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.

always the type

no chance of prying.

Chapter 97

joint venture proposal he’d prepped earlier, along with a

shot back a straightforward

sound fine, but with Brandon

out when you can, and we’ll tweak it if

over] Brandon

Brandon replied, [Let’s roll with

he followed up with a voice message. “The Starlight Group has office space ready to go,

off guard 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 into the wrong office and glanced back at the door.

his throat, trying to salvage some dignity, “Uh, what brings you here?”

resentful glance at the door, cursing whoever left it open and

always seemed so calm and collected, Don always felt a tad

fresh–off–the–press proposal. “1 was supposed to run some ideas by you last night, but something came up at home and I couldn’t make it.

over the new creative concept.

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

part here.” Don circled a section on the draft with a pen, “I suggest we try a new color scheme here, with ultramarine blue as a base.”

and nodded, “Got it.”

about to leave with the marked–up proposal,

around, puzzled.

being caught in his 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.”

Group,”

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

regret, “That might

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,

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 relocation package or they’ll sort

until the next morning that Sophia’s number was a

he wanted to grab a bite with Sophia before taking off, but when

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

when he rang her up again in the afternoon and got the same disconnected tune, he

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

clearly tidied up, the design drafts on the table nearly all gone, though

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

glance at the busy agent. “What happened to

“The place

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

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

was left scratching his head

his cell and chuckled as he stared

Classic Sophia.

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

faded, Brandon’s face turned stone-cold, and he deleted the number, tossed the phone

City, heading straight for the

up. Hearing airport announcements in the background, Don blurted

replied, short and sweet, grabbing his coat from the scanner and

“I was hoping to chat with you about setting up a joint venture

email me the proposal,” Brandon said, still sounding distant,

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