thursday
"you're on the fast track to self-destruction."
daniela was giving it her all.
like, seriously, she was pulling out all the stops.
she let out a theatrical sigh, rolling her eyes.
manon just shot her a cheeky grin. "that's assuming i fail."
daniela's knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. "you are gonna fail."
"wow, what a vote of confidence."
"i'm totally rooting for you—by standing back and watching you dive headfirst into this disaster, even though my conscience is screaming at me to step in."
manon reclined against the seat, her fingers gliding over the strings in a slow, deliberate rhythm, warming up like she was about to rock a stadium instead of the frigid pavement outside sophia laforteza's dorm.
as they rolled down the street with the bass thumping like a heartbeat, daniela clutched the steering wheel and made one last-ditch effort to get through her best friend.
"listen." she began, channeling her calmest, most rational tone—the one she reserved for talking tipsy folks out of their next regrettable decision, "there has to be a better way. something that doesn't involve you standing on a college campus like some wannabe disney prince ready to burst into song."
manon casually strummed her classical guitar, nodding along to daniela's plea as if she was actually paying attention—but they both knew that was a joke.
"just consider it," daniela urged, shifting gears as they neared a red light. "what about—oh, i don't know—actually having a conversation? maybe a grand gesture that doesn't make you look like a contestant who got cut from the voice?"
manon shot her a smirk, fiddling with the tuning pegs. "talking hasn't exactly been a winning strategy for me, dani."
daniela let out a frustrated huff, her fingers drumming against the wheel. "maybe because your idea of 'talking' is a string of cheesy pickup lines, flirting, and trying to make out before you even say sorry—"
"hey," manon interjected, grinning, "you can't blame a girl for using her strengths."
daniela let out a frustrated sigh, dragging her hand down her face.
this woman.
this infuriating woman.
what really sent daniela over the edge—what made her fantasize about steering that mustang straight into the nearest river—was the fact that manon’s delusional, stubborn self somehow always managed to pull it off.
she'd witnessed it time and time again—whether it was wriggling out of sticky situations, getting what she wanted, or getting sophia laforteza herself.
that damn determination.
that bold, absolutely zero shame, fearless attitude that made manon manon.
and sophia loved it.
she adored that manon embraced her quirks, that she didn't flinch at looking ridiculous, that she was game to try anything—regardless of who was watching or how embarrassing it might get.
and this? this whole serenade scheme?
as bonkers as it was—it was classic manon bannerman.
the whole argument—if you could even call it that—fizzled out into a heavy silence, the kind that only comes from years of friendship, where you know just when to push buttons and when to back off. daniela let out a huff through her nose, loosening her grip on the wheel as she switched lanes like a pro.
the mustang purred beneath them, its engine humming in a way that synced perfectly with the city's heartbeat. it was a rhythm they had danced to countless times—cruising with the windows down, no need for deep chats.
daniela shook her head, tossing aside the last bits of annoyance, and cranked up the volume without a second thought.
travis and carti's fe!n crashed in like a tidal wave, the bass thumping through the car like it owned the night. the whole vehicle vibrated, the beat thick and electrifying, transforming the quiet streets into a movie scene, while daniela's nails tapped a lazy rhythm against the gear shift.
now she was in her element, left hand casually steering, head bobbing to the beat, sunglasses perched defiantly on her nose even though the sun had long dipped below the horizon. the definition of cool, completely unbothered—except for the occasional side-eye she shot at her best friend, who was lounging in the passenger seat like she was the queen of the universe.
manon was sprawled out, legs stretched out, timberlands resting on the dashboard, exuding total indifference. unlike daniela, she wasn't feeling the vibe—nope, she was too busy strumming her guitar, fingers picking a soft, random tune that hilariously clashed with the high-energy track blasting through the speakers.
daniela's eye twitched.
"manz."
silence.
"manon." this time, it was sharper, dripping with annoyance.
still nothing.
daniela lost it. "GET YOUR STUPID BOOTS OFF MY DASH BRO."
manon, without even glancing up, casually lifted her right hand from the strings and flashed daniela a slow, lazy middle finger.
daniela gasped like she had just been personally victimized. "oh, hell no—"
she slapped at manon's shin without hesitation.
manon finally reacted, letting out a slow, dramatically pained sigh, as if she were carrying the weight of centuries of suffering. she lifted the ice pack she'd been half-heartedly pressing to her temple and shot daniela a look—all smooth arrogance, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
"chill out," she drawled, voice barely carrying over the music. the night air rushed in through the open window, weaving through the loose fabric of her gray hoodie, ruffling the hem. she stretched slightly, rolling her shoulders. "it adds character."
daniela snorted. "it adds dirt, dumbass." she sent her a lethal glare before returning her focus to the road. "i swear to god, you treat my car like your personal spa."
manon didn't even blink. just let her fingers drift idly back to the guitar strings, plucking a few thoughtful notes.
"well," she mused, voice rich with teasing, "you did say i was your ride or die. so i'm just getting cozy."
daniela groaned, but the smirk tugging at her lips betrayed her. because—yeah. that was true.
she turned the volume up even higher, just to be obnoxious, and glanced at manon with a devilish grin. but as she refocused on the road, she realized she was totally done for after spending half an hour cackling over that ridiculous video megan had sent her.
that stunning, flawless piece of cinematic gold.
manon bannerman, a rising supermodel, calvin klein's global brand ambassador, the same woman who strutted down the victoria's secret runway—
frantically pedaling after a bus on a bike, screaming, "SOPHIA I LOVE YOU—"
then, the grand finale:
the wobble.
that brief, beautiful moment where the front wheel jerked, manon's entire body tilting forward, arms flailing—then—disappeared from the frame.
daniela had never laughed so hard in her life.
she had been wheezing, crying, rolling around the apartment like she'd been shot. meanwhile, manon had been sprawled on the leather couch, groaning dramatically, ice pack pressed to her forehead like a fallen soldier.
manon sighed, reached for her guitar, and—without warning—strummed the most devastatingly romantic chord in existence.
daniela paused, mid-drumming her finger on the steering wheel.
then scowled. "oh, fuck off."
manon smirked, leaned back, and strummed again—slow, smooth, intoxicating.
and then, just to be extra, she started humming.
soft. sultry. unbelievably good.
daniela groaned. "dude."
but manon just shot her a smug, knowing grin. "come on, dani. how can i be humiliated when i'm about to go sing for my girl?"
daniela rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw the back of her skull.
"...you're so fucking annoying."
but she turned up the music anyway.
and kept driving.
but daniela—she had seen it.
that look on manon's face.
not embarrassment. not regret.
just determination.
that fire in her eyes.
that absolute, unshakable belief that she was going to fix this.
daniela let out a heavy sigh, deep down in her soul, because she totally realized—she was stuck helping this dumbass.
she had precisely three brain cells left, and all of them were currently engaged in the mental gymnastics required to tolerate her friend.
they had been, what, three blocks away from sophia's dorm? the whole plan was locked and loaded—manon, in all her absurd, lovestruck glory, was about to go full romeo and juliet (minus the tragedy, hopefully). she had the guitar, the grand gesture, and enough blind confidence to power a small country.
and then, because the universe was a known hater, it happened.
manon stiffened like a hunting dog catching a scent. one second, she was reclined against the seat, boots still propped up (disrespectfully) on daniela's dashboard, fingers idly plucking out a lovesick tune. the next, she was upright, posture razor-sharp, eyes narrowed, the muscles in her jaw tightening like she was gearing up for war.
daniela barely had time to react before manon turned to her with the kind of urgency she usually reserved for life-or-death situations.
"follow that car."
daniela blinked. then blinked again. then, because she had known this woman for years and had long accepted her bullshit, she very calmly responded:
"what?"
manon didn't even look at her. she was hyper-focused, her gaze locked onto a sleek, black car rolling smoothly through the intersection ahead of them, barely visible through the blur of headlights and neon reflections. her fingers curled against the dashboard, knuckles pressing white.
"that car," she repeated, tone clipped, low, deadly. "after it, now."
daniela, understandably, did not.
because, for one, what the hell.
and two, the last time she checked, she was not a damn getaway driver.
so instead of doing anything remotely close to slamming her foot on the gas like some action movie protagonist, daniela simply tilted her head, utterly unimpressed.
"do i look like i take unsolicited driving requests?"
manon barely heard her. her whole body was thrumming with tension, every nerve attuned to that car. she could see sophia. sophia. sitting in the passenger seat, her dark hair catching the soft interior glow, her expression relaxed, lips curved into a small smile—
and there was a guy.
driving.
some man.
a complete mystery of a human being, just existing there, in the same confined space as her girlfriend.
manon squinted, trying to make out the guy's face, but the dim lighting and tinted windows were working against her. she could only see glimpses—the strong lines of a jaw, the occasional flash of a profile.
her gut twisted. something dark and territorial unfurled inside her, something irrational and hot and caveman-like.
sophia was laughing.
at something this guy said.
the sheer audacity.
"dani, drive. now."
daniela sighed, long and theatrical, before adjusting her sunglasses (which, to reiterate, were entirely useless at night). "ugh, why? what am i, the uber for your delusions?"
manon finally snapped her gaze to her, eyes wild. "i'll do the dishes for a week."
daniela hit the gas.
because she was a woman of priorities.
manon clutched the side of her seat as the mustang surged forward, tailing the black car with a precision that was both impressive and slightly concerning. the city blurred around them, streaks of red and white lights flashing past in dizzying motion.
daniela was silent for a beat, expertly weaving through traffic, before casually asking, "sooo, just checking—do i need to be preparing for a crime, or—?"
manon's eyes flicked between the car ahead and daniela. "it's not a crime if i don't get caught."
daniela's lips pressed into a thin line. "see, that answer does not inspire confidence."
manon didn't answer. she was too busy watching, analyzing, seething.
she could still see them.
sophia, completely at ease.
that man, still existing in her presence.
laughing together, like it was nothing.
logically, manon knew she was being ridiculous. she knew sophia wasn't the type to entertain random men. she knew her girlfriend adored her, despite all of her annoying habits and dramatic antics.
but logic had taken a backseat.
what she was experiencing now was pure, unfiltered, primal jealousy.
and she hated it.
daniela, ever the observant best friend, sighed through her nose, sensing the internal turmoil radiating off manon in waves.
"alright, broody mcpossessive, care to explain why exactly we're following sophia's uber?"
manon stiffened. "we don't know it's an uber."
daniela raised a brow. "so you're assuming what? that she's being kidnapped politely?"
manon hesitated. "maybe it's worse than that."
daniela shot her an incredulous look. "oh, do tell. what's worse than a polite kidnapping?"
she had exactly one rule when it came to manon: never, under any circumstances, let her cook.
unfortunately, tonight, she had broken that rule.
because manon was cooking.
burning, really—boiling with something dark and sharp-edged as she sat stiffly in the passenger seat, eyes locked onto the sleek black car parked just a few yards ahead. the bistro's warm, golden light spilled out onto the sidewalk, casting long shadows, illuminating the figures inside the car—one of whom was none other than sophia laforteza.
and the other?
some man.
still an unknown man.
a man who, as far as manon was concerned, had no business being anywhere near her girlfriend, let alone alone with her in a nice car, at a nice restaurant, while manon was sitting here like some chump with nothing but a guitar and an unearned amount of confidence.
the air inside the mustang was thick with tension, but daniela, as always, was handling it with her signature brand of deep, soul-crushing apathy.
alright, hold up a minute," she said, adjusting her shades like it was a sunny day, even though it was pitch black outside. "so, let me get this straight: we just spent five whole minutes stalking this car like we're auditioning for a fast and furious sequel, and you still have no clue who this dude is?"
manon stayed silent. not a single blink. just fixed her gaze, jaw clenched, fists digging into her thighs like they were about to break free.
daniela let out a frustrated huff, darting her eyes between manon and the car, her expression shifting to one of real concern.
"i gotta ask," she pressed on, her voice light but dripping with curiosity. "what's the game plan here? you gonna stroll up, smack a random guy, and demand answers? challenge him to a duel? or maybe kick off a lesbian sword fight right in the middle of a fancy restaurant?"
again, no response.
manon was too focused.
and then—it happened.
through the windshield, she watched as sophia, with that effortless grace of hers, turned toward the man. she said something, something manon couldn't hear but desperately wanted to. there was a moment of hesitation—then, just before stepping out of the car, she leaned in and—
kissed his cheek.
the world tilted.
something sharp and hot snapped inside manon's chest, something ugly and possessive that she had never quite felt with this much intensity before.
one second, she was sitting in the car.
and then—SLAM.
her door flew open so violently that daniela actually flinched, cutting herself off mid-sentence.
"—and that's why i think vin diesel should—hey! HEY—"
the door shut.
hard.
daniela barely had time to register what was happening before manon was out, striding toward the car with the kind of energy that did not belong to someone who had thought this through.
for a moment, daniela just sat there, processing.
then she groaned, slamming her forehead against the steering wheel.
"what the fuck, dude?" she muttered, before sitting up and yelling out the window, "CAN YOU NOT MANHANDLE MY DOOR LIKE A WWE WRESTLER—"
but manon was gone.
moving.
fast.
her long strides ate up the pavement, her boots striking hard against the ground as she closed the distance between her and him.
whoever he was.
she could see sophia now, crystal clear under the restaurant's golden glow. that perfect profile, that silk-like hair cascading over one shoulder, the delicate slope of her neck—everything about her so familiar, so painfully hers.
except right now, sophia wasn't looking at her.
she was smiling at him.
and manon?
oh, she was fuming.
her heart was a war drum, pounding in her ears, her whole body thrumming with something electric and volatile. she wasn't thinking—she wasn't processing—she was just moving, fueled by nothing but the sheer, gut-deep instinct that sophia should not be out here at a romantic-ass bistro kissing some random dude's cheek.
her jaw was clenched so tightly she thought it might shatter.
her fists curled, nails pressing into her palms.
the air felt thick. the night buzzed.
and in that moment, there was only one thought repeating in her head, over and over, like a violent mantra:
that's my girl.
sophia laforteza was her girl.
and she was about to remind her.
manon bannerman had never been a particularly rational person.
patience was out the window.
because all manon could see, all she could focus on, was sophia.
sophia, sitting pretty in that sleek black car, her silhouette cast in golden light, looking every bit like a goddess stepping out of a chariot. sophia, who had just kissed some guy's cheek without a single ounce of hesitation—like it was nothing.
and manon?
oh, she was livid.
her blood was singing with fury, a heat curling in her chest, her whole body moving on instinct as she stormed forward, boots striking hard against the pavement.
the man—whoever the hell he was—was just now stepping out of the car, straightening up to his full height.
a big guy.
broad shoulders. stupidly tall.
manon didn't give a single damn.
she reached out—grabbed his shoulder—spun him around with way too much force, her fingers digging in, fueled by pure adrenaline and territorial rage.
the man turned.
and then—oh, no.
the blood drained from manon's face so fast she thought she might pass out.
because standing there, blinking at her in confusion, was godfrey laforteza.
sophia's dad.
jesus christ.
for a full, solid second, time stopped.
the city noise faded.
the restaurant lights blurred.
all manon could hear was the sound of her own funeral march.
then, as if the universe had finally decided to put her out of her misery, godfrey spoke.
"manzanita?"
manon wanted to die.
right here, right now, on this godforsaken sidewalk.
her grip immediately loosened. her hand practically flew off his shoulder like she had just touched a live wire.
she took a step back, face frozen in absolute horror, brain buffering like a dial-up internet connection in 2004.
then, because she had negative survival instincts, she did the worst possible thing—she tried to play it cool.
"ah, tito!" she greeted, voice forcibly casual, raising both hands in mock surrender like she hadn't just assaulted this man. "fancy seeing you here!"
and then, because her body was working on pure autopilot, she reached out—and tapped his shoulder.
a friendly, totally normal, non-violent shoulder tap.
like they were old pals running into each other at a golf course instead of whatever the hell this situation was.
godfrey just stared at her.
sophia, still halfway out of the car, stared at her.
daniela, from the driver's seat of the mustang, screamed into her hands.
but manon was not getting out of this unscathed.
ever the professional, kept up the performance like she wasn't acutely aware of sophia's sharp gaze.
"so, when did you get back into town?" godfrey asked, arms casually tucked into the pockets of his blazer, his tone light, conversational.
manon, ever the smooth talker, shrugged, flashing that infuriating smirk. "just a couple of days ago, tito. been busy, y'know—work, shoots, the usual."
godfrey hummed in understanding. "didn't hear from you. i would've invited you for lunch."
manon grinned, rocking back slightly on her heels. "ah, you know me. i like to keep things spontaneous."
sophia scoffed.
spontaneous.
spontaneous, she says.
like she hadn't just spontaneously attempted street combat with her father.
she pursed her lips, fingers tapping against her arm, her crimson-red nails glinting under the glow of the restaurant lights.
manon stole another glance at her.
this time, sophia caught her.
manon's smirk faltered—just a fraction, just enough—before she recovered, flashing another too-casual grin.
sophia arched a brow, silently daring her to keep this up.
manon turned back to godfrey immediately.
coward.
"so, how's business, tito?" manon continued, hands slipping into her pockets now, as if she were some innocent bystander and not the reason they were all standing here. "still running things like a king?"
godfrey chuckled, shaking his head. "same old, same old. though i'll admit, i didn't expect to run into you tonight, like this."
at that, manon let out an easy laugh—one of those low, rich ones that sophia hated how much she liked. "yeah, you know me—full of surprises."
sophia scoffed, loud enough for manon to hear.
manon's shoulders tensed.
sophia smirked.
godfrey, ever the composed businessman, simply nodded, his eyes twinkling with knowing amusement—because he wasn't stupid. he had been around long enough to recognize the tension in the air, the unsaid words being thrown back and forth between his daughter and her idiot of a girlfriend.
sophia, of course, was still waiting.
waiting for manon to finally look at her properly.
but she didn't.
she kept avoiding her gaze, which was the real giveaway.
because manon never shied away from her.
not unless she knew she was in trouble.
which meant—she knew.
she knew how badly she had just fucked up.
and still, she was trying to weasel her way out of it.
manon stood there, feeling the weight of her own stupidity settle in her chest as godfrey laforteza—sophia's father, the man she had just yanked around like a suspect in an action movie—gave her a long, knowing look. he didn't chastise her. didn't question her. he simply glanced at his daughter, who was standing off to the side with her arms crossed, sharp eyes burning into manon's soul, and then flicked his gaze back to her.
"she's not really happy." he whispered, low and amused, the corner of his mouth barely twitching.
manon swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "seems like it." she croaked, nodding stiffly.
godfrey clapped her on the shoulder, the same way an old coach might comfort a player about to be sent into a losing game. then, with a chuckle, he made his way toward the bistro, casually throwing over his shoulder, "i'll leave you two alone. good luck, manz."
manon exhaled sharply, watching him disappear inside as if he hadn't just left her to fend for herself in the middle of a battlefield. silence stretched thick between her and sophia, the kind of silence that felt less like the absence of words and more like a thunderstorm gathering on the horizon.
sophia, arms still folded, tapped the toe of her high-heeled leather boot against the pavement in an infuriatingly slow rhythm. her expression was unreadable, but the way her gaze was fixed on manon—sharp, unwavering, unforgiving—made it very clear she was waiting for something. an explanation. an apology. a miracle, maybe.
manon scratched the back of her neck, shifting on her feet. "sophia—"
"i don't want to hear it."
her words cut through the air like a knife, cool and sharp, leaving no room for argument. without another glance, she turned on her heel and started walking away, the slit in her skirt shifting with each step, revealing just a flash of skin beneath the streetlights.
manon let out a quiet curse under her breath before jogging to catch up, falling into step beside her. she had been in trouble with sophia before—many, many times—but something about the way she was walking now, chin lifted, back straight, movements precise and controlled, made manon feel like she had really done it this time.
for a second, she just walked beside her, waiting for sophia to say something, anything, but she remained silent, eyes fixed forward, utterly unbothered—or at least pretending to be. the tension between them crackled like a live wire, thick and humming with all the things that hadn't been said.
manon chanced a glance at her, taking in every detail. the way her red strapless top hugged her figure, the way her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, the way her jaw tensed ever so slightly, betraying her otherwise collected demeanor. even pissed off, she was breathtaking.
no. scratch that. especially pissed off.
and manon was an idiot, but she wasn't stupid enough to keep walking in silence.
"so," she started, voice light, almost teasing, trying to gauge if she could soften sophia up even a little. "this is the part where you usually start yelling."
nothing.
manon cleared her throat. "or, you know, at least insult me."
silence.
she kicked a pebble on the ground, frustration bubbling. "seriously, babe? you're just gonna keep pretending i'm not here?"
sophia remained as unresponsive as a brick wall. manon let out an exaggerated groan, tilting her head back as if begging the universe for a miracle. "you're really making this hard for me." she muttered, dragging a hand down her face in despair.
sophia's lips twitched ever so slightly—a fleeting hint of a smile that vanished just as quickly—but manon noticed. a tiny win, but a win nonetheless.
"you know, i thought i was pulling off this big romantic gesture," manon said, shoving her hands into her hoodie pockets. "like, the kind that makes people swoon in those cheesy movies. didn't think it would end with me looking like a total idiot in front of your dad."
nothing.
manon sighed, glancing sideways at her again. "for the record," she added, voice softer now, "i really, really didn't know it was him."
that got a reaction—subtle, but there. sophia exhaled sharply through her nose, her fingers tightening around the strap of her designer purse. manon wasn't sure if that meant she was about to forgive her or kill her.
she decided to risk it.
"you looked beautiful tonight."
sophia finally turned her head, ever so slightly, just enough to glance at manon from the corner of her eye. her gaze was still unreadable, but at least she was looking at her now. that had to count for something.
encouraged, manon gave her a lopsided grin, tilting her head. "not that you don't always, obviously. but tonight? wow babe."
sophia let out a slow breath, rolling her eyes skyward as if asking for patience, and for the first time since this whole disaster started, manon felt like maybe—just maybe—she still had a chance at salvaging the night.
manon, of course, was not about to take the hint.
she hesitated for a second, scratching the back of her neck, before quickly jogging to catch up.
"sophie." she called, her voice softer now. apologetic. but also... cautious. as if she knew she had really stepped in it this time. "baby."
sophia did not slow down.
manon exhaled heavily. "come on. i'm sorry."
nothing.
manon tried again, this time a little firmer. "sophia, stop ignoring me and just talk to me."
that did it.
sophia came to an abrupt halt.
manon barely had time to stop before she nearly crashed into her, stepping back just in time as sophia turned around so fast her hair fanned over her shoulder.
"tell me," sophia interrupted, her expression unreadable, her voice unnervingly light, "at what point exactly did you think it was a good idea to storm over like a jealous lunatic and physically turn my dad around?"
manon opened her mouth to answer—"no, seriously." sophia's voice cut through the air like a knife. "walk me through the logic here. what was the thought process?"
manon wisely shut her mouth.
sophia scoffed, shaking her head. "i cannot believe you." with that, she spun on her heel and resumed walking, her strides swift and full of righteous indignation.
manon groaned internally, falling into step beside her.
"okay, okay. i get it, i messed up," she admitted, her tone softer, more placating. "but i swear, i wasn't trying to be—"
"oh, no, don't apologize now," sophia cut in, her voice mockingly light. "by all means, let's just pretend you didn't publicly humiliate yourself, which, let's face it, you do best."
manon bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling.
it wasn't the right time.
but god, sophia was so dramatic.
and yet, despite the razor-sharp tone, despite the fire in her eyes, she still looked so damn beautiful.
her long dark hair gleamed under the streetlights, cascading down her back like silk. her gold earrings shimmered with every turn of her head. and her lips—currently pursed in exasperation—were a deep, intoxicating shade of red that made manon's stomach twist.
god help her, but even furious, sophia was breathtaking.
manon, ever the menace, leaned in slightly.
"baby." she murmured.
sophia swiftly brushed her off.
manon grinned.
"cupcake?"
sophia exhaled sharply through her nose.
manon caught the way her fingers twitched slightly—like she wanted to respond but refused to give in.
progress.
they walked in silence for a few moments, manon watching her carefully, before sophia sighed, shaking her head.
"i don't want to say something i'll regret, manon." she muttered, as if warning herself more than manon.
manon softened. "soph—"
"and," sophia cut her off, her voice sharp again, "you're being pushy, and if you keep pushing, then i will say something."
manon should have backed off.
she should have let her cool down, given her space.
but she didn't.
instead, she crossed her arms, tilted her head, and said, "then say it."
sophia halted so suddenly that manon had to stop short again.
slowly, dangerously, she turned to face her.
"excuse me?"
manon lifted her chin. "say whatever you need to say."
sophia glared. "you're so obnoxious."
manon smirked. "that's not so bad."
sophia groaned, spinning around again.
"i mean it," manon called after her. "i'm not leaving until we make up tonight, babe."
sophia ignored her.
manon sighed dramatically. "guess i'll just have to follow you all night then."
they were now far from the restaurant, walking down the sidewalk, looking exactly like what they were—a couple in the middle of a very public quarrel.
sophia walked with purpose, her heels clicking against the pavement, the only real sound between them besides the distant hum of city traffic. the streets were mostly quiet, the soft glow of streetlights casting elongated shadows along the sidewalk.
her purse was clutched tightly in her hand, her posture stiff, and her steps precise—controlled, but only just. she wasn't stomping, per se, but the weight of her frustration made her movements sharp, each stride carrying an unspoken warning.
manon, of course, ignored it entirely.
she trailed behind with casual ease, her long legs making it effortless to match sophia's hurried pace. hands in her pockets, her face unreadable, she followed without hesitation, without question, and without even a hint of remorse. if anything, she looked like she was enjoying herself.
sophia could feel it.
she didn't have to turn around to know manon was grinning, likely amused by her irritation, as if she weren't the direct cause of it. that only fueled her resolve. she refused to acknowledge her. she refused to give manon the satisfaction of knowing how much she was getting under her skin.
she kept her focus forward, her chin lifted, and she increased her speed ever so slightly. if she walked fast enough, maybe—maybe—manon would take the hint.
but she should have known better.
because, inevitably, after a moment, curiosity got the better of her.
sophia flicked a glance over her shoulder, just a small, fleeting movement—quick enough that she could pretend it never happened if anyone asked.
and there she was.
manon.
smirking.
sophia immediately snapped her head back around, her jaw tightening.
fine.
she wouldn't look again.
she could be just as stubborn as manon.
a minute passed. then another. the only sound was the rhythmic tapping of her heels against the pavement, a beat that was perfectly matched by the steady, heavier thud of manon's boots behind her.
it was unbearable.
she stopped abruptly.
the second she did, so did manon.
sophia spun around, her narrowed gaze locking onto manon's far-too-pleased expression.
"seriously?" she demanded, voice sharp, cutting through the night air.
manon didn't even have the decency to look guilty. if anything, she seemed delighted by sophia's frustration.
"what?" she asked, tilting her head, feigning innocence.
sophia's fingers clenched around the strap of her purse.
"stop following me."
manon's response was immediate. "no."
sophia exhaled sharply through her nose.
manon grinned wider, thoroughly enjoying herself.
sophia didn't dignify her with a response. instead, she turned around and started walking again, her movements even sharper than before.
she ignored the way manon's footsteps followed, right on cue.
she ignored the heat of irritation prickling along her skin.
she ignored everything—until they reached a pedestrian crossing.
sophia came to a halt at the edge of the sidewalk, standing stiffly as she waited for the pedestrian signal to turn green.
and, because manon was determined to be the most annoying person alive, she stopped right beside her.
for a brief, blissful moment, there was silence.
and then—a brush.
barely there.
just the faintest touch of skin against skin as manon's arm grazed sophia's.
sophia stiffened.
it was nothing. just a small accident. the sidewalk wasn't that wide.
still, just to be safe, she took a small step to the side, putting the slightest bit of space between them.
manon moved too.
sophia's eyes snapped to her. manon's face remained maddeningly neutral, her gaze focused straight ahead as if she hadn't just shifted with her.
sophia's nostrils flared.
she took another step.
manon followed.
another.
again.
sophia's patience finally snapped.
"ano ba?!" she burst out, her frustration spilling over as she turned to glare at her girlfriend.
manon barely bit back a laugh, lifting her hands in mock surrender. "sorry, sorry." she said, though her tone made it painfully clear she wasn't sorry at all.
sophia inhaled deeply, pressing her lips together, forcing herself to breathe.
and then, finally, the pedestrian signal turned green.
she wasted no time, storming forward across the street.
the night air grew heavier as they descended into the subway, the distant hum of trains rumbling beneath the city. sophia walked with single-minded determination, her heels clicking against the worn stone steps, her movements sharp and unyielding.
the dim, flickering lights overhead cast long shadows along the stairwell, illuminating the glint of frustration in her dark eyes.
and then there were those stupid boots.
the unmistakable thud of manon's heavy-soled timberlands echoed beside her, an annoying, repetitive rhythm that followed every precise click of her heels.
click. thud. click. thud.
it was unbearable.
she could hear her. could feel manon's presence just a step behind, hovering, trailing after her like a lovesick, oversized puppy who had no concept of personal space.
sophia paused mid-step.
she exhaled slowly through her nose, her fingers tightening around the strap of her purse. she could not—would not—tolerate this nonsense all the way home.
with deliberate slowness, she turned around.
manon, predictably, stopped just as she did, hands casually tucked into her jacket pockets, looking like she had all the time in the world. there was an easy, infuriatingly smug tilt to her mouth, like she was enjoying this.
sophia narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing together in a thin line.
and then—without breaking eye contact—she lifted her hand, index finger pointing away from her with all the authority of a military general commanding their troops.
"alis!"
the single word came out sharp, almost venomous, practically vibrating with exasperation.
the force of it was strong enough that a couple passing by threw them a startled glance before quickly minding their business.
sophia didn't care.
her gaze was locked solely on manon, her posture radiating the purest form of go away, you absolute menace.
for a second, manon just looked at her, blinking as if she had just been scolded by an angry housewife.
then—she grinned.
a slow, lazy grin, spreading across her lips like warm honey, the dim subway lighting casting deep shadows along her sharp cheekbones.
and then, making things so much worse, she shook her head.
sophia's glare sharpened, her nostrils flaring as her outstretched finger curled back into her palm.
"manon."
manon stood there, completely unmoving, like a stubborn, overgrown golden retriever refusing to leave its owner's side.
she had the audacity to smile at her.
sophia felt the overwhelming urge to throw something.
her hand twitched by her side.
manon, ever the menace, leaned forward slightly, tilting her head, her grin turning playful.
"are you trying to command me, baby?" she mused, voice smooth, teasing.
sophia's patience snapped like a brittle twig.
"yes, i am!" she hissed, her voice a deadly whisper, mindful of the growing number of subway passengers passing by.
manon tilted her head even further, as if considering this. then she shrugged.
"yeah, i don't take orders." she said easily.
sophia inhaled sharply, forcing herself to breathe.
manon, clearly enjoying herself, leaned back on her heels, still smiling. "you really think you can just tell me to leave and i'll go?"
sophia's glare intensified.
"that's usually how commands work, stupid."
manon had the nerve to chuckle.
"oh, baby," she said, shaking her head, her voice practically dripping with amusement. "you really don't know me at all, do you?"
sophia had to physically stop herself from stomping her foot in frustration.
she turned away with a dramatic huff, storming down the rest of the subway stairs, fully prepared to ignore manon for the rest of her natural life.
she barely made it three steps before she heard the heavy thud of boots following right after her.
she picked up her pace.
so did manon.
she pivoted around a group of people, weaving effortlessly through the crowd.
manon did the exact same thing.
sophia stopped again, whirling around to face her.
manon—who had anticipated the move—stopped with her, standing way too close this time.
sophia bristled, immediately stepping back.
manon mirrored her, like some sort of mischievous shadow.
sophia scowled.
"stop it!" she hissed.
manon, feigning confusion, lifted a brow. "what? i'm just going home."
sophia let out a strangled, deeply unladylike sound, resisting the urge to physically push her away.
at that moment, the train's arrival was announced over the speakers, a robotic voice echoing through the underground tunnel.
sophia didn't waste another second.
without looking at manon, she turned sharply and made her way toward the train platform.
she could still hear the thud of boots behind her.
oh, she was going to strangle someone tonight.
the train finally arrived, screeching to a halt as the doors slid open with a mechanical hiss.
sophia stepped inside, and, of course, manon followed, stepping in right behind her, standing way too close as the doors slid shut.
sophia let out a long, slow breath through her nose.
she refused to look at her.
manon, however, had no such restraint.
she tilted her head, eyes flicking over sophia's rigid posture, the way her arms were now crossed so tightly it looked like she was physically holding herself back.
the train rattled forward, the quiet hum of motion filling the nearly empty car. the fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, flickering every few seconds, casting brief shadows along the smooth steel walls. it was late, and the city's usual crowd had thinned, leaving only a handful of passengers scattered throughout the train, each minding their own business, lost in their own late-night thoughts.
it would have been peaceful.
would have been.
if manon wasn't there.
sophia stood in place for a moment, jaw tight, eyes focused on absolutely anything that wasn't the five-foot-tall nuisance standing far too close behind her.
she inhaled deeply.
then, without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away.
she didn't glance back. didn't check to see if manon was following. she already knew.
with each step she took, the soft rustle of her skirt and the tap of her heels echoed through the empty train car. and just a beat behind her, as predictable as the tide, came the thud of manon's boots.
sophia's grip on her purse tightened.
the car was nearly deserted, seats stretching out in every direction, empty and available. sophia walked further down, past the first set of doors, past the next row of poles, until she reached the very end of the train car.
she took the seat in the farthest corner, crossing her legs elegantly, back straight, arms folded. a picture of poise and control, despite the simmering irritation beneath the surface.
manon, naturally, did not take the hint.
instead of choosing literally any other seat in the entire train, she followed sophia right to the corner—her stupid boots clunking with every step—and, without an ounce of hesitation, she dropped into the seat right beside her.
sophia's eye twitched.
for a moment, she did nothing. just sat there, staring blankly ahead, willing herself to find peace in the rhythmic sway of the train.
manon, completely unbothered, stretched her legs out comfortably, letting her long frame take up an unnecessary amount of space. she tilted her head back against the seat, arms lazily draped over the backrest, fingers lightly grazing the edge of sophia's hair.
sophia exhaled sharply through her nose.
then, slowly, she turned her head and fixed manon with a glare so scathing it could have peeled paint off the walls.
"can't you sit somewhere else?"
manon, completely unfazed, turned her head, met her eyes, and grinned.
"i could." she said, voice casual, easy.
sophia lifted a sharp brow, waiting.
manon shrugged. "but i want to sit here."
sophia let out an exasperated laugh, though there was no humor in it.
"of course you do." she muttered under her breath, looking away.
a beat of silence passed.
then—"i mean, it's a nice seat." manon added, voice all lighthearted innocence.
sophia closed her eyes briefly. dear god, grant me patience.
"spacious." manon continued, shifting slightly to emphasize her point, her knee brushing against sophia's.
sophia immediately pulled her leg away.
manon smirked.
"good lighting." she went on, as if she were critiquing a luxury hotel.
sophia exhaled through her nose, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a response.
"and the company," manon mused, leaning slightly toward her, dropping her voice to a near whisper, "absolutely sexy."
sophia turned her head, slow and deliberate, fixing manon with a stare so deadpan it could have sent a weaker woman running.
manon only smiled wider.
sophia clenched her jaw and turned away again.
the train rattled on.
a few seats away, an older man sat scrolling through his phone, headphones in, blissfully unaware of the silent war happening just a few feet from him.
sophia, determined to ignore manon's presence, shifted in her seat, angling her body slightly away, her posture as closed off as humanly possible.
manon, being the absolute menace that she was, didn't take the hint.
instead, she leaned in just enough to be an irritant, resting her elbow on the back of sophia's seat, her fingers absentmindedly toying with a strand of sophia's hair.
sophia went rigid.
her breath hitched so slightly it was almost imperceptible—but manon noticed.
the slight twitch of her fingers, the way her shoulders locked up just a fraction of a second too long before she forced herself to relax.
manon smirked to herself.
sophia hated her.
sophia wanted her.
she knew both statements were equally true, and it only made this all the more fun.
sophia finally snapped, whipping her head around to glare at her.
"do you have a death wish?"
manon hummed, pretending to think. "not particularly."
"then why are you like this?"
manon grinned, completely unrepentant.
"because it's fun." she admitted shamelessly.
sophia made another sound of frustration, turning forward again, her arms crossing even tighter.
manon just watched her, smiling softly now, less teasing, more fond.
sophia was so beautiful when she was annoyed.
the way her full lips pursed slightly, the way her dark eyes burned with barely restrained fury, the way her delicate fingers drummed impatiently against her arm, the way her legs crossed so elegantly, a picture of refined elegance despite the absolute storm raging inside her.
manon had seen her in every mood imaginable—pouting, teasing, flustered, smug, soft, playful, gentle—but there was something about this particular brand of frustrated indignation that made her heart ache in the best way possible.
she would never get tired of this.
of her.
sophia sighed, leaning her head back against the seat, closing her eyes as if trying to will manon's existence away.
manon, shameless as ever, leaned in a little closer, her voice dropping into something warm, teasing.
"want me to move?"
sophia didn't open her eyes.
"yes." she deadpanned.
manon tilted her head, grinning.
"that's too bad," she said lightly. "i'm staying right here."
sophia let out another long sigh.
the train continued on, and manon, despite all logic and reason, continued sitting exactly where she wasn't wanted.
right beside the woman she loves.
the train rattled forward through the underground tunnels, the soft flicker of overhead lights casting fleeting shadows along the metallic walls. the rhythmic hum of motion filled the near-empty car, a lull in the night, a moment of quiet stillness amid the chaos of the city.
or at least, it should have been quiet.
would have been—if manon wasn't there.
she was always there, wasn't she? lingering like an echo, a shadow, a presence sophia could never quite shake.
it was infuriating.
it was... making her heart beat faster than she wanted to admit.
sophia had tried. she had really tried. she had ignored her, had willed her into nonexistence, had stared blankly ahead and pretended she was nothing but a ghost of a nuisance. but it was impossible to ignore someone like manon—her girl.
not when she was sitting so close.
not when she was watching her like that.
not when her presence was so warm, so solid, so—she snapped.
with a sharp inhale, sophia shot to her feet, the motion abrupt, her dress swaying slightly at the movement.
manon's eyebrows lifted slightly, amused.
"oh?" she murmured, tilting her head. "where are we going?"
sophia didn't answer. didn't acknowledge her. she just turned on her heel and started walking away, her chin lifted, her posture regal, her every movement exuding the very essence of i am done with this nonsense.
manon, naturally, did not take the hint.
she chuckled under her breath, low and warm, before pushing herself to her feet, her boots hitting the floor with a familiar, deliberate thud.
then, effortlessly, she fell into step behind sophia.
the train was empty enough that she could hear every little thing—the rustle of sophia's skirt, the soft clack of her heels, the faint exhale of frustration as she realized manon was still following her.
manon smirked.
they had made it to the center of the train car now, past a few empty rows of seats, the bright city lights flashing by through the windows.
"sophia." manon called softly, voice lilting, teasing, the way someone might call after a particularly unruly cat.
sophia kept walking, faster now, but manon only adjusted her pace to match hers.
"fifi." she tried again, softer this time.
still, no response.
manon's grin widened.
"you can't outrun me, baby." she murmured, and though her tone was lighthearted, there was something distinctly low and warm about it. something that made sophia's shoulders stiffen ever so slightly.
and then—it happened.
the train jerked.
a sudden, forceful halt.
a mechanical groan filled the air, the metal wheels screeching against the rails, the world lurching violently with the abrupt stop.
sophia's heart plummeted.
her heels slipped against the floor.
gravity betrayed her.
for a brief, terrifying second, she felt herself stumbling backwards, the world tilting, her balance entirely gone.
and then—warmth. strength.
hands, firm and steady, catching her with instinctive precision.
a sharp inhale left her lips as she felt herself pulled against something solid.
something unmovable.
something manon.
her back met muscle—hard, unyielding, real.
her waist was held tight, strong fingers gripping her firmly, steadying her, protecting her.
the scent of cedarwood and something unmistakably her filled sophia's senses, drowning out everything else.
manon was everywhere now—against her back, surrounding her, holding her close.
and then, right by her ear—so close it sent the faintest shiver down her spine—came a soft chuckle.
warm. amused.
gentle.
"careful." manon murmured.
sophia's breath caught.
she just stood there, pressed against her, feeling the rise and fall of manon's breath, feeling the warmth of her hands still firm on her waist.
the closeness. the heat. the way her body fit so naturally against manon's.
the way manon was just so steady.
she felt safe.
and that was the worst part.
because she didn't want to feel safe in her arms.
she wanted to be annoyed. she wanted to shove her away and call her an insufferable, arrogant brute. she wanted to—oh god.
she was blushing.
a deep, furious flush was creeping up her neck, and the moment she realized it, she reacted.
with a sharp intake of breath, sophia wrenched herself out of manon's grasp, stumbling forward, putting immediate distance between them.
she turned around, eyes blazing, hands gripping the pole beside her for support.
"you—" her voice was not steady, and that made her even angrier. "you did that on purpose."
manon, still standing there so effortlessly, so smug, lifted a single brow.
"oh?" she mused, feigning innocence. "i stopped the train with my mind? impressive."
sophia scowled. "you grabbed me."
manon gave her an unimpressed look. "you were falling."
"i had it under control."
manon's lips twitched.
"sure you did, baby." she said easily.
sophia's glare intensified.
she wanted to argue. wanted to snap at her, wanted to undo the way her heart was still hammering, the way her skin still tingled where manon had touched her.
manon grinned, tilting her head slightly as she studied sophia, utterly delighted by the way her girlfriend was still bristling, cheeks flushed with that telltale mix of frustration and something else. something softer. something sophia would rather throw herself off this moving train than admit.
"well," manon said, casual and far too smug for her own good, "i'm happy to catch you anytime."
sophia's nostrils flared.
"the only thing you'll be catching is this fist!" she snapped, raising her hand and curling it into a fist, her manicured nails pressing against her palm as she glared at manon like she was personally responsible for every inconvenience in her life.
manon's eyes flicked to her raised hand, and despite being a trained fighter, despite having faced situations far more dangerous than an angry, five-foot-something, spoiled heiress in a designer outfit, she instinctively took a step back, half-shielding herself as a chuckle rumbled from her chest.
"jeez, babe. you need to calm down." she said chuckling as she raised her hands in mock surrender.
sophia didn't lower her fist, but her lips twitched, and manon saw the exact moment when irritation and amusement warred in her expression. she was trying not to laugh.
god, she was adorable.
manon pouted, sticking out her bottom lip just slightly. "you're so mean to me, baby." she murmured, her voice low, gentle—almost wounded, but entirely teasing.
sophia scoffed, rolling her eyes, but she finally lowered her fist, choosing instead to jab an accusatory finger at manon's chest.
"don't 'baby' me!" she said sharply, but the heat behind her words was waning. "this is your fault."
"my fault?" manon echoed, raising a brow. "forgive me for not letting you crack your skull open in the middle of public transit."
"i was not going to crack my skull open."
"you were flailing, sophia."
"i was regaining my balance!"
manon hummed, unconvinced. "looked more like helpless flailing to me."
sophia's glare intensified, but before she could fire back, the train jolted again, though less violently this time, signaling that it was slowing down for the next stop. the movement made sophia sway just slightly, and manon—who was still watching her like she was the most entertaining thing in the world—couldn't help herself.
without missing a beat, she reached out, ever so lightly, just enough to press her fingertips to sophia's waist. barely a touch. just a tease.
and that was all it took.
sophia immediately jumped back like she'd been burned, smacking manon's hand away with an audible slap that had a few nearby passengers glancing their way.
manon burst out laughing, the sound warm and full of mischief.
"so feisty." she said, rubbing the back of her hand where sophia had so mercilessly struck her. "what, am i electrified or something?"
sophia, still flustered, lifted her chin defiantly. "don't touch me." she commanded, though the way her voice wavered slightly at the end absolutely ruined the effect.
manon grinned. she stepped closer—deliberately so, just to watch the way sophia's breath hitched. "you sure about that?" she asked, dropping her voice to a near whisper.
sophia's jaw tightened, but she refused to back down. "i swear to god, manon, if you—"
the train doors slid open.
without hesitation, sophia whirled around and marched off the train, her heels clicking against the platform with purpose, not even sparing manon a single glance.
manon sighed, watching sophia's retreating figure, the sharp rhythm of her heels clicking against the platform in a way that screamed leave me alone. but of course, manon had never been particularly good at following instructions—especially when it came to sophia laforteza.
so, naturally, she jogged after her, her longer strides effortlessly catching up.
"sophia." she tried, her voice soft, careful, already laced with the beginnings of an apology as she reached out.
her fingers barely brushed against sophia's before—slap.
sophia swatted her hand away without even looking at her.
manon blinked, momentarily stunned, before letting out a small, breathy laugh, because of course. of course sophia was still mad.
and then, just as she was about to try again, sophia came to an abrupt stop, spinning on her heel so fast that manon almost crashed into her.
"umuwi ka na nga doon!" she hissed, her voice sharp, exasperated, furious in a way that sent a thrill down manon's spine despite the fact that she was, without a doubt, in trouble.
ah. there it was again.
tagalog.
manon had come to learn that sophia only snapped in her mother tongue when she was really, really pissed. it was almost a warning, a line drawn in the sand, a clear signal that she was at the limit of her patience.
and yet—manon found herself grinning.
"only if you're coming with me." she murmured.
sophia's eye twitched.
her nails curled into her palms as she sucked in a sharp breath through her nose, nostrils flaring, shoulders rising like she was summoning the last shreds of her self-control.
manon, ever the menace, tilted her head slightly, watching her with the same easy, infuriatingly calm expression. she reached out again, this time brushing the backs of her fingers against sophia's wrist in a silent plea.
"baby—"
sophia jerked her hand away so violently it sent her purse swinging. "stop calling me that!" she snapped.
she barely had time to process what happened before she felt it—her elbow colliding, a little too forcefully, with something solid.
there was no loud yelp, no dramatic cry of pain, no curse muttered under breath.
just a sharp, startled inhale.
and then silence.
manon stood there, slightly hunched, her palm pressed over her left eye, lips parted in something dangerously close to a whimper.
sophia's heart stuttered.
for a split second, her anger wavered, overtaken by something entirely unwelcome—concern.
she hadn't meant to hit her.
or at least, not that hard.
but before she could help it, her gaze softened, just slightly, as she stared at her girlfriend in front of her.
this idiot, she thought begrudgingly.
manon, still cradling her eye like some tragic war victim, let out a pitiful noise and mumbled, "baby, you hit me."
sophia scoffed. "it's your fault."
manon pouted. pouted.
like she was the victim here.
sophia groaned, tilting her head back toward the heavens as if asking for patience. "oh my god."
manon just stood there, waiting. watching her.
and that was the problem.
because she knew what manon was doing.
knew the moment she made eye contact, she'd see the same ridiculous, puppy-eyed expression that always, always made her resolve crumble.
so sophia tried to ignore her.
tried to focus on something else.
the passing cars. the distant hum of city noise. the fact that they were still standing on a train platform like two lunatics causing a scene—
but then manon let out another tiny, pitiful sigh.
and damn it all, she looked.
puppy eyes.
so dramatic.
sophia inhaled deeply, deeply, before finally stepping closer, begrudgingly closing the space between them.
manon straightened immediately, visibly perking up, but sophia didn't give her the satisfaction of acknowledging it.
instead, she simply sighed and muttered, "let me see." her voice sharp, guarded.
manon, ever dramatic, obediently lowered her hand, tilting her chin up slightly.
sophia narrowed her eyes, inspecting the supposed injury like a suspicious detective, her fingers ghosting over manon's cheek before she finally cupped her chin, tilting her face toward the light.
manon, clearly enjoying the attention, made a small, pleased hum in the back of her throat.
sophia almost rolled her eyes.
instead, she focused on the faint redness blooming just beneath manon's eye. no bruising. no swelling. not even a scratch.
she exhaled, her brows furrowing despite herself. "where does it hurt." she muttered, still inspecting.
manon paused, seemingly thinking.
then, with the sincerity of a lying child, she pointed at a completely random spot—not even close to where she'd been hit.
sophia shot her a look.
manon grinned, utterly shameless.
sophia sighed, exasperated, but let her fingers drift over the area anyway, caressing it with careful, delicate strokes, her touch featherlight.
and that was a mistake.
because the moment her fingers made contact, manon let out the most outrageously over-exaggerated sigh, her body melting into sophia's touch like she'd just been granted divine healing.
manon, completely unbothered, tapped her cheek expectantly. "you should probably kiss it better."
sophia stared at her.
flat. expressionless.
then, without hesitation, she lifted her hand and shoved manon's face away.
manon let out a small oof, stumbling back a step before laughing, low and warm, utterly delighted by sophia's reaction.
"you're overreacting now." sophia muttered, shaking her head, crossing her arms in a way that was way too defensive for someone who was supposedly unbothered.
manon just chuckled, reaching out, easily slipping her arms around sophia's waist despite her resistance.
sophia tensed, glaring. "don't—"
"mmm," manon hummed, nuzzling into her hair, utterly undeterred. "you're so cute when you're mean to me."
sophia stood stiff in manon's embrace, arms stubbornly remaining at her sides, her entire body rigid with restraint. she closed her eyes, willing herself to resist, to not sink into the warmth that threatened to dismantle every last one of her defenses.
manon was so infuriatingly warm.
and that was the problem.
because warmth was dangerous.
warmth made her weak.
warmth made her want.
and right now, she couldn't want. not when manon still had lessons to learn.
so she stayed still. kept her walls up. refused to give in, even as manon held her close, her arms strong yet gentle, her scent wrapping around sophia like an embrace of its own—cedarwood, musk, something frustratingly familiar and addicting.
seconds passed. then minutes.
and through it all, manon remained, patient and unwavering, her chin resting lightly against sophia's temple, her breath steady, slow, as if she had all the time in the world.
it was so annoying.
sophia's jaw clenched.
the longer they stood there, the harder it became to ignore the way her body betrayed her, the way her shoulders wanted to relax, the way her pulse wanted to slow, the way the space between them wanted to disappear entirely.
she hated it.
but she hated manon more.
so with a sharp exhale, she finally moved—hands rising, fingers settling on manon's shoulders, not to pull her closer, but to push her away.
manon allowed it, though she did so grudgingly, leaning back just enough to meet sophia's gaze.
and that was a mistake.
because manon was looking at her—like a puppy.
like a golden retriever that had just been scolded but was so desperately trying to win back affection, tail still wagging, eyes so unfairly bright, so unfairly soft.
sophia's breath caught in her throat.
god, she hated her.
she hated how she looked at her like that.
like she mattered.
like she was the center of her world.
her fingers twitched.
for a brief, dangerous second, she almost gave in.
but then manon's lips parted, ready to say something undoubtedly annoying and undeserving of her forgiveness, and that was enough to snap sophia's resolve back into place.
before manon could get a single word out, sophia exhaled sharply and released her grip on her shoulders, stepping back. then, with a turn so swift it sent her hair whipping, she spun around, her voice firm and resolute:
"don't follow me."
manon blinked.
sophia didn't wait for a response.
she strode forward, each step precise and purposeful, heels clicking against the pavement as she approached the curb, lifting a hand to hail a taxi with effortless grace.
manon, recovering quickly, took a step forward, reaching out. "sophia, wait—"
“go home, manon.”
sophia didn't wait.
didn't look back.
the taxi pulled up almost immediately, the tires screeching softly as it came to a halt.
sophia moved without hesitation, opening the door, slipping inside, the leather seats cool against her thighs.
manon tried again. "baby—"
the door shut.
sophia inhaled, steeling herself, before leaning forward to address the driver, her voice unwavering. "drive."
the car lurched forward.
manon didn't chase it.
didn't bang on the window or make a dramatic scene like she absolutely would have if she thought it would work.
instead, she just stood there.
watched as the car drove off, carrying sophia away from her.
manon exhaled through her nose, eyes fixed on the taxi disappearing into the distance, the red glow of its taillights shrinking with every second.
manon knew her well enough to understand that space was necessary when she was this mad. but still. that didn't make the ache in her chest any less annoying.
with a sigh, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, unlocking it with a quick swipe before pressing a familiar contact.
the line rang once. twice.
then—the line clicked as it connected.
"hey.” manon said first, her eyes still on the fading taxi.
daniela sighed on the other end. "i don't even want to ask what happened. send me your location."
manon let out a dry chuckle, already typing.
"and for ditching me?" daniela continued. "you're on dish duty for the whole month."
manon groaned, tilting her head back toward the sky. "come on, dani—"
"non-negotiable."
manon huffed but didn't argue. she had bigger things to focus on.
because one thing was certain—she is coming back tomorrow.