Chapter eight : silent ride
459 Words
sofia didn’t even notice when her eyes started closing.
she kept trying to stay awake at first, staring out the window, adjusting her seat, shifting her hands in her lap like she could physically force herself to stay alert.
but the day caught up with her anyway.
and the silence in the car didn’t help.
at some point, her head slowly leaned back against the seat and she stopped fighting it.
adrian noticed almost immediately.
he glanced at her once, then looked back at the road.
she was asleep.
properly asleep.
he slowed down a little without thinking, the car moving smoother now, quieter.
vivian had mentioned her street before. a few times, casually, when she was leaving the apartment or getting picked up. that was the only reason he even recognized the direction.
he didn’t say anything.
just kept driving.
when they finally reached her area, he parked slowly by the roadside and turned slightly toward her.
“sofia.”
no response.
he tried again, a little closer this time.
still nothing.
a faint breath left him as he looked at her properly now.
head tilted slightly, lashes resting against her cheeks, lips parted just a little. she looked completely different like this. softer. calmer. almost annoyingly peaceful.
and for a second, he just watched.
longer than he meant to.
then he caught himself.
his jaw tightened slightly as he looked away.
no.
he exhaled quietly and reached out carefully, tapping her shoulder lightly.
“sofia.”
she stirred immediately, blinking awake with a small jolt. “huh—”
she looked around quickly, confused for a second before realizing where she was.
“we’re here already?”
“almost,” he said.
she straightened quickly, running a hand through her hair. “oh my god, i didn’t mean to sleep.”
he didn’t answer that part.
instead he asked, “which house?”
she pointed down the street quickly, still a little disoriented. “that one… near the second turn.”
he started driving again slowly, following her direction.
“you sure?”
“yes, yes, stop here.”
he stopped right in front of the building.
she reached for the door immediately, then paused.
“thank you,” she said softly.
a small nod from him.
“no problem.”
she stepped out, adjusting her bag quickly before leaning slightly back toward the window.
“good night.”
“good night,” he replied.
she closed the door and walked away quickly.
adrian stayed in the car for a second longer than necessary, watching her until she disappeared inside.
then he leaned back slightly, exhaling quietly.
too close.
too many seconds watching her sleep.
and somehow, that was the part that stayed with him the most.
- Writer
