Chapter 102 Beneath the Shadows
Hugo wasn't exactly a bagel person. He never reached for them on his own, he was more of a plain, buttered-toast-for-breakfast kind of man. Still, he'd tried bagels a few times before; enough to know what they were supposed to taste like.
Now, standing in Sophie's kitchen with a still-warm, cream-cheese-filled bagel half in his hand, he took a thoughtful bite. The crust gave a gentle crunch before the soft, warm center gave way beneath his teeth.
Sophie didn't eat right away. She was too busy watching him, eyes bright and searching, as though the world depended on his reaction.
"Hmmm..." he hummed, eyebrows lifting in pleasant surprise as he chewed. He nodded slowly, still mid-bite, letting the flavor settle.
Sophie finally took her own bite and the moment the warm bread and tangy cream cheese hit her tongue, her face lit up in delight. She looked at him with wide eyes, mouth still half full, as if to say did you taste that?
He swallowed, then glanced at her with a small grin. "I'll be honest... I haven't had a lot of bagels in my life," he said, still nodding thoughtfully. "But this? This tastes like premium quality."
Sophie blinked, stunned for a second, then her cheeks turned pink so fast she almost laughed at herself. She clapped a hand over her mouth, trying to hide the uncontrollable smile spreading across her face.
"Oh my gosh!" she squealed, hopping in place once before twirling in a little circle. "I nailed it!"
Her joy was so pure it made Hugo chuckle softly, watching her dance around the kitchen in triumph.
"It's even better than the one I had in Paris," she said, almost breathless with excitement as she went back for another bite. "Maybe because this one's fresh out of the oven."
Hugo didn't bother to hide his enjoyment now. He took another bite, then another, his nod growing firmer with each chew. Before long, his half was completely gone.
"Wow," he said finally, licking a small crumb from his thumb. "This is really amazing, Sophie. I'm serious. I might have to take some of these home with me."
She laughed, the sound bubbling out bright and happy. "Sure! I made enough for an army anyway."
He grinned, reaching for another half. "Good. Because I'm definitely not leaving without one."
Sophie beamed, the warmth in the room growing with every bite they shared.
After they finished their bagels, Sophie moved back to the counter, still buzzing with quiet pride. She began wiping down the flour-dusted surface, stacking bowls and spoons into the sink as she talked, her words tumbling out in the cheerful rush of someone finally sharing stories they've been saving.
"So, Paris was... honestly, Hugo, it was everything. even after all the times I've been there," she said with a fond little sigh, glancing back at him as she swiped the counter clean. "I don't know how it never gets old. The streets are still beautiful, the food still amazing, and those tiny cafés... they always feel like something out of a dream."
Hugo me leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with a small smile. "Sounds like you had a good time."
"I did." She beamed, tossing a damp towel over her shoulder. "And the best part? Lena. I swear it felt like I finally had a sister. She's just... she's so nice. So easy to be around. Great company."
Hugo's mouth curved in agreement. "Yeah," he said softly. "I like how calm and down to earth she is."
Sophie turned toward him fully now, still holding the towel in her hand, eyes alight as she remembered. "You should've seen her one day at this café. We'd gone there for breakfast you know, the cozy kind with little round tables outside. I stepped out for a second to take a call, and I wasn't paying attention, so I accidentally bumped into this man." She wrinkled her nose. "And he just... exploded. Started shouting at me, throwing insults like it was my fault the whole planet spins."
Hugo's brow lifted slightly. "Seriously?"
"Seriously." Sophie laughed softly, half incredulous, half amused now that it was over. "And before I could even figure out what to do, Lena was there. She'd seen what was happening and rushed outside. And Hugo..." Sophie's eyes softened with admiration. "She wasn't timid at all. She just stood right in front of me and faced him down. Calm, but firm. The guy didn't stand a chance."
Hugo smiled at the picture, his expression warm.
"It was so cool," Sophie said, her voice light with the memory. "She just... shielded me. Like a big sister. I can't even explain how loved that made me feel."
Hugo chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Sounds like her."
"Right?" Sophie grinned, going back to wiping the counter but clearly still glowing from the memory. "I don't know... it just felt really good to have someone stand up for me like that."
"And... Mum..." Sophie's words caught in her throat, and for a moment she froze mid-motion, her hand lingering over the damp towel.
Hugo's eyes immediately softened, noticing the sudden change in her expression. "Hey... are you okay?" he asked, concern threading his voice.
Without a word, he rose and walked over to the sink where she stood. Gently, he placed a hand on her back, leaning in just enough to offer quiet support. "Seriously, Sophie... are you sure you're fine?"
Sophie chuckled lightly, a soft, almost nervous sound. "It's... nothing," she said, her smile just a little too quick, a little too practiced.
But Hugo had seen this before. He knew her too well. Sophie was terrible at lying, anyone could tell when she tried. And even though she tried to brush it off, he could feel the subtle tension in her shoulders, the flicker in her eyes.
Sophie tried to brush it off, forcing a small smile. "It's nothing, really," she said softly, but Hugo wasn't buying it.
He stepped closer, his gaze steady and gentle. "Sophie... tell me," he said, his voice low but insistent, giving her no space to hide.
Her eyes flicked downward, and she bit her lip nervously. "Promise... promise you won't get angry?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hugo's expression softened, a small, reassuring smile playing on his lips. "Sophie... you know I won't get angry," he said quietly.
She nodded, taking a deep breath before finally speaking. "My mum... she found out about us," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "And... she's inviting you over for dinner."
Hugo froze for a fraction of a second, surprise flashing across his features. He forced himself to stay calm, not wanting to startle her. "Ah... is that why you've been worrying?" he asked gently.
Sophie's words tumbled out in a rush, the nervous energy she'd been holding back spilling over. "I was supposed to keep it a secret for a little while longer... but I got careless. I just... I didn't expect her to find out so soon."
Hugo reached out and pulled her closer, holding her gently against his chest. "Sophie, it's fine," he murmured, his hand resting lightly on her back. "It's not a big deal. Really. We'll handle it together."
She let out a shaky laugh, resting her head against him for a moment, feeling the warmth of his reassurance seep into her. Even with her nerves, with her worry about her mum, Hugo's calm and steady presence made it all feel... manageable.