Days had passed since the devastating news of Sofia's father, but the pain remained as raw as ever. She had returned to her daily routine, her mind numb with grief. But deep down, she knew the hurt would never truly go away.
Damon heard the new waste no time calling her
On the phone
Damon: Sofia
Sofia: Hey ( sounding weak)
Damon: Am sorry I heard the news about your father, am sorry I wasn't there for you.
Sofia: It's okay thank you
Damon: I looked for you at work and home, where are you
Sofia: I just went out for fresh air
Damon: I will come to you, what place is it
Sofia: You don't really have to
Damon: no don't say that where are you
Sofia: At the green cafe
Damon: I will be there in 30 minutes
Damon hung up the phone and rushed out of the house, his mind racing with concern for Sofia. As he drove, he couldn't help but replay the sound of her voice in his head, so fragile. She was hurting.
When he finally pulled up outside the Green Cafe, he saw her sitting at a table by the window, her face pale and drawn. He took a deep breath, mustering up his courage before approaching her.
Damon: Sofia ( he said, his voice gentle and warm).
Sofia looked up at Damon,
Damon: ( she whispered, her voice barely audible ). What are you doing here?
Damon pulled out a chair and sat down across from her, his gaze never leaving her face.
Damon: I wanted to make sure you were okay. How are you holding up?
Sofia's lips trembled, and for a moment, it seemed like she might break down. But she took a deep breath and forced a smile.
Sofia: fine ( she lied, her voice quivering ). It's been tough, but I'll be okay.
Damon reached across the table, gently taking her hand in his.
Damon: You don't have to be strong all the time, Sofia, It's okay to feel what you're feeling. You've been through a lot.
A single tear rolled down Sofia's cheek, and she let out a small sob. Damon's heart broke for her, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her close as she cried.
Sofia buried her face in Damon's chest, her sobs growing louder with each passing second. She didn't try to fight the tears any longer, letting them flow freely as the weight of her grief finally caught up with her.
Damon held her tighter, running his fingers through her hair in a gentle, soothing motion.
Damon: It's okay, Sofia ( he whispered ). I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere.
Sofia's sobs eventually subsided, leaving her drained and exhausted.
As Sofia's sobs subsided, she pulled away from Damon, wiping the tears from her face. Damon gave her a small, sad smile, but his eyes were filled with pain.
Damon: Sofia I can take care of you
Sofia: sorry what do you mean ( confused as she wiped her eyes)
Damon: I know this is not the right time to tell you this but ever since we met have always loved you, I never knew how to express it, I watched you hurt and healed yourself. You act strong when you are not and it breaks my heart, Sofia I know am really stupid to be saying it now but be mine I want to take your pain away
Sofia's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth forming a small 'o' as she tried to process Damon's confession. At that moment, she felt a mixture of emotions wash over her - shock, disbelief, and strange.
Sofia: Damon ( she whispered, still unsure of how to respond )
Damon: Say yes, ( he said, his voice hopeful ). Say yes, and let me be there for you.
Sofia: Damon I can't
Damon: Why what's wrong Sofia
Sofia: My feelings for you are not more than friendship and now at all times are you serious
Damon's heart sank at Sofia's response, his face falling into a mixture of disappointment and sadness. He nodded, his voice quiet.
Damon: I understand. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to add to your pain.
Sofia reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Sofia: Don't be sorry, Damon. I appreciate your honesty, and I appreciate your friendship. You're an amazing person, and I'm grateful to have you in my life.
Damon's shoulders relaxed, and he gave her a small smile.
Sofia rose from her seat, gathering her things as she prepared to leave. Damon stood as well, his eyes following her as she walked away.
Damon: Sofia, wait, ( he said, his voice urgent ). Just one more thing.
Sofia paused, her back still turned to him.
Sofia: What is it?
Damon took a step forward, his expression serious.
Damon: I know you said your feelings for me are that of a friend, but I want you to know that I'll be here for you, no matter what. I may not be the one to help you heal your heart, but I will help you heal your soul. I will be your rock, your friend, your partner in crime. Whatever you need, I'll be there for you.
Sofia turned to face him, her eyes glistening with tears.
Sofia: Thank you, Damon. I have to go
They stood there for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of emotions.
Damon watched Sofia drive away, the pain in his chest growing with each passing second. He collapsed back into his chair, the weight of his unrequited feelings crushing him like a boulder.
As the sun began to set outside the cafe window, Damon couldn't help but feel a sense of loss, as if a part of him had been ripped away.
He knew he couldn't blame Sofia for her feelings or the timing of his confession. But he couldn't help but feel that fate had played a cruel joke on him, giving him the chance to express his love only to have it rejected. Damon drove home in a daze, the ache in his chest deepening with every mile. He stumbled into his apartment, his mind racing with thoughts of Sofia and the rejection he'd just suffered.
As he stood in the darkness of his living room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. How could he make Sofia see him as more than just a friend? How could he convince her that he was worthy of her love?
He sank onto his couch, his hands running through his hair in frustration.
As the night dragged on, Damon found himself unable to sleep. He tossed and turned in bed, his mind filled with thoughts of Sofia.
In the early hours of the morning, he stumbled out of bed and into the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, the liquid burning as it flowed down his throat.
Damon: There has to be a way ( he muttered to himself ). There has to be a way to make her see me as more than just a friend.
He paced back and forth, his mind spinning with ideas.
The sun had barely risen when Damon started his car and drove to Sofia's house. The early morning light cast a pale, eerie glow across the quiet streets, and the chill in the air seemed to mirror the coldness in his heart.
As he pulled up outside her house, he killed the engine and sat in silence for a moment. He had no plan, and no idea what he would say or do, but he knew that he couldn't give up.
Stepping out of the car, he steeled himself for what was to come.
He knocked 3 times but no answer he reached for the door handle, he easily opened it, but it wasn't locked. The unlocked door sent a shiver down Damon's spine, a sense of dread creeping into his mind. He pushed the door open, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.
Damon: Sofia? ( he called out, his voice sounding small and uncertain in the quiet house )
There was no response, and as he made his way through the house, he couldn't help but feel as though something was off. The silence was eerie, almost unnatural.
He reached Sofia's bedroom door and pushed it open, his heart pounding.
Damon rushed to Sofia's side, his breath catching in his throat as he saw her lying motionless on the bed. Her skin was pale, and her breathing was shallow and irregular.
He reached out, placing a hand gently on her forehead. She was burning up with fever, her body trembling with the effort of each breath.
Damon: Sofia, ( he whispered, his voice breaking). What happened? What's wrong?
Sofia didn't respond, her eyes fluttering open for a moment before closing again. Damon's heart sank, his panic mounting with each passing second.
Damon scooped Sofia up in his arms, her lightweight startling him as he carried her to his car. With her feverish body cradled against his chest, he drove as quickly as he dared to the nearest hospital.
He burst through the emergency room doors, his eyes wild with fear and desperation.
Damon: Help! ( he cried out ). Please, she's burning up and I don't know what's wrong with her. Please help her.
The nurses rushed to his side, their movements quick and efficient as they took Sofia from his arms and placed her on a stretcher.
The emergency room was a flurry of activity as the medical staff worked to stabilize Sofia. Damon paced in the hallway outside her room, his mind racing with a million questions and fears.
Sofia's eyes fluttered open, her vision blurry and disoriented. She blinked several times, the fog in her mind slowly lifting as she took in her surroundings.
She could hear the beeping of monitors and the sound of her ragged breathing, but there was something else in the room. A familiar presence that made her heart skip a beat.
Turning her head to the side, she saw him. Damon, sitting in a chair by her bedside, his head in his hands.
Sofia: Damon? (she whispered, her voice hoarse and weak).
Damon's head snapped up at the sound of Sofia's voice, his expression a mix of relief and confusion. As he stood, he tried to smile at her but it came out bitter and forced.
Damon: Who's the father?