Sophia “I’m not going back with you,” I stated with all the courage I could muster, looking him straight in the eyes. That statement deserved me a blank stare. “Get in the car.” If I ever thought of him being angry with me before, I was wrong... so very wrong. “Sophia.” My name rolled off his tongue, making my breath hitch for more reasons than one. “I won’t ask again.” “No, Kieran. I want my life back. I want to work and support myself with that work. I want to make new friends, go out, and maybe even travel now that I have a chance to think only about myself. I want to be selfish for a change!” I snapped. There. For a reason I could not explain, I told him everything I was hoping to get with this move I made. And it irked me like nothing else in the world that I couldn’t hold my tongue and keep my plans to myself. Kieran seemed to have lost his patience with me. He grabbed my forearm forcefully, his strong fingers boring into my muscles. My struggles were in vain because he was
Sophia It was Monday noon when Kieran drove into Washington, DC, downtown. Streets were busy and jammed; people were strolling around, sitting in the restaurant’s gardens, and enjoying the warm sun’s rays. I watched them through the window as we passed, wishing like never before to be part of the crowd, just another drop of water in the ocean… to be anywhere but trapped in this car with him. Kieran parked the SUV swiftly in front of one of the most important buildings - City Hall. So this is what he meant by ‘dealing with the question today.’ Damn. He circled the car and I couldn’t take my eyes off of his threatening appearance. Despite the fear that overtook every cell of my being, I stared at his clenched fists and white knuckles, sure of the amount of self-control he invested in not strangling me right where I sat. He opened the door for me and I stepped out, wondering if I should try to make a run for it, one last attempt to get away from Kieran. There were many people in the
Kieran She couldn’t escape from me. Not anymore. Because she was mine. I finally had her right where I wanted – beside me. I wanted… no! I needed to watch her every move, every breath, and with her leaving DC as she intended, it would be impossible. I had to do everything in my power to stop her. The mere thought of Sophia being away and me not being able to keep an eye on her, study her, and try to figure her out drove me crazy. I couldn’t explain to myself the urge that brewed inside - the urge for her. All I knew was that I needed her like the air I breathed. And damned I would be if I didn’t follow through. Could I have done something not as drastic as marrying her? Probably. But considering everything that transpired between us, being radical was my only fail-proof option. Because failing was not. The trip back to the company building passed in a blur, and I parked my car at the designated lot reserved for the CEO. I wasn’t lying to Sophia when I said I had work to catch u
Sophia When I woke up the next morning, it was barely dawn. The new day was creeping into the room, lighting up the unfamiliar surroundings. Where the fuck was I? A cold sweat washed over me and I froze, afraid to breathe, before memories flooded my mind; everything that happened yesterday rushed through my head at lightning speed, making me want to throw up. I tugged the soft cover off my body, trying to recall when I pulled it over myself, but I couldn’t even recall when I fell asleep. The last thing I remembered was sitting on the bed, contemplating what I should do and how I should act around Kieran in the future. Lazily, I got up and headed straight to the bathroom, where I took a moment to admire it again. It was clean and shiny to perfection, looking like a set from a home decor magazine, with the sensor lights and hydro-massagers in the shower, where I stayed longer than necessary simply enjoying the feeling. Fresh and woken up, I proceeded to unpack my suitcase, taking on
Sophia “Aren’t you going to eat something?” Kieran called out behind me as I was advancing up the stairs. I lazily turned around to face him. “I’m not hungry.” “You haven’t eaten anything today.” He scolded me like a stubborn child, a deep frown settling between his brows. “Like you care,” I retorted as I dashed off to my room. The truth was I got over feeling hungry hours ago and was sick at the mere thought of food. I planned to go straight to bed and rest because my every muscle ached, my back hurt, my head was pounding, and Kieran’s silent company in the car during the ride from the office to the house was more than enough of him for the day. All I wanted was to be alone and sleep. After the relaxing hot shower, I tucked myself under the soft sheets, but my plans were interrupted by the flashing of my phone. I grabbed it from the bedside table, and for the next half an hour I watched the photos Ellie was sending, commenting on them, and chatting with my sister. She was happy;
Kieran “Hey, Kieran.” Simon Bailey used every chance to flash his perfect whites. “Hey, Simon.” I motioned to the chair across the table, wondering how such an outstanding lawyer could be so vain. The world did not know a man more obsessed with his outer appearance than him. He called me an hour ago, insisting we meet as soon as possible, and indeed, he was punctual. But no matter where he went, he couldn’t help himself but look for a witness to his Apollo-like body, even if that was only a mirror. However, he was the best in his field of operation. “What do you have for me?” I cut straight to the case, knowing how we both appreciated the essence of time. “Well, you were right. Things are never as they seem to be.” The waiter brought drinks I ordered a moment before Simon arrived, and he sipped on his whiskey immediately. “More precisely, that place your wife worked before? The Saunders? Yeah. I remember the owner, old sleaze; he’s been adamant we take him as a client for years
Sophia Two weeks passed, and nothing in my newly established routine changed. I’d get up in the morning and have breakfast with Kieran, during which we would usually stay quiet. He would drive us to work, where he would give me some silly task that would take most of my day. Lunches with Clara became a regular thing, and I enjoyed spending time with her. Even though she was almost double my age, I felt comfortable around her. She was easy to talk to, so much that I had to be careful not to say something I wasn’t supposed to. Which wasn’t the case with Kieran. Although we lived and worked together, and he expressed no more aggression towards me, nor did I ever notice any disgust or anything like that in his eyes, our relationship was never worse. I wasn’t sure what I was hoping for or what I expected, but as time passed, it was getting harder and harder for me to live like that. I did my best to adapt, I swear. Coexisting with the man I was married to worked in the beginning. But no
Sophia “Are you all right?” I heard him ask, but I couldn’t answer. Instead, I shook my head in negation. I wasn’t all right. In fact, I was as far away from being all right as possible. Everything I tried to suppress came back to me at once. Everything I faced in the last seven years, everything I pushed in some deep corner of my mind, broke through at the same time and weighted on me so intensely my knees collapsed. And if it weren’t for Kieran, who reacted promptly, I would have ended up on the ground. My heart was beating fast, and I had trouble catching breath; no matter how much I fought to get enough air in my lungs, I failed to the point where dark spots started clouding my peripheral vision. I was having a full-blown panic attack in the middle of the parking lot! I hadn’t had them for years, and they were an everyday occurrence after my parents died. And I knew what was to come. I was about to faint and create an even bigger scene and embarrass Kieran. Then, suddenly, s