Chapter 153: Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Sophia was just chilling at the top of the stairs, one hand on her knee, the other patting her chest, huffing and puffing like she’d run a marathon. Her face was all flushed, her hair a bit of a mess, and you could see a layer of fine sweat beading on her forehead.

She caught Brandon’s eye and felt a bit embarrassed.

“Today’s the grand opening of the new company, and everyone’s buzzing with excitement. Why don’t you come and celebrate with us?” she said awkwardly. “Honestly, people love it when the boss lets loose and hangs with the crew. Makes you feel less like the big man upstairs, you know?”

Brandon glanced at her still-thumping chest, then at her damp, rosy cheeks, before his gaze settled into her eyes. “Did you specifically come looking for me?”

The word “specifically” hung in the air between Sophia and Brandon, loaded with unspoken meaning, given their complicated relationship.

–

She hadn’t thought it through his solitary silhouette had just popped into her head, and on a whim, she’d dashed up to find him. “Not really,” Sophia replied, her cheeks coloring. “It’s just everyone’s heading out to party, and it seemed like a bummer for the big boss to be missing out.”

She glanced at the now-deserted office, then back at him. “You’re here burning the midnight oil all by yourself. If work’s not screaming for attention, why not take a break? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Kent looked over at Sophia, a tad surprised.

Her casual concern for Brandon was kind of sweet and unexpected.

Brandon threw him a glance.

Kent, taking the hint, quickly made his exit. “I’ll leave you two to chat. Mr. Dempsey’s waiting for me to join the celebration. I’ll head over so no one’s kept waiting.”

With that, he bolted.

Brandon’s eyes lingered on the sweat on Sophia’s forehead, and he casually grabbed some tissues from a nearby desk, walking over to her.

Standing in front of her, he reached out with the tissue towards her forehead. “Did you take the stairs?”

“Yeah, the elevator was out of service,” Sophia replied, taking the tissue from him with an awkward smile. “I’ve got it.”

He gave

her a look but didn’t fight her for it, handing over the tissue.

After drying off, Sophia turned to him again. “So, you coming?”

He nodded. “Sure, why not?”

A smile flickered across her face, and a hint of one appeared in his eyes too.

“Let’s go,” he said, and they headed down together.

Don had texted Sophia the details for the get-together.

He’d booked a rooftop farm with its own BBQ and bonfire setup.

By the time Sophia and Brandon arrived, everyone was already in full swing some prepping the food, others manning the grills, chatting and laughing in little clusters.

Brandon’s entrance caused a momentary freeze, everyone suddenly self-conscious.

Sophia, all smiles and warmth, called out/”Keep the fun rolling. Don’t mind us!”

Her gentle demeanor and innocent charm quickly eased the tension, and the party vibe bounced back.

She grabbed some skewers for Brandon. “Want to grill some?”

He looked at her and nodded, standing side by side with her at the grill.

Don and Kent were also by the BBQ, skewers in hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together, Don couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Are you actually up for this kind of thing?”

“Is there a problem?” Brandon asked, skillfully laying the skewers Sophia handed him on the grill.

1/2

08:125

“Nope, no problem at all, Don replied, thrilled. “Just saying, it’s good to relax every now and then, take a breather.” Brandon ignored him, focusing on grilling the meat for Sophia.

Cindy, out of breath, set down a plate of oysters and called Sophia over to help clean them..

Brandon gave her a passing glance.

Cindy straightened up, “I’ll get back to it,” quickly dismissing the idea of Sophia joining her..

Sophia glanced over at the busy oyster crew, then back at Brandon. “I’m gonna go help out over there.”

He looked at the pile of oysters and nodded. “Go ahead.”

–

else.

As Sophia walked away, he paused his grilling, clearly more interested in something or someone Don, aware Brandon wasn’t into these gatherings, nudged him. “Why force yourself if you’re not into it?” Brandon shot him a look. “It’s not about liking or not. It’s just a way to pass the time.”

He glanced towards Sophia again.

She had settled next to Cindy, awkwardly scrubbing oysters out of a foam cooler. Among the chattering girls, Sophia’s serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial, just content to listen and smile without diving into the hubbub.

Brandon didn’t intrude, nor did he show much interest in BBQ. Social gatherings weren’t his thing.

Luckily, a work call came through on his phone.

When Brandon returned from his call, everyone had dropped their tasks and was now dancing around the bonfire, the music and laughter creating a lively atmosphere.

He scanned the crowd for Sophia but didn’t spot her.

Looking to the outskirts, he found her still with the oysters, absentmindedly grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at the lively crowd with a smile, but with no intention of joining in.

He approached her and stood by her side, picking up a skewer from the plate.

“Why not join them?” he asked, placing the skewer on the grill.

Her surprise at his sudden appearance melted into ease as she turned to face him..

“Are you done with your call?” she asked, having spotted Brandon on the phone just moments before, obviously tangled up in work stuff again.

“Yeah,” Brandon nodded lightly.

As she watched the beef skewers sizzle over the charcoal, she finally turned to Sophia, “Why aren’t you mingling with the crowd?”

“I’m not really into that scene,” Sophia admitted, too embarrassed to say she didn’t want to leave Brandon hanging by himself after his call.

She had talked him into coming; it wouldn’t be cool to just ditch him and let him waste his time alone.

Brandon, true to his nature, would be the last person to jump into a sing-and-dance kind of crowd.

Catching a glance from him, then looking over at the laughing and joking group, he turned to her, “Wanna go check it out?”

Sophia was a bit surprised but nodded, “Sure, why not?”

When the two of them joined in, everyone did a double-take before Don let go of Cindy’s hand to make way for them to step in.

Sophia and Brandon joined the hand-holding dance.

It wasn’t any complex dance, just a bunch of folks holding hands, hopping on one foot to the catchy music now and then.

Sophia felt a bit self-conscious at first but soon got swept up in the festive vibe, laughing along with everyone else.

In the midst of the fun, she couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Brandon.

His handsome face was calm, but there was a slight smile at the corners of his mouth. He wasn’t laughing uproariously like the others, but his eyes and expression were clearly relaxed and enjoying the moment.

Compared to his usual serious and aloof demeanor, he seemed to have a bit more youthful vigor under his cool composure.

And just then, Brandon turned to look at her.

Sophia flashed him a light smile.

2/3

08:42

He smiled back.

As they stepped away from the group, the revelry was still in full swing, shifting from the campfire dance to a boisterous mix of karaoke and freestyle dancing.

Don and Kent, the life of the party, had already grabbed mics and were belting out tunes that were way off-key, filling the farm air with their howls, but not dampening the spirits of the crowd one bit.

Sophia and Brandon sat down by the barbecue grill.

Brandon warmed up some skewers he had grilled earlier and handed one to Sophia.

“Thanks,” she said, taking it and watching Kent belt out a song with all his heart, “Who knew Kent could let loose like this?”

“That’s just how he is,” Brandon remarked, “He tones it down when he’s around me.”

Sophia glanced at Brandon.

He definitely had a knack for making people feel like they couldn’t cut loose around him.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Nothing.” Sophia chuckled, “Just feels like everyone tightens up around you.”

“Including you?” Brandon inquired.

She nodded honestly, “Yeah.”

“Looks like I’ve got some reflection to do.”

“No need for that,” Sophia replied, “Some people just have a natural regal aura.”

“Is that a compliment?” he asked.

“1

guess so.”

Sophia laughed shyly after her reply.

Brandon also chuckled, his gaze drifting back to the carefree crowd.

Sophia couldn’t help but look at him, feeling that coaxing Brandon out had been the right call.

“Have you ever been to something like this before?” she asked.

“Nope,” Brandon replied, looking at her.

“It seems like, for you, nothing but work matters in life,” Sophia said with a smile, a question she’d been curious about for a long time but had never discussed with Brandon when they were more uncertain in their relationship.

He looked at her intently and nodded lightly, “Seems so.”

“That’s cool,” Sophia grinned.

“What’s cool?”

“Loving your work,” she said.

“People who naturally love their work see it as a challenge, so they don’t feel tired or annoyed,” she added with a laugh, “It’s what many people dream of, to be as thrilled about work as they are about eating.”

Brandon just smiled, not saying anything, and looked down at the skewers on his plate, taking a bite.

“How’s it taste?” Sophia asked.

“Not bad,” he nodded.

Sophia laughed, “I grilled it.”

“Pretty good skills then.”

“I think so too,” Sophia replied with a smile, and then, unable to resist, she looked back at Brandon’s good-looking face, softly saying, “Brandon, look, we could be friends, right?”

Brandon paused, turning to look at her.