Chapter 7: Who’s Afraid Now?
1202 Words
The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow over the tiny cake, its solitary flame dancing gently in the dim room. Sophia stared at it, her vision blurred by the tears that spilled uncontrollably down her cheeks. She couldn’t hold it in anymore—the frustration, the helplessness, the faint flicker of gratitude. It all poured out, unbidden and unstoppable.
Rex Carlson sat across from her, his casual grin making him look as harmless as a neighborhood stray. “Come on, now. These shoulders? International models dream of crying on them. Feel free to borrow them for a bit.”
Sophia let out a shaky laugh, unable to stop herself from leaning forward. She clung to him, burying her face into his shoulder as her tears soaked his shirt. In that moment, his quiet strength felt like the only thing holding her together.
After what felt like forever, Rex gave her back a gentle pat. “All right, that’s enough crying. Dinner’s getting cold.”
But the second pat came with unintended consequences.
Sophia froze, her face suddenly heating up as she pulled back. “Wait…” Her voice caught as she stared at him.
Rex’s grin faltered. “Uh, look, I didn’t mean to, but… I think I accidentally unhooked your bra.”
Sophia’s face turned beet red. “What?” she shrieked, crossing her arms over her chest. “Close your eyes!”
Rex obediently squeezed his eyes shut, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Not looking! Not looking!”
The sound of hurried adjustments filled the air as Sophia fixed herself, her movements sharp and deliberate. “You can open your eyes now,” she muttered after an eternity.
Rex peeked cautiously, only to find her focused intently on the food in front of her. But her occasional glances in his direction didn’t escape him.
“Why are you staring at me?” he asked, grabbing a glass of water.
Sophia snapped back, flustered. “I’m not staring at you!”
Rex chuckled and leaned back in his chair, letting the comfortable silence stretch for a moment. “So,” he began, breaking the quiet, “what’s your plan now?”
Sophia didn’t answer right away, too busy savoring the food. The dishes were surprisingly good, their flavor far surpassing her expectations. She polished off the plate with an appetite that would’ve scandalized her high-society acquaintances.
Finally, after wiping her mouth with a napkin, she leaned back. Rex took the opportunity to light the candle on the cake again, his face softening. “It’s almost midnight. Make a wish while it’s still your birthday.”
Sophia blinked at him, then closed her eyes, clasping her hands together. The faintest smile touched her lips as she made her wish. Blowing out the candle, she opened her eyes to see Rex watching her with his usual calm.
“So,” Rex repeated, “what’s the plan?”
Sophia tilted her head at him, a playful glint in her eye. “Didn’t you say you’d take care of us? My plan is to depend on you.”
Rex didn’t even blink. “Sure.”
The sheer confidence in his answer made Sophia laugh, though there was an edge to her amusement. “Just like that? No hesitation?”
“Why would I hesitate?”
Sophia leaned forward, her arms crossing as her tone turned sharp. “What about our status? Do you think I’ll just go on like this without anything official?”
“You’re talking about getting married?” Rex asked, his tone light.
Sophia let out a dry laugh. “Do you realize what that would mean? If we get married, both the Bennett family and the Hansens will come after you. You wouldn’t survive a day. Do you dare?”
Rex shrugged, clearing the plates without missing a beat. “Why wouldn’t I? Do you dare marry a cab driver?”
Sophia’s lips curled into a smirk. “Dare? Of course, I dare. But just so you know, if you can’t keep up with my lifestyle, I’ll leave you in a heartbeat.”
Rex stepped closer, his fingers brushing against her cheek as he wiped a crumb from the corner of her mouth. She flinched, but he simply smiled and pinched her cheek gently. “You’re a handful, you know that?”
Sophia stared at him, her heart skipping a beat despite herself. How was this man so infuriatingly confident?
“Scared yet?” she challenged, leaning back.
Rex checked his watch. “Guess we’ll find out tomorrow morning when we get the marriage license.”
Sophia’s eyes widened. “Fine! Let’s do it. But if you back out, you’re a coward.”
Rex merely chuckled, walking into the kitchen to wash the dishes. “Who’s backing out? If you’re afraid, you’re the puppy.”
On the Balcony
While Sophia fumed silently, Rex’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He stepped out onto the balcony to take the call, lighting a cigarette as he answered.
“Yeah?”
“Boss, are you still in D.C.?” came the familiar voice of a young man.
“Yeah. What’s up?”
“We’ve got intel that Hydra, ranked fourth on the assassin list, is in D.C. looking for you.”
Rex let out a low whistle. “Hydra, huh? Reliable intel?”
“Solid. He’s a sneaky one, though. Likes to play dirty.”
Rex exhaled a cloud of smoke, his voice calm. “Track him. I’ll take care of him tomorrow.”
Inside, Sophia sat scrolling through her phone. Dozens of missed calls from her mother and father blinked on the screen. With a sigh, she blocked their numbers, only to receive another call.
“Happy birthday, darling!” Olivia’s cheerful voice rang out.
“Thanks,” Sophia said, her voice soft.
“Wait… am I the first one to wish you?”
“Nope,” Sophia replied, taking a bite of cake. “You’re the second.”
Olivia sounded shocked. “Who beat me to it? Your mom?”
“No.”
“Your dad?”
“Wrong again.”
“Don’t tell me it was Ethan!” Olivia exclaimed, her voice rising.
Sophia’s smile softened. “It was Rex.”
“Rex? The cab driver?” Olivia’s tone turned incredulous. “You’re still talking to him? Have you lost your mind?”
Sophia didn’t bother answering, instead savoring the cake as Olivia continued her tirade.
When Olivia finally paused, Sophia dropped the bombshell. “We’re getting married tomorrow.”
The silence on the other end was deafening before Olivia exploded. “Married? To a cab driver? Sophia Bennett, have you completely lost it?”
“Goodnight, Olivia,” Sophia said, hanging up.
Rex stepped back into the living room, his cigarette extinguished. His phone buzzed again with a message. Opening it, he read:“Hello, Mr. Carlson. My name is Olivia Harper. I’d like to discuss the New District project with you. I have a proposal I think you’ll find interesting. Please let me know when you’re available.”
Rex smirked, pocketing his phone. Chaos, it seemed, had become his new normal. But he wasn’t complaining—yet.
- Writer
