Con

CHAPTER 71

Sophia’s POV

Just as I was about to open my mouth to speak to Elijah, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

“Hey, Sophia, it’s a good thing you came to work!”

When I turned around to see who it was, I was surprised to find Trevis there, together with Chris.

“Hey, man,” Trevis greeted Elijah, Chris also shook Elijah’s hand.

“Uh, I’m sorry but I can’t stay long.” I announced, looking uncomfortable. I had been ready to divulge something important to Elijah, but it will have to wait I guess it’s not yet meant to be.

“But I thought we were supposed to talk about something important?” Elijah wondered.

I gulped, and then forced myself to smile. “Oh, that. Uh, I just wanted to consult something regarding the project. But we can do it some other time. And I only came here to grab some files from my office, but I have to go now.”

Trevis stepped forward. “Wait, don’t go yet, Sophia. Chris needs to talk to you.”

Η

I turned to Chris curiously. I don’t think we’ve ever been introduced formally, but I was well aware that he’s Chris Baker, Sabrina’s brother. And he was also the one who’d been stalking Julia back in Paris!

Chris actually looked excited. “Are you the designer currently working on Morgana’s project, that luxury resort of Sinclair Realty?”

“Uh, yes…” I answered slowly, not sure what he was getting at,

“Well, I’ve got a new project for you!” Chris eagerly said, bringing out an old photo album. “It’s a special one, and Trevis told me that you’ll surely be the one to carry out my vision. And of course, you’ll be compensated very well.”

Curious, I waited for him to go on.

Chris flipped the album open to a photo of two elderly people, their hands clasped together, smiles radiantly with decades of shared memories.

“These are my grandparents,” he began, his voice filled with reverence. “I want to surprise them with a special house design that reflects their love story, one where they’ll be able to relive the special moments they’ve shared throughout the years.

I leaned closer to look at the pictures. There were snapshots of them when they were still classmates in a university, laughing at a picnic with friends, working together in a small shop, the man proposing marriage at a beach, and dancing at what appeared to be their own wedding. The love and joy they shared were evident in every photograph.

This is something else,” I agreed, greatly interested. I couldn’t help smiling as I looked through the photos while Chris briefed us all about his grandparents‘ story how they met, how they fell in love and eventually got married, how they rose to success.

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+15 BONUS

“They met in the late sixties,” Chris continued, his eyes shining. “Back then, it wasn’t easy for them to be together. They faced a lot of prejudice, but they never let it tear them apart… And after they got married, they had to face plenty of challenges while trying to build their dreams. Their story is so inspiring.

I felt a warmth spread through my chest as I listened. “That’s so beautiful. I’d be honored to design something special for them.”

He grinned, obviously pleased. “Thank you, Sophia. I knew you’d understand. But there’s one more thing.” He hesitated, his expression suddenly serious. “I want the designer’s name to be Julia’s in the end.”

I blinked, taken aback. “Julia’s?” I echoed, struggling to hide my confusion. “So you want me to do all the work, but Julia gets all the credit?”

Chris shifted uncomfortably. “I know it sounds strange, but I want to do this for her and for our family. I can pay you double the rate you usually get…”

Wow. I can’t believe it. I didn’t know what to say. How can he possibly think that money would be enough to make me say yes to something like this?!

“It’s a lot to ask, but it would mean a lot to me and Julia. And to our grandparents, of course. You know that we just got Julia back into the family.”

I opened my mouth to argue, to refuse outright, when a familiar voice cut through the air, firm and unyielding.

“I don’t agree.

I turned sharply to see Elijah frowning, his eyes locked onto Chris with an intensity that made my breath catch.

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