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!”

gentle demeanor and innocent charm quickly eased the tension, and the party vibe bounced back.

grabbed some skewers for Brandon.

nodded, standing side by

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

you actually up for this

Brandon asked, skillfully laying the skewers Sophia

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relax every now and then,

a plate of oysters and called Sophia

gave her a passing glance.

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

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

of oysters and nodded. “Go ahead.”

–

else.

paused 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

towards Sophia again.

Among the chattering girls, Sophia’s serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial, just content to listen and

he show much interest in BBQ. Social gatherings weren’t

call came through on his

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

the crowd for Sophia but

still with the oysters, absentmindedly grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at the lively crowd with a smile, but with no intention of joining

her side, picking up a skewer from the

asked, placing the skewer on the

sudden appearance melted into ease as

you done with your call?” she asked, having spotted Brandon on the phone just moments before, obviously tangled up in work stuff again.

nodded lightly.

the charcoal, she finally

say she didn’t want to leave Brandon hanging by himself

had talked him into coming; it wouldn’t be cool to just ditch him and let him waste his

his nature, would be the last person

from him, then looking over at the laughing and joking group, he turned to her, “Wanna go check it out?”

a bit surprised but

in, everyone did a double-take before Don let go of Cindy’s hand to make way for them to

and Brandon joined the hand-holding dance.

just a bunch of folks holding hands, hopping on one foot to

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

of the fun, she couldn’t help but sneak a

his mouth. He wasn’t laughing uproariously like the others, but

aloof demeanor, he seemed to have a bit more youthful vigor under his cool composure.

then, Brandon turned

a light smile.

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08:42

He smiled back.

the group, the revelry was still in full swing, shifting from the

were way off-key, filling

Brandon sat down by the barbecue grill.