Sophia walked out of the dressing room; she took a deep breath.
Maya walked up to her. "We are done for today, ma'am," Maya said.
Sophia smiled as she began making her way to the door. "What did Atticus say about the contract?" Sophia asked.
"Well, he hasn't said anything," Maya replied. Sophia sighed in frustration as they walked out of the hospital.
"I will go call Atticus," Maya said, turning.
"There will be no need to do that," Thomas said, walking towards them. Atticus walked behind him, his face downcast.
"Oh good, we are done for today," Maya said, smiling. "We should bring the car around," Maya suggested. Thomas nodded. They both walked away.
Sophia looked intently at Atticus; his golden eyes had a hint of fire in them, and his jaw was set. It clearly showed he was angry.
They both stood there, not talking to each other. The air around them was tense.
A few seconds went by. Sophia sighed and decided to break the silence.
"Maya tells me you haven't signed the contract yet. Why not?" she asked, turning to face him, but he didn't reply and didn't turn to her. He stayed in the same position.
"Atticus, I'm—"
"I am tired," Atticus snapped.
Sophia scoffed. "Atticus, I don't care if you are tired. If you want us to proceed with our arrangement, you have to sign it," Sophia replied.
Atticus didn't reply, but his facial expression grew harder.
"Do you understand what I am saying, Atticus? We can't—"
"I said I am tired, Sophia!" Atticus shouted as he turned to her, his eyes blazing. The aura around him suddenly turned dark and dangerous.
Sophia flinched as all the muscles in her body weakened. She took a step backwards as her heart pounded in fear. She took heavy breaths.
She looked into his eyes. His golden eyes burned like the sun; it gave her the feeling that if she walked a little closer, she would burn. The air around them became very heavy.
What the fuck is wrong with him? Why is he so angry? Sophia thought to herself as the sound of a car horn drew Atticus' attention away.
He adjusted himself and walked to the car. Sophia's heart still pounded. She couldn't shake off the fear that had gripped her, beads of sweat flowing down her face, her hands trembling.
"Was this really a good idea?" Sophia asked herself as she took deep breaths to calm her nerves. Maya walked up to her.
"Ma'am,"
"Yes," Sophia replied.
"We should go," Maya said.
Sophia nodded and walked toward the car, but before they could reach it, it drove off.
Sophia stood there, dumbstruck. "What the fuck?" she said as she turned to Maya in disbelief.
"I don't know what happened, ma'am," Maya said in confusion.
Sophia scoffed. "I know what happened. That asshole," she said, stamping her feet on the ground as she looked at the car drifting away.
Home
Sophia sat on the bed. A movie was playing on the TV, but her mind wasn't on it as she pondered on what transpired between her and Atticus.
"How could he just zoom off? You know, he is a fucking asshole," she said as she threw the book she was holding on the floor.
"What's wrong with him anyway? How could he be so insensitive? Huh? Who does he think he is?" she shouted as she hit her arms on the floor.
"What a fucking asshole. I hope I never see him again, bastard," she hissed.
KNOCK KNOCK
Sophia flinched. "Who the fuck is that?" she said as she stood there, waiting for the sound.
KNOCK KNOCK
Sophia swallowed as she walked out of her room and slowly walked past the living room to the door, grabbing a vase.
Getting to the door, she leaned in. "Who is it?" she asked as her grip on the vase tightened.
There was no response.
"Who is it?" she asked again, but still no response. She sighed, bit her lower lip, and gently opened the door. She peeked outside; there was no one.
She sighed. A figure rushed in suddenly.
"Hello baby—"
BAM
The vase came crashing down on something.
"Argh," the figure groaned.
Sophia's eyes widened in shock. "Jasper!" Sophia shouted.
"Yeah, that's me," Jasper said, holding his head as blood gushed out.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry. What have I done?" Sophia said as she held his head.
"Busted my skull. Why would you do that?" Jasper said as he flinched in pain.
"I'm so sorry. I thought it was, emm—" Sophia said as she looked around.
"Are you okay? What are you looking at?" Jasper asked.
"Nothing. Come inside. Oh my God, you are bleeding," Sophia said as she helped him inside.
Sophia gently guided Jasper to sit, her movements careful now, all her earlier frustration gone. She reached for the first-aid kit with slightly unsteady hands and opened it, the faint metallic scent of antiseptic filling the air.
"I'm sorry… once again," she murmured, her voice softer this time.
Jasper didn't reply immediately. He just watched her.
Sophia soaked the cotton, then leaned closer, her brows knitting in concentration as she dabbed at the blood on his forehead. The touch was light, almost hesitant, as if she was afraid of hurting him more.
Jasper flinched slightly. "You really didn't hold back, did you?" he muttered, though there was a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"I said I'm sorry," she replied, quieter now.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The room felt still—just the soft rustle of gauze, the faint sound of their breathing, and the closeness between them. Sophia avoided his eyes, focusing on wrapping the bandage neatly around his head, but she could feel his gaze on her.
When she finished, her fingers lingered for a second longer than necessary before she pulled away.
"There," she said softly.
Jasper tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You look more worried than I am," he said.
Sophia exhaled and stepped back. "That's because I nearly cracked your skull open," she replied, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness.
"I'm sorry once again, I didn't mean to, you know—"
"Burst my head as a sign of welcoming me back?" Jasper chuckled.
"Sorry," Sophia said with a saddened face.
"I forgive you," Jasper replied, smiling.
"Thanks," Sophia smiled as she put the kit away.
"So what are you doing in my house at this time of the night? It's late," Sophia asked.
"Wow, you really know how to welcome someone," Jasper said, frowning in displeasure.
"Sorry, I forgot. Welcome," Sophia smiled.
"Thank you," Jasper smiled.
"So what are you doing in my house?" Sophia asked firmly.
"Well, I decided to see you. I have been away for a while. I had to make sure you were alive," Jasper said, smiling as he gently cupped her face.
"Well, I'm sure you asked Maya and she gave you the news of my non-demise, so…" Sophia said, raising her brows.
Jasper chuckled. "I had to make sure for myself," he said as his hands moved around her waist and pulled her closer, his eyes looking intently into hers.
There was a brief silence. Sophia looked deep into his eyes.
"Have you gone home?" she asked as she averted her gaze. Jasper smiled.
"Maybe, or maybe not," he replied as he kept looking at her.
"You should go home," she said as she tried to pull away, but he pulled her back into his embrace.
"Really? You busted my head, and now you want me to have an accident while driving? Really, Sophia, is that how desperate you are to take me out?" Jasper teased.
Sophia scoffed. "No, I'm not. Can't you call your secretary to pick you up?" she replied.
"Remember you said it's late. He must be home resting. He had a long day, so did I. He must be tired. Do you want me to wake such a man?" Jasper asked as he lifted her face to look into his eyes again.
"Well, where will you sleep?" Sophia asked.
"Here," Jasper's smile deepened as he watched Sophia's flustered face.
"What? No, no, not here. You can't stay here," Sophia replied as she broke free, but his grip on her tightened.
"Why not?" Jasper asked. "There is plenty of room here. I can stay in the guest room—it's a guest room for a reason, you know," he said.
"Yeah, but—"
"Argh, my head," Jasper groaned.
"Fine, you can stay… in the guest room," Sophia replied.
Jasper smiled. "Thank you."
Sophia nodded. "Now will you let me go?" she asked. Jasper nodded and released her.
She stood up and straightened herself. "The guest room is down the hall," Sophia said.
"Can you take me? My legs are kind of woozy," Jasper mumbled.
"What? I hit your head, not your legs," Sophia replied.
"Well, I'm dizzy, and I can't stand up straight," he said, gesturing to his head.
Sophia frowned and helped him up. Jasper smiled as she gently led him to the room.
"Place me on the bed," Jasper whispered.
Sophia sighed and gently placed him on the bed.
"My shoes," he said, his eyes burning into hers.
"What?"
"I can't sleep with them on, and my head hurts so much. If I bend, it hurts more," Jasper replied.
"Fine," Sophia said and helped him remove his shoes. He watched her intently as she did so.
Their eyes met for a brief moment. He smiled.
Sophia stood up. "All done," she said.
Jasper nodded. "Well, my shirt—"
"Goodnight, Sir Jasper," Sophia said, walking to the door.
She turned. "At least I forget— you should close your eyes sometimes," Sophia said.
"Why? Do you like them? Some say they are angelic," Jasper replied.
"I don't like them," Sophia said and walked away.
Jasper smiled as his face turned red. "Yeah, right," he smirked.
He lay down properly, his eyes fixed on the door.
"Goodnight, Sophia."