Chapter 3: The thought that refuse to go away
1104 Words
Rose and Sophia stepped into the company cafeteria just as the lunch crowd began to gather.
The usually quiet space had transformed into a busy room filled with employees escaping from their desks. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the scent of grilled sandwiches and warm meals drifting from the counter. Conversations blended with the occasional sound of laughter, creating a familiar workplace atmosphere.
The middle-aged woman behind the counter looked up the moment she saw them.
A smile immediately appeared on her face.
“The regular?”
“Yes.”
Sophia answered without hesitation.
She turned toward Rose, but her friend seemed completely unaware of their surroundings. Her eyes were fixed on her phone as they walked, her expression distant.
The woman behind the counter noticed too.
“Miss Rose?”
No response.
She called again, slightly louder.
“Miss Rose?”
Rose blinked.
It was as if she had suddenly returned from somewhere far away.
“Huh?”
She looked around.
“Ah… anything.”
The woman exchanged a concerned glance with Sophia.
“Are you okay?”
Rose forced a small smile.
“I’m fine. I’ll just take a burger and a latte.”
Sophia shook her head.
“Don’t mind her. Just get the regular for both of us. She’s lost in work.”
The woman smiled knowingly.
“I see.”
“I’ll sit down.”
“I’ll take our orders.”
Sophia smiled
She watched Rose for a moment before turning away.
She knew exactly what was wrong. It wasn’t work. It was Ethan.
A few minutes later, Sophia returned carrying their tray. She placed the food in front of Rose before sitting across from her.
“Eat.”
Rose looked up slightly.
“You’ll need your strength to fight these feelings.”
But Rose wasn’t really listening.
Her eyes were still on her phone.
Sophia sighed.
“Rosy, if you continue like this, everyone will know you’re heartbroken.”
She picked up her spoon.
“You’re suffering from heartbreak, and luckily for you, I have medicine.”
She stuffed a piece of food into her mouth.
“Sophia.”
“Yes, listen to me. I’m talking.”
Rose smiled faintly despite herself.
She picked up her spoon and tasted her meal.
“I’m not paying for this.”
Sophia waved her hand.
“Don’t worry. I’ll pay. It’s part of my healing prescription.”
“Thank you.”
Rose returned her attention to her phone.
Sophia narrowed her eyes.
“If you’re going to take my medicine, you should put your phone down and enjoy your meal.”
She reached across the table and snatched the phone from Rose’s hand.
“Sophia.”
Sophia looked at the screen.
Her expression changed immediately. The playful look disappeared.
It was Ethan. A picture of him sitting beside a swimming pool appeared on the screen.
He looked relaxed and happy, one arm wrapped around a blonde woman wearing a pink bikini while the other rested casually against his shoulder. Their smiles looked effortless. Like Rose didn’t exist.
Sophia stared at the picture.
“This is what you’ve been looking at?”
She looked at Rose.
“Ethan sent this to you?”
Rose quickly took the phone back.
“Give it back.”
Sophia leaned forward.
“That guy is hurting you, Rose.”
Her voice became softer.
“Not only did he break your heart, but now he’s trying to make sure you can’t move on.”
Rose placed her spoon down.
“Enough, Sophia.”
Her voice trembled.
“I don’t want to hear anything.”
She looked away.
“You don’t want to see me go mad right now.”
Her eyes became watery.
Sophia immediately regretted her words.
“Don’t cry, Rose.”
She lowered her voice.
“Ethan isn’t worth your tears. Especially not someone like him.”
Rose pushed her chair back.
“Sophia, please.”
Before Sophia could say anything else, Rose stood and walked away.
Sophia watched her leave.
The guilt immediately settled in her chest.
“I went too far.”
She looked down at the untouched food.
For a moment, she had forgotten that Rose wasn’t just angry. She was hurt.
Later that evening, Sophia returned to her apartment. The place was spacious, bright, and carefully arranged. The cream-colored walls gave the room a warm feeling, while the simple furniture created a comfortable atmosphere.
It wasn’t luxurious. It wasn’t extravagant. But it was peaceful. A place that felt like home.
Sophia dropped her bag on the sofa and sat down.
Immediately, the memory of Rose leaving the cafeteria returned to her mind.
She sighed.
Seeing her best friend in tears hurt more than she wanted to admit.
They had grown up together.
They had shared childhood secrets, school memories, dreams, and countless moments that only the two of them understood.
Her eyes moved toward a framed picture sitting on the shelf.
It was a picture of her and Rose during graduation.
Sophia smiled softly as she touched the frame. Then her eyes moved toward the shelf beside it.
Her collection of books. Among them was an old romance novel. The first romance novel she and Rose had ever read together. She picked it up carefully.
The memories came rushing back. Two young girls hiding inside a wardrobe, trying to secretly read the book because Helen, Rose’s mother, had forbidden them from reading romance stories.
The day they were caught. The punishment, was Working on the farm for an entire week.
Sophia laughed quietly.
“Rose, you were always too curious.”
She opened the book.
The story was about a man who proposed a contract marriage to a woman to escape pressure from his family and stop his ex from controlling his life.
Sophia smiled at the memory.
Then she reached the final page. There were words written there. Rose’s handwriting. She remembered exactly when Rose wrote them.
“I want a love like this someday.”
Sophia shook her head.
“This is ridiculous. A love like this doesn’t happen.”
But she could still hear Rose’s younger voice.
“But I like it, Sophia. That’s the sweetest kind of love.”
“It’s only a story.”
“I know. But I love fantasy. A love that was never meant to happen suddenly happens… it makes me feel special.”
Sophia laughed softly.
“Rose, you’ve been a lover girl since childhood.”
She closed the book.
Then a thought suddenly crossed her mind. What if she helped Rose forget Ethan? She stared at the novel.
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