Chapter 154
âYou know what, youâre right. Iâve tried to leave you five times and Iâve lost every single time. Guess some things are just out of our hands. So this time, Iâm not gonna gamble my future on a sixth go-around.â
As Sophia spoke, she glanced over at Brandon.
âIâm still easy to influence where youâre concerned; Iâve always known thatâs a weak spot for me. Thatâs why Iâve always kept my distance from you. But just like you said, I canât seem to escape this weird cycle. It feels like no matter where I run, I end up back with you, so Iâve decided to just go with the flow.â
âEven coming back this time, I wasnât all that sure about it, so I left it up to fate. If I could make it back in time, great; if not, so be it. And I donât know if itâs good luck or what, but despite the flight delays, I still made it to your opening ceremony. The moment I stepped into the Starlight Group, I knew for sure that I landed the Zenithan-style resort project fair and square. Thereâs no reason for me to let it go.â
âAlthough youâre not the one in charge of this project, weâre in the same company and itâs inevitable that our paths will cross. We may not be cut out to be husband and wife, but itâs not like we have any major beef between us. Itâs just that our families, personalities, and ambitions donât mesh, thatâs all. Weâre bound to interact professionally, so we canât keep going at each other. like cats and dogs.â
Sophia said this, looking at him. âMaybe being friends is the most suitable relationship for us.â
Brandon stared at her silently for a moment. âWe canât be friends, Sophia.â
âThereâs no middle ground for us. Weâre either married or weâre strangers,â he said with a calm that borders on icy.
This version of Brandon reminded Sophia of the night they divorced.
The same calmness, the same âit is or it isnâtâ, with no room for anything in between â not even a need for a reason.
Sophia didnât know quite how to feel. She laughed a little and fell silent, feeling like she was awkwardly trying to suck up to someone in power.
Brandon didnât say anything more.
They both quietly continued eating their skewers.
Meanwhile, Don, who had been howling like a banshee on the phone, put the receiver down and headed out, returning shortly with
someone in tow.
âLet me introduce you all to our new designer, a hotshot straight from the world-renowned Apex Engineering University School of Architecture, Ivan Evert.â
Donâs excited, laughter-filled voice reached Sophia as she subconsciously looked up at him, catching sight of Ivan by his side.
She was a bit surprised to see Ivan.
Ivan also noticed Sophia and gave her a warm smile.
Sophia reflexively smiled at him.
Their exchange didnât miss Brandonâs attention.
Brandonâs expression cooled down, and he got up and left without a word.
Sophia couldnât help but glance at his retreating figure, a bit stunned.
Don also noticed Brandonâs silent departure and looked worriedly in his direction before turning back to Sophia.
Sophia just sat there, not getting up to follow.
Ivan glanced at Sophia, then thoughtfully at Brandonâs disappearing back.
Brandonâs figure merged with the night and slowly vanished.
When Ivan looked at Sophia again, she was still staring in the direction Brandon left, her face a mix of the familiar daze and carefully concealed sadness.
Donâs gaze swept over Sophiaâs face, his worry fading as he played the part of the mood-lifting boss, introducing Ivanâs credentials to everyone.
Ivan wasnât just any designer at the company; Don gave him a title equal to Sophiaâs.
After thanking everyone for their applause, Ivan sat down next to Sophia.
08:42
âCongratulations,â Ivan said first.
Sophia laughed and replied, âIt should be me saying congrats to you.â
Ivan also chuckled.
Don brought over some drinks, and they all celebrated together.
Sophia was distracted and accidentally gulped down the drink in front of her, mistaking it for a soft drink.
She realized too late itâs whiskey, and by then it was too late to spit it out.
Sophia was not good with booze, usually a teetotaler, and suddenly downing a big glass of whiskey threw her into a bit of a panic. Don noticed her pale face. âWhatâs wrong?â
âIâm fine,â Sophia replied, worried she would get tipsy soon. She politely said goodbye to Ivan, âI have some things to take care of at home, so Iâll head back first. You guys have fun.â
She also bid farewell to Don, Kent and the others.
Ivan, having seen her down a hefty glass of whiskey, insisted, âLet me take you home.â
âItâs not necessary, thanks.â Sophia smiled, declining, and after saying goodbye to everyone, headed out.
Ivan followed, saying, âI should really take you. Itâs late, youâre a woman, and youâve been drinking.â
âItâs okay, a cab ride home is just about fifteen minutes, Iâll be there in no time,â Sophia tried to dissuade him, âGo back and have fun with them, donât worry about me.â
But Ivan wasnât persuaded.
He didnât stop or turn back; he just walked with her to the parking lot.
Sophia hailed a cab on her phone and was about to say farewell to Ivan when she turned and saw Brandonâs car, and Brandon inside it. She paused in surprise.
Brandon also saw her and Ivan at her side.
His gaze swept back and forth between them, then he got out of the car and strode towards Sophia.
He reached her, leaned in, grabbed her wrist, and started pulling her towards the car.
Ivan instinctively tried to stop Brandon.
Brandon just gave him a cold look. âI brought her here; itâs my responsibility to make sure she gets home safe.â
Ivan was at a loss for words.
Brandon didnât wait for a reply, pulled Sophia into the passenger seat, hopped into the driverâs seat himself, and the car sped off. Sophiaâs hotel wasnât far, and soon they arrived..
Brandon stopped the car at the hotel entrance, walked around to her side, opened the door, and pulled Sophia out of the car.
Sophia was starting to feel the buzz, a bit wobbly on her feet.
Brandon only caught the rosy flush on her cheeks after she got out of the car, his brow furrowing slightly.
âHit the sauce, huh?â he asked.