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...

mine. "I'll see you downstairs," he said finally, before quietly leaving the

let out a shaky

slowly, moving towards the bathroom. As I closed the door behind me,

the left side of my face to the point I was shocked that Vincent hadn't laughed at me as soon as he

matted as though I had been viciously attacked by a

instantly turned on the shower, letting the warm

was soothing-back under the rainfall shower I had

what felt like an eternity under the shower, I

in the clothes Vincent had brought- a simple t-shirt and sweatpants that seemed to belong to him that were a few sizes too big but

the packaged spare available before I left the room and descended the stairs, the aroma of coffee

to sit at the table to which

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

book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for

said, taking a seat across from

up 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 wasn't caused from

at school just wasn't

me for a moment in

his voice serious yet gentle,

for everything that had gone wrong. "I didn't

cutting me off. "None of that bullshit was your fault," he said firmly. "You didn't deserve what happened - none of it - even how I acted at the bar." He

who had fired me in a fit of rage, was now sitting across from me, offering comfort, understanding

I tell him truthfully,

didn't expect any of

measured, "what happened last night... with your apartment and your neighbors... that's not something that just happens to normal people our age

fork. The weight of his gaze made me feel

like Vincent, despite his unexpected compassion in the

his expression intense yet strangely gentle. "You don't have to tell me everything," he said softly. "But if