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,

skewers for Brandon. “Want to

side by side with her

Kent were also by the BBQ, skewers in hand. Seeing

you actually up for this kind

problem?” Brandon asked, skillfully laying the skewers Sophia handed him on the grill.

1/2

08:125

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

of oysters and called Sophia over to help clean

a

straightened up, “I’ll get back to it,” quickly dismissing

back at Brandon. “I’m gonna go help out over there.”

looked at the pile of oysters

else.

Brandon wasn’t into these gatherings, nudged him. “Why force yourself

glanced towards Sophia again.

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

much interest in BBQ.

came

their tasks and was now dancing around the bonfire, the music and laughter creating a lively

scanned the crowd for Sophia

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

stood by her side,

them?” he asked, placing the skewer

appearance melted into ease

asked, having spotted Brandon on the

Brandon nodded

watched the beef skewers sizzle over the charcoal, she finally

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

to just ditch him and let him waste

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

at the laughing and joking group, he turned to her, “Wanna go check it out?”

was a bit surprised but nodded,

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

and Brandon joined the hand-holding dance.

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

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

she couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Brandon.

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

to have a bit more

then, Brandon turned to look

flashed him a light smile.

2/3

08:42

He smiled back.

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

party, had already grabbed mics and were belting out tunes that were way off-key,

Brandon sat down by

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255