "Oh, my you're better looking in person." She pretended to gush as she reached for Richard's hand. "Now I can see why you've kept him all to yourself," the redhead pretended to flirt.

"And who might you be beautiful?" Richard asked, stepping away from Patricia he tilted his head forward placing a kiss on the back of the young woman's hand.

"I'm Patricia's best friend or so I thought," Sofia pouted and she looked at Patricia before looping her arm through Richard's and leading him to the door, "she's always said if she were to marry I'd be her maid of honor and I'm here to collect," Sofia whispered the last part like is was a secret between her and him. She leaned against the door and ushered him forward.

"I'd hate to see you leave," she leaned over so he could see her checking out his backside. "But I don't think I'd mind the view. She placed her hand on his bottom and gave it a firm squeeze."

Richard stood tall and puffed out his chest like a proud peacock as he headed to the elevator. Sofia stayed leaning against the door, she watched and waited for him to step inside giving him a flirtatious wave as the doors slid shut.

Sofia let out a disgusted groan, "Uh." She turned to the woman at the desk.

"It's Rose ma'am."

"Ah yes Rose if you could some coffee, I take a shot of bourbon in mine if you don't mind."

"But it's only seven in the morning," Rose stated.

"Did you not just see that disgusting display I had to put on?" Sofia rolled her eyes and wipped her had harshly against her jeans.

"Point taken," Rose said hurrying off.

Sofia turned into the office once more and crossed her arms over her chest, "Well I'm glad to hear you didn't break my friend's heart on purpose." She walked in and took a seat in front of Patricia's desk. "Question is why didn't you just tell Elliot what was going on?"