Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Lennox watched as she stared at him, her knuckles whitening with the pressure she was applying to her grip on the bag strap. She also appeared to be holding her breath, which was amusing. Lennox pulled back, cursing as he realized what he'd been doing that had caused her to be so anxious.

He stared at her, wondering what it was about her that attracted him, what it was making him lose all reasons and just gravitate towards her pull. Not even his horrible dream had been enough to stop him which made him feel guiltier, adding to that the knowledge that he was sexually attracted to her, and yet he was trying to keep her close. It was going to be a recipe for disaster if he continued to let his heart lead him, and not his head, which was more rational.

Sophia released her hold, licking her red lips nervously. Lennox groaned low in his throat because that little innocent action went straight through his groin. This was bad, really bad, he told himself as he freaked out internally. He was going to repeat all his mistakes all over again and then what, lead Sophia to her death when she realizes that she can't stay with someone as selfish and cold as him. Which was absurd because Sophia was only pretending to want to stay with him. She'd been drunk when she'd told him about her grand plan to make him fall in love with her but it didn't mean that it wasn't true. Sophia was probably doing all this to get him to depend on her, but he worried that he would fall for it, after all, all the deception, and then what would happen?. And why did she get to look so sincere, because she seemed as if she really cared for him?

"Sir Lennox" she called uncertainly. Lennox stared at her, wondering why her concern seemed so real, or maybe he was just projecting, because deep down he wanted it to be real. Selfish. Selfish. Selfish.

"Forget it. I don't need anything, just come back to work" he said turning to leave when he felt a tug on the sleeve of his shirt. He glanced at where her hand gripped his shirt, then at the frantic look on her face.

"Wait, how about homemade smoothies and cooked meals... You haven't eaten this morning right".

Lennox's brows furrowed. "What?".

"I make the best meal, how about we eat something before going to work,

My house is not far from here" she said, her gaze hopeful.

Lennox wanted to say no. "Ok, I'll love that" damn it. Way to go just thinking of yourself, he berated himself but the smile that enveloped Sophia's pretty face had his heart twisting on itself. He wanted to take a picture of it and keep it in a frame because she looked like a burst of sunshine in his darkened corner.

The ride to her house didn't take long but she managed to become more apprehensive the closer they got, and when they finally arrived, she couldn't sit still as she stared dreadfully at her apartment.

"Are you alright"?

Sophia jerked to face him, her eyes blown wide before she laughed. "I'm awesome Sir Lennox, welcome to my humble and very homey feely house," she said, pulling off her seat belt and looking resolute.

Lennox did the same and they both alighted from the car. She smiled widely at him, but he could tell it was forced since it looked awkward.

They walked towards the door when she suddenly came to stand in front of him, halting him by pushing a finger into his chest to shove him back a little and then she laughed loudly.

"Can you just like, wait a minute out here... There was... There was this" she stuttered then her eyes widened as if she'd found a hidden treasure. "My mom might be in there, so let me check real quick ok," she said then laughed nervously.

Lennox stared past her at the door. "Alright," he said, shoving his hand into his pant pocket.

Sophia almost sagged with relief as she laughed and pressed in her Pincode. The door opened and she maneuvered her way inside without giving him a chance to peek inside.

Lennox frowned until he heard her running around inside. He heard tumbling inside and pushed open the door to hear Sophia yelling.

"I'm fine, just wait outside for a few more..." She stopped, her eyes widening in horror as she saw Lennox.

Lennox stood frozen as he stared at Sophia who was struggling to get off the floor with an array of dresses, a bottle of wine, and some glasses in her arm.

Sophia gasped as she struggled frantically to get up. She slipped, the pile in her hand flying off her hand towards Lennox and a black netty bra landed on his face. He gasped the same time she did, her face draining of color.

"Sir Lennox" she shouted, reaching out a hand as if she could magically take everything back.

Lennox took hold of the bra, pulling it off his face and staring at it as he spread it open. The bra was snapped out of his hands, jolting as he stared at the reddening face of Sophia who avoided looking at him.

Lennox's lips twisted in a smile as she picked up all the items off the floor and ran into another room.

Lennox sighed, running his hand through his hair. This was why he feared having her close. She made him Happy. Too happy and carefree.

*******

Sophia squashed her cheeks with her palms, as she stared dreadfully at the door that led to the living room. She stomped her feet and wiggled around like a demon-possessed person before she smacked her head repeatedly.

"Why Sophia, why couldn't you just clean up before you left your house. I can't believe this. How am I supposed to face Lennox now" she wailed, hitting her chest repeatedly. "I can never face him, not after what happened just now... I mean how could I huh... Why did you even have to invite him over? Ugh, so freaking stupid" she said, then suddenly stood straighter, her gaze becoming resolute. "So what if he saw my underwear, I'm sure Sir Lennox is very professional, so he'll definitely not talk about it, so just go out there and make him breakfast like your big mouth promised," she said, then nodded. "Yes, the key to healthy living is to be shameless," she said then frowned. "Yeah that's right even if doesn't sound right, I'm just going to have to roll with it," she said and walked out of the room with her head held high.

Sophia jerked as she almost stumbled into Lennox, who had been walking around the room and checking out her stuff.

Sophia fought the blush that spread up her neck and up her cheek, but she knew it was unsuccessful.

"Um, sorry for the mess, and as you can see, my Mom isn't here," she said her voice sounding funny even to her ears.

Lennox held his hand behind his back and nodded. "Do you need my help with anything in the kitchen, I'm assuming you're going to cook".

Sophia stared, then laughed. "Oh right, I said that I'll make you breakfast, I'll get right to it".

His phone rang and he turned to answer, his voice going from warm to icy in a matter of seconds.

"Do I have to do everything myself, I thought you could handle this" he snapped then shook his head. "No don't do anything, you're just going to make it worse. I'll be there soon, just keep them waiting" he said and ending the call. He turned to face Sophia who stood waiting expectantly.

"I have to get back to work, it's an emergency" he explained and Sophia nodded eagerly.

"Of course, you should go. I'll just finish up here and catch up".

"That won't be necessary. Let's make it dinner, and you can take the day off, I'll come back once I finish taking care of business" he said, then strode out of the house, leaving her to stare after him in a daze.

"Dinner? With me! Dinner as in him coming back here in the covers of the dark, wow" she said, slamming her hands over her mouth. "Don't jump to conclusions Sophia, he's just coming here to eat, and not because of anything else" she told herself and nodded as she walked towards the kitchen, then stopped abruptly.

"But he saw your bra, what if that gave him ideas" she gasped, then screamed as she ran into her room to smoother herself with her pillow.