Chapter 8 Morning At The New Place

• Whilst Sofia was in her deep slumber, she felt as though she was floating weightlessly on a bed of the softest clouds. She was embraced by a warm and comforting layer that surrounded her in a cocoon of tranquillity. Sofia held onto the snug cover tightly, unwilling to let go of the dream. However, her peaceful rest was interrupted by someone shaking her and calling out her name. Sofia gradually opened her eyes, still feeling the remnants of her comforting dream.
• As her eyelids gradually lifted, she struggled to adjust to the blinding brightness that flooded her vision. She squinted, and blinking repeatedly she attempted to clear her vision until her eyes finally adjusted to the intense light. It was then that she noticed a young woman standing directly in front of her, regarding her with an expression of complete disinterest.
• Sofia quickly got up from her bed and sat there for a moment, mentally slapping herself for sleeping so late. She knew she was supposed to wake up early and make breakfast, just like she used to do in her father's house. After that, she had to do all the household chores. She was afraid that there might be consequences for sleeping in so late and not making a meal on time for the entire family.
• As she carefully lifted the cover, she was struck by the realization that she had been sleeping on an incredibly soft mattress, luxuriously draped with a warm silk blanket. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together the events of the previous evening - she distinctly remembered falling asleep on the hard floor.
• So how had she ended up here, in this soft, inviting bed?
• The questions swirled in her mind, leaving her feeling slightly bewildered.
• Sofia felt her heart race as she remembered the anger Leonardo Morelli had shown when he found her on his bed last night. She knew that if he caught her sleeping on his expensive beds again, he would be even angrier. Taking a deep breath, she quickly got off the bed and winced from the pain between her legs. Her legs shook, and she was about to fall.
• But she tried to compose herself when she saw the girl who had come to wake her up.
• "Your wardrobe is in the guest room where your clothes are kept," the girl began in a gentle tone.
• Oh, so that was why she didn't find her clothes in Leonardo's room.
• "It is now past eleven, and breakfast is nearing its end, so you may wish to take a shower and change your attire." Despite her stoic expression, Sofia appreciated the helpful reminder.
• She felt grateful and muttered quietly under her breath, "Thank you."
• She went to the gust room and found a walk-in closet. When she went inside, she saw many dresses and clothes for women hanging there. Everything looked so expensive.
• Sofia was scared to touch them.
• With a measured step, she gingerly stepped into the walk-in closet and was immediately struck by the overwhelming display of exquisite dresses and women's clothing elegantly hanging before her. The undeniable quality of the garments sent a shiver of apprehension down her spine, as she couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear at the thought of handling such expensive and delicate clothing.
• Sofia's gaze drifted to the hem of her dress, which was now crumpled and smudged. She scanned her closet, hoping to find something simple to wear amongst the expensive, limited-edition dresses. She spotted a lovely floral dress and grabbed it before heading to the bathroom to freshen up.
• She couldn't believe her eyes as she stepped into the bathroom. It was massive and filled with every luxurious bath product imaginable. Her mouth fell open in awe. She had never seen anything like it before. However, Sofia hesitated. She had been living as a servant in her father's house, and her stepmother had forbidden her to use anything luxurious. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to bathe here. Despite her confusion, she couldn't help admiring the Italian fittings, the marble flooring, and the expensive tiles and slabs. Everything was perfect.
• Upon entering the shower, fear gripped her. With a nervous heart, she picked up the bottle of imported body wash and began to lather it onto her skin, feeling the warm water surrounding her. Once she finished washing herself, she reached for the fluffy towel on the slab and gently patted her body dry. She then carefully slipped the floral dress over her head, leaving her wet hair down to air-dry. She had never had the luxury of owning a hair dryer, so air-drying had become her norm.
• Once more, Sofia entered the room and approached the dressing area, her steps heavy and slow. As she stood before the wall-size mirror, her gaze fell upon her reflection. Her eyes were swollen and puffy, emphasizing the fact that she had spent the entire night crying. The once-beautiful bride looked anything but happy and radiant; instead, her face was marked by a deep sense of gloom and misery.
• Sofia glanced over at the dressing table and noticed an abundance of pricey cosmetic products. She couldn't help but wonder who owned them all. Among the collection were numerous body lotions from various prestigious brands. Her curiosity got the best of her, and she picked up one of the bottles.
• As she removed the cap, a captivating aroma filled the air and tempted her to apply it to her skin. After some hesitation, she decided to take a small amount and rubbed it into her bare arms. Instantly, her dry skin became soft and silky smooth.
• Sofia's eyes darted around the dressing table, taking in all the products she had yet to try. She felt a pull towards them, a temptation that was hard to resist. But she knew the consequences of giving in. So she made the decision to leave the room quickly.
• As she stepped into the hall, her heart racing, she saw Leonardo Morelli sitting at the dining table, engrossed in his laptop. Sofia froze in place, her mind racing as she remembered the events of last night.