11:47 PM - Ethan's Apartment, Brooklyn
As soon as the door opened, Ethan threw off his drenched coat. Frustration, anger, helplessness - everything was mixed inside him.
"Sofia!" His voice was rough, desperate.
Light was coming from the bedroom. Ethan went straight in.
Sofia was sitting on the bed, in a silk nightgown, a book in her hand. She looked at Ethan - completely soaked, an unusual intensity in his eyes, his jaw clenched.
"Ethan? You—"
But he didn't let Sofia speak. In two seconds, he was beside her, crushing her lips with his own. The kiss was desperate, hungry, almost violent.
Sofia's book fell from her hand. What was happening? Ethan never did this.
But her body was responding. Ethan's kiss was intense, his hands were on Sofia's body - possessive, urgent.
Sofia responded, but there was also confusion in her mind. "Ethan, wait—"
"Don't talk," Ethan whispered in her ear, his breath hot. "Please. Just... don't talk."
There was desperation in his voice, a need. Sofia looked into his eyes - there was pain there, frustration.
She made a decision. Whatever happened, they would talk about it later. Right now, Ethan needed her.
Sofia pulled at Ethan's wet shirt. She became intense too, matching his energy. Their lips met again - deeper, harder.
Ethan pushed Sofia onto the bed. Her nightgown slipped from her shoulder. His hands were exploring Sofia's body - the touch was possessive, desperate.
Sofia's breathing became heavy. Ethan's weight was on her, his lips were now on her neck, her shoulders, her collarbone. There was urgency in every kiss.
"Ethan..." Sofia's voice was breathy.
She couldn't understand what was happening. Usually, Ethan was gentle, romantic. But today... today he seemed like a different person. Desperate. Needy. Almost... broken. Ethan completely removed her nightgown. Sofia also took off her remaining clothes. Their bodies were against each other - skin to skin, radiating heat.
Ethan's touch was rough today. His hands were gripping Sofia's curves - thighs, waist, everywhere. As if he wanted to prove that this was real, that Sofia was real.
Sofia took his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. "Ethan, look at me."
They made eye contact. There were tears in Ethan's eyes - unshed, controlled, but there.
Sofia's heart broke. "Baby..."
But Ethan kissed her again. And this time Sofia completely surrendered.
(Time passes - their intimate moment continues with increasing intensity)
Ethan was on top of Sofia, their breathing synchronized. Every movement was desperate, passionate. Sofia's nails were on Ethan's back, leaving marks. Ethan's lips were on Sofia's neck, whispering things she couldn't understand.
The only sound in the room was their breathing, and the sound of the rain outside.
Sofia was confused. This intensity wasn't normal. Ethan was hiding something, bottling something up.
But right now she was just responding. Her body was moving with Ethan's - faster, harder, deeper.
"Sofia..." Ethan said her name, his voice cracking.
"I'm here," Sofia whispered. "I'm here, baby. I'm not going anywhere."
Ethan held her even tighter. As if he was afraid that Sofia would leave.
Minutes passed. Or maybe hours - time had no meaning for them in that moment.
Finally, both were exhausted. Ethan collapsed on top of Sofia, his face buried in Sofia's neck.
Sofia's hands were in Ethan's hair, gently stroking. Her breathing was slowly returning to normal.
There was silence for a few minutes. Only the sound of the rain.
After...
Ethan shifted to Sofia's side, but his arm was still around Sofia's waist. He was staring at the ceiling, his expression blank.
Sofia turned to the side, her hand on Ethan's chest. His heartbeat was still fast.
"Ethan," Sofia said softly. "What's wrong?"
Ethan didn't say anything.
"Baby, please. You... you never act like this. Something's wrong. Tell me."
Ethan's eyes closed. A tear escaped and fell onto the pillow.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry, Sofia."
Sofia was scared. "Sorry? Sorry for what? Ethan, you're scaring me. What happened today?"
Ethan took a deep breath. Then he started to speak.
"Today... this evening I had to go to Richard Lawson's house. For debt collection."
Sofia remained silent, listening.
[FLASHBACK BEGINS]
Raindrops were falling on Ethan Cole's face, but he didn't even bother to open his umbrella. He held a brown envelope in his hand – addressed to "Mr. Richard Lawson, Apartment 47B, Northbridge Towers".
This was supposed to be his last collection of the day. If he could just recover this one debt, maybe he could go home tonight and get some peaceful sleep.
Just a little.
Ethan pushed open the glass doors of the apartment building. The air conditioning was cooling the lobby, but water was dripping from his drenched clothes onto the marble floor. The security guard glared at him.
"Deliveries are from the back entrance," the guard said rudely.
Ethan showed his ID. "Prime Recovery Solutions. I have an appointment."
The guard checked the register, made a face, and gestured towards the elevator. Ethan stepped into the elevator. 4th floor.
Ding.
The doors opened. The corridor was empty. Ethan walked to 47B and rang the doorbell.
One minute. Two minutes.
Then the door opened.
Richard Lawson – in his mid-forties, wearing a designer suit, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He had that arrogance in his eyes that Ethan had seen thousands of times. Rich people, who think the world is in their pocket.
"Oh, you?" Richard said, laughing. "Did Marcus send you? Debt collector?"
Ethan replied in a controlled tone. "Mr. Lawson, you took out a $15,000 personal loan from Prime Recovery three months ago. Not a single installment has been paid yet. I need to discuss a repayment plan."
Richard took a sip of his whiskey. "Ethan, right? Look, I'm a little busy right now. Come back tomorrow."
He tried to close the door.
Ethan stopped the door with his foot. His voice became a little firmer. "Sir, tomorrow won't work. The terms of the agreement are clear. If payment isn't made today, then legal action—"
"Legal action?" Richard laughed loudly. "Do you know who I am? My lawyers will eat your boss Marcus alive. Do you think I'm afraid of your little company?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. He had heard this dialogue thousands of times before.
"Mr. Lawson, I'm just doing my job. Just make a partial payment of $2,000 today, the rest next month—"
"No." Richard slammed the door shut.
Ethan's foot was caught in the door. A wave of pain shot up his spine.
"Listen, you little rat," Richard got right in Ethan's face, "If you come to my door again, I'll file a harassment case against you. Understand?"
Ethan took a deep breath. He had controlled himself many times in such situations. Anger doesn't work in this line of work.
"Okay, sir. I'll report this to my manager. They will decide the next steps."
Richard slammed the door shut.
Ethan stepped back out into the rain. His shoes were completely soaked. He pulled out his phone - 11 missed calls. All from Marcus Webb.
His boss.
He called him.
"WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?" Marcus yelled from the other end of the phone. "Richard Lawson called me! He complained that you threatened him!"
Ethan stopped. "What? I didn't—"
"Shut up! Ethan, this is the last straw. You've only recovered 40% in the last three months. You're ruining the company's reputation!"
"Marcus, listen to me—"
"No, YOU listen!" Marcus's voice was venomous. "Come to the office tomorrow. 9 AM sharp. We'll talk about your position."
The call ended.
[FLASHBACK ENDS]
Sofia was speechless. Her eyes were wide.
"Ethan... he... he was lying! You didn't threaten him!"
"I know," Ethan's voice was hollow. "But what does Marcus care? He just needed a scapegoat. And that's me."
"Do you have to go to the office tomorrow?"
Ethan remained silent. For a long time.
Then he looked at Sofia. There was pain in his eyes.
"Sofia... Marcus has fired me. The letter arrived this morning. Termination. Immediate."
Sofia's hand went to her chest. "What?"
"And... and he's also blamed me for embezzlement. He says I misused company funds. A police investigation is starting."
Sofia sat down on the bed, in shock. "This... how can this be? You would never—"
"I didn't do anything, Sofia!" Ethan sat down too, frustration exploding. "Marcus deliberately manipulated the accounts! He framed me!"
Sofia's hands were trembling. "So... so there will be a court case?"
"Yes. The hearing date is coming up tomorrow."
Silence.
Sofia's eyes filled with tears. "Ethan... all this... why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Because..." Ethan's voice cracked. "Because I didn't want to disappoint you. You've dedicated your whole life to me, Sofia. Your parents told you not to marry me. You gave up your MBA for me.
And I... what have I been able to give you? A small apartment. Bills that can't be paid. And now... now I've become a criminal."
Tears streamed down Ethan's cheeks. For the first time, he was completely breaking down.
"I don't deserve you, Sofia. You should leave me."
Tears welled up in Sofia's eyes too. She pulled Ethan into her arms - tight, protectively.
"Don't you dare," she whispered. "Don't you dare say that again." "Sofia—"
"No! Listen to me, Ethan Cole." Sofia took his face in her hands. "You didn't do anything wrong. Marcus framed you. And we'll prove it."
"How? I don't have any proof. No evidence."
"Then we'll find it. We'll hire a lawyer. We'll hire an investigator. We'll do whatever it takes."
"Sofia, you don't understand. This is a legal case. It will be expensive. Your savings—"
"Fuck my savings!" Sofia had never spoken like that before. "What good are my savings if you're in jail? What will I do with the bakery if my husband isn't with me?"
Ethan was speechless.
Sofia touched his forehead with hers. "We'll win this. Together. You have to trust me."
Ethan pulled her into his arms. They sat there like that—holding each other, tears flowing.
It was still raining outside.
But in this moment, in this darkness...
At least they had each other.