122 The Originals 3

Five hours since the two fell asleep on the wide sofa in the living room, Gio's phone buzzed, awakening him from his slumber. He half-opened his eyes and then looked around. He immediately found a dainty and beautiful figure snuggling into his arms, her hands grabbing on his undershirt seemingly showing how desperate the woman was to bury herself in him.

Sofony was still asleep, probably too tired out by yesterday's events. Considering the so many things that happened till past 3 am, it would be easy to understand why. However, it amazed him greatly how even as she sleeps, she still doesn't want to be separated from him.

A couple of seconds after he thought of this, memories started flooding his brain, causing his face to darken a bit.

But not long after, it was replaced by helplessness, his gaze which went down to her face turned gentler.

He now remembered that when the girl arrived, she immediately jumped into his arm. This somehow explains why they ended up spending the rest of the night on the sofa. Back then, Sofony couldn't stop crying. Of course, he tried to ask what caused her to be like this, however, not even once did he receive a proper response from her. She only shook her head and cried. This went for an hour until she fell asleep.

After that, even though she was no longer awake, whenever Gio tried to escape under her and stand up, she would always subconsciously tighten her hold and not allow him to move away. Understanding that she wouldn't even let him bring her into the bedroom, he decided to just let himself be her cushion. Anyway, it would just be for tonight. And he was already exhausted.

So he just resigned to fate and closed his eyes.

Before he fell asleep, his last thought was that once she wakes up, she would surely start an apology spree and that he would use that chance to make her fess up what that other woman did to make her cry.

Though actually, he already had some clues...

As he recalled what she had blabbered in her sleep, he shook his head, his free hand not responsible for locking her onto place so she wouldn't fall off reached out to the coffee table on the left side.

11:58 am.

That was the time displayed on his phone's screen when he unlocked it. Of course, his phone wouldn't ring just to notify him of the time. It was a call coming from his main assistant, George.

"What's the matter?" he asked after pressing the accept button and hearing the other's greetings.

Within ten seconds he quickly grasped what the other party wanted to say to him.

His assistant actually just wanted to remind him of some important meetings today, asking if he would be able to come by 3 pm. Gio sunk into momentary silence, busily estimating whether Sofony would be awake by then.

Shortly he said, "Fine. I'll come. Notify everyone that there's no change in the schedule. The conference will be held as planned." He paused, his eyes stopping at the girl in his arms. Afterward, he added. "Just add an extra seat next to mine."

Gio heard the other man leak out a surprised voice, probably shocked because he realized what Gio meant by saying that. However, he was someone who had followed the Albarez' heir for years so he immediately came back to his senses, deciding not to raise any question about the command.

The call then ended after Gio heard George saying he would. He put his phone back to the table then reattempted to carry Sofony. Fortunately this time, she no longer made things difficult for him and let him gently drop her into the bedroom's comforter.

As he watched her calm and steady breathing for a while, he remembered the things she mumbled in her sleep. The tone of voice she used by then was sorrowful. Actually, if he would properly describe it, then it would be full of pleading and guilt, which in turn informed him of her greatest internal dilemmas.

He remembered that she pleaded for forgiveness - from her best friend and sister, saying it was her fault that they ended up that way. Even though she had also pledged revenge and lifetime torture against Clarissa, in the incoherent speech she cried a few couples of hours ago, the pleas were still much more prominent. As she kept saying the same things over and over again like what a drunk person normally does, he finally realized why the Sofony yesterday was so strange. Now, he was no longer wondering how a night of being away from him caused her to be like this.

'So she hypnotized herself?'

'She brainwashed herself that those two girls died?'

'Just so she can become more decisive, rational and a bit coldblooded?'

A complicated glimmer appeared in the mature man's grey eyes. Actually, there were traces of disbelief and confusion on them as if asking why she had to do that when there were other possible options. However, in the end, no words came out of his mouth. He might have shaken his head in disapproval to her slightly illogical solution. Still, he decided to respect the choice she made. After all, this was her first step in making herself stronger.

'Though she'll suffer a bit within, the good thing is there's no chance she will lose herself to the darkness because those two are still alive.'

After some deliberation he thought, maybe by the time they come back, this silly girl would have already matured greatly. Maybe by then, she has already become stronger, experienced enough that if ever another whoever threatening their lives appears, she would no longer have to resort to sending people away just to ensure their safety.

After chuckling one last time, he turned around and took three big strides towards the nearby drawer cabinet. He grabbed a blue bath towel from there and marched towards the shower room. He has to freshen himself up and put on his business attire again. After all, he has quite a number of companies to run and many others to either partner up or ruin.

A minute later, as the water ran down his whole body, keeping him drenched and slowly helping him be soberer, he tossed the matter regarding Sofony's self-hypnosis to the back of his mind. Anyway, he is never far from her and could always help out and give warmth and support whenever needed.

He was usually heartless and utilitarian. But towards her, especially now that she'd be most likely seeing him as her only remaining pillar of support, even though he had the option and the tendency to not concern himself with anything or anyone troublesome, this time he would be willing to stay and care for her.

Because despite not being sure how long his attachment and interest for her would last, for the meantime and for the unforeseeable number of days and months to come - he's hers.

...