The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 153

Sophia was just chilling at the top of the stairs, one hand on her knee, the other patting her chest, huffing and puffing like she’d run a marathon. Her face was all flushed, her hair a bit of a mess, and you could see a layer of fine sweat beading on her forehead.

She caught Brandon’s eye and felt a bit embarrassed.

“Today’s the grand opening of the new company, and everyone’s buzzing with excitement. Why don’t you come and celebrate with us?” she said awkwardly. “Honestly, people love it when the boss lets loose and hangs with the crew. Makes you feel less like the big man upstairs, you know?”

Brandon glanced at her still-thumping chest, then at her damp, rosy cheeks, before his gaze settled into her eyes. “Did you specifically come looking for me?”

The word “specifically” hung in the air between Sophia and Brandon, loaded with unspoken meaning, given their complicated relationship.

–

She hadn’t thought it through his solitary silhouette had just popped into her head, and on a whim, she’d dashed up to find him. “Not really,” Sophia replied, her cheeks coloring. “It’s just everyone’s heading out to party, and it seemed like a bummer for the big boss to be missing out.”

She glanced at the now-deserted office, then back at him. “You’re here burning the midnight oil all by yourself. If work’s not screaming for attention, why not take a break? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Kent looked over at Sophia, a tad surprised.

Her casual concern for Brandon was kind of sweet and unexpected.

Brandon threw him a glance.

Kent, taking the hint, quickly made his exit. “I’ll leave you two to chat. Mr. Dempsey’s waiting for me to join the celebration. I’ll head over so no one’s kept waiting.”

With that, he bolted.

Brandon’s eyes lingered on the sweat on Sophia’s forehead, and he casually grabbed some tissues from a nearby desk, walking over to her.

Standing in front of her, he reached out with the tissue towards her forehead. “Did you take the stairs?”

“Yeah, the elevator was out of service,” Sophia replied, taking the tissue from him with an awkward smile. “I’ve got it.”

He gave

her a look but didn’t fight her for it, handing over the tissue.

After drying off, Sophia turned to him again. “So, you coming?”

He nodded. “Sure, why not?”

A smile flickered across her face, and a hint of one appeared in his eyes too.

“Let’s go,” he said, and they headed down together.

Don had texted Sophia the details for the get-together.

He’d booked a rooftop farm with its own BBQ and bonfire setup.

By the time Sophia and Brandon arrived, everyone was already in full swing some prepping the food, others manning the grills, chatting and laughing in little clusters.

Brandon’s entrance caused a momentary freeze, everyone suddenly self-conscious.

Sophia, all smiles and warmth, called out/”Keep the fun rolling. Don’t mind us!”

the

some skewers for Brandon. “Want

at her and nodded, standing side

in hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together,

you actually up for this

laying the skewers Sophia handed

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08:125

saying, it’s good to relax every now and then, take a breather.” Brandon ignored him, focusing on grilling the meat for

a plate of oysters and called Sophia over to help

her a passing glance.

straightened up, “I’ll get back to it,” quickly dismissing the idea of Sophia

glanced over at the busy oyster crew, then back at Brandon. “I’m gonna go help out over

looked at the pile of

–

else.

his grilling, clearly more interested in something or someone Don, aware Brandon wasn’t into these gatherings, nudged him. “Why force yourself if you’re not into it?” Brandon shot him a look.

towards

scrubbing oysters out of a foam cooler. Among the chattering girls, Sophia’s serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial, just content to listen and

didn’t intrude, nor did he show much interest in

came through on his phone.

returned from his call, everyone had dropped their tasks and was now dancing around

the crowd for Sophia but didn’t spot her.

glancing

and stood by her side, picking up a skewer from the

placing the skewer on

at his sudden appearance melted into ease

your call?” she asked, having spotted Brandon on the phone just moments before, obviously tangled

Brandon nodded lightly.

she watched the beef skewers sizzle over the charcoal, she finally turned to Sophia, “Why aren’t you mingling with

Sophia admitted, too embarrassed to say she didn’t want to leave

him into coming; it wouldn’t be cool to just ditch him and let

the last person to jump into a sing-and-dance kind

looking over at the laughing and joking

a bit surprised but nodded, “Sure,

before Don let go of Cindy’s hand

Brandon joined the hand-holding

hands, hopping on one foot to the catchy music now and then.

soon got swept up in

midst of the fun, she couldn’t

was calm, but there was a slight smile at the corners of his mouth. He wasn’t laughing

demeanor, he seemed to

Brandon turned to

him a light smile.

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08:42

He smiled back.

shifting from

were belting out tunes that were way off-key, filling the farm air with their howls, but not dampening

Brandon sat down by the barbecue grill.