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

Brandon. “Want to grill

nodded, standing side by side with her at

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

actually up for this kind

there a problem?” Brandon asked, skillfully laying the skewers Sophia handed him

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

down a plate of oysters and

gave her a passing glance.

get back to it,” quickly dismissing the idea

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

at the pile of

–

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

towards Sophia

settled next to Cindy, awkwardly scrubbing oysters out of a foam cooler. Among the chattering girls, Sophia’s serene presence stood out; not aloof or

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

call came through on

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

Sophia

the oysters, absentmindedly grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at

by her side, picking up a skewer

them?” he asked, placing the

at his sudden appearance melted into

having spotted Brandon on the phone just moments before,

Brandon nodded

skewers sizzle over the charcoal, she finally turned to Sophia, “Why

to say she didn’t

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

nature, would be the last person

then looking over at the laughing and

but nodded,

before Don let go of Cindy’s hand to make way for them

Brandon joined

holding hands, hopping on

first but soon got swept up in the festive vibe, laughing

couldn’t

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

he seemed to have a bit more youthful vigor under his cool

Brandon turned to look at her.

flashed him a light

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08:42

He smiled back.

still in full swing, shifting from the campfire

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

and Brandon sat down by