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

again, I let out a

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

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

though I had been

turned on the shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of last night's

familiarity of the routine was soothing-back under the rainfall shower I

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

sweatpants that

packaged spare available before I left the room and descended the

motioned for me to sit at the table to which I tucked my

a plate of eggs and bacon down in front of me, along

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taking a seat across from

bite. The food was warm and comforting, easing the ache in my stomach which wasn't caused from last night

school just

me for a moment

he started, his voice serious yet gentle, "about last

the trouble," I interrupted, feeling the need to apologise for everything that had gone wrong.

fault," he said firmly. "You didn't deserve what happened - none

overwhelmed by his unexpected kindness. Vincent Walker, the enigma of a man who had fired me in a

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

I didn't expect any of that to happen but next time, I'll

his gaze 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

The weight of his gaze made me feel exposed, vulnerable. "It's... complicated," I replied, unsure how

felt too raw, too personal to share with someone like Vincent, despite his unexpected compassion in

me everything," he said softly. "But if there's