Chapter 14: You're Drunk
There’s a faint scent of perfume carried inside the car
The familiar smell made Sophia unconsciously take a deep breath.
Just as Preston was about to close the car door, Sophia suddenly grabbed his tie.
With a slight pull, Preston's body tilted forward.
Their faces were only a few inches apart.
Sophia's face was as red as a ripe apple, her eyes hazy as she looked at Preston.
His gaze fell on her plump red lips, and a wave of heat surged in his chest.
"Preston."
"Hmm?"
Sophia grinned. "Why are you so nice to me?"
"Are you drunk?" "Shhh!"
Sophia suddenly leaned closer, pressing her finger against Preston's lips.
"I, I have a bit of tolerance for alcohol, you know?"
Her body swayed unsteadily, her hands wandering aimlessly over Preston's chest.
Preston's breathing grew heavier. He grabbed her wrist.
Her wrist was alarmingly hot. Preston frowned and called her name.
"Sophia."
Sophia, not fully conscious, leaned against him, soft as a cuddly kitten.
She could feel a cool hand against her forehead. Thinking it wasn't enough, she pressed closer and rubbed her face against it.
She had a fever.
The car headed to the hospital. Sophia lay inside, murmuring nonsense in her drowsiness.
When Preston carried her out of the car, Sophia felt dizzy and clung to his neck, claiming she saw starry stars.
Her burning face nestled against Preston's neck, her voice muffled. "Preston, I, I feel so dizzy. Am I going to die?"
"No."
Preston strode into the hospital. He had arranged for a doctor in advance, taking Sophia directly to him.
In the disinfectant-scented hallway, Preston held a cigarette, irritably rolling it between his fingers.
After a while, the consultation room door opened, and a stern-looking man with gold-rimmed glasses raised an eyebrow.
The man had a pair of attractive hands, tanned and well-defined. He pushed his glasses down, revealing exasperation in his dark eyes.
"Mr. Preston, you made me stand up my blind date just because a woman had an allergic reaction?"
"How is she?"
The man, Preston's childhood friend named William Sterne, was a renowned heart surgeon. William rolled his eyes.
"It's an allergy, not life-threatening. I've asked a colleague to give her an IV."
"You do it yourself."
"Man, do you even know how much I cost?"
Despite his complaints, William called the department chair for a thorough checkup.
"Is this the woman Oliver was talking about?"
Preston glanced at him, eyes warning.
Oliver knew Preston very well. He is conserved and wealthy at a young age. He is the most successful in their friend group.
An hour later, the redness on Sophia's face had faded, and her fever had subsided.
William, hands in pockets, suggested, "Want to grab a smoke?"
Once outside, William studied Preston. "I heard from Oliver that you're into playing the pauper these days. When did you start driving a car worth only thousands?"
Preston lit a cigarette, half-closing his eyes. "Do you know why you're still single?"
William, already irritated by his dating woes, pondered this new question. He had dedicated his youth to medicine, leaving his love life a blank slate.
Returning home, his family pressured him into blind dates. Unlike other rich playboys, William didn't resist and even felt a bit hopeful.
. Taking his dates seriously, he couldn't help but wonder, seeing Preston with a girlfriend, if the answer might enlighten him.
"Why?"
"You're too nosy."
With that, Preston walked away. William, scratching his chin, wondered, "Is that really the main issue?"
The next morning, when Sophia woke up, the sun was already up.
Slowly opening her eyes, she saw a face looming close.
Don't be scared. I just came to check on you."
William was curious about the girl who managed to capture Preston's heart.
Though not stunning, Sophia was pleasing to look at. Before William could speak, Preston entered the room.
He was about to speak up, but Preston acted like they were strangers.
William: "..."
Preston asked about Sophia's condition while she glanced at William.
Preston followed her gaze and addressed him. "Doctor, when can Sophia be discharged?"
"Anytime." William nearly gritted his teeth saying this. After leaving the room, he angrily called Oliver. "Why are we playing along with his act?"
...
Sophia, after eating a little, felt better and was ready to leave the hospital by the afternoon. Preston had stayed by her side, making her feel guilty.
"I'm sorry for the trouble. Did you take a day off today? Let me transfer you your daily wage."
Sophia tried to transfer money to Preston, who was busy peeling an apple, without saying a word.
Sophia guessed that, being a man, he wouldn’t openly state his daily wage. Preston's phone buzzed, showing Sophia's transfer notification. He glanced at her; Sophia awkwardly smiled
Preston's phone buzzed, showing Sophia's transfer notification.
He glanced at her; Sophia awkwardly smiled while Preston stared at the 100-dollar transfer and casually accepted it. "Okay."
Seeing him accept it, Sophia sighed in relief.
On Monday, when Sophia arrived at work, she ran into Ella. Wanting to avoid her, she found Ella deliberately blocking her way.
"Do you need something?"
Ella chewed gum, arms crossed. "Impressive, Sophia. Managed to snag a rich guy?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Your husband. Driving a Maybach."
Sophia frowned, confused. Ella, seeing her puzzled look, thought of something.
"Wait, you don't know? Did he rent the car?"
Ella laughed, relieved. She thought, how could someone like Sophia get so lucky?
Sophia looked up at her, remaining silent. Ella, now more certain, stepped closer, a smirk on her face.
"Sophia, what if I tell everyone about this? What will you do?"
Sophia remained her calmness, but Ella seemed exasperated
"How bout begging me to keep this secret?"
Sophia, calm and composed, replied, "Do as you wish."
Ella's anger flared seeing Sophia's indifferent attitude. She couldn't stand Sophia's superior demeanor!
Leaving those words, Sophia walked away, enraging Ella even more. Ella quickly messaged their class group.
"Don't blame me, Sophia."
"Guess what? Sophia's husband is a fake rich guy!"