CHAPTER 79: SOPHIA (2)

Moments later the bathroom door creaked open slowly.

Adam immediately turned to see Sophia emerging. She had managed to change into fresh clothes a simple t-shirt and loose pants.

But her movements were still incredibly weak and slow. Without saying a single word she looked straight at Adam. Her eyes were soft and filled with a storm of complex emotions.

There was relief in them but also confusion and deep exhaustion. Her gaze never left his face as if she was trying to understand something she could not quite grasp.

Adam gently took her by the hand his touch warm and steady. He helped her walk back toward the bedroom. Throughout the whole time Sophia did not speak.

She merely watched him with a quiet intensity her silence more powerful than any words could have been. He could feel the slight tremble in her hand as he led her back to her bed.

After carefully laying her down to rest he pulled the covers up to her chin. Adam then moved to the small kitchen. He knew Sophia needed to eat something. Her body was far too weak to handle the strong medicine on an empty stomach. He opened her refrigerator and cupboards looking for something simple and easy to digest. He decided on a light soup and started preparing the quick warm meal.

Just as he was about to begin chopping some vegetables Adam heard a faint knock at the apartment door.

He was not expecting anyone. Who could it be?

Should he check it? Or should he stay and finish cooking first? Sophia needed to eat as soon as possible.

He took a deep breath letting it out slowly to calm his nerves. He walked quickly and silently to the door. He peered through the peephole. When he opened it he was surprised.

Monty Sophia’s best friend was standing outside.

She looked completely surprised to see Adam standing in the doorway of Sophia’s apartment. Her eyes widened and a moment of awkward silence passed between them. Then Monty’s cheeks flushed with a light blush. She was clearly feeling embarrassed and out of place. She gave him a small sheepish smile. She said "Oh. I think I came at the wrong time... I’ll come back later."

Before Adam could say a single word to explain the situation Monty turned around and hurried off down the hallway.

Adam watched her go her retreating figure disappearing around the corner. The words of explanation were still on his tongue unspoken. He was left standing in the open doorway with the smell of soup starting to fill the quiet apartment.

He wanted her to help. But Monty left without waiting for his reaction. A part of Adam thought he should go after her but seeing Sophia’s condition he immediately dropped the idea.

He knew it was more important to cook for her first. She needed to eat then she needed to take her medicine. That was the most important job right now.

So Adam ran back inside and started making food for Sophia. The entire day went on like this for Adam a quiet cycle of care and concern.

A little later in the afternoon Adam got a call. He was sitting on a chair next to Sophia’s bed. He had already fed her the soup and given her the medicine.

He had also helped her clean up with a damp cloth. Although Sophia had insisted on doing most of it herself in the bathroom Adam had been present just outside ready to help.

Now he was just sitting next to her bed while she slept. He found himself lost in thought just looking at her peaceful face.

Then his phone buzzed. He saw that it was Andrew calling. He picked it up and before he could even say anything Andrew’s voice came through the line. "I am outside your building. Are you at home right now or somewhere else?"

Adam let out a deep breath. "I’m here. You go on inside. I’m coming now." Saying this he cut the call. He looked at Sophia one last time. In a very low whisper he said "I will be right back." He then quietly left the room.

He went outside into the hallway. He saw Andrew standing in front of his apartment door. When Andrew saw Adam coming out of the neighboring apartment he looked very surprised. As Adam walked up to him Andrew looked him over and said "So the sick person is a neighbor?"

Adam managed a small smile. "Yes you could say something like that."

Andrew simply nodded his head. "Okay. You can go back to that girl. I’ll wait in your apartment and rest for a bit."

Adam nodded but he was very confused. He looked at Andrew with questioning eyes and said "But how did you know she is a girl? I never told you."

Looking at Adam Andrew smiled a knowing smile. "I didn’t know. And I’ve never seen her. I just understood from your worried tone and how you were acting on the phone that it had to be a girl." Saying this he opened Adam’s gate and went inside the apartment.

Adam was left standing there completely surprised. He thought to himself Andrew is incredibly sharp at reading people. That’s why he’s the best at what he does. Thinking this he turned and went back inside Sophia’s apartment.

As he entered he saw that her eyes were open. She had managed to sit up on her bed again. Adam went and stood next to her. He looked at her with a worried expression and said "You are just like a little child. If I don’t keep an eye on you for a second you start doing something you shouldn’t."

Hearing this Sophia looked away from Adam and said "I am perfectly fine. But you should go to school."

Adam pulled the chair closer to her bed and sat down. He looked at Sophia and said firmly "I am not leaving you and going anywhere."

Sophia was very worried for Adam. He had already taken a day off from school before. And it had not even been a week for him at this new job. This would be his second day off which could be very problematic for him in the future. But no matter how much she tried to reason with him he would not listen. He just looked at her and smiled. He said "Now just lie down quietly. Otherwise I have other ways to make you rest."

Hearing this Sophia looked at Adam a playful glint appearing in her tired eyes. She smiled and said "Other ways? I want to know your other ways."