Chapter 4 - Move to the apartment

Rome was slightly stunned by Sofia's straightforward attitude, leaving him no room to act awkwardly himself. 

Once he was on the other side of the bed, they were separated by the space of two people. 

Sofia spoke up, "You've probably already heard about my background from Grandpa. I just want to say that after we're married, I won't interfere with your personal life."

Rome frowned, trying to discern if there was a deeper meaning behind his "wife's" words. "Do you have someone else you're seeing?"

Sofia froze for a moment. What? She had only meant that he shouldn't feel tied down since she understood how messy things could get in the upper class. "No."

Her soft voice reached Rome's ears, and the unease he'd felt just a moment ago was replaced by relief. "Good. If we're married, I won't pretend to be single."

In other words, he intended to publicly acknowledge their marriage, which was probably, in part, due to Grandpa's orders, Sofia thought. 

Having said what she needed to, she prepared to lie down. "Alright, I'm going to sleep. Good night."

"Mm."

In the middle of the night, Rome found himself unable to sleep. Normally, his busy work schedule left no room for insomnia, but tonight was different. 

Next to him, the steady sound of her breathing made it clear that Sofia had already fallen asleep. The lingering scent of her body wash filled the air, keeping his mind restless.

The same thing happened in the following nights. 

Rome chalked it up to being unaccustomed to having someone else sleep beside him. 

Thankfully, the day to move into their new home arrived as scheduled.

The duplex penthouse Grandpa had given them overlooked half the city, offering a breathtaking view at night. Although Sofia had stayed in many nice hotels before, none of them could compare to waking up at home to such a beautiful sight.

Despite sharing the same room with Rome over the past few days, they remained distant. 

Sofia didn't expect them to become a loving couple, as they had entered this marriage each with their own agenda. 

She had married to escape her family and gain her freedom, while he did it to placate his elders.

However, she hoped they wouldn't become complete strangers. 

The maids had automatically placed their belongings in the master bedroom, but since neither of them was used to having other people in the house at night, once the staff had left, Sofia quietly moved her things into another bedroom. 

They both tacitly agreed to the arrangement.

Rome lay on the large bed, thinking he would finally be able to sleep peacefully. Yet, as soon as he closed his eyes, Sofia's serene, sleeping face flashed in his mind. 

When had he started acting like this? He had always been known as the man who only cared about work.

After tossing and turning for half an hour, he decided to get up and take a sleeping pill. 

Before he even reached the kitchen, he saw a faint light. Under its dim glow, he spotted a small figure searching for something.

"What are you looking for?"

The deep voice startled Sofia so much that she nearly fell to the floor.

After steadying her nerves, she replied, "Why do you walk so quietly? You scared me to death."

He shrugged it off, "You should get used to it."

Sofia rolled her eyes and turned back to continue searching for her tea. She wanted to finish reading her book before bed. 

Rome moved to the other side of the kitchen, only a meter away from her, and found his sleeping pills, swallowing them with water.

At that moment, Sofia was standing on her tiptoes, struggling to reach the higher cabinet. Just as she was about to give up, a warm presence enveloped her back, and his hand reached out next to hers, easily retrieving the jar for her.

Sofia turned to thank him, locking eyes with his dark, obsidian-like gaze. He held the eye contact for just a second before stepping back with his entire body.

"Thank you."

"Mm."

Rome broke the awkward tension first, turning to leave the area.

For the next two weeks, Sofia hardly saw any trace of Rome. He left early and returned late each day.

One morning, as the maid served breakfast, she informed Sofia, "Ma'am, Mr. Rome said he'll be on a business trip for a week. He said you don't have to wait for him."

Sofia lowered her gaze. In the first few days after moving in, she had purposely waited for Rome to return before eating dinner, hoping to avoid becoming strangers under the same roof. But as he came home later each night, sometimes reeking of alcohol, likely from social engagements, she stopped waiting for him. 

Rome was probably just passing on a message through the maid, letting her know he wouldn't be home for the next week.

After finishing breakfast, Sofia tidied herself up, put on a brown blazer, and headed out.

In the garage, she walked over to the most discreet white car. Her salary wasn't particularly high, so driving an inconspicuous car helped avoid any gossip among her colleagues. 

She had studied art restoration in college, something she truly loved. But with few positions available, jobs only opened up every few years, and she was currently working at an auction house, waiting for an opportunity at a museum.

Now, thanks to Mr. Beckett, he had arranged a meeting for her tonight with his old friend to discuss job possibilities.

After work, Sofia gathered the portfolio of her previous restoration work and went to the meeting. 

Although it was a referral, she still had to go through the proper procedures.

A waiter led her to a quiet corner where Mr. Davis was already seated. 

Sofia offered a sincere apology, "Mr. Davis, I'm Sofia. I'm sorry for being late, I was stuck in traffic."

Mr. Davis, a man in his late forties or early fifties, smiled warmly, "Hi Sofia, no need to worry. Please, have a seat."

Sofia sat down, and Mr. Davis called the waiter over to order. He also selected a few types of wine. 

Sofia rarely drank, even with friends, and her alcohol tolerance was just average.

Raising his glass, Mr. Davis said, "You drove here, so just drink in moderation. Don't push yourself."

"It's fine, I'll call for a driver later." Sofia didn't want to refuse his kindness, and she wanted to make a good impression during their first meeting. 

So, from the aperitif to the red wine, she drank everything.

Mr. Davis had initially come as a favor to Mr. Beckett, without high expectations, but he was pleasantly surprised by how poised and talented Sofia was, along with the impressive work she'd brought. 

He returned the portfolio to her and extended his hand. "Sofia, welcome to the team."

Sofia's eyes sparkled with excitement, though she kept her composure as she shook his hand. "Thank you. I'll give it my all."

Mr. Davis's private restoration studio was renowned worldwide, and wealthy collectors entrusted them with their priceless artifacts and treasures. There was nothing more thrilling than earning his approval of her skills.

By the time Sofia returned home, her head was pounding from the alcohol. Mr. Davis's assistant had already sent over the contract to her email, and she forced herself to read through it, sign it, and then collapse onto the sofa.

In this large, empty house, she was alone. The maid had left some food, and her "husband" was off somewhere on a business trip.

They didn't even have each other's phone numbers. If she needed to reach him, she'd have to go through his assistant.

The lingering effects of the alcohol left her too dizzy to get up, so she decided to nap on the sofa for a while. 

As she drifted off, her thoughts slowly faded, and soon, she was fast asleep.