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!”

charm quickly eased the tension,

skewers for Brandon. “Want to grill some?”

nodded, standing side by side with her at the grill.

Kent were also by the BBQ, skewers in hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together,

up for this kind of

the skewers

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08:125

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

breath, set down a plate of oysters and called Sophia over to help clean

a passing glance.

back to it,” quickly dismissing the idea of Sophia joining her..

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

looked at the pile of oysters

–

else.

someone Don, aware Brandon wasn’t into these gatherings, nudged him. “Why force yourself if

towards Sophia

chattering girls, Sophia’s serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial, just

intrude, nor did he show much interest in BBQ. Social gatherings weren’t his

work call came through on

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

scanned the crowd for Sophia

oysters, absentmindedly grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at the lively crowd with a smile, but with

her side,

them?” he asked, placing the skewer on

appearance melted into ease as she turned

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

Brandon nodded

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

she didn’t want to leave Brandon hanging

had talked him into coming; it wouldn’t be cool to

his nature, would be the last person to jump into a sing-and-dance kind of

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

a bit surprised but

everyone did a double-take before Don let

and Brandon joined the hand-holding dance.

dance, just a bunch of folks holding hands, hopping on

self-conscious at first but soon got swept up in

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

corners of his mouth. He wasn’t laughing uproariously like the others, but his eyes and expression were

he seemed to have a bit more

then, Brandon turned to look

him a light smile.

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08:42

He smiled back.

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

that were way off-key, filling the farm air with their howls, but not dampening the spirits of the crowd one bit.

down by the barbecue