Shadows of control { Under Editing }

51. Finally!

Sofia's pov:

My eyes fluttered open, and I lazily rubbed them awake. Oh god! Not again, this headache. I sat up on the bed, taking a minute to process the memory of yesterday. I couldn't remember what happened after getting drunk - it always took a while.

I stared at the duvet, a familiar scent tickling my nose. I remembered everything. He was there yesterday. He was the one who brought me home. Wait a minute... his alluring scent... I could still smell it. Fuck! He's here, in my apartment. With that, I burrowed back under the duvet, feigning sleep.

How am I facing him now? But why was he there for me? Who told him that I was drunk and at the airport? Isn't he angry with me that I slapped him in front of all those people?

It was completely my fault. I misunderstood him and betrayed him. It was all because of me. He was changing for me, and look what I did.

But if he's still in the apartment, where is he?

Suddenly, the door creaked open. I saw him, shirtless, clad only in his trousers. His six-pack abs were visible, a testament to his well-built physique. He was holding a tray. What the fuck? What am I supposed to react now? I squeezed my eyes shut, pretending to be asleep. I could feel him placing the tray on the bedside table and then sitting on a stool beside me.

"Amore,"
his voice was a low rumble, a caress against the air,
"I know when you're pretending."

His gaze, intense and knowing,
"Your heart betrays you every time, you know."

He leaned closer, the scent of his skin, a tantalizing mix of allure and something undeniably masculine, filling the air.
"Besides,"
he whispered,
"I've always been good at reading you. Especially when you're trying to hide from me."

He reached out a finger, tracing the line of my jaw. "And I don't think you want to hide from me right now, do you?"

"I know you're awake,"
he said, his voice husky with a hint of amusement.

He leaned closer still, his lips brushing against my ear. "Now, open your eyes. I want to see them."

Okay, so I quit! He knows I'm awake, so I just acted that I'm waking up again. I sat up on the bed, rubbing my eyes and saw him sitting beside my bed on a stool. Damn his dark blue eyes, sharp jaw, and his shiny brown hair. He looked like a Greek God descended, radiating an aura of power and effortless grace. I acted as if I was shocked after seeing him. And he was already amused by my act.

"You... you were here?"
I asked, feigning surprise, my gaze darting around the room as if I was just waking up.

He watched me act with amusement, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"I will always be here for you, Amore."
His voice was husky, filled with a promise that made my breath catch in my throat.

"I... I'm sorry," I mumbled, my voice thick with the lingering effects of last night's alcohol.
"I... I shouldn't have..."

"You've been testing my limits."
he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"I warned you not to drink, didn't I?"
He looked at me, a dangerous glint in his eyes, and it's scaring me.

"I won't," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"I won't do it again."

He held my gaze for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Then, he leaned in and kissed my forehead, My body trembling with a mixture of fear and excitement.

"Good," he murmured against my lips.

Then he took a spoonful of white pasta. I missed it so much. He brought it to my mouth, but I hesitated before taking the bite. First, I looked at the spoon, then at him.

"Eat," he ordered, his voice a low rumble.

I finally took a bite.

Damn! The creamy sauce exploded in my mouth. It was rich and decadent, melting on my tongue. I moaned softly, eyes fluttering closed.

He was feeding me pasta. Suddenly, his phone rang. Usually, he would ignore calls when he's with me, but this time, he looked at the caller ID, his expression changing slightly. He hesitated for a moment, then answered.
"I'll be right back,"
he said to me before heading outside to take the call.

I was licking the spoon clean when he came back inside. I quickly set the spoon aside and gave him an awkward smile, feeling a little self-conscious. He let out a low chuckle, a playful glint in his eyes, and sat back down on the stool.

He took my hand in his and started to apologize, his voice rough with emotion.
"I'm so sorry, Amore," he said, his gaze intense.

"I... I have no words. I was a monster. Betrayal... it's a poison, I know. To see you involved with Adrik, even if it was just a deal... it shattered something inside me. I lost control. I lashed out, and I hurt you deeply.

"There is no excuse for what I did.
Slapping you was unforgivable, and I will forever regret the pain I caused you."

"I trusted you, and... and this... it shattered that trust."

He gently touched my cheek with his cold hands"
"Every time I think about how I hurt you, how I made you feel... it tears me apart. You were my weakness, my strength, my everything. And I shattered it all. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I will spend every waking moment proving to you that I'm worthy of it. I will cherish you, protect you, and love you beyond measure. I will make you believe in me again, Amore. I promise."

"It's not your fault,"
I finally said, my voice barely a whisper.

"Every fucking time, you don't have to cover up for me," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"Ansh," I began, my voice trembling slightly,
"it was my mistake. I made a deal with Adrik, yes. I craved freedom, a life beyond the confines you had placed upon me."

"But then... things changed. You started changing, taking care of me, anticipating my every need, showering me with affection.... taking care of my every discomfort. And I realized... I didn't want to leave you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"And Kiara... I just wanted her to find happiness with Adrik. I saw the fierce love in her eyes, the way she was willing to defy you all for him, it says it all that she can do anything for her love "

"Even if I hadn't had a deal with Adrik, I was going to help Kiara to escape. I thought I could fix things later. But before that, I saw something that shattered me completely. I saw you kissing Bella, and it broke me. I thought you were cheating on me, and in that moment, I wanted to end this relationship."

He looked at me, his expression a mixture of pain and disbelief.
"It was my fault," he said, his voice rough with emotion.
"I should have told you that before.... I... I didn't want to hurt you, Sofia. I never meant for it to happen."

"Yeah, I know it wasn't done intentionally. I'm sorry I misunderstood you," I said, my voice softening.

He took my hand in his both and and kissed it gently.
"Sorry," he murmured
"I wasn't there for you at your worst, when you needed me the most. I'm so sorry."
The regret was visible in his eyes.

"But I want to make some things clear"
he began, his voice low and husky,
"If you've carried this... this affection for me all this time, why didn't you ever say anything?"

I furrowed my brow, confused.
"I didn't get you"

A small smile played on his lips.
"You had a crush on me since your college?"
he asked, his voice a low rumble.

Who the fuck told him that? Mrs Smith, yeah!.
Why can't she keep anything in her stomach.
"Who told you that?"
I asked, my voice sharp with disbelief.

"It doesn't matter."
he said, his voice low and intense.

"It matters because whoever told this... It's not true"
I said, my voice calm but firm.

He looked at me in disbelief.