Sophia

We woke up in the balcony in each other's arms. As terror, anger and sadness engulfed him so did I to calm him down. We drifted to sleep sobbing in each other's hold. After listening to his side of story I wonder how he keep himself together. How he is taking care of his family and stand strong for his brother, for Alysia and Caprice. There is only so much pain a man can take.

I promised myself to never betray him. No matter what happens I will always be with him. I love him and he will never loose me.

The sun rays were falling on his other cheek behind his head making a halo. It made him look so calm and beautiful yet I could see the dried tears on his cheeks. I lightly brushed my hand on his cheek. How far have we come? He is same man who slapped the day he met me. The man I feared the most. Somewhere I still do. He is the man who has burned me in his rage so many times and today no one but him can provide me solace. I love him so much that his pain make my heart bleed. I moved closer to him and kissed him lightly on his lips and he opened his eyes with a smile. Smile that brings peace to my aching heart "Good Morning Damon" I said and he kissed me back.

Days passed and things went back to normal. My health is now all better and Dr. Zack said I do not need any more medications. Caprice and Ricardo went on a vacation for the weekend and came back earlier today only with loads of shopping. Everything is well except Don from last few days he is tensed and no one knows why. Enzo come here almost every day and they both spend a lot of time in the study God knows discussing what. I tried to ask Enzo once but he only said "My rats are moving Sophia and they are not moving in the way I want". I couldn't understand the meaning behind his cryptic message and he didn't bothered with an explanation. I never pushed Don to tell me for one I keep my distance with his business and second he rarely comes. Either he spend nights with Enzo which he calls 'stake out' or he comes and sleeps as he lie on the bed.

Today I am all chirpy and excited because today is Chuck's birthday. I was all excited to be with him on his birthday after so many years. I baked him his favorite chocolate cake with blueberries. I thought to go to his campus and surprise him. So I was calling Don to take his permission to go but he is not picking up. Generally he always picks my call in a ring. Maybe he is busy somewhere. Thinking that I dropped him a text saying Can I go out for a bit? Since he generally always say yes now whenever I asked to go out, I started getting ready before waiting for his reply.

I was all ready and I packed up the cake too. I called my driver to pull up the car from the intercom. As I was about to leave "Donna you should not leave the house without Don's permission". I heard Antonio from behind me. "I know Antonio, I will talk to him." I said. I didn't like his tone though. "But Donna you should call Boss first". He said causing my irritation to grew up. "Antonio I know what I should do. I have already called him but Boss is not answering. Plus I will be back soon." I said to him in my stern tone. I didn't think that did much because he still commanded me "Donna I will still say you should wait for Don's response." "And I said I will be back soon" I said in an equally authoritative tone and stepped out without waiting for his reply. I scoffed thinking that now even bodyguards will order me around. As I was about to enter the car my phone buzzed. "No" just a one word reply from Don and I shut the car door with a bang. I called him back but he disconnected. I was so irritated that I have to face Antonio's smug.

"Donna where to?" John asked when he noticed me standing there not getting in. I looked at the cake. I need this to go to Chuck. But I couldn't go after seeing that NO. He will unnecessarily create a ruckus if I went. What's his problem, why he said no. Ugghh. I almost cried thinking that again this year I couldn't be with Chuck on his birthday.

I gave that cake to John "Take this to Enzo Sir and he will know what to do" he took it and left and I called Enzo. "Wats up Angel, miss me?" I heard Enzo's flirtatious lines and it immediately brought smile on my face. "Always" I said to him. "Oh love you know we should have met earlier." He said continuing his flirting. "You sure know how to make a girl smile. Anyways listen I have send a cake to you. Please can you bring it to Chuck, its his birthday today and just tell him I wanted to come but I am not well. Tell him that I have headache and I will meet him soon." I told him. "Well My Lady your wish is my command. I will bring the cake to Chuck. But first tell me why exactly are you not going?" He asked and I thought for a moment what to say. "Sophia?" He asked pressuring me. I let out a sigh and "Well Boss's orders" I said with irritation lacing my voice. "What? Soph if you want you can come with me. I mean maybe he is worried." He said. Yeah maybe "Leave it Enzo, I don't want to go anymore. Please just see that Chuck have the cake, huh" I said though I still wanted to go. "Ofcourse love but don't forget my cake next time." He said and I shook my head smiling.

God its so embarrassing to go back inside after the attitude I gave to Antonio. I huffed and walked towards the house when I heard some laughter from the backyard. I peaked inside and went to the backyard instead of coming inside and facing Antonio. I saw few kids were playing basketball "Hey weirdos can I play?" I asked them and they all shouted all cheered up. Its being long since I played basketball. So I kept the phone in the bag and started playing with them.

Gosh! I am so tired but I must say I still have it in me. I used to play with Chuck and haven't played since he left only once or twice here only with few of these kids but I am still good at it. The girls won against the boys. We were cheering when I heard an angry voice "Sophia!" I turned to see Don. "Don?" What is he angry at? I didn't go, what more does he want? He snapped his fingers and motioned me to come inside and left. I sighed in irritation on his attitude. "See ya kiddos, you guys play" I high five with some of them and went inside.

I reached inside and found him sitting on the couch in the living room. Ric was there too. Getting some papers signed from Don. The air was thick. God knows why. I was angry myself but why is he radiating of anger. I brought him a glass of water and he looked at me. "I can bring bourbon too" I said. I couldn't believe my attitude myself. I never spoke to him in this tone but I am angry. He gave me alook but said nothing about it "So want to say anything about what happened today?" He said. "What?" I shrugged as I kept the glass on the table when he didn't take. He held my wrist when I turned to go. "Why were you not listening to Antonio when he asked you to not go out?" I was so angry at this. He is taking Antonio's side. I can't believe it. Now the guards will tell me what to do? I jerked my hand away and said "Fine I will apologize to Antonio." I said sarcastically. My volume was low but my tone could tell that I am unhappy with this. "Its everyone's job to order me around anyway" I said in almost a whisper as I started to stomp from there when he held me by elbow and turn me harshly. He stood so close to me "What the hell was that?" "Nothing" I said tried to get rid of his hold but couldn't "Have you lost your mind? I am not saying you to apologize to Antonio. And what's with the tone, huh?" He said tightening his grip. "Leave my hand". I said with gritted teeth. "Say that again". He said and I could see his anger rising but so was mine. "Leave my hand" I jerked his hand away. I was as shocked as him. Maybe more.

"What is wrong with you?" He said as he held my arms in his strong hold. "Nothing is wrong with me." I said in an annoyed tone. "Watch your tone, Sophia" he said. "Or what?" Even I am surprised at myself. Thanks the adrenaline. And God it felt good. "Watch it Sophia" he said as he closed his eyes and clenched his fist clearly attempting to calm himself down.

"You want to know what is wrong with me" I said pushing him. "I am tired." I pulled him towards me grabbing his collar. "I am fucking tired of being ordered around. Tired of being told by everyone what to do what not to do? I now even have to take orders from your bodyguards" I said getting angrier. "Who is ordering you around?" He said holding both my hands in his tight grip. "Antonio asked to not go because I asked him to oversee it and it was for your own safety. I said No, not him. Why will he or anyone else will order you around. You are my fucking wife, their Donna. Nobody will ever do that. So stop over reacting. And as far as your going out is concerned I told No and I when I told you No thats means its No." He said his grip tightens around my wrists and his tone gone more harsh.

"And I didn't go, or did I? I am here right in your precious castle. All safe in one piece. So why the hell are you angry at me?" I screamed at him taking my hands back "Enough" his voice make me flinch. He held my elbow and pulled me to him. His anger was visible in his eyes. "Drop the fucking attitude" he said sternly with gritted teeth and left me with a jerk. I almost fell when held me from the waist to stop me from falling. I removed his hand from my waist. I was loosing the argument and I was mad at myself for being scared of him. I was irritated and in that irritation I pushed him and said trying to be angry and stern "I do not have attitude. You have attitude, bad attitude. You-you are arrogant and obnoxious and stubborn and I-I ugghh I don't like you" I said pushing him again I wanted to sound angry but because of my irritation and sobs made it sound childish and he laughed at me along with Ric which I did not remember was still here.

"Stop making fun of me" I shouted at both of them. They went quiet for a minute and then started laughing again. "Ughh I hate you both" I said in irritation and threw a cushion at them and then ran to my room. "And you don't come after me now" I said shouting from the door as I banged shut it.

I laid on my bed on my stomach with my stomping feet dangling from the bed and I started crying in irritation.

I felt hands on my head and "Why are you here? Leave me alone" I said crying with my face in the bed. He turned me from my shoulders so I lay on my back and face towards him. I was avoiding his gaze when he pulled me into a sitting position. He hugged me and I cried in his chest. "Shhh...relax Doll. Calm down." He said rubbing my back. "You always do that, you always scold me, you are always angry at me. And I didn't do anything I didn't go out still you scolded me. You were taking Antonio's side." I said crying while hugging him. He pulled me up and wiped my tears and cupped my cheek with one hand and caressing my hair with the other "I am not taking Antonio's side Doll and I was not angry at you. But nobody knows where you were and that scared the hell out of me. I was calling you why you didn't answer your phone?" He asked and I told him that it was in my bag I didn't realized while playing. "And you didn't answer yours too when I called " I said pouting. "Yeah baby but I was in the middle of something I couldn't". "Yeah right. You say you worried about my safety but you don't take my calls what if I called you because someone was about to kill me." I said in a scoff. "Sophia! Are you crazy? Don't say that" he said very angry. Angrier than before. I flinched at his tone "I-I am sorry" I said in a timid voice looking down. "Hey look at me" he said and I looked at him. "I didn't mean to shout at you but don't say such things I can't see you in danger" he said all worried as he touched my cheeks. "I know babe." I said and hugged him. "I didn't mean to. I just said that in a smug. I-" I tried to explain that it was a taunt. " I know baby" he said and kissed my head. "I am sorry for the fight" I said and hugged him. All my anger vanished as I lost myself in his arms

"I am too sweaty playing with kids, I guess I should take a shower." I said smelling myself and before I could bring my armpits to my nose I knew already I needed a shower. "I never saw you playing before." He said. "You were good." "You bet I am." I said getting up " I used to play with Chuck all the time and used to beat "Mr. So called team captain"' I said laughing a bit. "My mom wanted me to take Ballet lessons along with piano. Now piano I liked so I took it but Ballet, I hated it. They were so painful stretching your legs like that so instead of going to the lessons I used go round the house and enter from the backdoor in the backyard and play with Chuck during that time" I told him and we both laughed. "Why Ballet but?" he asked "Ah, don't even ask. My mom had this phase where she wanted to me to be some Dutchess so she wanted me to learn piano, Ballet, Waltz and as crazy as it sounds even the English accent, basically anything to match dad's family so she can say we Americans too have grace." I said laughing. He laughed with me. "Well I am surprised you found Ballet painful. You are flexible enough" he said winking at me. I just shook my head. "Why don't you change, I will take a shower and then I will bring you dinner, ok?" I said and he nodded.

I came out of the shower in the robe expecting his shirt lying somewhere on the floor like usual but it wasn't, because he slept already. So soon. Where is he busy these days that he is always so tired. Either that or he is too drunk to be awake, I wonder. He hasn't eaten too anything. But it seems he is already in deep slumber. I took off his shoes and kept in the closet and took one of his t-shirt from the laundry basket. I switched off the lights. But the problem is he is sleeping on his stomach diagonally over the bed covers. I tried to pull the blankets from beneath him but couldn't so I took out another blanket from the closet . I pulled it over him and moved to my side to sleep. The way he is sleeping doesn't gave me much room but I adjusted somehow. I mean I used to sleep in a closet smaller than this bed of course I can manage.

He was looking so calm. I know he is worried these days over something. Is it regarding Russo? Maybe, maybe not. But something is off that's for sure. He said he wasn't angry at me but his tone said otherwise, if the anger was not on me than on whom. I drove that thought as my mind went to his rhythmic breathing he was so peaceful while sleeping. So innocent and so beautiful. I felt bad fighting with him. But it felt special when he came to me. Nobody ever came to persuade or cajole me after anger. I smiled to myself thinking how have I got so lucky that I am loved by him.

I touched his face and he took my hand and kissed it while sleeping. He hold my hand under his cheek, between his face and bed. I smiled at him and bend over him kissing his forehead "Good night Damon" I whispered to him and slowly drifted to sleep.