Chapter 7 ：Parallel lines
1016 Words
The following afternoon, Sophia walked into an upscale restaurant. She was visiting an old friend — someone she hadn’t seen in nearly five years, but had always kept in touch with through messages and calls. This friend, Ashley, had saved her during the darkest days of her life. Almost a decade before, when Sophia had disappeared without a trace, having broken ties with almost everyone, Ashley was the one person she hadn’t been able to bring herself to leave behind.
Ashley had been there when Sophia received the full scholarship to Central Saint Martins. Both she and Sophia cheered as the girl took flight, pursuing the dreams she had worked for. Sophia had concentrated on her studies and work for years as she rose to the top in her career, slowly creating her own piece of work. It was a commitment that had led her to this moment, a rising star sparkling on the fashion circuit. But that also meant giving up time with the people most important to her, including Ashley.
Sophia walked into the restaurant, surveying it until she spotted a familiar face.
“Sophia!” At a corner table, a woman with wild crimson curls and oversize sunglasses was waving excitedly. Teaming a statement off-the-shoulder top with flared jeans, she exuded confidence and style. From this far away, Sophia couldn’t make out Ashley’s exact expression, but she could see the genuine smile behind it, and her lips broke into a big grin.
“Ashley,” Sophia said, as she crossed over with her white Chanel bag slung over the chair next to her. “It’s been too long.”
“Too long?” Ashley said, playfully punching Sophia on the arm. “It’s you who is too busy to meet up. Big-shot designer now, huh?”
Sophia burst into laughter, bright and offhanded. “Not a big shot yet, but I am moving in that direction.”
Ashley eased back into her seat, her lips relaxing at the corners. “I’ve missed you, you know. It ain’t nothing the same without you up here.”
“I miss you, too,” Sophia admitted, warmth in her voice. “But you haven’t changed any. “Now just as colorful and flamboyant as ever.”
Ashley grinned, adjusting her sunglasses. “Well, somebody’s got to spice it up in here.”
The two friends warmed up. They had so much to catch up on now. Ashley caught Sophia up on all her recent escapades, and Sophia detailed life in the fashion world to Ashley. For the first time in what felt like ages, Sophia nearly relaxed.
But the reunion was soon interrupted by an uproar on the restaurant’s second floor. Sophia glanced up, a flash of surprise passing over her face when she recognized who was descending the stairs.
It was Ethan and his fiancée, Grace.
Ashley froze, her gaze flitting between Sophia and the couple. Ethan, dressed in a crisp suit, looked as cool as can be, yet his step froze for a moment at the sight of Sophia. Grace in a sophisticated gown clung to his elbow, her voice gauzy and whiny.
“Ethan, these steps are really steep. Hold my hand, will you?”
Ethan obliged, holding his arm out, not saying a word. Sophia turned away quickly, snatching her latte and taking a slow sip. She felt Ashley’s concerned gaze, but didn’t dare let her discomfort show.
When Ethan and his fiancée walked by their table and went outside, Sophia observed that he had opened the car door for her, his body language was fluid and practiced. It was a moment that shot a pang straight through her chest, but she ignored it, focusing on the warmth of her coffee.
After the couple left, Ashley said something. “Well, that was… unexpected.”
Sophia forced a smile. “Small world, I guess.”
Ashley stared at her friend closely. “Sophia, I know I’ve asked this before, but … have you and he really had no contact at all over all these years? Whenever I bring it up, you change the subject.”
Sophia put down her cup. “No, we haven’t. I erased everything — his number, all his messages, everything.”
Ashley raised an eyebrow. “That’s harsh. But I get it. What about now? Are you seeing anyone?”
“No,” Sophia replied simply. “I’m focused on my career.”
Ashley leaned in closer, her voice lowering. “Do you still love him?
The question surprised Sophia, and she hesitated before answering. “That’s all in the past. We’ve both moved on.”
Ashley shot her eyes. “You didn’t answer the question, but you’re strong, Sophia, and stubborn. I know whatever you do, it’s going to be the best decision for you, and I’m always going to be behind you, whatever you decide to do.”
Sophia felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. “Thank you, Ashley. That means a lot.”
A pair of friends spent lunch in a haze of roaring laughter and old stories, but there was something about how Sophia kept finding herself returning to the encounter at the restaurant on the way back home that evening.
We spent lunch in a haze of roaring laughter and old stories, but there was something about how Sophia kept finding herself returning to the encounter at the restaurant on the way back home that evening. She had hoped she would be prepared for the reality of Ethan’s life without her, but seeing him get close to his fiancée had brought up feelings she thought had long ago been buried.
She knew it was irrational. Their lives had become diverging lines as un-crossing as the lines on a graph. After this project with Luxura, they would return to their worlds, their paths unlikely to converge again.
But that night, as she lay resting, she suffered from insomnia for the first time in a long time, and the scene of Ethan opening the car door for his fiancée kept replaying in her mind.
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