Chapter 151: Chapter 151

Chapter 151

Kent dropped the hotel name, it’s a stone’s throw from the office.

“Room 1503.”

At the end, Kent thoughtfully included the room number.

Brandon shot him a glance.

Kent, all humble and docile, said, “I’m off to work then.”

Brandon watched the office door close, glanced at his watch but didn’t get up. Instead, he grabbed some paperwork off his desk.

He got so wrapped up in work that before he knew it, it was nearly quitting time.

Brandon looked up at the clock in the top right corner of his computer screen and his busyness came to a halt.

After a moment of silence, he shut down his computer, stood up, grabbed his suit jacket from the coat rack, and snatched his car keys on his way out.

Kent, busy at work but quick to speak, blurted out, “Mr. Crawley, where are you headed?”

“Clocking out,” Brandon replied.

Brandon had already left, standing by the elevator, his face calm but with a fleeting moment of hesitation before he turned and asked Kent, “Did Sophia find a place?”

“Not yet.”

”

Kent had a say in this-after all, he had chatted with Sophia about this very topic while driving her home.

Brandon nodded, said nothing more, and reached out to press the elevator button.

The elevator doors opened, and Brandon stepped inside.

The elevator quickly reached the ground floor.

As soon as Brandon stepped out of the elevator, he caught sight of Sophia hurrying towards him, and his own steps gradually slowed.

Sophia, on her way, spotted Brandon and her pace also naturally slowed.

“What brings you here?” Brandon asked.

“Just getting a feel for the work environment,” Sophia replied, still a bit uneasy facing Brandon-maybe it was the aftereffect of that intense kiss at noon.

Brandon nodded but didn’t say much more.

The two were back to that awkward silence.

“Are you heading out?” Sophia tried to make conversation, striving for a casual and relaxed tone.

“Not really,” Brandon responded indifferently, glancing at his watch, “I’m actually about to run an errand to your firm, let’s go together.”

Sophia gave him a puzzled look, then nodded, “Fine.”

Brandon turned and pressed the elevator button.

Sophia followed him into the elevator.

The doors closed.

In the confined space, the memory of that intense, uncontrollable midday kiss suddenly became crystal clear, and it felt like the temperature in the elevator was subtly rising.

Sophia stood just behind and to the left of Brandon.

His tall posture and the pressure of his cool, distant silhouette reminded her of that overly emotional kiss at noon.

It wasn’t often that Brandon showed such a domineering and forceful side.

She had been completely stunned by the kiss, so much so that when she went to sign the contract and then followed him back to the event, she was in a daze.

Now, well-rested and clear-headed, the memories and sensory stimuli from that moment were vividly resurfacing.

1/2

08:42

With that clarity came an awkward feeling.

Sophia tried not to let her thoughts wander, standing quietly and obediently without fidgeting, until the elevator jolted suddenly, startling her into instinctively turning around. Almost at the same moment, Brandon firmly grasped her arm.

Sophia instinctively looked at Brandon and their eyes collided.

The elevator stabilized after that brief shake.

But Brandon didn’t let go of Sophia’s hand, and his gaze didn’t leave her face.

His deep eyes seemed to draw her in, and she found herself lost in their bottomless depth.

In the silence of their gaze, Brandon slowly leaned towards her.

Sophia’s eyes widened in surprise, watching his handsome face grow closer, his unique scent enveloping her, his lips almost touching hers when the elevator doors suddenly opened.

Sophia and Brandon snapped back to reality, their eyes met briefly, then they both turned away.

Don was standing by the elevator, his eyes shifting suspiciously between them, “What’s going on here?”

“Nothing,” Brandon replied calmly, stepping out of the elevator with poise.

Sophia also walked out, maintaining her composure.

They both entered Star Dempsey Architects together.

Everyone was getting ready to leave for the day, but when they saw the two walk in together, they quickly turned back to their computers, pretending to be busy.

Don clapped his hands together, “Alright, cut the act, pack up. We’re going out to celebrate the firm’s opening day.”

He then turned to Brandon and Sophia, “You’ve come at the right time, join us for dinner, why don’t you?”

Sophia felt a bit awkward, “I had an appointment with a realtor to see some places, so I’m afraid I can’t.”

Don’s questioning gaze turned to Brandon, “What about you, Mr. Crawley?”

“I’ll pass,” Brandon said.

Don nodded, not pressing further-without Brandon, everyone else could relax a bit more.

Sophia’s phone rang just then.

It was the realtor. The 7 PM house viewing was canceled. The landlord hadn’t left work yet.

“It’s okay,” Sophia replied softly to the realtor’s apology, then hung up.

Don, who had overheard Sophia’s conversation with the realtor, raised an eyebrow, “Can’t see the house, but you can make it for dinner now, right?”

Sophia nodded promptly, “Sure.”

Don’s inquiring look once again shifted to Brandon, “You’re not going, right?”