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Chapter 36
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The pale-skinned young man shifted in the soft bed, seeking a more comfortable position. In doing so, his eyes caught the faint morning sunlight filtering through the gap in the curtains. The light roused him, but he kept his eyes closed, wanting to stay cocooned in the embrace of the soft cotton sheets and his head buried in the feathered pillow, a luxurious touch in the upscale hotel room.
He reached out, expecting to find a certain enticing brunette with whom he had probably spent the best night of his life, but on the right side of the bed, all he found was emptiness, though the spot was still warm, indicating her recent presence. He slowly opened his eyes, trying to adjust to the change, and saw her standing by the side of the bed, getting dressed, seemingly oblivious to his awakening.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice
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He nodded in agreement and looked around, spotting her robe hanging on a chair. As she picked up her nightgown and panties from the floor and slipped on her flip-flops, he put on his boxer shorts, grabbed the beautiful robe, and walked toward her. Taking the garment from his hands, she hurriedly entered the bathroom, and he finally went to open the door, finding a suspicious and slightly irritated John outside.Even though John found it odd that Nicholas and Sophie had both overslept at the same time, he didn't question the story about his best friend feeling unwell, turning off his phones, and oversleeping because of it. He also pretended to buy into Nicholas's suggestion that Sophie probably hadn't come down because no one had informed her that the meeting was at nine and that she must be a heavy sleeper not to hear the phone ringing.
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"I love these two," Sophie said, referring to two sculptures. "They're Michelangelo's Slaves. The Dying Slave here is unfinished... and the Rebellious Slave is this one. They caught the attention of scholars because they represent two completely different behaviors, right? The Rebellious Slave seems to be writhing, while the Dying Slave has a serene expression, as if surrendering.""There's also intense debate about whether he's really surrendering to death, resigning... or if he's experiencing pleasure," Nicholas added, stopping next to her. "Look at his body's position, how his arm stretches behind his head. And his face? He doesn't make me think of the peace of eternal sleep, but of moments of complete sexual satisfaction." They locked eyes for a few seconds, and she bit her lower lip while he instinctively ran his tongue across his lips. Sensing that Maya was watching them, John mad
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"Nicholas, I...""Sorry. I'm sorry, Soph. I don't want to talk about the past, I... We don't even need to talk, actually. I just want to spend this night with you." He smiled again. "Yesterday was all too fast... We were woken up this morning. I want to spend an entire night with you! Enjoy every second of this night and keep this moment in my memory, even if it's the last moment I'll be able to be close to you, babe. Can we do that?" He asked hopefully. "After all, they say what happens in Paris stays in Paris, right?"Probably, anyone who knew how much Sophie loved Nicholas would expect that she would be disappointed, let down, even sad at that moment with his words. However, not only did she expect something like that, but she also knew where all that speech was coming from. After all, one thing was spending some moments together, a
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They kissed on the lips a few more times, and he held her by the nape of her neck, leaning in further and pulling her lower lip between his, then finally requesting entry for his tongue, which was granted with pleasure. Their tongues explored each other slowly. The taste of crème brûlée mixed with wine and the distinct flavor of her Nicholas made Sophie never want that kiss to end. The uniquely characteristic taste of her Sophie, enhanced by the chocolate of the petit gâteau and the vanilla of the ice cream, was something Nicholas wanted more and more of.When they pulled apart, smiling as only fools and lovers can, Nicholas took her hand and she followed him without hesitation. He led her to a part of the terrace she hadn't seen before, where there was a futon surrounded by flower beds and several lanterns. It was the most romantic spot Sophie had ever seen in her l
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Sophie woke up to the unmistakable sound of her cell phone alarm, set for eight-thirty in the morning as usual, even though she had gone to bed much later than usual that night, making it much more uncomfortable. She quickly turned it off, immediately noticing the shiny object that had adorned her bedside table for a few days, and turned it on to hear a more pleasant sound while she spent the next five minutes stretching some parts of her body before getting up, following her morning ritual.As she performed the gentle movements she was used to, she observed the music box: a tiny Eiffel Tower sculpted in white gold with tiny sparkling gems spun within a crystal dome, playing "As Time Goes By" on a violin. It had arrived a few days after Sophie returned from Paris, from the strangest trip of all, during which she had experienced some of the most beautiful moments of her life and, at the same time, some of the most uncomfortable ones.The gift, without any card or identification, had ar
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However, drowning in work helped but didn't solve. There were days when just a momentary pause from coworkers and work partners was enough for her image to appear vividly in his mind like a movie—full of smiles and laughter, perfect curves, expressive eyes, and shining hair. And on that morning, the situation was even worse, to the point that he had become distracted more than once during the first meetings, failing to listen to what Will was saying about a children's program they would start filming the following week, and to Boris's questions about the merchandise for a new sneaker brand in the upcoming youth series.Sighing deeply and slumping heavily into his chair, frustrated by his inability to control his thoughts, he picked up his phone, contemplating calling her. He could ask how she was, inquire if she had received his gift, even though he knew very well that she had because he had been informed on the day of its delivery, and act as if she were just another acquaintance he
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"I never got over it, my friend. But... I buried it! I wanted to believe I had moved on, and nothing was better for that than pretending to everyone... pretending to myself. I hope you understand..." She made a small grimace of regret."Of course I understand, Soph. I just... wish I could do something.""You can!" she interrupted. "Screw this shift of yours! I'm going to ask Blaine to send any journalist there, because I need my best friend more than my most competent employee today." She gave a little smile. "We'll go to my place, and I'll tell you everything... all the details of the past and the present... everything about me and the damn Mr. Nicholas Pierce.""Alright, now you know absolutely everything that happened between me and Sophie. You know why I felt so angry when we met again, the reason I made you change our plans in Paris...""A hell of a story!" John observed, taking a sip of his beer. "Are you sure this is really your life and not a scri
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All the preparation, as well as the money spent on it and the dress chosen with Dante's help for the occasion, was worth it. She looked stunning as she entered the party hall, capturing the attention of many of the attendees. She could almost feel the heat of certain bright eyes on her, and she greeted the owner of those eyes with a polite gesture, receiving a friendly smile in return.Nicholas waited for Sophie, Ryan, Brad, Ian, and their dates to take their seats at their table, and he went over with Will and John to greet them. He kissed Sophie's hand a bit more slowly and intensely than those of the other women at the table, but apart from that, it was just a greeting between people who occasionally crossed paths due to their work, nothing more. He moved to another table to greet other business partners, and she engaged in a lengthy conversation with Brad's wife."Someone's jealous, huh?" John asked, approaching Nicholas a while later as he stood at one end of the
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The Key To The Heart Epilogue
Impressed, Sophie watched the fireworks light up and color the sky, marking the farewell of one year and celebrating the arrival of another. The year that was ending had been a milestone in her life and would always be remembered, but the new year was welcome and also promised to bring her many joys.While she watched the festivities, with Nicholas behind her, holding onto her waist and his face close to hers, she had some quick memories of the past few months and was still amazed at how much had happened in such a short time.First, she had returned to the United States, then her reunion with Nicholas had happened, the hesitant coming together of the two, the inevitable surrender, misguided judgments, anger trying to overshadow love, the revelation of the truth about the past, and finally, the union of two people who could never be
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No sábado seguinte, everything was arranged, and Dante and Blaine insisted that they at least celebrate their union with the two of them, Sharon, John, Will, Emma, Maya, and Tony at a newly opened bar in Santa Monica. So, Nicholas made a reservation at one of the best restaurants on the beach and took Sophie out to dinner before meeting their friends because he still had some surprises in store for her.The two were led to a more private area of the restaurant to avoid being bothered or photographed by paparazzi. They received the wine list from a waiter who then left them alone. After choosing their wine and being served, they were given menus. Without realizing that Nicholas was simply watching her, Sophie opened her menu and spoke absentmindedly."What's this, Nicholas?" She asked, feigning annoyance but smiling after glanc
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Nicholas's speech wasn't a declaration of love; after all, he wasn't speaking to Sophie but to the viewers. He didn't want to involve the public in their private affairs, even though he suspected some might be interested. He wanted the final episode to be successful and emotional, but he handled it with the necessary objectivity, hoping most people would understand his decision, even though there was a risk of not being understood.Nicholas knew that if he chose Maya, Sophie would pretend for the media that their relationship had ended and the wedding had been canceled. However, he felt terrible about deceiving people, and he feared Sophie might not understand the ruse, potentially ruining any chance they had of being together.Sophie watched everything silently, standing in the middle of her apartment's TV room. She smiled like a fo
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Tony spent a few seconds processing the information. Maybe he would never have a concrete chance with Maya, even if she didn't marry Nicholas. But perhaps life was crazy and unfair enough that, even though he wasn't worthy of it, he did have a chance. Either way, there was only one way to find out, and that was to go after the girl and open his heart for the first time.He grabbed his car and sped down the road that connected the mansion's location to downtown LA as he had never done before. It was easy to spot the car carrying the girl since it wasn't a busy route, especially at that time of night, and the driver was driving at a moderate speed, with no hurry. Fueled by insane and passionate hope, he honked incessantly, startling both the driver and the girl, and didn't give up until he forced the car to pull over to the side of the road, where he also parked.
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Sophie took her breakfast calmly, stopped by her own home, and went to work, acting as if it were any other day. She left her phone in a drawer, the same phone number Nicholas had since their first meeting, to avoid constantly checking it, hoping for his call. If someone needed to contact her about work, they would call her office. She didn't want to nurture hope even when she received flowers with a card that said, "I love you forever," because that phrase could mean a fond farewell, or it could simply mean he would love her from afar until the end of his days.Nicholas, on the other hand, spent a good part of the day anxious because Sophie wasn't answering his calls. He didn't want to call the magazine's office, as he imagined she might not appreciate interference in her personal life at work, but he couldn't understand why, after the previous night, she might not want to talk to him.
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Their lips sought each other and greeted several times until their tongues also had their long-awaited encounter. Nicholas pulled Sophie's body so she was completely on top of him, and while keeping one hand firmly on the nape of her neck, he caressed the part of her back that the dress didn't cover with the other. She lightly ran her nails through his scalp and neck, already wanting to intensify the contact between them.As the initially calm, slow kisses gave way to more eager and rapid ones, and their hands couldn't stay in one place anymore, wandering and exploring their bodies, their breathing became more frantic. Sophie pulled away for a moment, kneeling between Nicholas's legs. She removed her dress, leaving her in just a small pair of panties, while Nicholas, enjoying the sight of her, quickly discarded his shirt.She pushed
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"I know I should have trusted you, Nicholas. I know!" Sophie suddenly said, pulling Nicholas out of his musings and making him stop pacing like a madman. "I was stupid, naive, impulsive... and I understand if you never forgive me for the suffering you went through. But I needed... I really NEEDED you to know that I loved you. That I didn't trade you for anything, that I... would never trade you.""Soph..." he approached, getting very close to her and taking her small hands in his. "You were eighteen... and, as you said, you SAW. I think if I saw you in bed with another guy, completely naked, I wouldn't wait for explanations either. And if you tried to explain, denied what I SAW... I probably wouldn't believe you," he wiped her tears away again with his fingers. "I don't even have to forgive you!" he shrugged, and she started crying uncontrollably again, throwing herself into his arms.
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"I needed to see you," she interrupted, taking a deep breath and fighting back the lump in her throat. "I need to tell you so many things! I need you to know that..." she couldn't finish the sentence as she broke down into sobs again, and he got up, deciding she needed something to help calm her."Where are you going? Stay here. Stay close to me, Nicholas. Please, stay close to me!" she said, a little more desperate than she would have liked, reacting to the torrent of emotions building up inside her with each passing minute since her brother's revelations."Calm down," he said, sitting back down and wiping her tears away with his thumbs gently. "Calm down, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," he gave a little smile, and she managed a very timid one in return. "I just think you need something to help you calm down so you can tell me al
The Key To The Heart Chapter 56
Nicholas was in the living room of his apartment, reading the script of an action movie that a director friend had proposed for GHShow to produce. He had convinced John that he didn't need to spend the whole night at the mansion where his TV show was filmed, and now he was enjoying the solitude he was about to lose.There was a part of him that found this good, of course. After all, he had created the show because he wasn't truly satisfied with not having someone to share his life with, to come home to at night, to have conversations with, and to learn about their day and share his own. Another part, however, had doubts about whether it would really be a good idea to have a woman waiting for him, eager to hear about his day and share hers, when that woman wouldn't be the one he truly wanted to tell about all his joys, fears, expectations, successes, and anxieties, and whose routine he would l
