Chapter 97

Brandon didn’t

Chapter 97

Brandon didn’t realize until the next morning that Sophia’s number was a dead end.

With a flight home scheduled for the afternoon, he wanted to grab a bite with Sophia before taking off, but when he dialed her up, he was greeted with the “the number you have dialed is switched off” message.

At first, Brandon held onto a sliver of hope, guessing she might be tied up in a meeting.

But when he rang her up again in the afternoon and got the same disconnected tune, he got the picture–Sophia had probably changed her digits.

He even made a detour to that cozy little pad Sophia had taken him to the night before, only to find the real estate agent busy snapping pics and showing the place around.

The place was clearly tidied up, the design drafts on the table nearly all gone, though the books and other stuff were still kicking around.

The master bedroom’s main luggage was obviously packed up and out the door.

Brandon shot a glance at the busy agent. “What happened to the last tenant?”

“She checked out this morning,” the agent replied in passing. “The place is up for grabs now. You looking to rent?”

Then, worried that Brandon might snub the not–so–spick–and–span state of the digs, the agent quickly added, “Don’t sweat it, we’ll have the place spick and span before you move in. The previous tenant paid us to get it all shipshape. If you’re in a rush, we can have it ready today.”

“No thanks,” replied Brandon, his voice flat, giving the room a final once–over before heading out.

The agent was left scratching his head at Brandon’s cold exit.

Back in his car, Brandon fished out his cell and chuckled as he stared at the number Sophia had just added the night before.

Classic Sophia.

She always knew how to leave with the softest touch, yet make the cleanest break.

As the smile faded, Brandon’s face turned stone-cold, and he deleted the number, tossed the phone aside, and pulled away, the car quickly rolling out.

He didn’t linger in Wye City, heading straight for the airport.

While going through security, Don buzzed him up. Hearing airport announcements in the background, Don blurted out in surprise, “You’re at the airport?”

Yep, Brandon replied, short and sweet, grabbing his coat from the scanner and walking towards the exit.

“Why the sudden takeoff?” Don asked, puzzled, “I was hoping to chat with you about setting up a joint venture today

Just email me the proposal,” Brandon said, still sounding distant, “I’ll have someone look into it.”

“Sure thing. I’ll send it your way,” Don agreed, wrapping up the business talk before slipping back into personal territory, “Why the rush to leave?”

Busy with company stuff, Brandon wasn’t in the mood to chat, “Gotta go.

He hung up before Don could respond.

Brandon wasn’t one to open up. He’d always the type to deal with things on his own, keeping his emotions close to the chest. Without

had no chance

Chapter 97

he’d prepped earlier, along with a message

back a straightforward reply. [I’m

didn’t sound fine,

you can, and we’ll

over] Brandon responded.

later, Brandon replied, [Let’s roll with this.]

“The Starlight Group has office space ready to go, no need to rent. elsewhere.”

by Brandon’s brisk agreement. By the time it sank in, he was up on his feet, arms flailing in excitement, throwing up a “ye” sign. Just then, Sophia walked in with the proposal, and catching sight of Don’s uncharacteristic jubilation, she froze, wondering if she’d walked

throat, trying to salvage some

shoot a resentful glance at the door, cursing whoever left

because Sophia always seemed so calm and collected, Don always felt a tad uneasy

supposed to run some ideas by you last

the new

“Looks good. Go ahead and design it

circled a section on the draft with a pen, “I suggest we try a new color scheme here, with

look and nodded, “Got it.”

about to leave with the marked–up proposal, Don stopped her. “Hold up.”

turned around, puzzled.

little dance earlier, Don coughed lightly. “So, here’s the thing. Our business in Ephemora is pretty stable now, and I’m thinking about expanding back to Zenitha. We’ve got a preliminary partnership shaping up with the Starlight Group.”

“the Starlight Group,” Sophia’s hand paused on the documents.

the new company’s debut in Zenitha, a way to make some noise. You’ve just graduated and you’re mobile, so how

a hint of regret, “That might

Starlight Group’s track record. If you’ve got Starlight Group on your resume, plus the title of Head Designer, whether you wanna keep climbing the ladder. here, transfer

you up, Don added. “If you’re worried about settling in, don’t sweat it. The company’s got your back with a relocation package or they’ll sort you out with grub and a bed”

that Sophia’s number was a dead

to grab a bite with Sophia before taking off, but when he dialed her up, he was greeted with the “the number you

a sliver of hope, guessing she might

afternoon and got the same disconnected tune, he got the picture–Sophia had probably changed her digits.

made a detour to that cozy little pad Sophia had taken him to the night before, only to find the real estate agent busy snapping pics

nearly all gone, though the books and other stuff were still kicking around.

was obviously packed up and out the door.

busy agent.

passing. “The place is up for grabs now.

the place spick and span before you move in. The previous tenant paid us to get it all shipshape. If you’re in a

Brandon, his voice flat, giving the room a final

scratching his head

his car, Brandon fished out his cell and chuckled as he stared at the

Classic Sophia.

to leave with the softest touch, yet make the cleanest break.

the number, tossed the phone aside, and pulled away, the

in Wye City, heading straight for the airport.

airport announcements in the background, Don blurted

sweet, grabbing his coat from the

was hoping to chat with you about setting

still sounding distant,

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