Chapter 143: You Were Cuter as a Kid
The next morning, Evelyn—who had barely slept—got up early to get ready.
This was her first real outing with her idol. She wanted to look absolutely perfect.
After washing up, she changed into the dress Sophia had picked out and sat at her vanity to do her skincare and makeup.
She'd just applied foundation when she heard a tapping on the balcony glass door.
Drawing back the curtain, she found Sophia standing there with a bright smile, looking sweet and innocent.
Yet something in that smile felt knowing, almost mischievous, making Evelyn's heart skip nervously.
She opened the door. Sophia's voice was gentle. "Evelyn, sit down and do your makeup. I'll help with your hair."
Usually, Sophia couldn't do much to help Evelyn at work or in daily life. But this was her first date with someone she admired—Sophia definitely wanted to help.
Besides, she'd known Bruce for over a decade. Nobody understood better what kind of style he appreciated in a woman.
Not so much a "type," but rather a sense of aesthetic—people in design always had exacting standards when it came to appearance.
Evelyn sat at the mirror applying makeup while Sophia stood behind her, working on her hair.
"The movie isn't that early, is it?" Sophia asked as she gathered her styling tools.
"Actually, we're meeting for lunch first. The movie comes after."
Evelyn looked a bit shy. The date was at eleven, yet here she was, up at seven to wash and dress, even troubling Sophia to come help with her hair.
"Then why don't you come to the office with me?" Sophia sat on the bed, making the suggestion sincerely. "You're dressed so beautifully—if Mom and Dad see you, they'll definitely pull you aside with questions. You don't have anything to do at home anyway, so just come to the office with me. Bruce can pick you up from there."
Evelyn gasped. "No—no need for him to pick me up! I can just take a cab!"
"He asked you out. How can he let you take a cab by yourself?" Sophia was the first to object. Any friend of hers who pulled something that ungentlemanly would have been cut off long ago.
Whether Bruce was busy or not today, he absolutely had to pick her up in person. Otherwise, he could forget about seeing Evelyn again.
Not giving Evelyn a chance to protest, Sophia set down the curling iron and patted her shoulder. "Evelyn, I'm going back to change. Come with me when you're ready!"
Sophia returned to her own room, threw on a casual outfit, did a quick five-minute makeup to brighten her complexion, grabbed a purse with her essentials, and headed out.
Right into Lucas, who had just woken up.
His hair was a mess, yawning widely. The moment he spotted Sophia, his steps froze abruptly.
He couldn't help remembering last week—getting caught on his date at the amusement park.
Yesterday, with the whole family around, he and Sophia had pretended they hadn't seen each other since Christmas. Thankfully, Sophia had kept her word and stayed quiet.
But now! This moment! He felt so guilty!
Lucas gave an awkward laugh. "Sophia! Morning! Heading to work? Better get going, don't want to be late. Drive safe!"
He rushed through everything he needed to say in one breath. Sophia's lips curved in an amused, knowing smile. "You want me gone that badly?"
"Of course not!" Lucas took two quick steps forward, hooking his arm through hers and giving it a playful shake. His voice dropped low. "Sophia, I know you're the best. You'll keep my secret, right?"
Sophia shot him a look of distaste. "If I wanted to expose you, you'd have been publicly interrogated yesterday."
Lucas grinned sheepishly. "Sophia, you're such a good person! I wish you eternal youth! And everlasting happiness with Michael!"
"You were cuter as a kid," Sophia said softly, a wistful smile crossing her face. "I miss those simpler times."
Hearing their voices, Evelyn opened her door and stepped out.
The instant Lucas saw her, his eyes lit up. "Evelyn, you look gorgeous today! Do you have another date?"
Evelyn wasn't particularly quiet because she was shy or insecure. In college, she'd performed in talent shows with her classmates without any stage fright. She'd never been someone who got nervous.
It was only around her idol that her heart would race uncontrollably, revealing a hint of bashfulness.
So when Lucas teased her, she shot him an exasperated look. "Stop making fun of me! You should worry about your own look first!"
Sophia found Lucas's bedhead equally amusing and couldn't resist snapping an unflattering photo while he wasn't paying attention.
She'd never done this sort of trivial thing before, but now she felt her family's happy or special moments were worth capturing.
She could feel how much she'd changed these past few years, how her connection to her family had grown stronger.
At first, sensing her family's genuine care made her uncomfortable. She'd been afraid to hope for affection the way she had as a child, only to end up with nothing.
Later, with Michael's encouragement, she'd gradually opened her heart, lowered her guard, tried to accept her family's kindness, and return some sincerity.
Now, she was fully part of this family, comfortably enjoying the warmth of their love.
She was lucky to have come back to the Johnson family—this place filled with love.
"Evelyn, let's go." Sophia extracted her arm from Lucas's hold and linked it with Evelyn's instead, leading her toward the stairs. Without looking back, she called to Lucas: "Tell Mom and Dad we won't be home for lunch."
"What? Where are you guys going? Can't I come too?" Lucas stared at their retreating backs, complaining. He wanted to go have fun too! "Take me with you! I can carry your bags!"
Unfortunately, the two ladies ignored him.
Fine. Guess he'd spend the day at home watching TV with his parents.
He went downstairs for a glass of water, then returned to his room to wash up and change. Planning to head to the study for his usual calligraphy practice, he found his parents dressed nicely and preparing to leave.
"Where are you going?" Lucas was genuinely confused. What was up with today?
Mary was affectionately holding her husband's arm. "On a date! Your dad and I both have time off work—of course, we're going to relax and enjoy ourselves."
Lucas: What?
Evelyn and Sophia had gone out. Now Mom and Dad were going on a date too. Did that mean only he and James were home?
"You boys can order delivery if you're hungry!" Ray waved grandly, transferring three hundred dollars to Lucas with a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, then walked out with his beautiful wife.
Lucas stared at the three-hundred-dollar transfer on his phone, feeling oddly melancholic.
He ran upstairs and knocked on James's door. "James, it's just the two of us. Want to go out?"
The door opened. James was wearing a crisp white casual suit, his soft bangs unable to hide his handsome features.
He smiled warmly. "I'm having lunch with Ethan. Want to join?"
Lucas threw himself at James in a hug. "James, you're the best brother ever!"