Chapter 259 A Romantic Restaurant for Two

Chapter 259 A Romantic Restaurant for Two

Abigail glanced at her and couldn't help but laugh.

"Pretty much."

Sophia sighed and walked forward carrying her shopping bags.

Ethan and Craig walked ahead, the two of them starting to talk about work in low voices again. Sophia followed behind, her eyes constantly fixed on Ethan's back while chatting with Abigail.

"Your brother really looks good in white shirts," Sophia said in a low voice.

Abigail didn't respond, just looked at her again.

Sophia sighed again and continued walking forward, turning back to gesture about the outfit combination for that camel coat from earlier.

"I think it would look better with those ankle boots, the ones from that store on the fifth floor—"

Before she could finish, her foot missed a step.

There was a set of stairs between the second and third floors of the mall. When Sophia reached the edge, she didn't notice at all. Her whole body tilted forward, and the shopping bags in her hands flew out.

She instinctively closed her eyes.

A hand gripped her waist.

The hand wasn't particularly strong, but it held her firmly.

Sophia opened her eyes and saw Ethan's face less than twenty centimeters from her own.

His hand was still at her waist, his fingers through the fabric of her coat, pressed against the small of her back.

"Careful."

That was the only word he said.

Sophia's mind went completely blank in that moment.

This state probably only lasted two seconds.

After Ethan confirmed she was steady, he let go, bent down to pick up the shopping bags from the floor.

"Watch where you're walking."

"Thanks."

By the time she responded, Ethan had already turned and continued walking forward.

Craig stood to the side, his expression as calm as usual.

Abigail walked over to Sophia and said in a low voice, "Your face is red again."

Sophia raised her hand to cover her face, feeling like she wanted to disappear right then and there.

Close to noon, Craig came over to give a brief report.

"Boss, I've made lunch reservations in advance. It's a three-minute walk from the north entrance of the mall."

Ethan nodded.

Abigail suddenly glanced at her phone, her face showing an apologetic expression.

"Ethan, I need to leave first. I have to take something back to Mom—she just texted asking for it."

Ethan frowned slightly. "You just got out of the hospital. I'll have Craig take you."

"No need, the driver is waiting downstairs." Abigail picked up two of the bags and glanced at Sophia. "You keep my brother company for lunch and keep an eye on him—don't let him just drink coffee without eating."

Sophia opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

Abigail winked at her and turned to leave directly.

She walked quickly, way too quickly for someone who had just been discharged from the hospital.

Sophia stood there, still gripping those two shopping bags tightly.

Abigail did that on purpose.

Craig led the way, Ethan walked behind him, and Sophia followed them together. They exited through the north entrance of the mall and walked for less than three minutes.

They arrived at the restaurant.

Sophia looked up at the sign above the entrance and stopped in her tracks.

Pink balloons hung on both sides of the door, paired candlesticks were displayed in the window, and the standing sign at the entrance read: Today's Special—Free Rose with Couple's Set Meal.

This was a restaurant specifically designed for couples.

Sophia turned to look at Craig.

Craig expressionlessly pulled open the door.

Ethan walked in. He seemed completely oblivious to the pink balloons at the entrance.

Sophia stood at the door, took a deep breath, then followed him in.

The interior of the restaurant was even more obvious.

Every table was a two-seater with flowers and heart-shaped napkins on top, and the lighting was adjusted to a soft warm yellow.

The couple at the next table was feeding each other dessert.

At the table across from them, a girl was leaning on her boyfriend's shoulder while holding up her phone to take photos.

A server approached them with a smile.

"Sir, miss, welcome. Your couple's set meal is ready. Please sit this way."

Sophia felt heat spreading from her ears down her neck.

After Ethan sat down, he looked around, and his expression finally showed a slight change.

He glanced at the heart-shaped napkin on the table, then at the small blackboard in the corner that read "Love Menu," and finally his gaze landed on Craig, who was standing near the entrance.

Craig had already retreated outside. He stood with his back to the restaurant, hands behind his back, looking like he was standing guard at the door.

Ethan picked up the menu, his expression returning to calm.

"What do you want to eat?"

Sophia opened the menu and found that every dish name included words like "Sweet," "Kiss," or "Forever."

She propped the menu up on the table, using it to hide her face.

"Whatever."

The meal lasted about forty minutes in total.

Sophia spent almost the entire time staring at her own plate, speaking unusually little. Ethan was the same as usual—he ate a few bites of steak, drank half a glass of water, and took two phone calls in between.

When the server brought the complimentary rose, Ethan politely declined. "No need."

Sophia felt like that rejected rose was a knife stabbing directly into her heart.

After finishing the meal, the two parted ways at the restaurant entrance. Ethan said he had a meeting in the afternoon and had Craig take Sophia home.

Sophia said no need, she'd take a taxi herself.

She got into the back seat of the taxi, pressed her face against the car window, and didn't say a word the whole way.

When she got home, Chris was sitting in the living room watching financial news.

He looked up and glanced at Sophia.

Sophia changed into slippers, walked past him carrying her shopping bags without saying a word, and went straight upstairs.

Chris turned off the TV and leaned back on the sofa, thinking for a while.

Ten minutes later, he picked up his phone and sent Ethan a message.

Chris: [Mr. Hubbard, sorry to bother you. I have a personal question I'd like to ask you.]

Ethan didn't reply quickly—it took about five minutes before he responded.

Ethan: [Go ahead.]

Chris considered his wording and typed a line in the input box: [What do you think of my sister?]

There was a long silence on the other end.

Nearly three minutes later, a reply came.

Ethan: [Sophia is great—lively personality, warm to people, and very caring toward Abigail. I've always seen her as a younger sister.]

Chris stared at the words "seen her as a younger sister" for a few seconds, then put down his phone.

That answer was clear enough.

He went upstairs and stood at Sophia's bedroom door, knocking twice.

"Come in."

Sophia was lying on the bed, face buried in her pillow, her voice sounding muffled.

Chris sat down on the edge of the bed.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Chris didn't press further. He handed over his phone, the screen showing Ethan's recent reply.

Sophia turned her head and glanced at it.

Her expression barely changed.

She didn't cry, nor did she show obvious disappointment.

She just looked quietly for a few seconds, then rolled over onto her back, lying flat with her eyes on the ceiling.

"Chris, I know."

Chris looked at her.

"Actually, I already figured it out at the restaurant today." Sophia's voice was soft. "The couple at the next table was feeding each other cake, the couple across from us was taking photos, the whole restaurant was pink. But he sat across from me, ate a few bites of steak, took two phone calls, and his expression was exactly the same as when he's in a meeting at the office."

She paused.

"It's not that there's anything wrong with him; he's just never thought about us that way."

Chris said nothing.

"I don't want to be the kind of person who won't take no for an answer." Sophia closed her eyes. "I've decided—I'm not going to pursue him anymore."

Chris reached out and patted her head.

"You sure about this?"