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!”

eased the tension, and the

some skewers for Brandon.

her and nodded, standing side by side with her at the

in hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together, Don couldn’t hide his

actually up for this kind of

the skewers Sophia handed him on

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08:125

at all, Don replied, thrilled. “Just saying, it’s good to relax every now and then, take

a plate of oysters and called Sophia over to

her a passing

quickly

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

pile of oysters and nodded. “Go ahead.”

–

else.

into these gatherings, nudged him. “Why force yourself if you’re not into it?” Brandon shot him a look.

towards Sophia

girls, Sophia’s serene presence

much interest in BBQ. Social gatherings weren’t his

a work call came through on his

his call, everyone had dropped their tasks and was now dancing around the bonfire, the music and laughter

scanned the crowd for Sophia but didn’t spot

outskirts, he found her still with the oysters, absentmindedly grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at the lively crowd with a smile,

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

not join them?” he asked, placing the skewer on

surprise at his sudden appearance melted into ease

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

nodded lightly.

beef skewers sizzle over the charcoal, she finally turned to Sophia,

that scene,” Sophia admitted, too embarrassed to say she didn’t want to leave Brandon hanging by

wouldn’t be cool to just ditch him

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

and joking group,

bit surprised but nodded, “Sure, why not?”

them joined in, everyone did a double-take before Don let go

and Brandon joined the hand-holding dance.

folks holding hands,

bit self-conscious at first but soon got swept up in the festive vibe, laughing along

midst of the fun, she couldn’t

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

to have a bit more youthful vigor

turned to look

flashed him a light smile.

2/3

08:42

He smiled back.

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

of the party, had already grabbed mics and were belting out tunes that were way off-key, filling the farm air

Brandon sat down by the