Chapter 17 17
Sofía couldn’t focus the entire day at work. No matter how hard she tried, her thoughts kept drifting back to Mr. Ruiz or maybe she shouldn’t even call him that anymore after everything that had happened behind the closed doors of his office.
It sounded almost ridiculous when she thought about it. As if he’d done something horrifying. Yet, the truth was, he hadn’t truly touched her… not with his hands.
But that single stroke of his tongue still sent shivers ripping through her body.
Her breath hitched as the memory replayed in her mind the way that brief, wicked lick had sparked heat across her skin, making her whole body jolt in response.
Shaking herself out of it, she finished up in the restroom, pulled on her oversized hoodie, tugged her cap lower, and stepped outside.
She barely made it past the door before nearly jumping out of her skin.
Noelia was standing right there.
“Are you okay?” Noelia asked softly, worry clear in her voice. She must have noticed something was off.
“I’m fine,” Sofía replied quietly, forcing a small smile.
What happened next completely caught her off guard.
Noelia suddenly wrapped her in a tight hug.
“I know it’s been hard since Alfonso left,” she murmured gently. “But don’t worry. I’m always here for you.”
A warm, genuine smile slowly spread across Sofía’s face as she hugged her back.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
When they finally pulled apart, Sofía realized she truly did feel lighter.
After saying their goodbyes, they headed their separate ways.
For the first time, Sofía was walking home alone.
Even dressed in loose male clothing, her heart still thudded painfully in her chest as she passed a group of thugs gathered around their bikes, drinking and getting high.
She kept her head low and her steps quiet.
Thankfully, none of them noticed her.
The thought of living somewhere better tugged at her heart a clean, safe place far from this rough neighborhood.
But leaving this house meant leaving behind the last memory she had of her grandfather.
Maybe someday.
After she graduated.
After she got a good job.
Maybe then she could buy a new apartment… and still keep this one.
The idea itself felt like a dream.
With a tired sigh, she unlocked her door and stepped inside, locking it behind her.
Her body practically collapsed onto the couch as she let out a long breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Groaning softly, she tugged off her shirt, then carefully unwrapped the tight cloth bound around her chest.
Once free, she slipped her hoodie back on and sank into the couch again.
Within minutes, her breathing slowed.
Sleep claimed her.
Sofía woke up with a soft whine.
Her entire back throbbed painfully.
Rubbing her eyes groggily, she blinked a few times until her vision cleared.
That was when she realized she had fallen asleep on the couch in a twisted, uncomfortable position the clear cause of her aching muscles.
Letting out a low groan, she pushed her hair back from her face, scowling as harsh sunlight poured mercilessly through the window straight into her eyes.
She stood lazily and shuffled toward the restroom, shedding her clothes along the way.
After using the bathroom, she stepped under the shower.
The cold water shocked her fully awake.
Once done, she wrapped a towel around herself, brushed her teeth, and walked out.
Her gaze drifted to the wall clock.
She froze.
11:30 a.m.
Her eyes widened in horror.
“Oh my God!” she cried, dropping onto the bed, her face going pale.
What had she done?
She, the girl who never missed a single class had slept through the entire morning.
She had missed everything.
God.
This was all because of that arrogant, psychotic beast Mr. Ruiz!
If he hadn’t exhausted her mind and twisted her emotions into knots, she wouldn’t be sitting here now after sleeping away half the day.
Burying her face in her hands, she sighed deeply.
What was done was done.
But the real issue the one that mattered was Mr. Ruiz’s behavior.
It had been wrong.
Terrifying.
Even if he hadn’t physically touched her, those sharp, crystal-green eyes of his had committed enough sinful acts on their own.
The way he’d cornered her against the wall.
The way he used his dominance over her.
It was completely inappropriate.
And the fact that he hadn’t backed down still made fear curl tightly in her stomach.
She couldn’t let this slide.
She had to report him.
What if he tried it again?
What if he did something worse or targeted another student?
He had even told her to come to lessons today.
What if he planned to do the same thing all over again?
No.
She wouldn’t allow it.
Tomorrow morning, she would speak to the head of the academy.
She would expose Mr. Ruiz and get him removed.
Maybe that would finally teach him how to behave around students.
Her phone rang.
She quickly answered and her face instantly brightened at the sound of Alfonso’s voice.
Smiling widely, she talked with him about his room, his day, everything.
They exchanged small worries and reminders to take care of themselves.
By the time the call ended, it was already afternoon.
Her stomach growled loudly.
She sighed.
She hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday’s lunch.
Setting her phone aside, she pulled on a loose shirt and headed into the kitchen.
She made herself a fresh omelet, toasted some bread, brewed coffee, and ate quietly while the news played on the TV.
Afterward, she washed the dishes and decided to head to work.
Changing into her usual male clothing, she left for the café to pick up extra hours and earn a little more money.
The entire day, Sofía felt heavy.
Missing her classes gnawed at her it went against everything she stood for as a dedicated student.
But she wouldn’t let the man responsible walk away without consequences.
First thing tomorrow morning, she would confront the head of the academy.
And she would make sure Mr. Ruiz paid for crossing lines he never should have touched.