## Chapter 3: Lingering Expectations and Unforeseen Intimacies
The Paxton family home buzzed with a comfortable warmth, a familiar haven for Great. This weekend, however, the usual easy camaraderie was subtly strained by the ever-present figure of Tessa. Mrs. Paxton, a woman with a heart overflowing with affection and a clear vision for her son's future, beamed at Tessa, her eyes filled with an almost maternal fondness. She envisioned Tessa, with her polished charm and successful career, as the ideal daughter-in-law, a steady anchor for Great's sometimes-restless spirit. Great's younger sister, Tovia, a whirlwind of youthful energy, gravitated towards Tessa, her laughter echoing through the house as she trailed after her, eager for stories and attention.
Despite the outward display of familial harmony, a subtle tension simmered beneath the surface, particularly within the confines of Great's old bedroom. He and Tessa shared the familiar double bed, a silent testament to their years together. But when Tessa's hand tentatively reached for him in the darkness, her touch a silent invitation, Great remained unresponsive. A wall, invisible yet palpable, had erected itself between them. Frustration flickered across Tessa's face in the dim light, but she masked it with a practiced smile, a silent vow to breach that barrier eventually.
Sunday evening arrived, signaling their departure. Mrs. Paxton, her generosity overflowing, presented Tessa with a stunning crimson dinner gown, the rich fabric shimmering under the soft lamplight. A delicate velvet box followed, revealing a set of elegant jewelry. Tessa's delight was genuine, her promises of a return visit laced with a newfound determination.
As they drove back to the city, Great's thoughts were already elsewhere. He typed out a message to Sonia, a bold invitation: *Dinner tonight?* The blunt refusal that flashed back on his screen – *No, thank you* – tightened his jaw. He fired back a calculated reply, a subtle manipulation veiled in a challenge: *If you know you still love me, stay away. If you don't come, I'll know you do, and the sight of me is unbearable.* The goading worked. A curt *Fine. Where and when?* was Sonia's terse response.
They met at Eleanor Hotel, a place of understated elegance and hushed conversations. As Great gestured towards a plush velvet chair, a silent offer of assistance, Sonia brushed past him, her movements sharp and decisive. The air between them crackled with unspoken words, a tangible tension that hung heavy before Great finally broke the silence. "Will you order?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral, signaling a passing waiter with a subtle nod.
"No, thank you. I'm fine," Sonia replied, her gaze fixed on the crisp white tablecloth.
Great, however, insisted. "Sir, what can we offer you?" he asked the waiter. "I'll take a bottle of Bellerin."
The waiter turned to Sonia. "Madam?"
"A Campari will be okay," she stated, her tone clipped.
The drinks arrived, the clinking of glasses the only sound for a moment as they both took a tentative sip. Then, Great ventured into conversation, his voice smooth. "So, Sonia… life after campus? It seems to have treated you well."
Sonia offered carefully curated answers, omitting the raw vulnerability of her post-breakup years and the deliberate strategy behind her current relationship with Prince. They talked for a while, the conversation a delicate dance between polite inquiry and veiled emotions. As the evening deepened, a mutual acknowledgment of the late hour settled between them. Sonia suggested separate lodgings, a clear attempt to maintain a professional distance.
"The hotel is fully booked, Sonia," Great stated, a hint of something unreadable in his eyes. "I wouldn't want you to go through the stress of finding another place at this hour, or driving alone so late." He painted a picture of concern, subtly playing on a shared history. Reluctantly, Sonia agreed to share a suite, insisting on separate rooms. However, fate, or perhaps Great's subtle maneuvering, dictated otherwise. Only one suite remained available.
Inside the spacious room, an unspoken agreement settled between them. Great claimed the plush sofa, while Sonia retreated to the king-sized bed, a vast expanse separating them. But the night held its own surprises. Sonia's sleep was restless, punctuated by soft whimpers and muttered words. A sudden gasp, a choked cry, pierced the quiet. Great's concern overriding his earlier resolve, he rose and moved to her bedside.
Sonia was caught in the throes of a nightmare, her brow furrowed with fear. He sat beside her, his hand gently stroking her hair, his voice a soothing murmur. One touch led to another, a spark of familiar intimacy igniting in the darkness. The years of separation seemed to melt away as they found solace in each other's arms, a desperate seeking of comfort that blurred the lines of their present realities. The night unfolded in a tangle of unspoken desires and forgotten boundaries. It happened quickly, unexpectedly, and without protection.
The morning light painted the room in hues of regret and confusion for Sonia. A wave of disappointment washed over her, anger directed inward at her own lack of control. She had succumbed to a familiar weakness, a moment of vulnerability that complicated her carefully constructed plans. A hurried call to Chila revealed the truth, her friend's initial shock quickly giving way to a cautious optimism mixed with worry about the potential fallout.
Across town, a quiet satisfaction settled over Great. The night with Sonia had stirred something deep within him, solidifying his realization that his feelings for her had never truly faded. He knew he needed to end things with Tessa, to finally clear the path for a future with Sonia. But as he formulated his plans, unaware of the storm brewing on the horizon, Tessa was already setting her own manipulative schemes into motion, her desire to hold onto Great hardening into a dangerous resolve.