Crushed (5 page)

"That's how they came to me." Cleo concluded, her lips curling into a smirk. She was staring at Sophie with hawk-like eyes, judging her reaction. "As two kids, struggling to create a life for themselves."

Sophie sat very still. She didn't know what to say, or even what to think.

The only thought that floated through her mind was that they'd been here. Her parents, who'd she'd never had the chance to speak to, had been in this very room. They'd lived here, spending the precious few remaining years of their lives working for this woman.

At least, that's what they expected her to believe.

"So, my parent's were art thieves." She began eventually, staring at her hands.

"More or less. They didn't limit themselves to just art, like Robert here." Sophie could still feel Cleo watching her.

"You expect me to believe this?" Sophie asked, not meeting the woman's eyes.

"Yes." Cleo answered bluntly. "Is it really that strange?"

"My grandparent's never told me anything about my parents, but your story is insane."

"Not really, if you think about it." Cleo crossed her arms. "You've seen for yourself how skilled Robert is. You know that he's an art thief, and you know that this lifestyle is possible. In fact, there's been more than a few movies made about thieves in the past." She held out her hand in the air. Gwyn, who had been waiting in the doorway, came forward and placed a photograph in her hands. "If you still don't believe me, try looking at this."

She passed the picture to Sophie, who held it with shaking hands. In the middle of the photograph were four people, standing before this very house. The two in the middle looked exactly like the couple that Cleo had described. The man had bright red hair, and sharp green eyes. The woman's hair was a light brown color, and her features were soft. They looked quite odd standing beside each other. The man was very tall, and the woman was exceptionally short. Almost as short as Sophie. Behind them stood another couple, this one older, and more familiar.

"It's my grandparents." Sophie whispered, wondering why it didn't surprise her. She'd half believed Cleo from the beginning, but now she had no more reason for doubt. She wished she could argue against the proof she held in her hands, but it was useless. As she stared at the photograph, Sophie felt her heart squeeze in her chest. As she stared at the people who were supposed to be her parents for the first time, she felt a connection to them. She had the same shade of hair as her father, and she could see many of her own features on her mother's face.

"Now do you believe me?" Cleo asked smugly.

Sophie took a deep breath, and handed the photograph back to Gwyn.

"I still don't understand why I'm here. Susanne and Gerard Parker passed away a long time ago. What do you want from me?" Sophie put on her best business-like voice. It was the exact same tone she used to argue with her professors.

"Robert already told you. We made a promise with your grandmother that we'd look after you when she passed away." Cleo turned to Robert who wouldn't meet her eyes.

"A promise that you can easily decline." Robert added, glancing up at Sophie.

"My grandmother passed away over a year ago. What took you so long to find me?" Sophie ignored Robert, and stared at Cleo coldly. She didn't like talking about her grandmother with these people. They made her second-guess her grandmother's intentions, and she didn't want to think badly of the person she loved more than anyone in the world. After her grandfather had passed away, Sophie had realized how precious her grandmother was, and she hated to hear them talk about a side of her that Sophie hadn't known.

Cleo's smile faded, and she turned to Robert. "I was told that you could not be found. In fact, Robert was still searching for you the last I heard. It seems he was acting out of character."

Robert clenched his fists, a look of genuine fear flashing across his face. As soon as it appeared, his fear vanished, leaving Sophie wondering if she'd seen anything at all.

"We met on accident. I hadn't known she was staying at that university until I heard her name. I immediately gave her this address, and told her to come. I couldn't exactly drag her back here, Cleo. I was sort of busy." He replied defensively.

"It sounded like you were trying to push her away." Cleo mused, still watching him seriously.

"I was only telling her that she had a choice. She shouldn't stay here if she doesn't want to. She has a life that she doesn't want to leave." His eyes locked with Sophie's, almost daring her to contradict him.

"So, what you're offering me is… a home?" Sophie began, looking down at her hands. "You want me to stay with you?"

"Only if you want to." Robert interjected.

"Rob, hush. If you say one more word, I'll make you leave the room." Cleo ordered. "Sophie, we are offering you a place to stay. I know you have your own life, but should you need a place to go in the future, we are always here. If you choose, we could be a sort of family to you."

Sophie didn't like the way Cleo used the word "family" She gave it a darker meaning that made it feel like what she wanted from Sophie was something more. Cleo didn't strike her as a person who did kind things without getting something in return, but Sophie had no idea what she had to offer this woman.

At first, Sophie didn't consider staying with them. This entire situation was too sudden, and she knew these people could never be like a family to her. No matter how much they knew about her parents' past, she couldn't pretend they weren't strangers. Sophie also had a life she needed to return to. This place was just an interesting dream. Her real life was calling, reminding her that she couldn't stay here forever.

In her mind, she pictured what she'd be returning to. The same old schedule, the same old loneliness, and the same old drive for success. From where she sat now, she found herself fearing the dread that would come with the former monotony of her life. She didn't want to go back to studying for a career she hated, and living a existence where she didn't have time to be who she really was. This week had been freeing, in more ways than one. No matter how odd this whole situation was, it had succeeded in waking Sophie up.

She didn't want to live like that any more. She wanted to live freely, doing what she wanted, when she wanted.

An idea struck her, and though she knew it was insane, she decided to ask anyway. It was a long shot, but her desperation to break away from her old life spurred her forward.

"I want to be a thief." Sophie stated calmly.

"Excuse me?" Cleo asked, looking startled.

"I want to work for you." She continued.

"You're insane." Robert nearly shouted. "Are you joking?"

"Did it sound funny to you?" Sophie snapped. She turned to focus on Cleo. "If I worked for you, would you pay me enough to support myself in the future?"

Cleo's startled expression twisted into a proud smile. "Darling, if you work for me long enough, you won't have to worry about money for the rest of your life. What future are you thinking of?"

Sophie felt a little awkward telling them her dream, but she felt like they needed to know. It was the first time she'd ever thought it might be possible. "I want to live in Paris, and paint to my hearts' content. I don't want to have to worry about money. I just want to live for my art."

"What a freeing dream." Cleo whispered, her eyes widening with pleasure. "I'm positive I can promise you such a small desire as that."

"This is ridiculous." Robert interrupted. "You're going to play along with this girl's fantasy? She doesn't have what it takes to work for you, Cleo. You know that."

"I can learn." Sophie argued. "I've been working towards a life I don't want because I don't have enough money to support myself otherwise. If I work here I can reach my goal without giving up who I really am. Trust me, I will learn anything I have to for the kind of salary you're promising."

"Working for us isn't as easy as you think it is!" Robert answered. "It's not a game. Being a thief is dangerous. Desiring money isn't going to lead to success in this field. It takes years to get to the level I'm at."

"I like the idea." Cleo commented. "You remind me so much of your parents. They were fast learners as I remember. I think you'll be able to do it."

"Cleo!" Robert turned to her. "I don't know what you're after, but stop. You're getting her into something that's completely over her head. We don't need her help."

"Robert." Cleo warned.

Sophie fidgeted, wondering if she was going to be accepted. As soon as she'd started speaking, the realization that this was what she wanted had hit her. She wasn't even thinking about the negative aspects of the job. The money alone captured her attention. She was already figuring that given five years, she could be living on her own in Paris, embracing her passion without a care in the world. It was just the kind of future she'd always wanted, but never had the confidence that she'd achieve.

"Why can't I be a thief?" She interrupted Cleo's and Robert's staring contest. "What's wrong with me?"

Robert was clearly fed up with the way the situation was turning out. When he turned to look at her, his eyes were unforgiving. "You have no idea what it takes." He answered coldly.

"I'm willing to adapt." Sophie crossed her arms stubbornly. "Tell me what I need to change."

Robert smirked, and motioned to her head. "The first thing that'll have to go is that hair. It stands out too much." He joked.

He obviously thought she wouldn't do it, which made her want to all the more. He had awakened the stubborn part of her spirit that had lain dormant for too long.

"Give me some scissors." She offered, standing up.

Cleo smiled, and motioned behind her to the long desk that was positioned in the corner of the room. On the desk was a small cup, which contained pens, pencils, and a large pair of red scissors. When Sophie looked at Cleo, she saw that the woman also thought that she wouldn't be able to do it. There was disappointment in Cleo's expression that seemed to accept the fact that Sophie would never have what it took to be as good as Robert was.

Sophie marched towards the scissors without thinking about what she was doing. She lifted them in her hand, while pulling her bright red hair to one side of her shoulder. She lifted the scissors to her ears, and watched as both Cleo's and Robert's expressions twisted in shock. Feeling motivated by their reactions, Sophie lifted the scissors even higher.

She took a deep breath as she clamped the scissors over her hair. As she watched strands of her beautiful hair fall down her shoulders, her heart ached. She realized too late what she'd just done, but she knew there was no turning back. She watched them with unmoving eyes as she cut all of her hair, up to above her ears. She caught her reflection in a mirror sitting across the room, and noticed how she looked like a boy now. It was heartbreaking, but when she turned to look at Robert's stunned face, she felt like it was worth it.

"Now, what?" She asked, dropping the scissors back on the table. "What else do I need to do to prove I have what it takes?"

Cleo clapped her hands together in amusement. "I like her." She said with a laugh. "I'm sorry, Robert, but she's just too interesting to pass up." Cleo stood, and walked towards the doorway. "If you really want to work for me, you're hired. Prove your worth, and I'll pay you more money than you can even dream of." Cleo cackled as she passed through the door to the living room. "Welcome to the family." She called out as she walked towards the front door.