Shadows In Durango

Chapter 41

****Sofia's POV****

The morning light filtering through the curtains felt harsh against my throbbing temples.

I groaned softly, my head pounding relentlessly, a reminder of the chaos of last night.

Slowly, I sat up, feeling disoriented and exhausted. The events of the previous evening flooded back into my mind- losing my job, the break-in at my apartment, Vincent's unexpected kindness in bringing me back here.

It was a lot to digest and I certainly didn't look forward to facing the questions from him today...

I glanced around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of Vincent's spare bedroom that I had slept in previously after the party.

The room was neatly kept, a stark contrast to the messiness of my own life right now.

I suddenly reach up to rub my temples gently again, trying to ease the headache, before I notice a glass of water and some painkillers on the bedside table.

Vincent must have left them for me... he seriously has gone above and beyond for me when I was convinced that he didn't actually even like me at all before. I would have to remember to thank him...

As I reached for the water, a soft knock on the door startled me causing me to freeze. "Sofia? You awake?" Vincent's voice was muffled through the door. "Yeah," I replied, my voice hoarse from last nights crying and stress.

The door creaked open after then, and Vincent stepped inside, holding a bundle of clothes. "Morning," he said quietly, his usual intensity softened by concern. "I brought you some fresh clothes again and you already know how to use the shower." He gestured towards a door in the corner of the room to which I all but nodded slowly.

"Vincent listen... thank you, this really does mean a lot." I murmured softly, taking the clothes from him.

"Take your time," Vincent said. "When you're ready, just come downstairs. I'll make some breakfast and then we can talk." He concludes with a final nod, making me nervous once more for what was yet to come.

I felt overwhelmed by his unexpected kindness. Vincent Walker, the intimidating school bad boy and bar owner who fired me last night, was now offering me sanctuary and a meal.

It was just a whole lot to process...

you downstairs," he said finally, before quietly leaving the room and

let out a

towards the bathroom. As I closed the door behind me, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror- a disheveled version of

the point I was shocked that Vincent hadn't laughed at

severely matted as though I had been viciously

the warm water wash

was soothing-back under the rainfall shower I had so adored using here after the

wash my body and hair after what felt like an eternity under the shower, I stepped out, wrapping myself in the towel

that seemed to belong to him that were a few sizes too big

scrubbing my teeth with the packaged spare available before I left the room and

the kitchen, focused on cooking breakfast as he motioned for me to

front of

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said, taking a seat across from me. "You'll feel

of gratitude and confusion. "Thank you," I said quietly, taking a hesitant bite. The food was warm

at school

a moment in silence, his

voice serious yet gentle, "about last

I interrupted, feeling the need to apologise for

that bullshit was your fault," he said firmly. "You didn't deserve what happened - none of it

unexpected kindness. Vincent Walker, the enigma of a man who had fired me in a fit of rage, was now sitting across from me, offering comfort, understanding

help me too, you didn't have to." I tell him truthfully, deleting how he had kicked off at work

out," I then say, my voice steadier. "I just... I didn't expect any of that to happen but next time, I'll be prepared for it."

thoughtful as he studied me. "Sofia," he began, his voice measured, "what happened last night... with your apartment and your neighbors... that's not something that

me feel exposed, vulnerable. "It's... complicated," I replied, unsure how much I

too raw, too personal to share with someone like Vincent, despite his unexpected compassion in the past few hours, I wouldn't risk

expression intense yet strangely gentle. "You don't have to tell me