Chapter 18 Lonely once again
Behind the Billionaire's Mask!
Chapter 17
Sophie's POV
As we walked into the restaurant, a wave of warmth enveloped me. The soft glow of golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a romantic shimmer over the elegantly set tables. Each table was draped in crisp white linen.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of gourmet dishes being prepared in the open kitchen. I could hear the gentle clinking of fine china and the soft murmur of conversations mingling with the soothing notes of a live pianist in the corner. The atmosphere was intimate yet vibrant, a perfect blend of sophistication and comfort.
As we made our way to our table, I noticed the plush velvet chairs that invited guests to linger a little longer, enjoying the culinary masterpieces that awaited them. The walls were lined with tasteful artwork, each piece telling a story of its own.
I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness—this was a world I had glimpsed but never fully entered. As I settled into my seat, I stole a glance at Evelyn, who seemed perfectly at ease. It's just her being used to this life.
The waiter approached with a warm smile, presenting us with the menu, filled with exquisite options that promised a delightful culinary experience. I wasn't sure which one to choose because they were so expensive.
"Get us a wine for now." Evelyn said, noticing my hesitant in picking a meal. "You can just choose anything, Sophie. The bills are on me."
I glanced at Evelyn, her confidence radiating like the soft light around us. It was reassuring to hear her words, though my heart still fluttered at the thought of the extravagant prices listed on the menu. I nodded, grateful for her generosity, and turned my attention back to the menu list.
The waiter returned with the wine, pouring it into our glasses with a flourish. I raised my glass to Evelyn, and she clinked hers against mine with a bright smile.
“Cheers!” she said, her eyes sparkling.
“Cheers,” I echoed, taking a sip of the chilled wine. The taste was refreshing, invigorating even, and I felt a little of my nervousness wash away.
We discussed everything we could. Evelyn was passionate and engaging, her laughter infectious as she shared stories from her travels and experiences in the high-society world she inhab
As our meals arrived, artfully presented and bursting with vibrant colours, I couldn’t help but marvel at the artistry on the plates. I took a deep breath, savouring the moment, and prepared to dive into this culinary adventure.
Evelyn raised her fork, her eyes twinkling. “Let’s dig in! You’ll love it, I promise.”
With that, I took my first bite, and the flavours exploded in my mouth. I glanced at Evelyn, who was already enjoying her meal.
"I will miss you, Evy." I said, suddenly.
"I will, too." She said, her voice softening. There was a brief pause as we both took in the weight of my words.
The laughter and chatter of the restaurant faded into the background as I felt a rush of emotion. “I mean, it’s just… we’ve shared so much in such a short time. It feels strange to think about you going back.”
Evelyn set her fork down, her expression thoughtful. “I know what you mean. It’s been wonderful getting to know you, Sophie. You have this amazing energy that makes everything feel more vibrant. But don't worry. We’ll FaceTime and text."
I smiled, my heart warming at her compliment. “You make it easy. You’ve introduced me to so many new experiences. I never expected to be sitting in a place like this, enjoying this kind of food.”
We had gone on a picnic, a spa, hiking, taking pictures, and so many adventures in two days, and her flight is scheduled for six this evening.
She chuckled lightly. “You deserve all of this and more.” she promised, her eyes bright with sincerity.
I took another sip of wine, appreciating the way she made everything feel lighter. “You’re right. I just… I guess I worry about drifting apart.”
Evelyn reached across the table, placing her hand over mine. “Distance doesn’t have to mean anything. It’s all about effort. Besides, I’ll be back to visit. And you can always come to see me, too.”
I know the last part will just be a dream not coming true because Julian will never allow me to go anywhere for eighteen months, not to talk of out of the country.
I nodded and shifted back to my meal.
Our conversation shifted back to lighter topics, filled with jokes and laughter as we enjoyed our meals.
As we finished our meal, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment was more than just a meal; The more time we spent together, the more I realized how much she had come to mean to me.
Evelyn signalled for the waiter to bring us dessert. “I think we’ve earned a little indulgence, don’t you?”
“Absolutely,” I replied, smiling at her enthusiasm.
When the dessert arrived—a decadent chocolate tart adorned with fresh berries—I savoured every bite, letting the rich flavours meld with the sweetness of the moment.
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“Stop crying, Sophie,” Evelyn said, gently wiping my tears with the soft fabric of her scarf. “I will be back soon, I promise.”
We stood in the bustling airport terminal, the sounds of announcements and rolling suitcases creating a chaotic backdrop to our moment. I could barely focus on anything other than the knot in my stomach.
“It's just… I didn’t think saying goodbye would be this hard,” I admitted, my voice trembling slightly.
Evelyn smiled softly, her eyes shining with understanding. “I get it. When I come back, we’ll have so much to catch up on!”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
She chuckled, her laughter lightening the heaviness in the air. "Plus, I’ll send you photos from all the places I visit.”
I nodded, a small smile breaking through my tears. “Okay, but you have to promise to bring me back something special from each place.”
“Deal!” she said, her grin widening. “I’ll make a list of all the things I want to buy you.”
The overhead announcements blared again, reminding us of the time. I glanced at the departure board, anxiety creeping back in as I saw her flight listed. “You should probably get through security soon.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said, her voice softening again. “But before I go, can we take one last selfie?”
“Definitely!” I replied, wiping my eyes and pulling out my phone. We stood close, our arms wrapped around each other, and I forced a bright smile as we snapped a picture.
“Perfect! Now I’ll have this to look at when I’m missing you,” she said, glancing at the photo.
“Me too,” I said, unable to shake the feeling of sadness.
Evelyn checked her watch and sighed. “I really have to go. Just remember, this isn’t goodbye; it’s see you later.”
I took a step back, trying to hold onto the moment. “I’ll hold you to that. And I’ll be counting down the days until you’re back.”
"Just go, already." Julian said, beside us.
"You'll definitely miss me." Evelyn said, poking her head at Julian.
"You really want to miss your flight." Julian said.
Evelyn rolled her eyes and gave me a final hug.
"Text me when you land, okay?" I urged, pulling away.
“Absolutely,” she promised, her voice steady. "And don’t forget to live your life while I’m gone. Try new things and make new memories!"
"I will," I replied, feeling a wave of determination wash over me.
Evelyn turned and began to walk toward the security checkpoint. "Brother, don't forget what we talked about, okay?"
Julian just waved his hand.
Evelyn glanced back one last time, her smile bright even through the blur of my tears. I raised my hand in a wave, and she returned the gesture before disappearing into the crowd.
As I stood there, watching her go, I felt purely sadness. I will be lonely once again.