Chapter 18
709 Words
Sophia and Ethan left the park separately.
Neither of them wanted anyone to think they had suddenly become friends.
Their agreement was simple.
Work together.
Cancel the engagement.
Then go their separate ways.
Nothing more.
---
The following afternoon, Ethan received a message from Sophia.
Can we meet? It's about the engagement.
He stared at the message for a few seconds before replying.
5 p.m. Coffee House on Regent Street.
Fine.
---
At exactly five o'clock, Sophia walked into the café.
She spotted Ethan sitting in a quiet corner.
He had already ordered two cups of coffee.
She sat down.
"You came early."
"So did you."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Sophia took a deep breath.
"I've been thinking."
"So have I."
"What if we both tell our parents that we already have people we like?"
Ethan looked at her.
"They'll ask who."
Sophia sighed.
"True."
"My father will investigate."
She almost laughed.
"I believe that."
Ethan folded his arms.
"We need something more convincing."
Before they could continue, a waiter brought their drinks.
After thanking him, Sophia leaned forward.
"What if we simply refuse to attend the engagement?"
Ethan shook his head.
"They'll just postpone it."
"So what do we do?"
He remained silent.
For the first time since this whole situation started...
Neither of them had an answer.
---
Across the street...
Victoria sat inside her car.
She had followed Ethan after he left the office.
When she saw Sophia enter the café, her suspicions grew stronger.
"So..."
She whispered.
"They're having secret meetings now."
She picked up her phone and secretly took several pictures through the café window.
Anyone who saw the photos would assume Ethan and Sophia were on a date.
Victoria smiled.
"These will be useful."
---
Back inside the café...
Sophia stood up.
"This isn't working."
Ethan nodded.
"No."
She picked up her handbag.
"I'll keep thinking."
"So will I."
As they walked toward the exit, Sophia accidentally bumped into a waitress carrying a tray.
"Oh!"
The waitress lost her balance.
Just before the tray could fall, Ethan reached out and steadied it.
"It's okay," he said.
The waitress smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, sir."
Sophia looked embarrassed.
"I'm so sorry."
"It wasn't your fault," the waitress replied.
Ethan glanced at Sophia.
"You really are clumsy."
Sophia frowned.
"I said I was sorry."
"I'm just making an observation."
She rolled her eyes.
"There you go again."
For a second...
They both smiled.
A very small smile.
But it was there.
Across the street, Victoria captured that moment with her camera.
Her smile disappeared.
"I knew it."
---
That evening...
Victoria visited the Lockwood mansion.
Eleanor welcomed her warmly.
"It's been a while."
"I know, Aunt Eleanor."
Richard soon joined them.
"What brings you here?"
Victoria hesitated, pretending to be unsure.
"I wasn't sure if I should mention this."
Richard frowned.
"Mention what?"
Victoria took out her phone.
"I saw Ethan today."
Richard smiled.
"At work?"
"Not exactly."
She showed him the photos.
Richard's expression changed.
In one picture, Ethan and Sophia sat together over coffee.
In another, they were smiling.
In another, Ethan appeared to be looking at Sophia with concern after she bumped into the waitress.
Victoria spoke softly.
"I thought... maybe they were hiding their relationship."
Richard looked at the photos for a long moment.
Then...
To Victoria's surprise...
He smiled.
"This is good."
Victoria blinked.
"...Good?"
Richard nodded happily.
"It means they're finally spending time together."
Victoria's smile froze.
That wasn't the reaction she wanted.
She had hoped Richard would become angry.
Instead...
He looked pleased.
Victoria forced a smile.
"I'm glad if they're getting along."
Inside...
She was furious.
Her plan had completely failed.
As she left the mansion, she gripped her steering wheel tightly.
"If those pictures didn't separate them..."
She looked ahead with cold determination.
"I'll just have to come up with a better plan."
Far away, completely unaware of Victoria's growing obsession...
Sophia received a message from her father.
Family dinner tomorrow night. Don't be late. Richard and his family will be joining us.
Sophia closed her eyes.
"Here we go again."
She had no idea...
Tomorrow's dinner would end with an announcement that would leave both her and Ethan speechless.
To be continued…
- Writer
