Is this destiny?

~ New York, USA ~

Around eight in the morning, Sophia woke up because of the persistent doorbell which would not stop ringing.

She stumbled out of the bed pulling her dark red dress down while heading to the front door. Two steps later, she realized that she has a splitting headache.

Sophia's mind was a mess, and she didn't even think of looking through the peephole before opening the door. Next thing she knows, she is facing Felix.

In one hand he was holding a bouquet of red carnations, and in the other a large grocery bag. He looked at Sophia's sorry appearance and it was obvious that he is struggling to keep a straight face, "Did I wake you up?"

Sophia realized that she looks like a hot mess. Without a word, she turned around and headed back to the bedroom. She closed the door behind her.

Felix found himself standing at the apartment entrance by himself. 'Well, at least she didn't slam the door in my face.' He was happy that there is a silver lining and entered her apartment. Felix let himself in and headed to the kitchen.

…

In the bedroom, Sophia sat on the bed and held her head in her arms.

She felt a mild nausea and a strong headache. 'Why do I have such a headache?' She remembered cocktails from previous night.

'How did I get home?' Image of her and Felix walking home popped in her mind.

'How did I end up in the bed?' Different images rolled in front of her closed eyes while she held her breath.

'I didn't!' Few more scenes appeared in her mind, and she could hear her own voice ringing in her head: 'Touch me'. Sophia rubbed her temples. 'It seems I did...'

She looked at herself and remembered that she is still in the dress from yesterday.

Sophia stood up and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

After shower, Sophia needed some time to gather courage and get out of the bedroom. She was embarrassed to face Felix. She knows what happened, and what didn't happen. 'He just left!?' Sophia is aware that she is ready, that she wants him, and he is right there… her mind was a mess, but there is only one way to clear it up. She needs to get out and face whatever is coming.

…

Sophia exited the bedroom wearing a comfortable light green A-line dress. Her hair was still damp from the shower, falling over her shoulders. She followed sound of the blender from the kitchen.

Sophia took a seat at the kitchen island and observed Felix's back while he worked on something. She had trouble not focusing on his broad shoulders, and narrow waist, and the feeling of his muscles under her palms, and the weight of his body pressing on her…

On the counter she saw tomatoes, lemon, celery and hot sauce as well as some spices.

He turned around and paused for a second before handing her red colored drink* with a charming smile. "For you."

She looked at his handsome face and those two dimples which she wanted to touch. Headache made her slightly frown. "What is it?", she asked when the drink was in front of her.

"It's good for treating a hangover." He inched the drink closer to her and raised one eyebrow waiting for her to drink it.

"How do you know I'm…" she stopped herself and took the drink. Of course, he knows she is hangover. He was there last night. He was HERE last night! Sophia's cheeks turned slightly pink and she started nervously squirming on the chair. She felt embarrassed. Sophia was always in control, using logic to determine her actions before she acts, and last night she showed him an embarrassing side to herself.

Sophia took a sip of the drink he gave her. Flavor of tomato juice overwhelmed her. "Ugh! Horrible...", she complained, her face contorting in disgust.

"It's going to help... bear with it.", he urged her.

Sophia's face was scrunched. "I really can't drink this..." She pushed away the drink.

He gave her a reprimanding look. "Childish... how old are you?"

"I'm fine without it!" Sophia stood up abruptly and felt dizzy. Her headache got worse. With one hand she held the counter, and with the other one her forehead.

Felix rushed to her and held her hand which was holding the counter. He sighed, "How stubborn... come here." He led her to the sofa and helped her sit sideways. He placed himself behind Sophia and started massaging her temples. Tips of his fingers circled on her temples, and base of his palm was applying pressure behind her ears.

Sophia felt immediate relief. "Mmm... you are really good with your hands." She mumbled with her eyes closed.

He was so good at massaging her, knowing where to press and how much. And his fingers burned wherever they touched. As if all the pain was being burned away. And that heat from his hands was spreading through her body. She wished that he touches more than her temples… rest of her body screamed for that touch.

"It would be better if you drink that", he was referring to the drink he made.

"I hate tomato juice", Sophia pouted, trying not to think how good his hands felt on her.

"As I said... childish.", he sighed.

Sophia giggled. She felt much better. Her headache was almost gone. She relaxed and leaned her back on his chest.

His hands stopped moving.

Both of them were completely still for few seconds.

Sophia frowned, "Why did you stop?"

Felix's voice came from behind her, his breath brushed her ear, "Are you asking me... to touch you?"

Sophia cleared her throat. Her voice was almost a whisper. "Didn't I ask you last night?" After a second, she continued, "Or does it reset daily?" She straightened her body and turned to face him. It was a bit faster movement than her head could handle, and headache started again. Sophia closed her eyes, frowning, and reached with hands to hold her head.

Seeing her expression, he moved swiftly and helped her lay flat on the sofa while he sat next to her. Felix placed his hands on her head. His thumbs circled her temples and index and middle fingers worked their magic behind Sophia's ears. "Avoid sudden movements until you expel alcohol from your body.", he advised.

She obediently laid on the sofa, with her eyes closed and listened to his enchanting voice while his fingers leaved invisible scorching marks wherever they touched.