Unplanned Desires

The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room where Sofia sat, legs folded beneath her on the oversized leather chair. Her phone buzzed on the side table, but she didn't glance at it. She stared straight ahead, her mind swirling with the memories of the past week. No amount of coffee could clear her head of the image that had been seared into her mind-the one that changed everything.

The betrayal.

She had known Mark since university, loved him for years, trusted him with her heart. But that love, so carefully guarded, had been thrown back in her face when she found him tangled in the sheets with her best friend. Jenna. The woman who had stood by her through everything had been lying to her for months.

Her stomach twisted with a familiar ache, a knot she couldn't untangle. She took a shaky breath, brushing a tear from the corner of her eye before it could fall. She had cried too much already. There was no point in crying over someone who clearly didn't value her.

Her phone buzzed again, and this time, she reached for it, her fingers tightening around the device as she read the name on the screen.

Mark.

Sofia's chest tightened with a mix of anger and disbelief. What the hell did he want?

Against her better judgment, she answered the call, her voice sharp. "What do you want, Mark?"

A sigh came through the line, followed by his smooth, familiar tone. "Sofia, I just want to talk. Please, let me explain."

"Explain?" She laughed bitterly, standing and pacing across her living room. "Explain what? That you've been cheating on me for months? That you were screwing my best friend in the bed we shared?"

"It's not what you think." His voice was pleading now, but it only ignited more rage inside her. "I made a mistake, but we can fix this. We can work through it."

Sofia's grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. "A mistake? This wasn't a mistake, Mark. This was a choice. You chose to betray me. There's nothing to work through."

The silence on the other end of the line was suffocating, and Sofia could almost hear his frustration building. He wasn't used to being denied. Mark always had a way of convincing her to forgive him, of making his transgressions seem small in comparison to what they shared. But not this time. She was done.

"Sofia, please-" he started, but she cut him off.

"No, Mark. I'm done. I don't ever want to hear from you again."

She hung up the phone, her breath coming in shallow gasps as the adrenaline surged through her. Her hands shook as she set the phone down, her body vibrating with pent-up anger.

For a few seconds, the silence of her apartment was deafening, the only sound her own ragged breathing. Then, in a burst of impulsive energy, she grabbed her purse from the counter and stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her.

The cool air of the early evening hit her as she stepped out onto the street, the city buzzing with life around her. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she made her way down the block, her mind still spinning. She didn't know where she was going; she just needed to escape, to drown out the noise in her head.

Before she knew it, she found herself standing outside one of the city's upscale bars-a sleek, dimly lit place frequented by businessmen, socialites, and those looking to forget, even for just a night. Without hesitation, she pushed open the door and stepped inside, the soft hum of conversation washing over her.

The bar was crowded, but Sofia didn't care. She needed a drink. Something strong, something that would numb the ache in her chest.

Sliding onto a barstool, she caught the bartender's attention. "Whiskey. Straight."

The bartender raised an eyebrow but didn't question her choice. Within moments, a glass of amber liquid was placed in front of her. Sofia downed it in one swift motion, the burn of the alcohol doing little to erase the turmoil inside her.

The second drink went down just as quickly, and by the third, she could feel a slight buzz settling over her, dulling the edges of her thoughts. She wasn't drunk-yet-but she was getting there.

She leaned against the bar, her eyes drifting to the crowd around her. Laughter and conversation filled the space, but it all felt distant, like she was watching from behind a fog.

That's when she saw him.

Tall, dark, and impossibly handsome, the man stood at the far end of the bar, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. His sharp jawline, tousled black hair, and piercing eyes made him look like something out of a dream-or maybe a nightmare. Either way, she couldn't look away.

For a moment, their gazes locked, and Sofia felt a strange pull toward him. It was irrational, dangerous even, but in that moment, she didn't care. She needed something to distract her from the pain gnawing at her insides, and this man-whoever he was-seemed like the perfect distraction.

The man's lips curved into a slight smile, and before she knew it, he was walking toward her, his steps slow and deliberate, as if he had all the time in the world.

"Rough night?" His voice was deep, smooth like velvet, as he slid into the seat next to her.

Sofia let out a short, bitter laugh. "You could say that."

He leaned closer, his dark eyes never leaving hers. "Mind if I buy you another drink?"

Sofia hesitated for only a moment before nodding. What was the harm? One more drink wouldn't kill her, and right now, she didn't care about consequences.

As the bartender placed another whiskey in front of her, the man raised his own glass, his eyes gleaming with something she couldn't quite place. "To forgetting."

Sofia clinked her glass against his, downing the drink in one go. The warmth spread through her body, loosening the tension in her shoulders, and for the first time in days, she felt something other than anger and hurt.

The man's gaze was still on her, studying her, as if he could see right through her. "What's your name?"

"Sofia," she said, her voice slightly slurred from the alcohol.

"Ethan," he replied, his lips curving into a slow smile. "Nice to meet you, Sofia."

She wasn't sure what it was about him, but there was something magnetic, something dangerous about the way he looked at her. It made her feel alive in a way she hadn't felt in years. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was the thrill of talking to a complete stranger, someone who didn't know her past, her pain.

Or maybe it was the way his hand brushed against hers, sending a jolt of electricity up her arm.

The night blurred after that. More drinks, more laughter, more stolen glances that made her heart race. Before she knew it, she was leaning into him, her body swaying slightly as he steadied her with a firm hand on her waist.

"We should get you home," Ethan said, his voice low and husky.

Sofia shook her head, her inhibitions drowned by the alcohol. "No. I don't want to go home. I don't want to be alone."

Ethan's eyes darkened, and for a moment, something flickered behind them-hesitation, maybe, or something more primal. But then he nodded, his hand tightening on her waist. "Alright."

They stumbled out of the bar together, the cool night air hitting her like a slap in the face. Sofia giggled, feeling lightheaded and free for the first time in what felt like forever. Ethan's arm was around her, steadying her as they made their way down the street.

She wasn't thinking anymore. She wasn't feeling the weight of the betrayal or the pain of her broken heart. All she could focus on was the man beside her, the heat of his body, the way his hand felt on her skin.

Before she knew it, they were in a cab, the city lights blurring outside the window as Ethan gave the driver directions. She leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes as the alcohol and exhaustion began to take their toll.

When they arrived at his apartment, everything felt like a dream. Ethan guided her inside, his movements careful, as if he knew she was on the verge of collapse. The next thing she knew, she was in his bed, his hands on her skin, his lips against hers.

It was a whirlwind, a blur of passion and heat that consumed her completely. For those few hours, she forgot about everything-Mark, Jenna, the betrayal, the pain. All that existed was Ethan, the feel of his body against hers, the way he made her feel alive again.

But when she woke up the next morning, the haze of the night before was gone, replaced by the cold, hard reality of her actions.

Sofia sat up in bed, clutching the sheet to her chest as she looked around the unfamiliar room. Panic surged through her as the memories of the night came flooding back. What had she done?