Seven Souls

Am I dead, again?

Christiana’s POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, locking my gaze with her green eyes—I missed how I looked, not getting used to her appearance any time soon. I lost track of time, staring at that mirror—hoping for her to show up.

But she didn’t.

Ten days passed on top of the other five days—making it a total of fifteen days. It became a ritual for me to stand in front of the mirror, call her name, or just say annoying stuff. Sophia, of course, didn’t show up.

I took in a sharp breath before letting out a frustrated sigh and storming back inside the room.

Screw not telling Sam. She wasn’t here to stop me, and I was panicking.

Kylie hasn’t found the woman yet. Well, it was hard to look for a woman when you don’t have her name.

I went to bed and pulled the covers on me—minutes later, I felt Sam’s strong hand snake around my waist, pulling me to him. “Where were you?” I asked, smelling faint alcohol on his breath.

“Alec took me out to a pub to change the mood,” he murmured so low. “I only drank one cup.” He added, burying his head in the crook of my neck.

Drinking to forget… today we had a catch-up at the doctor’s office, and things aren’t great. The miscarriage was brutal, and they might face some difficulties with fertility.

Sam took the news harder than I thought—I assume.

His breathing got heavier, and I knew he finally slept.

The news wasn’t as brutal as Sam’s actions. All he did was cuddle me, kiss me, or spend some valuable time with me, but he never took me out of this creepy, boring mansion.

And he never left for work, saying he was staying with me until I walk again—now that I was walking without the wheelchair, he’s supposedly returning tomorrow.

But I doubt it now.

Maybe telling him the truth will have to wait for another day.

Twenty-two days was enough to stay with Sam. And they were enough for me to know I wasn’t made for love—he was too sweet, and I was just… awkward.

Who even knew this billionaire had a sweet side aside from the ruthless, cold profile he made for himself—now I know his soft side.

I was having an emotional rollercoaster with that guy whenever he treated me like his queen.

My eyelids slowly closed—the sleep finally catching up to me, and I fell asleep with Sophia on my mind.

∆∆∆∆

My eyes flew open when I felt Sam’s lips on my neck—he tightened his arm around my waist, pulling me more towards him—fully waking me at this point.

I was facing the wall, my back pressed to his chest—so he couldn’t see my face. I glanced at the wall clock, seeing it was six in the morning—I only slept for four hours.

I mentally groaned, burying my head in the pillow. “Oh, you’re awake,” his sexy morning voice crackled through the silence.

“It’s six in the morning, and I’m tired,” I grumbled, and he kissed behind my ear—his hand was caressing my arm softly.

“Do you want to talk about yesterday?” He asked with clear hesitation in his voice.

“About you getting drunk, or driving me home then leaving to get drunk,” I sassed, and his hand stopped on my arm.

I don’t know Sophia’s personality, or how she interacted with people, but I’m at least trying.

I know for sure this would’ve made her upset—the man she loves left her when she needed support to get drunk because he was hurt.

Wouldn’t Sophia be the same? I can’t even tell her myself that she’s probably not going to have kids.

That’s if she showed up again.

My breathing hiked up as I felt more kisses on my neck. He always does this once he wakes up, or when he upsets me.

It always gives me butterflies, but my heart was in flames, giving me a funny feeling—a feeling I despised because I’m not used to this.

“Your kisses won’t fix this, Sam. I’m mad at you.” I forced the words right past my lips—not really wanting him to stop.

But I had to.

“How about I take you out on a date tonight?” He questioned—his hands went back to caressing my arm softly. “I’ll come after work and take you out to a drive-in cinema—we could have burgers or pizza—whatever you like.” He tried to persuade me.

I pressed my lips together, thinking about that sweet offer—only for my inner voice to snap me out of my thoughts.

You aren’t Sophia. His feelings aren’t for you. Those truthful words definitely made a hole in my heart.

When my silence was too long, he kissed behind my ear, then trailed kisses along my neck. “I won’t stop until I hear a yes,” he said in between his kisses, and I rolled my eyes, not even turning around to face him.

As a comeback for my ignorance, he nibbled on my soft spot, causing me to moan.

I slammed my hand over my mouth, shocked at what I had just done. He chuckled deeply, burying his head in the crook of my neck. “Someone got a little excited,” he hummed.

“Fine, the date sounds great,” I answered—feeling my face warm as heat traveled to my cheeks.

I have controlled myself for the past twenty-two days. Why did I moan now?

Was he pleasing me?

Nope, I’m not falling for him. I reminded myself again.

He turned me around—his hazel eyes locked up with mine as he brought his hand to my cheek. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his finger caressing my cheek.

“I forgive you,” I whispered back, and he pulled my face close to his—taking my lips in a short, sweet kiss. I closed my eyes at the feeling of his lips on mine—he didn’t pull away, his lips were still pressed to mine.

His hand moved up my face, stroking my hair gently as he lowered his lips, resting his forehead on mine. “We will get through this like everything else,” he reassured me, then pressed a kiss on my forehead.

What does it take to find someone like him?

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me over his body—and I rested my head on his bare chest, hearing his heart beating in a rhythm—a hand on my waist, and another one stroking my hair.

“I don’t want to go to work, and leave you,” he breathed, and my eyes flew open.

Work?

With him staying for nearly a month at home, I forgot he had work to do.

And now he was returning to his life, leaving me alone in the house.

I missed my job. All I did here was sleep, eat, and cuddle with Sam. My life was pointless and I couldn’t go back to acting as Sophia, of course.

“Do you want me to call Kylie?” He asked.

“No, she’s probably busy,” I answered, opening my eyes—feeling him kiss my head

“I’ll be back before you know it,” he whispered.

Being an actress paid me off to be Sophia when she told me about her life, personality, and more about Sam. It was like reading a script.

But the extra unknown drama caught me off guard.

Like the hangout with Alec, and how the conversation with him took a turn to him confessing his feelings for my sister—I don’t know if they made up or not. Kylie was secretive about her relationship with him.

“I’ll be waiting,” I murmured, lifting my head to meet his relaxed gaze.

He smashed his lips on mine in a long kiss—I wasn’t getting used to kissing him like that.

His hand slid under my butt as I kissed him back. The other hand that was in my hair was now on my neck—pulling me more towards his lips as he deepened the kiss, smirking against my lips.

I hummed—a sign for him I needed air while I wanted to get away before we got carried away. He pulled away, leaving us panting.

“Maybe work could wait,” he whispered, grazing his index on my cheek. His hazel eyes locked with mine.

He leaned in for another kiss, but I stopped him by pressing my index on his lips. “You won’t be late on your first day back?” I questioned, and he groaned, closing his eyes.

“I hate work,” he grumbled, and I rolled off him, laying down on my side of the bed.

I watched him get up, staring at his bareback as he walked to the bathroom. Once I heard the shower turn on, I grabbed the tablet from the nightstand.

I opened it and looked for any messages from Kylie. Of course, no reply; I stared at the screen, huffing with annoyance as my message was marked as seen.

Kylie, I will snap your head once I see you, I swore under my breath. I closed the tablet and threw it beside me.

I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed. I checked the mirror, hoping Sophia would pop up, but she wasn’t there.

What if she was gone? I don’t feel her furious aura anymore, and it was worrying me.

How will I live knowing that her soul was gone because I failed her?

Eventually, I will have to tell Sam the truth if she was really gone.

The bathroom door creaked open and Sam stepped outside the bathroom with just a towel around his waist and another in his hand.

Now, look at that Greek god. He ripped me out of my thoughts as he stood there in his place, rubbing his hair with the towel. My eyes roamed freely at his naked chest, giving me such a delightful view.

Sophia, you are one lucky girl for having that man all for yourself. I envied her.

Well, if he didn’t have Sophia in his life, he would be like his brother every day with a new girl.

I nibbled on my lips as I studied him, his hazel curls covering his eyes, dripping water on his chest, which was glistening from the water.

Christiana, what are you doing? The voice inside of my head scolded.

His deep chuckle echoed in the room as he walked toward me. He kissed my head and mumbled, “I love the way you stare at me with those hungry eyes.”

My eyes widened, only making him chuckle. Then he left the room. I stayed stunned on the bed, thinking about how I let this happen.

I’m sorry, Sophia, but I can’t take this anymore. It’s too much for my little heart.

I stayed stunned in my place, then I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard footsteps approaching the room.

“Do you want anything?” Sam asked, standing at the door frame, his eyes focused on me as he did his tie.

Even Sam in a suit looked much hotter than bare-chested Sam.

No, Christiana. Focus. I scolded my thoughts.

“Nope, I think I’ll just sleep,” I mumbled, laying down on the bed.

He strode towards me and felt my forehead with his palm. “Are you feeling sick?” He asked worriedly.

“No, but someone woke me up early,” I responded.

A tight-lipped smile plastered on his lips as he brushed my hair. “Have a good sleep, love,” he said, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

His phone rang, and he sighed, checking his watch. “I’m running late,”

He kissed my forehead, then left the room. I wrapped myself in the covers, trying to sleep, but I couldn’t. All I could feel was a stabbing pain in my heart, making it hurt for me to breathe.

Was this Sophia’s way of contacting me?

A few seconds passed, and the pain became intense—I felt the air leave my lungs, leaving my lungs deprived of the air.

I don’t know how long I stayed without breathing, but I think it was enough for me as I grabbed my neck, trying to suck in the air.

Black dots filled my vision, and everything became blurry—this can’t be how I die.

I turned my head to the tablet that was on the nightstand, trying to reach for it, but the darkness was dragging me toward it.

And I think I passed out… or did I die?