Page 25 of Chasing Sophia

When he doesn’t budge, I flop down begrudgingly, and Ash opens a thick ledger on the table. It’s more like a picture book. The first image is of the library, the same building where we are now but several years older.

“My mother was a bibliophile to the point that me and my father were often on the verge of being jealous of fictional characters.”

“Now that’s a stretch.”

“It’s not. Unlike mothers who only want to talk about their sons, my mom loved to talk about Mr. Darcy or Mr. Rochester.”

“So, your mom was a fan of romantic classics?” I raise an eyebrow.

“My mother was a book fan. She read everything from Sun Tzu’sThe Art of Warto Bronte’sJane Eyre. And given how much time she used to spend here, it’s no surprise she met Dad here. She was a librarian at that time.” He carefully slips in the fact that his mom hadn’t belonged to an affluent family before her marriage to his father. “But this building was very different then.” Ash nods toward the picture.

I’ve heard stories of how the Miller family paid huge amounts of money to renovate the library, but I’m not stupid enough to ignore that The Queen’s Hotel is above this floor. Its walls might be lined with books, but reading isn’t what makes it so popular. It’s the lavish parties that generate huge profit every night.

“I’ve been to The Queen’s, Ash. Don’t try to tell me that your family renovated this place out of goodwill. We all knew the hotel was always a part of the renovation plan. I’ve heard the rumors that your father wanted a hotel at the town square, and the library renovation was just a ruse to acquire the best spot.”

“My father knew our family name was synonymous with luxury in this town, and like you said, The Queen’s was always a part of the plan, but for different reasons.” Ash jerks his head toward the forgotten book before me. “Turn the pages.”

It takes me a moment to switch the context of our conversation. I flip the pages, which are filled with photographs of the renovation work. I stop on one with man in a suit in deep conversation with the workers as they all look at maps on a table.

“That’s my dad,” Ash says, and the same man appears in several more images, making it clear that his father was personally involved in the work.

Then there’s a woman in a yellow dress with a young boy dozing on her lap. There are several paint swatches spread out on the table before her. I can’t believe the Millers treated the work as if it were the remodeling of their own living room and not a public building. There are several more images of young Asher and his parents while the library slowly comes to life.

“These are members of the library trust.” He points to the group, sitting in a circle. “On the next page is the agreement that was made on that day.”

I turn the page, and even after reading everything twice, I can’t believe the printed words.

All the profits made from The Queen’s will go into the upkeep of the library, and the remaining amount will be donated to different schools in town.

“My father ensured that my mother’s favorite spot in the world never falls into its initial state ever again. Yeah, The Queen’s was always part of the plan, but not for the reasons you think.”

“But people—”

“People say a lot of things, Sophia. Some due to ignorance, and others due to jealousy. But the Miller family has no authority on the running of this place.”

Before I can say anything, he offers me his hand. We leave the library building and get inside the car. I’m lost in my thoughts as Ash’s driver drives for another half hour before stopping outside a hot dog stand. There are only two customers before us and once they are served, the owner, an elderly man with a thick, bushy mustache, gives Asher a wide grin.

“Today, you are not alone.” He tilts his head toward me.

“And you are not subtle.” Asher chuckles. “Sophia, meet Don, who likes to think of himself as the hot dog king.” He points toward the stand banner.

Donald’s Hot Dogs. The best in town.

“Hi, Don. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, young lady. Be careful with this boy.” I smile at his referring to Ash as a boy, and Don says, “Two, I assume.”

“Three. William is with us.” Asher nods toward his car. Once our order is ready, he hands me one and then marches toward the parked car to deliver the hot snack to his driver.

“Sometimes it’s hard to believe he’s the richest man in town, isn’t it?” Don asks. Like mine, his gaze is focused on the electrifying man before us.

“So you know who he is?”

Don looks at me as if I’m crazy. “Of course. Ashcroft has been coming here since he was a kid. This is where his mom brought his father for their first date. She was from my neighborhood. A sweet but headstrong girl. Maybe a little like you.” He scratches his chin as if imagining Ash’s mom in me.

“Hey, you didn’t start.” Ash jogs to me and looks at my untouched snack.

“I was waiting for you.”

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