The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Sophia gave a slight nod, "Yeah, all good now."

"Gotta take better care of yourself." Brandon said, "Work ain't everything."

Sophia couldn't help but chuckle, "Funny hearing that from you."

Brandon cracked a smile too but didn't bite. They sat in a corner, not making a beeline for the private room.

The crowd that had gathered for the juicy gossip was still dining in the cafeteria, sneaking peeks over at them, curiosity written all

over their faces, and couldn't help speculating about Sophia's identity.

Even though Sophia and Brandon had been married for two years, she rarely visited the company. On the rare occasions she did, it

was straight to the top floor via Brandon's private elevator, so most folks didn't recognize her, let alone know about her

relationship with Brandon.

But everyone had seen Brandon ditch the brave girl who confessed her feelings and beeline straight to Sophia.

They clearly saw the tenderness in Brandon's eyes, yet all he did was ask her out for a meal. Now, they were just eating like any

two old pals. Thought they had a juicy story, but turned out they got zip.

Sophia noticed the curious looks from the people around. She glanced at Brandon; Brandon's face was calm as ever. Both tacitly

avoided bringing up the recent scene to maintain the peace they were enjoying.

They had the most harmonious yet polite meal since they reunited.

It felt vaguely like going back to those two years of marriage, minus the intimacy, that bone-deep, unrestrained, fiery affection.

The elevator stopped on the seventeenth floor. The doors opened, and Brandon saw Ivan walking from the printer towards the

office with sdesign plans.

Ivan happened to look up and catch Brandon's eye. Brandon looked away and turned to Sophia.

"I'm here," Sophia said as she turned to bid goodbye to Brandon.

"Uh-huh," Brandon nodded.

Sophia stepped out of the elevator. Brandon watched her leave.

The elevator doors closed, and their expressions slowly faded with them. Things just weren't the sanymore.

Don had stepped out for a call and missed the midday , but he caught the gist from the fiery chat logs and videos shared in

the work group.

Don wasn't one to wait around. As soon as lunch was over, he bolted straight to Brandon's office during the break.

"What's the big picture here?"

He quizzed, "Who's this chick? She chased you all the way to the office?"

Brandon was leaning back with his hand propping his chin, eyes closed, looking beat.

"A client's daughter," he replied without opening his eyes.

"This girl's got spunk, chasing you down and confessing in front of a crowd. Seems like true love to me," Don remarked,

appreciating her guts.

Brandon shot him a look, unimpressed.

"Weren't touched by it?" Don prodded, "If it was me, | might've said 'yes' on the spot. Took guts for her to do that."

Brandon said, "What if | can't speak up?"

Don was stumped.

Brandon gazed at him, "I was wondering today, if Tia was Sophia at seventeen, what would've happened between us?"

Don looked at him, "You'd have turned her down, right?"

Brandon nodded slowly.

If a high school senior Sophia had told him she liked him, he probably would've said no. Back then when he hadn't gained much of

life experience, he hadn't realized what Sophia meant to him.

Sophia knew him better than he knew himself, so she chose to stay silent.

The Brandon of today wouldn't, but the seventeen-year-old Sophia was never coming back.

He didn't know what Sophia was thinking today, but he saw deep sadness and sorrow in her envious gaze. He thought Sophia must

have also wondered what if she had the courage of today's Tia back then.

Don squinted at him, "I can't figure out what's going on between you two now."

"We've gone our separate ways, finding our own happiness."

"Free to marry and mingle, no strings attached, huh?"

Don asked as he hopped up to sit on Brandon's desk. Brandon just glanced at him, silent.

"Still looking?" Don inquired.

Brandon paused, then looked at him, "Why not?"

"That girl today?"

"She's not right for me."

"What about Yolanda? Your folks and hers are trying to play matchmaker."

Brandon's voice chilled, "There's no Yolanda."

Don sensed Brandon's mood shift, puzzled by his recent aversion to a nhe once seemed keen on.

He cast him a concerned look, "You've been very resistant to Yolanda these last couple of years, why?"

Brandon uttered, "Yolanda's never coming back."

Don fell silent for a bit. He often felt the slooking at Marian Barlow, but he understood; things changed as one grew.

"What about Marian?" Don tried a different angle, "You really not gonna give it a shot?"

"Don't bring her up."

Don frowned at Brandon, "You guys got sdeep-seated hatred or what?"

"No."

Don nodded, not dwelling on the subject, "So what kind are you looking for? Spill, I'll hook you up."

Brandon's focus was back on his computer, "Quiet, cute, no , someone who can deal with my temper."

Don glanced at Brandon, "Might as well just say Sophia."

Brandon's typing hesitated, and then he responded evenly, "She can't handle it."

After a pause, he added, looking at Don, "I'm usually swamped with work and might not always meet their needs, so make sure

you lay it out for them."

Don nodded, "Marrying someone you don’t have any feelings towards? What kind of marriage did you get yourself into?"

"Doesn't matter." Brandon said casually, "So, you lay out the terms and needs to the person, and if it's a match, we just tie the

knot ASAP."

Don frowned, unable to help but look at Brandon, "Do you even know what you're doing?"

This did not look like someone genuinely wanting to get hitched. He actually thought that Brandon was using another relationship

to totally close the book with Sophia.

Brandon was a responsible guy; whoever he married, the moment he entered into matrimony, he'd be all in with loyalty.

So the second he got hitched to someone else, the door would be closed on any future with Sophia. Brandon was clearly cutting off

his and Sophia's escape route.

Brandon's handsome, calm face showed no sign of disturbance, "I know."

Don wondered, "Can | know why?"

"It's about tfor a man to settle down."

Don smirked, "Yeah, right. Pull the other one."

"Get it sorted as soon as you can, preferably this week."

He looked up at Don, "Make it clear to her, I'm not husband material. All | can promise is giving her enough freedom and financial

security, so she'd better think it over."

Don made an "OK" sign with his hand, "No worries, there's plenty of gold diggers out there who want your money, not you."

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