The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Don caught the shift in lvan's gaze and kinda got the gist of what had been bugging him.

As Ivan's friend, he got it.

If he were in Ivan's shoes, he couldn't say he'd be quick on the draw with decisions, either.

He didn't add anything more to it, just lifted his hand and gave Ivan a hearty slap on the shoulder, at a loss for words.

Sometimes, it's a split-second thought that puts worlds between us.

Ivan cracked a smile, all chill about it. "I know what I'm doing, no need to sweat it."

Don returned the smile, kept it short and sweet, and handed back the proposal.

"This plan's pretty solid, I'm down with it. If you and Sophia both give it the thumbs up, shoot it over to the client, let's see what

they think."

Ivan nodded. "Got it."

Grabbing the proposal Don passed to him, Ivan said, "I'm gonna head back to my office."

Don nodded, watched him leave the room, and only after the door closed did he let out a long sigh.

He just felt like he had a headache.

Love-struck fools, both of ‘em.

On one side, his friend who was practically his twin since diapers, and on the other, a confidant who's been there through work and

life.

Both meant the world to him.

He had no idea how the two got tangled up together.

At six in the P.M., Don shot Brandon a text before shutting down his computer. [Heading out?]

As the matchmaker, he had to tag along for this dinner.

Just stepping out of the office, he bumped into Sophia, also on her way out.

"Cutting out early?" Don asked with a grin.

"Yeah."

Sophia gave an awkward chuckle, always felt a bit like a kid caught playing hooky when running into the boss at clock-out time.

Don just chuckled, trying to read her face for a hint of sadness or disappointment about Brandon's blind date, but nada.

Her smile was sweet and pure, with a touch of that caught-in-the-act shyness, seemingly oblivious to Brandon's matchmaking

plans.

Don half-expected Sophia to hit him with a "Mr. Dempsey, you're off early too, huh?"

That would've given him the perfect in to nod and casually remind her about Brandon's date.

But Sophia didn't bite, just said "Mr. Dempsey, I'll be off then" with a smile and made to leave. Don couldn't help himself and

blurted out.

"Why don't you join Brandon for dinner tonight, give him a little backup?"

Sophia paused, then turned back to him softly saying, "I don't think it's appropriate forto go, | won't intrude. | hope Mr. Crawley

finds a nice girl, fingers crossed for his blind date."

Right then, Brandon stepped out of the elevator, stopped in his tracks, and threw a glance at Sophia.

Sophia hadn't expected Brandon to cdown, her smile freezing slightly.

Brandon's eyes calmly swept over her face, then shifted to Don. "Let's go."

With that, he turned and hit the elevator button.

Don was kinda thrown—Brandon personally coming to fetch him wasn't his usual M.O.

He glanced Brandon's way.

Brandon had his back turned, fixated on the descending numbers on the elevator panel, his profile cool and collected.

Who knows if he caught Sophia's words.

Don looked over at Sophia.

She was still standing there, a faint awkwardness on her face, hesitating toward the elevator.

The elevator doors slid open.

Brandon stepped in, his finger lingering on the button to hold the doors, his calm gaze now on Don, face as composed as ever.

Don quickly followed into the elevator, but Brandon's finger didn't budge from the button, his eyes now on Sophia, who was caught

in an awkward spot—should she hop in the elevator or wait for the next one?

She wanted them to go first, but Brandon wasn't letting go, just watching her, steady as a rock.

The prolonged open doors triggered the elevator's nagging buzzer.

Sophia had no choice but to step in.

Brandon's finger finally lifted, and the doors began to close.

The elevator was dead silent.

Don tried to break the ice with a smile at Sophia. "Heading hearly tonight?"

Sophia couldn't mention her plans to have dinner with lvan and just gave a noncommittal chuckle. "Got something on later."

Ivan was still with a client, so she headed down first.

Don grinned. "Oh yeah? Anything | can help with?"

Sophia shook her head quickly. "No, it's nothing. Just meeting the repair guy for the AC."

Brandon shot her a look.

Sophia's smile stiffened uncomfortably.

Thankfully, the elevator ride was short, and soon they were at the ground floor.

With a soft "ding," the doors opened.

Sophia turned to Don with a smile. "I'll be off then."

She held back from looking at Brandon.

After she left the elevator, Don couldn't help but glance at Brandon.

His face was still, emotionless, showing no inclination to stop Sophia, just calmly letting the doors close behind her.

The elevator opened again on the lower level.

Brandon stepped out.

He walked on, his pace steady, his face showing neither joy nor anticipation for the dinner ahead—it seemed just another business

social for him.

It wasn't until he got into the car and buckled up that Don noticed Brandon's movement pause for a second.

Sitting shotgun, Don saw the hesitation and couldn't help but look at Brandon.

Brandon, one hand on the seatbelt, eyes half-closed, looked like a statue in his calm.

Don called out to him. "Brandon?"

Brandon let out a long breath, his hand on the seatbelt relaxed for a moment, then he turned his head, glancing back in the

direction of the elevator.

Don also looked back, then at him. "Brandon?"

Brandon's face was still a mask of calm, but underneath that, Don saw his Adam's apple moving sharply, his hand on the steering

wheel tightening.

Veins were subtly standing out.

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMwWLHIOfiflO&1

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMyWL11I01F1081

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMwWLHIOfiflO&1

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMyWL11I01F1081

mMMwWLIIOfiflO&1