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.

confusion. He knew 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 Brandon

had no chance of prying.

Chapter 97

the joint venture proposal he’d prepped earlier, along with a message on WhatsApp. [Bro, you

back a straightforward

frown deepened. The voice over the phone didn’t sound fine, but with Brandon tight–lipped as ever, he couldn’t

can, and we’ll

it over] Brandon responded.

later, Brandon replied, [Let’s roll

Group has

up on his feet, arms flailing in excitement, throwing up a “ye” sign. Just then, Sophia walked in with the proposal, and catching

throat, trying to salvage some dignity, “Uh, what

resentful glance at the door, cursing whoever left

always seemed so calm and collected, Don always felt

was supposed to run some ideas by you last night, but something

handed over the new creative

a quick once–over, pleased. “Looks good. Go ahead and

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

look and nodded, “Got it.”

to leave with the marked–up proposal,

turned around, puzzled.

thing. Our business in Ephemora is pretty stable now, and I’m thinking

Starlight Group,” Sophia’s hand

joint venture with the Starlight Group, and this project will be the new company’s debut in Zenitha, a way to make

with a hint of regret, “That might be a bit inconvenient

a killer opportunity. Sure, we’re just a subsidiary, but we’re under the Starlight Group umbrella, The industry gives big props to the 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 to the mothership, or jump

back, the perks are gonna be better than what you’re getting now, What with the Starlight Group backing you up, Don added. “If you’re worried about settling in, don’t sweat it. The company’s got your back with a

until the next morning 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

a sliver of hope, guessing she might be tied up in a

the same disconnected tune, he got the picture–Sophia

had taken him to the night before, only to find the real estate agent busy snapping pics and showing the

nearly

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

the busy agent. “What happened to

checked out this morning,” the agent replied in passing. “The place is

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

thanks,” replied Brandon, his voice flat, giving the room a final once–over

his head at Brandon’s cold

he stared at the number Sophia had just added

Classic Sophia.

knew how to leave with the softest touch, yet make the

and he deleted the number, tossed the phone

linger in Wye City, heading

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

replied, short and sweet, grabbing his coat from

to chat with you about setting up a

said, still sounding distant, “I’ll have someone look into

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