Next One Is a Babe

John hadn’t much to do, so he took a shower before lying down on the bed. Then, he took out his cell phone. Recalling that it was the first round of the knockout competition for Ian, he went online and did a search right away. Oh, how cunning of him! This Ian Morgan is quite crafty in creating opportunities for himself. He confessed his love some time ago, and now, he has started with public displays of affection! Fated Response? What f*cking title is that for a song? I think it’s most fitting for him to use the name of Sophia’s shop now!

He was initially a tad anxious to return, but after seeing Ian’s competition, he became downright restless. After all, he understood Sophia’s temperament. She bumbles around at times, so his ploy this time is just the perfect strike to her defenses. He isn’t confessing his love and displaying his affections privately, but blatantly before the entire country. Considering her kind-hearted disposition, she probably can’t bring herself to do anything other than lending him a hand. How could I allow that to happen?

He promptly went online and looked for flight tickets. Phew, there’s another flight tonight! Scrambling out of bed, he packed his luggage before going over to William’s room.

William was taking a nap, but John pounded on his door several times. Frowning, he demanded, “What’s wrong with you?”

With his suitcase in hand, John declared, “I’ve booked a flight ticket, and I’ll be leaving immediately. Something came up with Sophia.”

Leaning against the door frame, William doubled over with laughter. “See, I just knew that you won’t be able to sit still after I’d said all those things to you.” He then nodded. “Sure, you can go back. There’s nothing important here, so I can manage alone.”

John smiled and waved at him before leaving, wheeling his suitcase along.

Meanwhile, Sophia stayed in her shop and worked until late at night. Robin had already left, so she calculated the profit she’d made since starting the business until now by herself. It’s double my expectation! Actually, she knew that most of it was from the support of friends, Logan and John especially. Putting the calculator aside, she let out a sigh. I always say that I want to be independent, but in the end, I’m still relying on the people around me. She then dawdled for a while before packing up to leave.

This time, she didn’t hail a taxi but slowly made her way home on foot alone while shouldering a backpack. She’d already blacklisted that woman’s phone number, but still, she felt a touch discomfited. It was as though she had a thorn in the side which she tried to avoid as much as possible. However, this wasn’t a sign that she was on the mend, nor did it signify a full recovery. Rather, she was just lying to herself that the wound didn’t exist by neither looking at it nor touching it.

It was very late when she arrived home, so she merely cooked some dumplings. Feeling down in the dumps, she wasn’t even in the mood to watch television, so she went for a shower straight away before getting into bed. Nevertheless, her sleep was fitful, her dreams bizarre with a messy phantasmagoria.