Will You Wait

Chapter 3

It was around 7 a.m. when Sophia woke up in her sofa. Her whole body ached as she got up to a sitting position, rubbing the slumber away from her eyes.

Last night's events replayed in her head like a movie, and Sophia signed. There was a Norse god, the god of mischief sleeping in her bedroom, in her bed. But it was not like she had a choice, was not like she could simply ask him to sleep in the sofa. Which she did, for that matter, only to have Loki looking over his shoulder and ignoring her as he walked to her bedroom and closed the door behind him.

There was no use in going to back to sleep now, she had to get up, take a shower and...

- ...fuck! - Sophia cussed under her breath, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She could shower in the other bathroom, but would still have to get into her room to get the clothes from her wardrobe. -I guess that can wait until sleeping beauty gets up.

The girl smoothed her hair and went to the kitchen, turning the kettle on to make some coffee. While waiting, Sophia headed for the bathroom in the hallway, to brush her teeth and wash her face. Looking at the mirror she slightly cringed, seeing the darker circles in her eyes.

"Lovely, you look like a panda..."

The kettle made a small noise and Sophia hung the towel on the hook, going to the kitchen. She poured the hot beverage on a mug and grabbed the box of chocolate chip cookies from the bottom cabinet. The strong flavor of the coffee ran through her body, bringing a much needed comfortable feeling.

There was, however, something Sophia had to define: how to live with Loki and still maintain a normal life with everything that it included, such as having friends and family over, going to college, and Eric.

- What... oh! - she felt a warm, furry thing rubbing her foot and she jumped, dropping the cookie she was nipping. - Balthazar, you're here!

She'd completely forgot about the persian cat that had wandered in her house and warned her to Loki's presence.

- We need to take you back to your home, right? Yes, yes we do...

The small animal tapped his head lightly against the girl's hands, begging to be petted. Sophia picked him up with her free hand and placed the coffee mug on the kitchen's table. She held Balthazar in a more comfortable position and opened the outside door, carefully not to make her absence noticeable. Still in her pajamas, she got in the elevator, pressing the 1st floor's button.

- You saw him, didn't you Balthazar? I'm not crazy, he is real, and he really is in my house right now. - the cat's piercing blue eyes were staring at her, almost slightly confused. He had no idea what she was mumbling about and besides, being in her arms was far too comfortable for him to care. So he purred.

- And now I'm asking a cat for proof that I'm not crazy! I'm so checking in a mental institution this afternoon...

The elevator got to the 1st floor and Sophia stood at her neighbor's door. Was he up at that time? She ranged the bell anyway.

A moment later, when she was about to ring again, he finally opened it. The man was rubbing his eyes, trying to focus on Sophia.

- Morning Josh! I'm sorry, I know it's really early... - she couldn't be sure, but it was probably 10 to 8 a.m.

Josh Stewart was in his mid-thirties, about 1.80m with quite the charm in his dark brown eyes, crooked smile and black hair that flows just above shoulder height. There was no denying it, he was an handsome man, and she even heard Mrs. Mason from the cafe downstairs say that, even though he was her son's age, "she'd still go there".

- No, it's alright. - he smiled as brightly as he could manage, given the early hour. - Oh! You have Balthazar!

The girl nodded and handed him the cat that meowed at the sudden lost of warmth. Josh apologized, claiming he was a mess as a owner and how much thankful he was for the time she had Balthazar at home. She smiled, thinking to herself that if the cat hadn't rubbed against her foot, it would take possibly another two days to give him back.

They said their goodbyes and Sophia went back upstairs. She wondered if Loki was up yet, and if he was, was he mad at her for leaving?

She opened the door, peering inside to see if it was safe. When there was no sign of the god, she walked in, dropping the keys in the bowl, silently.

- A writer! - Loki's clear, smooth voice startled Sophia, making her drop the bowl to the floor. Luckily it didn't broke, that had been a present from Eric. - Fascinating.

She looked behind her, he was standing at the entrance of the kitchen, holding her coffee mug. He took it near his angular nose, and sniffed. He pursed his brow and took a sip, making a noise with his tongue. Sophia was observing his every movement, almost waiting for him to snap at any moment. Instead, he walked back to the kitchen, where she could hear the liquid pouring down the sink.

When Loki came back, the curly haired was still leaning against the wall in the hallway.

- Didn't enjoy the coffee?

He stood there, tall and menacing, leather and metal, a displeased look on his face.

- That black liquid is digusting! I'm suprised you midgardians enjoy it so much.

-Well, you had more hot coffee in the kettle. You could just pour yourself a c-

-I could?!

Sophia gasped at his tone. Her insolence would get her killed one day. The god got closer to her, making her feel insignificant, just like he thought she was.

-You are here to serve me, creature! Or have you forgotten about our agreement?

She hadn't, how could she? Her loved ones could pay the price if she did.

-No...

-You better not. Now, there is no food in this house, and it is your duty to provide it. - Loki turned around heading for the living room and taking the spot in the sofa he'd seemed to claim for himself. - I expect it done by tonight.

-But I have classes in a bit and this afternoon...

Sophia went after him, but his stare said very clearly, and in modern English "does it look like I give a shit?".

-Sure... I'll do it. - she sighed. - May I leave to get ready?

And with a mindless wave, Loki dismissed the girl and she left for her room. Once she got there, she immediately locked the door, feeling somehow safer. Looking around, the messed up bed caught her attention. She approached it, touching the sheets lightly, like it was just sinking in that a man, that man had slept there.

The thought made her get away from the bed and get in the bathroom, also closing the door.

Sophia began to undress, taking off her pajamas and tossing them in the laundry basket, followed by her underwear. In the warm bathroom light she saw something that had missed last night. She had bruises, dark marks where Loki had grabbed her in her upper arm and fingerprints around her neck.

She brushed her fingertips over her neck, testing how much it hurt when applying presure and hissed.

- Isn't this just fantastic...

Sophia reached for the cabinet beneath the sink, picking some concealer to use after the shower.

-This will...

The girl froze. In the mirror, there he was staring at her, his arctic eyes on hers. The cold of the metal met the warmth of her bare back.

Sophia was exposed, in every way possible, and frightened. No one could possibly foresee what Loki had in mind.

-Locking your doors won't make any difference.

Her eyes fluttered unconsciously. The god's voice coming from behind her, his breath over her hair, the feeling of his clothes on her flesh.

Loki's eyes fell deliberately from hers to her breasts, longing. The heat was reaching her cheeks, wanting to cover herself but she couldn't move.

- I'm leaving. I expect your work to be done when I return.

She turned around swiftly, he had disappeared. Her chest was rising heavily, coming out in short puffs. Could a heart jump out of one's chest? Her back burned, her stomach was flipping.

Sophia moved to the shower, starting the water.

-What the fuck...