The Vile Woman.... Again.

Sofia's POV

The sun looked different through the car window.

Maybe it was because I hadn’t seen it in almost two days. Or maybe it was because the world outside looked normal—too normal—while something in me had quietly shifted.

The ride back to my apartment was quiet. Not tense… just quiet. Leandro had mentioned earlier that we'd need to stop by at my place so I could change into a suitable outfit for work. He sat beside me, scrolling through his phone, answering a few calls in low tones that didn’t reveal much. He hadn’t spoken about the vault. Or about the way his hand had stayed wrapped around mine most of the night.

And I didn’t ask.

I didn’t know how.

I was still trying to figure out what it all meant—if it even meant anything. Maybe it was just a moment. Maybe it was the danger. Maybe I imagined how real it felt.

All I knew was that I didn’t feel the same around him anymore.

Not in a bad way.

Just… different.

When we pulled up in front of my place, I hesitated.

“You can wait here,” I offered quickly, fumbling with my keys as I stepped out of the car.

Leandro didn’t reply. He just got out and followed me like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Really? You’re coming in?”

“I’ve already been locked in a vault with you,” he said, arching a brow. “I think I can handle your apartment.”

Touché.

Still, embarrassment prickled my skin as I pushed open the door and let him inside.

“Sorry it’s not… fancy,” I muttered, heading toward my bedroom. “Won’t take long.”

He didn’t say anything, but as I glanced over my shoulder, I caught him slowly walking around the living room, taking it in. Not judging—just observing. His eyes landed on the stack of romance novels on the shelf, then on the chipped mug Bri forgot to put away.

I shut my bedroom door before he could see my fuzzy socks on the floor.

Once I’d changed into a fresh white blouse and navy slacks, I stepped back out, brushing my fingers through my hair.

He looked up from the photo frame he was holding—one of me and Bri at graduation.

“Bri looks decent here, less chaotic,” he said, setting the frame down.

“Maybe," I replied smiling, suddenly very aware of every step he took toward the door.

We left my apartment and drove straight to Rossi Group.

When we arrived, the driver opened our doors, and Leandro stepped out first. I followed, adjusting my hair.

He didn’t speak to anyone.

But everyone moved.

We waited for the elevator, and when the doors dinged open, it was packed.

As always, the second someone recognized Leandro, panic spread.

“Oh—sir, we’ll get off—”

“No need,” Leandro said casually. “Stay where you are.”

I blinked up at him.

Seriously?

He stepped inside and I followed. The elevator was cramped, and before I could adjust, I felt myself pressed up against him—his chest solid against my back, his hand bracing casually on the rail beside me.

My breath hitched.

The elevator moved slowly, way too slowly, and the silence was deafening. I could feel his warmth behind me, the way his arm brushed my side every time the elevator bumped.

I stared straight ahead.

Don't. Think. About. It.

But the heat in my cheeks betrayed me. I was sure I looked like a tomato.

When the doors finally opened, I practically leapt out, clutching my bag like it could protect me from the way my heart was racing.

Behind me, Leandro stepped out calmly, glancing at me with the tiniest smirk on his face.

He knew.

That smug, frustrating, gorgeous man knew exactly what that elevator ride did to me.

We walked through the building and everything looked the same. Not even a trace of the explosion that had happened on this floor almost a week ago. Same hallway. Same polished tiles and fancy art and cold air. But I didn’t feel the same walking through it. My thoughts were louder. My steps slower.

People watched as we walked by.

I wondered if they could tell something had changed. If I looked different. If I acted different. If they somehow knew that I had been locked in a vault with the boss for almost two days and that we’d slept side by side.

I was still trying to shake it off when we reached the top floor.

But the moment we walked into the suite, the mood snapped.

There she was.

Astrid.

Perched elegantly in the chair across from Leandro’s desk like she owned the place. Her legs were crossed, one heel dangling lazily off her toes. Platinum blonde hair in a sleek bun. Blood-red lips curled in an irritating smile.

“Hello, darling,” she purred. “Miss me?”

Leandro’s jaw flexed. “What are you doing here, Astrid?”

“I stopped by to see how you were holding up. Heard there was some drama over the weekend.” She flicked her nails. “You always did attract chaos.”

I rolled my eyes and sat at my desk, doing my best to look anywhere but at her. I’d met Astrid twice. Once at that fancy dinner party, where she openly ignored me like I was the furniture. The second time? When she was here to see Leandro and talked to me like I was some sex doll in slavery

The woman was vile. A rich brat with a mean streak and a superiority complex.

Inside the office, the voices started to rise.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Leandro snapped. “Whatever happened this weekend has nothing to do with you.”

“Oh, but I think it does,” she replied sweetly. “You need someone like me who understands this world as much as you do. Someone who can clean up your messes.”

The glass walls of his office didn’t hide the tension. I could see her standing now, hands on her hips. Her voice rising.

“You think you’re untouchable?” she said. “My father is the reason you even got the international expansion deal."

“And I’m the reason it stayed on track,” Leandro replied coldly. “Now get out, Astrid.”

“You’ll regret this,” she spat. “You always do when it comes to me.”

The office door opened with a sharp swing, and she stormed out.

But not without one last performance.

She stopped at my desk, fake smile plastered on her face. “It's the pretty slut. You'll learn the hard way, honey."

I opened my mouth, ready to bite.

But before I could say anything, Leandro appeared behind her like a shadow.

“Say one more thing to her,” he said calmly, dangerously, “and I’ll make sure your father’s name never enters this building again.”

Astrid tsked, giving Leandro a half smirk, obviously challenging him.

Leandro didn’t blink.

She scoffed loudly, and turned on her heels, not before giving me one last look.

And then she was gone.

I sat there for a second, stunned.

Leandro didn’t say anything. He just looked at me. Eyes dark. Jaw clenched.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said, though my blood was still boiling. “I didn’t scratch her. You should be proud.”

He chuckled—actually chuckled—and that was somehow more disarming than anything else that had happened today.

“Good,” he said. “I need you at the meeting with HR in an hour. You think you’re up for it?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “More than ready.”

He nodded once, then turned and walked back into his office, shutting the door behind him.

I stared at the empty hallway for a moment, exhaling slowly.

Astrid was annoying.

But the way Leandro had defended me?

Yeah. That was going to be harder to forget.