Chapter 117
She spoke up softly, her palm brushing ever-so-lightly against Brandon’s before quickly retreating.
Brandon shot her a glance.
Sophia, with her eyes lowered, pulled up a chair and took a seat.
Don had already passed the menu to Sophia. “Let’s order first, see what tickles your fancy”
Sophia pushed the menu back. “You guys go ahead. I’m not picky.”
Brandon gave her another cursory look, grabbed the menu, and flagged down the waiter with a wave.
The waiter promptly approached. “Good evening, sir. What would you like to order?”
“Let’s get down to business,” Brandon said, “Spicy shredded pork in garlic sauce, boiled beef in spicy sauce, diced chicken with chili peppers.”
Brandon rattled off several dishes, all with that chili kick-spicy was the name of the game.
Don looked at Brandon, incredulous. “You sure you can handle the heat?”
He remembered Brandon having a taste for lighter, more health-conscious fare, not much for the heavy flavors.
After asking, he turned to Sophia with concern. “You’re good with spicy, right?”
But he noticed Sophia watching Brandon with a complex gaze.
“Sophia?” Don called out, unsure.
Sophia snapped back to reality, looking at Don. “I’m not doing spicy these days, let’s go for something lighter.”
With that, she took the menu and chose a few milder dishes.
Don, a spice fiend himself, didn’t often get a chance to savor authentic spicy dishes abroad, so he too ordered a bunch of piquant
dishes in one breath.
When the dishes arrived, Don, without further ado, picked up the tableware and dived in, sampling each dish.
Sophia and Brandon stuck to the lighter fare.
Don noticed that Brandon’s tableware was untouched. “Wait, you ordered all this and you’re not having any?”
Brandon glanced at Sophia across the table. “I’m on a health kick lately.”
“You’re on a health kick and still ordering all these heavy flavors? Thought you’d changed your taste,” Don muttered, noticing Sophia was also sticking to the lighter dishes, “You’re not into spicy either?”
Sophia shook her head slightly. “No, just dealing with a bit of heatiness lately.”
She used to be all about spicy food, especially before marrying Brandon, whose preferences leaned towards the milder side. Gradually, she’d adapted to his tastes.
Post-divorce, and coinciding with her pregnancy and severe morning sickness, she’d been cautious not to indulge in anything too heavy, sticking to a light diet and consciously focusing on her health. Over the years, she’d grown accustomed to less intense flavors.
The dishes Brandon had ordered were all ones she used to love.
Sophia wasn’t sure if it was a coincidence or if Brandon actually remembered her favorites, leaving her feeling a bit tangled inside as she glanced over at him.
Brandon, however, just serenely sipped his drink, half-closed eyes not even drifting her way.
Don, not foreseeing that both were off spicy food, lamented the fiery feast before them. “Here I was thinking you both were into it, turns out it’s all for me.”
Though he said that, he dove in with his tableware, grimacing from the spice, gasping and gulping water, yet still segueing into business matters. “So, although Mr. Crawley isn’t directly overseeing the Zenithan-style resort project, it’s still pretty key for the Starlight Group, and he’s quite invested in it. He’s seen your design proposal and is very impressed.”
Sophia managed a tight smile. “I remember the client listed in the proposal wasn’t the Starlight Group.”
“That’s right. It’s being handled by a subsidiary” Don explained, “But no worries, with the big boss here, Mr. Crawley has the final say, so there won’t be a bunch of people butting in and messing with things. Just liaise with Mr. Crawley, you’ll be fine.”
1/3
09:29
Turning to Brandon, Don affirmed, “Right, Brandon?”
Brandon didn’t look at him but at Sophia. “Ms. Yearwood, do you have
any
concerns?”
Sophia pursed her lips slightly, looking at Brandon. “Is this a coincidence or?”
“Coincidence,” Brandon cut her off, “I only found out today that you are the lead designer on the project.”
“Yeah, exactly,” Don chimed in quickly, “Mr. Crawley just saw the proposal today and was pleasantly surprised, which is why I thought of setting up this dinner for a meet and chat.”
Brandon continued to gaze calmly at Sophia. “The proposal is very well done, congratulations.”
Sophia’s lips twitched in a forced smile. “Thanks.”
“Mr. Dempsey has recommended you for the position of Design Director at Star-Dempsey Architects, and I hear you are hesitant, right?” Brandon inquired, waving the design proposal she’d worked on, “Based on this proposal alone, I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t be up to the task.”
“Absolutely, more than qualified for the Director role,” Don jumped in, trying to persuade Sophia.
But Sophia wasn’t swayed as easily as he’d hoped.
“Thank you, Mr. Crawley and Mr. Dempsey, for the high regard, but I’m really not the right fit,” she said, her voice as gentle and polite as ever.
Brandon watched her, unmoved. “What makes you unfit?”
“The company’s direction and my career plans aren’t quite aligned.”
“Are you considering a career change?”
“Not at all.”
“Since you aren’t planning to switch fields, the Starlight Group’s architectural design business might not be top-tier in the industry, but it’s definitely up there, and with Dempsey Architects joining forces, it might just break into the elite. Are you lacking confidence, Ms. Yearwood?”
Sophia looked at him. “No, it’s not that. Your company is great; it’s my issue.”
“What’s up?”
“I’m just not into this city, so I don’t wanna stick around.”
Brandon’s eyes suddenly sharpened, pinning her in place without a word.
Sophia gave him an apologetic nod, then turned to Don. “Mr. Dempsey, I’m stuffed, I’m gonna head out.”
Don, eager to keep her around, clueless about the sudden tension in the air, said, “What’s the rush? It’s early yet, have a bit more.”
Sophia, with a gentle voice, replied, “No thanks, I’ve got stuff to do. About that design proposal, take a look and see if you need to switch people or change the plan. I might not be able to follow through.”
Don was speechless.
His pleading eyes sought Brandon’s help.
But Brandon didn’t look at him, his gaze still firmly on Sophia’s face, his expression icy. “Sorry, Mr. Dempsey doesn’t call the shots here.”
Sophia turned back, puzzled.
Brandon casually tossed a contract onto the table. “The Starlight Group is really digging your design proposal, we’ve signed a deal and we’re all set to kick off. As the lead designer, Ms. Yearwood, you’ve got a duty to see the project through.”
Sophia was speechless.
Don thought, “When did this happen?”
“You can’t do this. It’s like you’re forcing my hand.”
“You submitted that proposal yourself.”
“Can I pay a penalty or something?”
Brandon gave her a cold glance.
Sophia’s voice caught in her throat.
“I’ll get in touch with Mr. Dempsey later,” she said softly, “I gotta go.”
She turned to leave.
But Brandon stood up swiftly. “Back then, you left without a peep, wanted a divorce, to study, to level up, even ditched your kid for a shot at a career. Now, you’ve finally made something of yourself, opportunity’s knocking, and you’re ready to bail. Sophia, what are you so afraid of?”
Don didn’t know what was happening.
