Chapter 116
Sophia stared at it for ages, her hand moving at a snail’s pace towards it, finally snagging it and dangling it from her fingertip, zoning out as she gazed at it.
She couldn’t for the life of her remember anything about this bracelet, but there was something about it that just chilled her out and even brought on a touch of nostalgia.
Laura caught Sophia spacing out over the necklace and couldn’t help but nag, “You get back and go straight to mooning over some old necklace. It’s been years, who knows where you picked up that thing-could be filthy.”
Sophia didn’t give her the time of day, just turned to Haley and asked, “Dad, do you remember who gave me this necklace?”
Haley shook his head, clueless, “No idea. You were clutching onto that necklace for dear life when we found you, couldn’t pry it open.”
Sophia’s eyes flickered with disappointment, but she quickly shook it off, gave a smile, didn’t say another word, just tucked the necklace away into her bag and got ready to bounce.
“The room,” Sophia glanced back at the room one last time, then looked at Haley, “just give it to Betty. I’m outta here, take care of yourself, and hit me up if you need anything.”
Haley looked a bit down in the dumps, “You’re not staying for dinner? It’s been years since you had a meal with the family.” Laura’s face turned sour in an instant, looking like she was about to blow a fuse.
Sophia acted like she didn’t see that, just cracked a smile at Haley, “Nah, got a dinner thing with a client tonight, rain check?”
After a quick goodbye to Haley and without lingering, she scooted downstairs and hailed a cab.
Don had texted her the dinner spot, so Sophia just told the driver to head to the restaurant Don picked out.
Don had sent the time and place to both Sophia and Brandon. Sophia replied with a [Cool,] but Brandon didn’t respond.
Don got to the restaurant first and didn’t spot Brandon or Sophia. Figuring they hadn’t arrived yet, he remembered Brandon hadn’t replied and wondered if he even got the message. He whipped out his phone to call Brandon, “Sent you the deets for dinner, you gonna make it on time?”
“Yeah,” came the same cool voice, not from the phone, but from behind.
Don turned around, surprised to see Brandon approaching, quickly pocketed his phone, and greeted him with a smile, “Thought you missed my message.”
“Was in a meeting.”
Brandon said, casually pulling up a chair to sit, eyed the design proposal on the table, picked it up, flipped through it nonchalantly, then looked at Don, “The designer’s not here yet?”
“She’s on her way, should be.” Don was about to say she’d be here soon when he caught sight of Sophia hurrying over, so he waved her down, “Sophia, over here.”
Brandon looked up at the sound, spotting Sophia weaving through the crowd towards them.
Sophia didn’t notice Brandon, her focus on Don who was standing and waving at her, and she apologized, “Sorry, got held up in
traffic.”
As she reached the table and instinctively went for a chair, her fingers barely brushing the backrest, she caught sight of Brandon looking at her, calm as can be, and she froze.
Brandon didn’t move either, just tilted his head slightly, watching her without a flicker.
Don stepped forward with a grin, “Let me introduce you guys, this is Brandon, the president of the Starlight Group, and the big boss for the resort project.”
Then he pointed to Sophia for Brandon, And this is our chief designer, Sophia.”
Sophia’s lips twitched, as if she was about to speak, but her throat felt like it was blocked, her eyes complex as she looked at Brandon.
Brandon had already stood up and reached out his hand, “Nice to meet you.”
Sophia hesitated, looking at him, not extending her hand.
Don, a bit perplexed, gave Sophia a gentle nudge, “Sophia?”
Sophia glanced at him, then back to Brandon.
Brandon was still giving her that calm look, his hand still hanging in the air, a pure business-like gesture.
Sophia eyed that steady and firm hand, hesitated a moment, then slowly reached out her own.
“Nice to meet you.”
