Chapter 95
Sophia gave him a puzzled look.
Brandon looked back at her, “Let’s grab a bite together. I haven’t eaten either.”
Sophia let out an awkward chuckle, “Might be a bit awkward, right? You don’t even know my friend.”
Brandon shrugged it off, “No worries, I won’t sit with you guys”
Sophia hesitated for a moment, “Alright, then.”
I As they left, she hesitated and walked a short distance before turning back to Brandon, “How about I just go with you instead? I’ll catch up with my friend some other time.”
“No need,” Brandon looked at her, “That wouldn’t be fair to you or your friend.”
“It’s cool, she won’t mind,” Sophia said, already turning towards him, “What do you feel like eating? It’s on me.
Brandon didn’t respond immediately, just tilted his head to look at her and slowly said, “Sophia, did you really have dinner plans with someone?”
Sophia fell silent.
Brandon’s gaze had already shifted to the phone she was clutching in her hand. “Mind if I take a peek at your call and chat history?”
Sophia instinctively tightened her grip on her phone, struggling to keep smiling. That’s not really cool, you know.”
But she still turned the phone screen towards him. It showed her latest WhatsApp conversation with Sylvia, with the most recent message from Sylvia saying, [Wait for me, I’ll be right there.]
Brandon took a look and then at her, “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Sophia smiled, then looked hesitantly behind him, “So just go have dinner with my friend.”
Brandon nodded, “Go ahead.”
But Brandon’s idea of making himself scarce didn’t involve leaving: he followed her into another mall and into another restaurant.
He didn’t get too close, just maintained a short distance, trailing her at just the right gap.
When Sophia arrived at the restaurant, Sylvia was also fashionably late, hurrying in with breathless apologies, “Sorry, Sophia, did you wait long? Got held up at work and left late.”
The name “Sophia” made Brandon glance at Sylvia. He recognized her, the girl who had stopped Don at Don’s
company.
Sophia? He had thought it was just the same name. After all, Sophia was a very common name, but he didn’t expect it!
Brandon looked thoughtfully at Sophia, remembering the silhouette he’d caught a glimpse of on his way down the stairs.
He kept a small distance from Sophia, who didn’t notice his gaze. The street was bustling with people, and Sylvia, completely focused on Sophia, didn’t notice either.
It’s fine, my bad, Sophia replied with a smille.
Then she said with another smile, “Let’s go in.”
She entered the restaurant with Sylvia, and taking the opportunity of turning a corner, Sophia sneaked a glance
21 Brandon.
Chapter 95
Brandon showed no sign of following up.
Sophia didn’t invite him to join either.
But as they took their seats, she still saw Brandon sitting down at a table not too far from them.
He ordered his meal alone and didn’t bother coming over.
Sophia suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.
Sylvia didn’t notice Sophia’s discomfort. Closing the menu, she smiled and asked, “Why did you suddenly ask me out today?”
Before she could finish saying “for dinner, Sophia cut her off with a smile, “Just hadn’t eaten and thought you hadn’t either, so we might as well eat together.”
After saying that, she couldn’t help but worryingly glance at Brandon again.
Fortunately, Brandon seemed engrossed in work on his phone, his handsome face serene and focused, his usual work demeanor.
The restaurant was noisy with chatter.
Sylvia was surprised by Sophia’s answer, “it’s rare for you to be free, usually you’re either rushing home after work or class, and you don’t hang out on weekends, it’s really tough to catch you for a meal.”
Sophia felt a bit guilty, I’ve been too busy before, with both studying and working, just couldn’t find the time.”
“You need to have fun and rest no matter how busy you are, I’ve never seen anyone as driven as you,” Sylvia laughed, “No wonder you’re so outstanding without any apparent reason.
1 might just prefer staying home, Sophia said, “Whether it’s going out or working, time passes the same way. it’s more comfortable at home.”
Sylvia nodded in agreement. “True that.”
The conversation drifted to other topics.
Sophia stole a glance at Brandon, who had stood up to take a call outside.
He stood in a quiet corner of the restaurant, one hand on the phone, the other casually resting on the windowsill, evidently on another work call, his expression calm and cool.
He was looking in Sophia’s direction, and when he saw her looking over, he glanced back at her, a subtle warmth in his eyes.
Sophia was too far to see clearly.
Brandon was a good–looking guy, tall with long legs, well–built, with sharp facial features and a chill aura. Being a rare Zenithan face around Ephemora, he naturally drew a lot of curious and admiring glances. Some bold
girls had already sauntered up with their phones, seemingly wanting to add him on WhatsApp.
Brandon waved off the phone that was thrust towards him, his expression still cool and detached.
Sophia clearly saw the disappointment on the girl’s face. The girl hesitated, wanting to try again, but Brandon had already hung up the call and walked back to his seat with an impassive face.
The girl no longer dared to approach.
Brandon’s vibe of keeping people at arm’s length was clear, same as always.
That was what had attracted Sophia to Brandon in the past.
Although he was more outstanding than others in both looks and personality, he always kept to himself, unlike some guys who would take advantage of their attributes to mess around.
And those self–discipline and gentleness might have been reserved for Yolanda
Chapter 95
Sophia hadn’t paid attention to Marian or what happened with the Frost family in the last couple of years.
Although they often shared the same classroom, Sophia would usually arrive last and leave first, with little interaction during class.
Whether the Frost family ever visited the school, she wasn’t sure, as she didn’t pay much attention to her surroundings.
The name Yolanda felt distant from her life.
And so did Brandon
Sophia had no clue why he had shown up here. She wasn’t quite buying that it was just a fluke, but she wasn’t about to jump to conclusions either.
Thankfully, Brandon didn’t come over to say hi the whole time they were eating. After finishing his meal, he flagged down the waiter, paid up, and took off solo.
Sophia couldn’t help but feel a little wave of relief wash over her.
She and Sylvia had their fill too. Sophia gestured for the waiter and settled the bill. Before they left, she instinctively glanced over at Brandon’s table. Sure enough, he hadn’t come back, and the staff was already cleaning up.
Sophia’s eyes swept around the place without really thinking about it.
Sylvia caught the look in her eyes and asked curiously, “What’s up? Are you looking for someone?”
“Nope,” Sophia snapped back to reality, feeling a bit sheepish, and they both headed out of the mall. “How are you getting back?”
“I’ll just hop on the bus, it’s no biggie. My place is super close,” Sylvia said.
Sophia nodded, saw her off on the bus, and was about to hail a cab when she whirled around to find Brandon standing not too far behind her, arms crossed. No idea when he rolled up.
‘I’ll give you a lift,” Brandon said, unfolding his arms and jingling the car keys at her.
Sophia hesitated, “Nah, it’s cool. I can grab a cab.”
“It’s all good, I’m free tonight,” Brandon replied, heading her way. “Let’s go.”
Sophia stood her ground, not budging.
Brandon looked at her, “You’re pushing back this hard. Are you hiding something from me?”
Chapter 96
