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...

a moment, his gaze searching mine. "I'll see you downstairs," he said finally, before quietly leaving the room and closing the door

I let out

take effect, dulling the ache in my head. I got up slowly, moving towards the bathroom. As I closed the door behind me, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror- a disheveled version of the girl who had danced at

face to the point I was shocked that Vincent hadn't laughed at me as soon as

severely matted as though I had been viciously attacked by a

shower, letting the warm

shower I had so adored using here after the party at

hair after what felt like an eternity under the shower, I stepped

t-shirt and sweatpants that seemed to belong to him that were

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

me to sit at

of eggs and bacon down in front of me, along with some toast and a steaming mug

is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The

up," he said, taking a seat across from me.

warm and comforting, easing the ache in my stomach which wasn't caused from last night but instead was

at school just wasn't

a moment in silence, his expression

serious

interrupted, feeling the need to apologise for everything that had gone wrong. "I didn't mean to

his head, cutting me off. "None of that bullshit was your fault," he said firmly. "You didn't deserve what happened - none of it - even how

blinked back tears, overwhelmed by his unexpected kindness. Vincent Walker, the enigma of a man who had fired me in a fit of rage, was now

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

out," I then say, my voice steadier. "I just... I didn't expect any of that

measured, "what happened last night... with your apartment and

down my fork. The weight of his gaze made me feel exposed, vulnerable. "It's... complicated," I replied, unsure how much I wanted to

felt too raw, too personal to share with someone like Vincent, despite

yet strangely gentle. "You don't have to tell me everything,"