Author's POV
The ride back to Sofia's apartment was silent, the only sound being the hum of the engine as Marco drove. Sofia's mind was still racing, trying to wrap around everything that had happened. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of future awaited her and what Marco's real intentions were. She had agreed to the deal, but in the back of her mind, doubt still lingered like an unshakable shadow.
Marco glanced over at her as he steered the car around a corner. "You're thinking too much," he said, his voice breaking the silence between them. "I can see the wheels turning in your head."
Sofia shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers nervously tapping on the armrest. "I don't know what to think anymore, Marco. You've said a lot, and part of me believes you... but part of me still wonders if I'm just some pawn in your game."
Marco's jaw tightened at her words, but he didn't take his eyes off the road. "Sofia, I'm not playing games. I'm here because I want to be. You don't owe me anything, and I'm not forcing you to be with me."
She looked out the window, the city lights blurring past as she mulled over his words. "Then why do you want me to be yours for a thousand years?" she asked softly, almost to herself.
Marco exhaled, as if considering her question. "Because, Sofia, I'm not offering you a choice. I'm offering you something real. A future. A future with me. I don't expect you to trust me right away, but I will prove to you that I'm not just some guy who's trying to manipulate you."
Sofia let out a shaky breath. "And what if I can't trust you?"
"If you don't trust me," Marco said quietly, "then there's no deal."
Sofia turned to face him, her eyes searching his for any hint of insincerity. "And if I do trust you? What happens then?"
Marco's eyes flicked to hers for a brief moment, his lips curving into a small smile. "Then we start something new. Together."
The words hung between them, and for a moment, Sofia was overwhelmed by the weight of his offer. She wasn't sure if she was ready for all of this. The emotions, the risks, the stakes—it all seemed like too much for someone like her.
Before she could say anything else, Marco turned into the parking lot of her apartment building. He parked the car, killing the engine, but neither of them moved. The silence between them felt heavier than before, but it was the kind of silence that demanded attention.
Sofia finally broke it. "I need some time to think," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is a lot. I just need to process everything."
Marco nodded, his expression unreadable. "I understand. Take all the time you need. But know that the offer still stands. I'm not going anywhere."
Sofia's heart skipped a beat at his words. She had agreed to the deal, but a part of her still felt conflicted. Part of her wanted to pull away, to run from this strange new reality Marco had brought her into. But another part, the part that had seen the pain in his eyes earlier, told her she couldn't walk away just yet.
She opened the car door and stepped out, glancing back at him. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Marco didn't say anything at first, but after a moment, he gave her a simple nod. "Tomorrow."
Sofia walked into her apartment building, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. When she entered her small apartment, she was met with the familiar sounds of her brothers arguing in the living room. They paused when they saw her, their faces softening when they saw how tired she looked.
"Everything okay?" Sean asked, his voice full of concern.
Sofia nodded, though it felt like a lie. "Yeah. Just... a lot on my mind."
"You need anything?" Seth asked, his brow furrowed. "We've got your back, Sofia. You know that, right?"
She smiled weakly, feeling the warmth of her brothers' concern. "I know. Thanks."
Her brothers didn't press her any further, sensing she needed space. They didn't know the details of what had happened, and Sofia wasn't sure if she was ready to share. What could she even say? That she'd agreed to be Marco's for a thousand years? That she had no idea what that meant but was somehow willing to take the risk?
She made her way to her room, sitting on the edge of her bed and staring at the empty space in front of her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from Marco.
Marco: "I know this is hard. But don't worry. I'll be here when you're ready."
Sofia stared at the message for a long time, the weight of it sinking in. She knew he wasn't just talking about the deal. He was talking about her. He was offering her something she wasn't sure she could handle. Something bigger than herself.
Her phone buzzed again, but this time it was a call—an unknown number. Hesitant, she answered it.
"Sofia," a deep voice greeted on the other end. "It's me. Marco's father."
Sofia's heart skipped a beat. "Marco's father? Why are you calling me?"
"You're involved with my son now," the man's voice was cold, calculated. "And I need you to know what you're getting yourself into. Marco may seem like he's helping you, but don't forget who he is. Don't forget where he comes from."
Sofia's mind raced as she tried to process what he was saying. "What do you want from me?"
"I want you to know what you're dealing with," Marco's father said, his tone dropping lower. "Marco is no saint. And neither are you. So, understand this: If you choose to continue down this path, there's no going back."
Sofia's hand trembled as she held the phone to her ear. "I'm not afraid of him," she whispered, though she wasn't sure if she was trying to convince him or herself.
"Good," Marco's father said, his voice almost smug. "Because if you're going to be with my son, you'd better be prepared for everything that comes with it. Including the consequences."
The line went dead before Sofia could say anything else.
She stared at her phone in shock, her heart pounding in her chest. Was Marco's family this dangerous? What had she gotten herself into?
She sank back onto her bed, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. She didn't have answers. But now, more than ever, she knew one thing for sure—her life was no longer her own. It was bound to Marco's, and whether she was ready or not, the consequences were coming. And they wouldn't be easy