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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,