Chapter nine: Noah
1226 Words
Sofia went straight to the nurse after leaving the basketball court.
The small injury on the side of her forehead wasn't serious, but it still needed to be cleaned and treated. After the nurse finished, Sofia thanked her and returned to class.
She tried to forget about the embarrassing incident.
She failed.
By the time her classes ended, Sofia was ready to go home.
The guards were waiting outside as usual.
They wouldn't leave until they watched her get into the car and made sure she got home safely.
Sofia sometimes wondered if Matteo had hired guards or babysitters.
She got home, took a bath, ate dinner, and returned to her room.
Matteo was home.
Apparently, he had been in his study all day and hadn't come out once.
And honestly?
Sofia was perfectly fine with that.
Every time she saw his face, her blood pressure seemed to rise.
She changed into something comfortable and reached for her earbuds.
Nothing.
She searched the bed.
Nothing.
Her handbag.
Nothing.
Then she remembered.
“The garden?”
No.
Her eyes widened.
“The basketball court.”
She had left them at the shaded seating area.
“Oh, no!”
Sofia groaned.
She searched around one more time, but there was no point.
She was too tired to go back.
“I'll get them tomorrow.”
She dropped onto the bed and eventually fell asleep.
The next morning came far too quickly.
Sofia lazily dragged herself out of bed and headed for the shower.
She had an early morning class.
And somehow...
She was late again.
“Why am I always late?”
She hurriedly got dressed in a simple cream floral dress.
It wasn't flashy.
It wasn't expensive-looking.
Just a beautiful, comfortable dress with tiny flowers scattered across it.
She brushed her long brown hair and left it down.
She didn't bother with makeup.
Sofia hated makeup.
The only time she really wore it was for important occasions.
Her meeting with Matteo's family didn't count.
She hadn't exactly chosen to be there.
She slipped on her shoes, applied a little lipstick, grabbed her bag, and hurried downstairs.
Breakfast was already waiting.
She glanced at it.
Then at the clock.
“No time.”
She rushed outside.
The guards were waiting.
Three of them today.
Yesterday had been four.
Sofia stared at them.
“Are you people increasing every day?”
Nobody answered.
She sighed and got into the car.
As the car pulled away, she glanced at the guards.
Yesterday four. Today three.
How many tomorrow? Five? Ten?
She shook her head.
Sofia finally arrived at Devan Senari College.
She practically ran toward her lecture hall.
By the time she reached the door, she was completely out of breath.
She pushed it open.
The entire class turned.
Again.
Sofia closed her eyes briefly.
Please.
At the front of the room stood Professor Rachel.
The woman looked at her over her glasses.
“Miss Sofia.”
Sofia swallowed.
“Or should I say Mrs. De Santis?”
Her blood immediately boiled.
She hated that name.
Especially when other people used it.
A few students laughed.
Professor Rachel continued.
“We understand that you're married now and will be performing your wife duties—”
More laughter filled the room.
Sofia's face burned.
“—but I will not tolerate latecomers.”
The professor frowned.
“Take your seat.”
“I'm sorry, ma.”
Sofia lowered her head and walked toward the back.
She found an empty seat and sat down.
Professor Rachel was mean.
Very mean.
Everyone in the school knew it.
She was also quite popular among the students and faculty, but Sofia couldn't understand why anyone would willingly spend time around her.
Sofia opened her notebook.
Great.
second day back and I'm already on her bad side.
Fortunately, that was Sofia's only class for the day.
When it ended, she packed her things.
She didn't feel like going home yet.
Instead, she headed to the campus cafeteria.
She was starving.
The cafeteria was crowded.
Sofia got herself a plate of rice, peppered meat, macaroni, and some cheese.
She also bought a bottle of water.
After paying, she found an empty seat and sat down.
The whispers started almost immediately.
Sofia ignored them.
She focused on her food.
Then someone pulled out the chair opposite her.
She looked up.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Noah.
The guy from yesterday.
The one who had accidentally hit her with a basketball.
Sofia recognized him immediately.
She also noticed something else.
People were staring.
Not just at her.
At both of them.
Noah smiled.
“Hi.”
Sofia didn't answer.
He glanced at her forehead.
“I just wanted to ask how you're doing... I mean, your head.”
Sofia looked at him.
Then she looked down.
His hand was resting over hers.
Her expression immediately changed.
If looks could kill, Noah would've been six feet underground.
Noah noticed.
His eyes widened.
“Oh, I'm sorry.”
He immediately removed his hand.
Then he reached into his pocket.
He pulled out something.
Her earbuds.
“You forgot these.”
He placed them gently on the table.
Sofia stared at them.
Before she could say anything, Noah stood.
“See you around.”
He walked away.
Sofia watched him leave.
She said nothing.
After finishing her meal, she picked up her earbuds and bag and left the cafeteria.
She was almost outside the college when she noticed the sky.
Rain.
Heavy rain.
Sofia stopped.
“Oh, come on.”
The car was waiting near the college gate.
But the distance between her and the car suddenly looked enormous.
If she ran, she'd be soaked before she got there.
She adjusted her bag.
“Fine.”
She lifted it over her head and prepared to run.
Then someone stepped beside her.
An umbrella opened above her.
Sofia froze.
She turned.
Noah.
Again.
He stood beside her, holding the umbrella over both of them.
Neither spoke.
For a moment, they simply stared at each other.
Rain poured around them.
Noah smiled.
And somehow, Sofia smiled back.
She didn't even realize she had done it.
Noah slowly handed her the umbrella.
“Here.”
He folded it and placed it in her hands.
Then, before Sofia could say anything, he turned around and walked back toward the building.
Without the umbrella.
Straight into the rain.
Sofia watched him disappear.
Her cheeks suddenly felt warm.
She quickly looked away.
Why am I blushing?
She shook her head.
“Get yourself together, Sofia.”
She hurried toward the car.
By the time Sofia got home, she was exhausted.
She changed, dropped her bag, and collapsed onto the bed.
She didn't even realize when she fell asleep.
Hours later—
BANG!
Sofia jolted awake.
Her eyes opened slowly.
It was already dark outside.
She sat up, confused.
Another sound came from outside.
Sofia rubbed her eyes and dragged herself out of bed.
She walked toward the door.
Who could that be?
She reached for the handle.
Unlocked it.
And opened the door.
Matteo stood there.
His face was filled with anger.
Before Sofia could even react—
He stepped forward.
His hand went straight around her neck.
Sofia gasped.
Her eyes widened in shock as Matteo's grip tightened.
And she realized immediately—
Something was very, very wrong.
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