Chapter 15. Sofia
943 Words
Sofia stared at the things inside the bags.
For a few seconds, she didn't even move.
She picked up the first item carefully and looked at it.
Then another.
Her mouth slowly fell open.
"Wait..."
She looked inside the bag again as if there was something she had missed.
There were beautiful clothes inside.
Not just ordinary clothes.
They were exactly the kind of clothes she would pick for herself.
Sofia pulled one out and held it against herself.
"How did he even know my size?"
She dropped it on the bed and picked up another one.
There were tops, jeans, a beautiful dress, and even a pair of shoes.
She checked the second bag.
More things.
Sofia couldn't believe it.
She sat there on her bed, surrounded by everything Matteo had bought, trying to understand why he had suddenly done this.
"What's wrong with this man?"
She picked up one of the clothes again and looked at it.
Matteo had barely spoken to her since yesterday.
He had even looked like he was going to scare her half to death every time their eyes met.
And now he was buying her clothes?
Sofia shook her head.
"I don't understand him."
She placed the clothes neatly beside her and continued looking through the bags.
Then she noticed something else.
A small box.
Her curiosity immediately took over.
Sofia picked it up and slowly opened it.
Her eyes widened.
She stared at what was inside.
For the first time that evening, she couldn't find the words to say anything.
She simply sat there, staring.
"Matteo..." she whispered.
She quickly shook her head.
"No. Whatever. I don't care."
But the smile that slowly appeared on her face betrayed her.
She picked up the gift again and looked at it closely.
Maybe Matteo wasn't as bad as she thought.
Then she remembered what had happened only a few days ago.
Her smile disappeared.
"No."
She placed the gift back inside the box.
"He is still a terrible person."
But somehow, she couldn't stop looking at the things he had bought for her.
And deep down, she couldn't deny one thing.
She was happy.
Later that night...
The beach was alive with noise.
Music played from a speaker near the bonfire while students gathered around, laughing and talking. The flames danced in the middle of the group, lighting up their faces as the night grew darker.
It was a school bonfire organized after the basketball game.
Noah sat with some of his basketball teammates, a bottle of beer in his hand.
He wasn't really paying attention to the conversation around him.
His mind kept going back to one person.
Sofia.
The way she had smiled at him during the game.
The way she had tried to hide her embarrassment after he kissed her.
And the way she had looked at him before walking away.
Noah sighed.
"You've been quiet all night."
He looked up.
Daniel was sitting beside him, watching him suspiciously.
"I'm fine."
Daniel laughed.
"You're definitely not fine."
Ludo, who was sitting across from them, joined the conversation.
"I know what's wrong with him."
Noah raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Ludo pointed at him.
"Her."
Noah's expression changed.
Daniel immediately laughed.
"I knew it!"
Noah rolled his eyes.
"Can you guys just leave me alone?"
Daniel leaned closer.
"So it's true?"
Noah didn't answer.
Daniel shook his head.
"Bro, I saw you with Sofia."
Noah looked at him.
"And?"
"And she's married."
The smile disappeared from Noah's face.
"I know."
Ludo stared at him.
"You know?"
"Yes."
"And you're still going after her?"
Noah looked toward the fire.
"I didn't say I'm going after her."
Daniel scoffed.
"Come on, Noah. Don't act dumb. Everyone can see what's happening."
Noah took a sip from his bottle.
"I like her."
The two boys went silent.
Daniel stared at him.
"You actually do?"
"Yeah."
Ludo shook his head.
"Bro, do you know who her husband is?"
Noah looked at him.
"Matteo De Santis."
"Exactly."
Ludo lowered his voice.
"That man is dangerous. You don't just get involved with his wife and expect nothing to happen."
Noah's jaw tightened.
"I know what I'm doing."
"No, you don't," Daniel said. "You're risking your life for a girl you barely know."
Noah stood up.
"I know enough about her."
Daniel stood too.
"Noah, listen to yourself."
Noah turned toward him.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying back off."
Noah stared at him.
Daniel continued.
"She's married. And not just married to some random guy. She's married to Matteo De Santis."
Noah's expression hardened.
"That's more reason why I like her."
Ludo frowned.
"What?"
Noah looked toward the ocean.
"That beast doesn't deserve her."
Daniel shook his head.
"Still, back off or because you—"
"It's okay, Daniel."
Noah cut him off.
He looked at his friend, clearly annoyed.
"I think you're drunk. Don't say any more words before you say something that you won't be able to take back."
Daniel opened his mouth but stopped.
Noah dropped his bottle onto the table.
He turned around and walked away from the bonfire.
"Noah!"
He ignored him.
He reached his car, got inside, and drove away.
The beach slowly disappeared behind him, but his mind was still with Sofia.
He knew she was married.
He knew Matteo De Santis was dangerous.
And he knew getting close to Sofia could bring trouble.
But even after everything Daniel and Ludo had said, Noah still couldn't get her out of his head.
He didn't know what was going to happen next.
But one thing was already clear.
He wasn't ready to back off.
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