Chereads / THE SECRET BEHIND THE SUIT / Chapter 14 - Under The Stars

Chapter 14 - Under The Stars

Sebastian's arms tighten around Sofia, his body heat seeping through her clothes. Sofia can feel her heart racing, the proximity of Sebastian's body stirring a new kind of longing within her.

Sebastian: You're safe here, Sofia. I won't let anything bad happen to you.

Sofia: I know. Thank you.

As she lifts her head to look at him, her breath catches in her throat. There's a charged silence between them, the air thick with unspoken desires. 

Sofia leans against Sebastian's chest, finding solace in the strength and comfort he offers. Her eyes are closed, her body still shaking from the force of her sobs.

Sebastian: You need to rest, Sofia. Why don't you go lie down? I'll be right here when you wake up.

Sofia: Okay.

Sofia walks to the bedroom, the heaviness of her grief weighing down her every step. She lies down on the bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. As her eyes close, exhaustion takes hold, pulling her into the oblivion of sleep.

Hours later, she stirs, her eyes fluttering open to the dim light of the room. For a moment, she forgets where she is, the events of the day a blur in her mind. But then it all comes rushing back, her heartache like a stone in her chest.

Sofia sits up, running a hand through her tangled hair. The room is silent, the only sound is the soft hum of the air conditioner. For a moment, she considers going back to sleep, to escape the reality of her loss. But she knows that won't make it go away.

Slowly, she stands up, padding barefoot to the living room. She finds Sebastian there, his eyes fixed on the TV screen, but she can tell his mind is elsewhere.

Sofia: Hey

Sebastian turns to look at Sofia, his expression a mix of concern and empathy.

Sebastian: Hey. How are you feeling?

Sofia: Like my world's been turned upside down.

She sits down on the couch next to him, leaning against the armrest.

Sofia: I'm sorry if I'm a mess.

Sebastian reaches for Sofia's hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. His touch is a small but potent comfort.

Sebastian: You don't need to apologize for anything, Sofia. Grief has a way of turning everything inside out.

Sofia's eyes mist over with fresh tears, her voice shaky.

Sofia: I just...I don't know how to do this. How do I even begin to process something like this?

Sebastian: One day at a time. That's all you can do.

As they sit in silence, the weight of Sofia's grief seems to ease ever so slightly. The familiarity of Sebastian's presence, the steady beat of his heart, it's all a small but steady anchor in the storm that's become her life.

Sebastian: Have you thought about what you want to do for the funeral?

Sofia: No, not really. My mom's probably already started planning.

Sebastian: Then let's take it one step at a time. Let's start by getting you on that plane home.

Sofia lets out a sigh, the weight of her grief still heavy on her shoulders.

Sofia: I can't believe he's gone, Sebastian. It just doesn't seem real.

Sebastian: It's going to take time for it to sink in. But you don't have to rush it. Take the time you need to grieve.

Sofia: I just don't understand why it had to happen now. We were supposed to have more time.

Sebastian: There's no logic to lose, Sofia.

Sebastian's voice is soft, but firm.

Sebastian: The only thing you can do is honour his memory. Hold on to the memories of the times you did have, and the lessons he taught you.

Sofia nods, her eyes welling with tears.

Sofia: He always told me to follow my dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed.

Sebastian: And that's exactly what you're doing. I think he'd be proud of you.

Sofia: Do you think so?

Sebastian: Absolutely. You've built a life for yourself here, Sofia. You've grown into a strong, independent woman, and that's no small feat. Your dad would have been thrilled to see the person you've become.

Sofia: I just wish he could've been here to see it.

Sebastian: He's watching over you, Sofia. I know it.

Sofia's heart aches with the weight of his words, but she finds comfort in the idea that her father is still with her, in spirit if not in person.

As days pass following Sofia's father's passing the grief is like a heavy blanket over their lives. But throughout it all, Sebastian is a steady presence by Sofia's side. He cooks her favourite meals, walks her through the process of planning the funeral, and lends an ear when she needs to talk. 

Sebastian: How are you holding up, Sofia?

Sofia: I'm...I'm okay. Some moments are harder than others.

Sebastian: That's completely normal. Take things at your own pace.

Sebastian draws her into a hug, letting Sofia lean against his chest.

Sebastian: You don't have to be strong all the time, Sofia. It's okay to let yourself be vulnerable.

Sofia: Thank you, Sebastian. I don't know what I'd do without you.

Sebastian: You don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere.

Sofia's eyes flutter shut, the weariness of grief finally taking hold. She drifts off to sleep in 

Sebastian's arms, finding a momentary peace.

In the days leading up to Sofia's departure for the funeral, Sebastian wants to make sure she has a moment of peace amidst the grief. One night, he surprises her with a plan for star gazing.

Sebastian: Pack a bag, Sofia. We're going on an adventure.

Sofia: An adventure? Where are we going?

Sebastian: You'll see. Just trust me.

Sofia: Okay, I trust you.

With a small smile, she gathers a change of clothes and a blanket, following Sebastian out to his car.

Sebastian smirks a flicker of mischief in his eyes.

Sebastian: It's a skill I've developed over the years. Comes in handy when your best friend's heart is breaking.

Sofia: Is that what I am now? Your best friend?

Sebastian's expression softens, his smile fading into something deeper, more sincere.

Sebastian: You've always been more than that, Sofia. You know that.

Sofia's breath catches in her throat as she looks at him, her heart softens 

The road to the star gazing spot is dark and winding, the headlights of Sebastian's car cutting through the night. Sofia sits in silence, her thoughts a jumble of grief and doubt. 

As they crest a hill, the stars come into view, a glittering tapestry spread out across the sky. Sofia gasps, her breath catching in her throat.

Sofia: Oh wow.

Sebastian: Told you it was worth the drive.

Sofia: It's stunning.

As they approach the clearing, Sebastian turns off the engine and steps out of the car, the night air cool and crisp. He helps Sofia out, their hands brushing together.

Sebastian: Come on. Let's find the perfect spot.

They walk hand in hand, their feet crunching on the dry grass. When they reach the centre of the clearing, Sebastian lays out the blanket, the stars twinkling overhead.

Sofia: Thank you for this, Sebastian. It's...it's nice.

They lay side by side, their shoulders touching. For a moment, there's only silence, the sound of their breathing the only noise in the darkness.

Sebastian: What do you think about the universe, Sofia?

Sofia: What do you mean?

Sebastian: Like, do you think we're all just floating around in this vast emptiness? Or is there something bigger out there, something guiding us?

Sofia: I don't know. I guess I've never really thought about it.

Sofia stares up at the sky, a million tiny pinpricks of light glittering against the inky blackness.

Sofia: It's hard to imagine that we're just a speck in all of this. There must be something bigger, right?

Sebastian: Maybe. Or maybe we're just a blip on the cosmic radar. Either way, it's pretty awe-inspiring.

Sofia: It is. It makes me feel kind of small.

Sebastian: Small can be a good thing.

Sofia turns her head to look at Sebastian, his face half-hidden in shadow.

Sofia: What do you mean?

Sebastian: I mean, when everything else is so vast, it's nice to have something that's just for you. Something small and private.

Sofia: Like a memory?

Sebastian: Yeah, like a memory. Or a secret. Or a moment like this.

Sofia: This moment?

Sebastian's gaze meets Sofia's, a hint of warmth in his eyes.

Sebastian: Yeah. This moment. Just you and me, under the stars. No one else was around for miles.

Sofia: It's...it's nice.

Sebastian: Nice? That's all you've got?

Sofia: Well, what would you call it?

Sebastian: Magical. Enchanted. A little bit...electric.

Sofia laughs softly, her cheeks flushing in the darkness.

The sound of Sofia's laughter fills the night air, a bright melody against the stillness. Sebastian's smile widens the warmth in his eyes now a full-blown flame.

Sebastian: See? I knew I could make you laugh.

Sofia: Well, you know what they say. Laughter is the best medicine.

Sebastian: Indeed it is. And I'm your personal comedian.

Sofia: Oh, you think you're so funny, don't you?

Sebastian: Hey, I'm just doing my job. Making you smile is my top priority.

Sofia: Well, you're doing a pretty good job of it.

Sebastian: I aim to please.

Sofia: You always have.

Sofia leans back onto the blanket, the chill of the grass seeping through her clothes. She shivers, and Sebastian instinctively pulls her closer, their bodies flush against each other. 

Sebastian: You cold?

Sofia: A little.

Sebastian wraps an arm around her, his body heat radiating into her. Sofia nestles against him, feeling a sense of security she hasn't felt since her father's death. 

Sofia: It feels good to be here with you. Thank you for tonight. It's...it's been really good for me.

Sofia smiles, but there's a hint of uncertainty in her expression.

Sofia: I'm just glad to have you.

Sebastian: Good. Because I'm not going anywhere.

Sofia: I know.

The sound of crickets and frogs is the only accompaniment to the starry night sky.

Sofia's eyelids begin to droop, her body succumbing to the exhaustion of the day's events. Sebastian watches as she begins to drift off to sleep, her breathing soft and even.

Sebastian: Get some rest, Sofia. You need it.

Sofia: Mmm.

As her breathing deepens, Sebastian pulls the blanket over her, gently tucking it around her shoulders.

Sebastian: Sleep well, Sofia. Sweet dreams.