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!”

innocent charm quickly eased the tension,

skewers for Brandon.

her and nodded, standing side

were also by the BBQ, skewers in hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together, Don couldn’t hide

for this kind of

asked, skillfully laying the skewers Sophia handed

1/2

08:125

saying, it’s good to relax every now and then, take

of oysters

gave her a

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

busy oyster crew, then back at Brandon.

pile of oysters and

–

else.

wasn’t into these gatherings, nudged him. “Why force yourself if you’re not into it?” Brandon shot him a look. “It’s not about liking or not. It’s just a way to pass the

glanced towards Sophia

Among the chattering girls, Sophia’s serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial, just content to listen and smile without diving

interest in BBQ. Social gatherings weren’t his thing.

a work call came through on his

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

the crowd for Sophia but didn’t spot

occasionally glancing at the lively crowd with a smile, but with no intention of joining

stood by her side, picking up a skewer

join them?” he asked, placing the skewer on the grill.

surprise at his sudden appearance melted into ease as she turned

she asked, having spotted Brandon on the phone just moments before, obviously tangled up in work

nodded

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

scene,” Sophia admitted, too embarrassed to say she didn’t

him into coming; it wouldn’t be cool to

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

then looking over at the laughing and joking group, he turned to her, “Wanna go check it

bit surprised but nodded,

a double-take before Don let go of Cindy’s hand to make way for

joined the

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

felt a bit self-conscious at first but soon got swept up in the

fun, she couldn’t help but sneak a

at the corners of his mouth. He wasn’t laughing uproariously

he seemed to have a bit more youthful vigor under

turned to look at

a light smile.

2/3

08:42

He smiled back.

group, the revelry was still in full swing, shifting from the campfire dance to a boisterous mix of karaoke

that were way off-key, filling the farm air with their howls, but

down