His only Cure

Hearing this, the girl immediately stood up, almost knocking out her boss. She quickly served a portion of food and set it at the other end of the table.

"You can't eat a waffle today" She went back to eating without looking at him. 

"Not today, hmm? It's a good start" He nodded to himself as he sat down to eat. Sophie realized her mistake.

Does he always have to take everything literally?

The rest of the meal passed in silence. While washing the dishes, she glanced out of the corner of her eye at Darell leaning on the cabinet next to her. 

"Have you calmed down yet?" She asked shyly, hoping that maybe he would let her return to her apartment. He took her hand and pulled her towards him, placing his hands on her hips.

"You want to leave me?" He looked menacingly into her green eyes.

"Darell..." She hated how quickly he could predict everything.

"You're staying" His tone quickly changed to one of command.

"You know I can't be here every day" She tried to explain calmly, although she was starting to lose patience with him. 

"Why not?" He frowned.

"We are not together, Darell" She said clearly. "What should I do if you bring a woman to satisfy your needs? I'll wait on the side until you're done and then I'll put you to sleep?" She asked irritably, not knowing that she had stepped on a landmine.

"Enough!" He pushed her away from him. "Get out!" He ordered menacingly, walking to the bedroom and slamming the door behind him.

Sophie gritted her teeth resentfully, took her things and left the apartment, rushing back to hers. She didn't know why the situation went so bad in just a moment. She sat on her bed, furious, her eyes glazed over.

"That's what I was talking about. That's what I was afraid of" She held back tears. Another man who wanted to rule her, nothing more.

In a bad mood, she went to take a cold shower. It helped her get back to her old self. Stoically, she took out her laptop and immersed herself in work. When she had done everything she had planned, she went to sleep. She couldn't sleep for a while, feeling like something was missing. Sophie quickly started thinking about something else until she managed to fall asleep. 

In the morning she woke up earlier than usual. She lay there, staring at the ceiling and thinking. A little after six, she ate breakfast and got ready for work. She arrived a few minutes before seven and got to work.

She didn't even notice when everyone came because this time Diana didn't run to greet her as usual. As everyone started to gather for lunch, Sophie looked at everyone in the office. She said hello but decided not to go with everyone today. To her surprise, Diana stayed too. She looked undermined and only when she looked at her did she notice the red corners of her eyes.

"Diana, did something happen?" She asked carefully, sitting down next to the worried girl. Sighing heavily, she looked at Sophie with a forced smile.

"Family problems" She started. "Mom is starting to look for potential partners for me and my brother again" Her voice trembled, revealing what was bothering her. Sophie, knowing how Diana felt, patted her on the shoulder.

"I had the same thing, only with my dad"

"Why can't they understand that we are fine the way we are" She supported her head with her hand. "Besides, knowing what previous partners did to my brother... my mother should leave him alone" She muttered quietly.

"That bad?" 

"I don't know where she came up with such crazy women, but now the mere mention of a new partner makes him explode. It's hard for him and knowing this, I feel bad that I can't help him" She looked at Sophie sadly.

"It's not easy for anyone after going through something like this" 

"But mom doesn't understand it" Diana slapped her hands on her knees. "If she wanted us to be happy, she would leave us alone and let us find someone on our own. To make matters worse, she's coming in a few days. Only then will it begin" She held her forehead with her hand. "Sophie, you're new, so let me warn you. When my mother comes, try to stay away from Darell's office" She put a hand on her shoulder. "Believe me, it will be hell there. I feel sorry for Noah already. Poor guy. He always had it bad" She said sadly.

Sophie, listening to the girl, frowned as she processed the information.

"Wait... Your mom, there's a war in Darell's office... Is Darell your brother?" She looked in disbelief.

"Well, yes" Diana opened her eyes wide, realizing a certain fact. "You didn't know?" She looked at the equally surprised woman.

"Somehow, no one informed me" She understood why the boss was interested in training the girl. "Are there any other secrets I should know?" She asked, raising her eyebrows. Diana's eyes widened and she slowly turned her head away from her, obviously hiding something.

"Diana" Sophie asked menacingly. "What else"

The girl knew she wouldn't be able to get out of this.

"I know there's something sparking between you two?" She said shyly, raising her arms and waiting for a warning. 

"You're wrong" She heard a cold voice. She looked at her friend's cold face and immediately knew that something was wrong.

"What happened? What did that fool do again?"

"Never mind. I have to get back to work" She stood up to go to her desk but Diana grabbed her hand.

"Sophie..." She looked at her pleadingly. "Please tell me. I've known him since I was little. Maybe there's a reason"

"We're at work. This is not the time for such talks" She interrupted firmly.

"After work" She insisted. "At your place or mine?"

Sophie knew she wouldn't give up. Actually, she wanted to talk to someone, but she didn't have anyone to talk to.

"Let it be at my place, but I have to do some shopping after work. I have an empty fridge" She agreed, causing Diana to burst into happy dance.

"Yeah! We'll go together" She jumped up and down happily, returning to her desk. Fortunately, after the others returned, she acted normally.

The day ended peacefully and all the staff went home except Sophie and Diana. She had to wait a little longer so that the woman could calmly finish what she had planned.

With a big smile on her face, Diana walked with Sophie, who was not in the mood for joyful dancing, being dragged by her. They picked out a few things for dinner at the store and a few snacks that Diana wanted. 

"Oh, you live one floor below me" She said happily. "Now we will be able to visit each other more often" She clapped cheerfully. Sophie cried mentally. Not only is her brother taking away her quiet time, but now this…

They entered the apartment together and unpacked the shopping.

"Wait. Give me a moment, I'll be back soon" She ran out of the apartment, leaving a surprised Sophie. Taking advantage of the moment, she went to change into something comfortable and, as it later turned out, Diana did the same. Looking at each other with understanding, they started preparing food and snacks.

"So... What did he do? she asked finally, looking at Sophie. The woman bit her lower lip.

"How is his sleep?" She asked, curious if he was telling her the truth. Diana lowered her head sadly.

"It is hard. Mainly because of ours mother's stupid sending of women to his bed" She brutally cut off an innocent carrot. "He had already had problems with sleeping, but after a few actions, all I could do was watch with Tomas as he collapsed from exhaustion" Her eyes glazed over for a moment.

"Tomas?" 

"Darell's friend. He is a doctor. He lives in this building too. When things are really bad, he's nearby and can help quickly" She explained. "But since you showed up, he's become much calmer" She looked at her hopefully. "Don't you know if he manages to sleep?"

"For some reason... he might fall asleep next to me" She revealed hesitantly. Diana looked at her with great shock.

"Tell me you're not joking" She grabbed her hands tightly.

"I'm telling the truth" She agreed. "He's already slept next to me several times" She said with slight disappointment. Diana frowned at her scowl.

"But?"

"I'm just a substitute for him until he finds a solution, but... I'm trying to defend myself against his touch, because I'm starting to perceive it in a different way" She looked at the girl sadly. "I can't help him like this without feeling anything for him" She put her hands on the counter. "Darell is fine, but how do I know that when I start feeling more for him, he won't find someone else? What about my job here? What if he just wanted me as a pillow to sleep on?" She looked hurt by her own words. "When I told him that yesterday, he exploded and told me to leave the apartment" She swallowed hard.