Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Chapter 48

“Yeah, but that’s ancient history I hardly remember much about it, just heard bits and pieces from my family.”

Marian was an open book when it came to her background, talking about it with an easy breezy attitude as if it were someone else’s tale. There wasn’t a trace of sadness on her face Sophia could tell she was living the good life with her current family.

Sophia was kinda digging her vibe and her no-BS personality.

She cracked a smile, “It’s totally normal to forget. I barely remember my kiddie days myself”

“Right?” Marian chuckled along. “Those days are ages ago. Who keeps track of all that stuff?”

“But have you ever,” Sophia hesitated, then looked at her, “ever thought about finding your biological parents?”

“Why bother?” Marian shot her a curious look, “My folks and my family are awesome to me. They treat me like their own, and I see them as my family. We’re already a family, so why go stirring the pot? What if I find them and then have to deal with the drama of whether to go back or not? Would I make my parents sad if I left? Better to let sleeping dogs lie. And, if they really cared, they would’ve looked for me by now I’ve been around for years and nobody’s come looking. My parents told me they adopted me after no one came forward when the police couldn’t find any missing person report or claim for me, Marian added.

Sophia didn’t jump in with a comeback, it wasn’t her place to judge, not walking in Marian’s shoes.

Marian wasn’t too hung up on the topic either. She whipped out her phone and fired up WhatsApp, “Let’s swap WhatsApp contacts.”

In the middle of the chat, she had the QR scanner up and handed her phone to Sophia, “I’ll scan you, okay?”

Sophia hesitated, then nodded, “Sure.”

She pulled out her phone, opened WhatsApp, and handed over her QR code.

Marian quickly scanned Sophia’s WhatsApp.

Sophia glanced at her phone and sure enough, there was Marian, using her own pic for her profile – a sunny, playful selfie that was easy to spot

Sophia hit ‘accept

Marian sent a cheeky sticking out tongue’ emoji, then looked at Sophia, “Let’s keep in touch, yeah?

Sophia nodded with a smile, “Definitely”

Marian sneakily peeped at Ivan, who was waiting for Sophia, and awkwardly stuck out her tongue before saying to Sophia, I’ll let you get back to it then. I’m off, but let’s chat soon.”

Sophia smiled and nodded, watching her walk away.

Ivan also glanced at Marian heading off and turned to Sophia, You know, you don’t have to add her if you don’t wanna

Sophia hugged her book to her chest and casually picked up her phone from the table, “Nah, it’s cool. Adding folks on WhatsApp is all fun and games at first, but most of them end up like zombies in your contacts list. Give it some time, and you forget who’s who.”

Ivan just looked at her, offering no argument, “Let’s head out.”

Sophia was a bit surprised that he wanted to walk out together today.

They arrived on the same day and lived in the same apartment complex but usually did their own thing.

Is there something up?” she couldn’t help but ask Ivan as they headed downstairs.

In her book, Ivan was like Brandon- not the warm and fuzzy type.

to nothing much ivan replied, looking her way. “I heard you applied for the architect position at Dempsey Architects The higher ups really liked your portfolio. Aren’t you gonna give it a shot?”

Chapter 48

I haven’t decided yet.” That was the truth; she hadn’t had the chance to think it over these past few days. She was somewhat taken aback when Ivan said he knew it.

“How’d you know?” she asked.

“I happen to know their person in charge and heard them mention it.”

Sophia looked at him, surprised, “Don? You know him?”

He nodded, “Yeah, we’re acquainted.”

Sophia chuckled, “Small world, huh? Seems like everyone knows everyone.”

She couldn’t resist giving an example, “Like Marian just now, she seems to know Don from way back.”

Ivan also chuckled, “It’s a funny coincidence.”

He then looked at her, “Honestly, Dempsey Architects is a pretty solid platform. It’d be great for your real-world experience while studying and for job opportunities after you graduate, whether you stay in abroad or head back home. You should think about it.”

Sophia trusted Ivan’s expertise and judgment. She smiled at him, “Alright, I’ll seriously consider it.”

Ivan returned the smile – a faint one, but their exchange made Brandon, who was waiting in the car, feel uncomfortable. He hadn’t planned on arriving early, just timed it with Sophia’s class end. Yet, he still caught this scene

He had seen Ivan’s gaze on Sophia before, in a photo Patricia sent the day Sophia left. It was the look of a man interested in a woman.

Brandon knew he had no right to interfere.

They were divorced. He and Sophia were free to date who they wanted.

The child unexpectedly on the way was the only thing tying them together now, but legally, they were strangers.

Seeing two attractive, well-matched people together made Brandon’s already heavy heart sink further.

He didn’t want to witness such a perfectly matched scene.

So, before his better judgment took over, Brandon slammed the horn hard.

The abrupt honk snapped Sophia back to reality, and she instinctively looked over to see Brandon behind the windshield, his expression cool and immobile.

She apologized to Ivan, “Sorry, a friend came to pick me up. I gotta go.”

Ivan sneak peeked into the car too, eyes locking with Brandon’s in a silent standoff, both of them giving each other the briefest of deadpan looks without a flicker of emotion.

Ivan looked away first, turning to Sophia and nodding, “Yeah, go ahead with your stuff.”

Sophia gave a nod back, bid Ivan a quick ‘see ya, and headed over to Brandon.

Brandon popped the passenger door open.

Sophia yanked the door and hopped in.

Brandon shot Ivan a look and fired up the engine, asking her, “So, you guys are on the same class now?”

Sophia nodded, “Yep.”

Brandon glanced in the rearview mirror at Ivan who was already walking away and asked, “Is he your kind of Mr. Right?”

Sophia was speechless.