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...

for a moment, his gaze searching mine. "I'll see you downstairs," he said finally, before quietly

again, I let

the ache in my head. I got up slowly, moving towards the bathroom. As I closed the door behind me,

was smeared all up the left side of my face to the point I was shocked

severely matted as though I had been viciously

on the shower, letting the warm water wash away the

the rainfall shower I

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

dressed quickly in the clothes Vincent had brought- a simple t-shirt and sweatpants that seemed to belong to him that were

hair before scrubbing my teeth with the packaged spare available before I left the room and descended the stairs, the

cooking breakfast as he motioned for me to sit at the table to which I tucked my hair back and followed

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

the adventure continues. Join us for

seat across from

my fork, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. "Thank you," I said quietly, taking a hesitant bite. The food was warm and comforting, easing the ache in my stomach which

school just wasn't

for a moment in silence, his

voice serious yet gentle,

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

"None of that bullshit was your fault," he said firmly. "You didn't

his 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 and

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

be able to figure things 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."

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

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

Vincent, despite his unexpected compassion in the past few hours, I

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