Taming The Lockwood

Seven

The weekend passed by within a blink of an eye, I had spent most of it going for runs and cleaning out my flat to distract myself from doing what I knew I had to inevitably do.

Talk to Sophia.

I was perched on the edge of my office chair when Gabriel had stormed into my office, swiped his agenda from my desk and disappeared without a second to spare or a glance in my direction. A small part of me hoped he would've said something but I knew now not to expect anything else from him.

When the time came for me to face my fears, it was mid afternoon and so I sent a message to Sophia asking her to meet me at our favourite café. She responded instantly with the affirmative and her swiftness left me feeling slightly guilty for leaving her in the dark for the past couple of days.

Leaving the contract I was surveying on my desk, I stroll out my office, grabbing my bag and phone on the way out, and make my way to Townhouse Coffee shop. There was a huge hustle and bustle surrounding and I was forced to dodge crowds of excited, foreign tourists; being almost gleeful and close to pulling my hair out by the time I managed to arrive at my destination in one piece.

The café was a small, modest looking place situated at the far corner of a huge market area; difficult to notice if you didn't know about it but perfect if you did. It was designed specifically for its vintage look and aesthetic style. The owners had really set a particularly good USP, with its homely and extravagant setting serving perfectly well as a safe haven for many.

Inside, a vast array of bookshelves clung to the wall of one side of the shop, the other adorned with a mixture of abstract and sophisticated art work. Couches, clothed in fluffy blankets and cuddly pillows, paired with wooden coffee tables and chairs lined the floor. A rich aroma of chai lingered in the air and clung desperately to my tastebuds.

That, being the exact reason why I'd immediately fallen in love with the place as soon as I had stumbled across it at 2AM in the morning, as a lost, sleep deprived university student with an unfinished assignment weighing me down.

I scanned the area, taking in the usual customers, my eyes brightening as soon as they made contact with a familiar black mane. I was a couple of steps away from our table when a thin body flings itself at me.

"Nora! Oh my goodness, are you okay? I'm so sorry for ditching you, I know we made an agreement but fshhh-"

I clamped my hand over her mouth, halting her speech and she wraps her arms around my figure, hugging me to her. I relax in her hold and smile inwardly.

"It's okay, I'm okay," I murmur into her neck and pull away, taking my usual spot on the couch beside her. Kicking off my shoes, I pull my legs up- or as far as my skirt would allow me to- and curl up. She shoves a warm cup of latte in my hand, instantly bringing a smile to my face, "I-, go on," She stutters under my heated gaze, effectively stopping her from apologising and she adds on the last words encouragingly.

And so I tell her the story, making sure to miss out the part where I wake up in a certain someone's bed. I wasn't ready to share those details with anyone so soon. And so I talk until I'm exhausted and my emotions run dry, her mere presence comforting me.

Before I can take notice, it's the end of my lunch break and I'm scrambling out of my seat in a tangle of throws and pillows. Sophia just sits, laughing, the sound bubbling from her throat, at my utter clumsiness before she assists me out of my predicament. I feel my heart warm slightly at the gesture and I sink into her embrace again before we part, murmuring words of thanks.

***
When I arrive back at my office, the muscles on my legs aching and sore with exertion, a faint hint of sandalwood warms the air. I'm instantly met with a sight that has me blazing, but before I can word my utter frustration, he beats me to it.