Ruining her light or bringing them light

Chapter 2

Sophia Hensley 

I entered my apartment it was bare apart from a bed and a mountain of moving boxes I needed to unpack. I was only able to afford this apartment and collage  after I had received a bank account with a large sum of money from my mother. It felt good being independent I didn't want to have to rely on my father and his ties.

I planned to turn the loft in the apartment into a mini studio a creative space for me where i could focus my mind. Getting to work i laid out my easels hanging up  some half finished work laying out all my supplies. Next i can downstair built myself a bookshelf which took 3 tries of reading the instructions wrong before I managed to finally put it up. 

Lastly i made up the bed covered in a big white duvet and a fluffy blanket. Tucking in my teddy bear Mr Cuddles lastly ready to keep me company for the night.  Mr Cuddles is a well loved old teddy he is brown but has a missing patch of fur on his left foot and half a right ear. His original eyes had fallen out so i learnt to sew to put replacement button eyes in one red and one blue. 

Proud of my efforts on the apartment I hang up some of my favourite pieces of my work around the room to give it its last touch. Checking my emails i come across my schedule for tomorrow. I have three classes  at nine am Art history then at 12 i have an a beginners to astronomy class and finally i have a painting class at 3. 

I need a few more books for Art history and I think I saw a small book store just down the block from my apartment. Locking up i go searching for a bookstore. A few blocks down i find a cute petit retro store which looks to have been hear for many years. Outside is a poster that says "looking for more part time staff please come inside and ask for more info". I have been wanting to get a part time job to keep me busy.

Walking into the store i see a small old lady with kind eyes at the counter. "hello i say are you looking for part time workers" she replies with a sweet voice "yes dear i have been trying to find some extra staff for months do you live near" 

"i am just a few blocks down the road I am study college tomorrow at NYC" "well i would love the extra help, i know this is last minute but i need to pop out and run some errands could you watch the store i will only be  couple of hours" before i could reply she had left the door with a ring of the bell and silence.

As silence swept over the shop and smile lay on my face as I inspected the shelves and tables adorned with books here i felt safe.

An hour had passed a few customers had come in and brought books. Fortunately the register was not to hard to decipher. Now I was blindly caring a pile of new books to be sorted when i heard the chime of the bell signifying a new customer.

"ill be there in a min-arghhh" I shouted as I felt my foot hit a pile of bookS and felt myself toppling forward losing the eight books in my arms but feeling a strong arm securely around my waist before my body could hit the floor.

With the breath nocked out of me the secure arm slowly lifted me up securing me, as my face lifted to met his but I was met with a broad chest. Craning my neck to view the man above me i held in a breath as i fell in the depth of his dark pools of eyes . I scanned the rest of his face i saw his sharp jawline move as his pillowy lips spoke. To mesmerised by his sharp check bones to hear what he was saying,  I saw his strong eyebrows furrow highlighting a scar running through his left eye brow skimming his left eye. His luscious dark hair sat perfectly untouched. He was beautiful.

Realising how close our lips were I took a sharp breath in and took a step back. "miss?" he questioned "yes , i'm sorry what did you say"  i spoke my voice suddenly meeker then before . He was beautiful yes stunning even , but his large height of easily 6,3 and strong broad body adorned in an expensive suite screamed dominance and lit fear to all those who saw him.

"i asked if you were okay " he spoke his deep gravely voice laced with an accent i couldn't quite put my finger on melted my brain. A strong gleam of concern flashed in his dark eyes. It felt wrong for him but it made my heart swell and feel safe in his gaze. "yes I-i need to be more careful" I sighed lowering my head to the floor unable to hold the contact with his strong gaze.

"Im sorry " I piped out quickly dropping one knee before him quickly gathering the books I had dropped in my arms. Standing up the book now hiding  my view to him once again. "His Large tatted hand came down and grasped the top 3 books easily in his hand. The size of them looking minute compared to me. "here let me help ,  you shouldn't be carrying so much" his tone was demanding and soft I felt myself felt my body shudder at the thought of displeasing him. What?

He seat the books down on a desk  carefully taking the rest out of my arms "here" he spoke "you need to be more careful little one hmm?" wordlessly I nodded his soft but dominating tone running throughout my whole body. Shaking it of realising i had been lost looking up into the depths of his eyes they seemed to have softened like he had forced his harsh gaze  away to give me comfort. "sorry ah, what can i help you with " i asked him giving him a soft smile .

"just this " he said showing me a book in his left hand , the book was thick and looked confusing the title looked to be Italian I did not understand it one bit , perhaps he is Italian. "follow me" i said leading him to the register he paid and went on his way , before leaving the store his eyes trailed up my body landing on my face "goodnight Sophia " he said gently befor the belll chimed and he left the store.

My eyes followed him walk down the street before he was gone lost within the city of New York . Wait i thought sucking in a breath how did he know my name ? Before I had to much time to think about it the shop owner came stumbling into the store . "hello dear how did it go?" 

"i remember i did not tell you my name i am Marie Thomas but please just call me Marie"

...

A/N i like this chapter a lot more then the first one

 sorry it is quite short do you prefer longer chapters or shorter chapters 

i have so many ideas for the middle an end of the book but building the start of the book is so hard anyways. 

What do you think of the man Sophia met at the store? Which of Sophia men do we think he is?

bye  go drink some water xx

Clem