“So?” She wasn't afraid.
“Anglandur's always been interested in talents like you. They'll definitely come looking for you and try to make you stay. If you refuse, they might not let you leave so easily.” Anglandurns could come up with every excuse imaginable.
“Ha.”
Sophie scoffed. If she wanted to leave, no one could ever get in her way.
“I understand. It's getting late, so you should go back and get some rest. Whatever it is, we can talk about it tomorrow.”
It wasn't wise to cross her.
“Okay. Don't stay up too late or spend too much time on the phone. The radiation's not good for you,” Arius reminded, aware that Tristan would surely call her.
“Got it.”
Expectedly, Tristan's phone call came the moment Arius left. Judging from how the former's hair was still wet, he must have just gotten out of the shower.
“Why didn't you dry your hair? You'll catch a cold easily,” Sophie couldn't help but nag.
The heater kept his room warm, but he could still get sick easily.
“It's fine.”
Tristan put his phone aside and began drying his hair with a towel.
“Have you had dinner?”
“Yup.”
Sophie watched the man who had just taken his shower wipe his hair with the towel. He really is gorgeous.
Tristan had nothing but a robe on, and the sash appeared to have been tied around his waist with minimal effort. Despite the simplicity, she couldn't take her eyes off him.
It didn't take long for the man's short hair to stop dripping beads of water.
“What's wrong? What are you thinking about?” Seeing her remain silent, Tristan tossed his towel aside.
“Nothing. I just can't believe such a handsome man like you exists.” The woman's lips curved.
“Don't try to charm me, Sophie. You're so far away from me right now. If you keep this up, I might not be able to resist going over to you.”
Sophie's smile widened.
“Okay, then. Come on over!”
“Hmph. You know it'd be dawn by the time I get there, missy.”
This young lady is becoming increasingly puckish.
“By the way, you'll be heading over to the International Medical Association tomorrow, right? Remember, call me right away if anything happens,” the man added.
He wasn't completely powerless when it came to dealing with Anglandur.
He could easily bring them back home if he wanted.
“Okay. I will.”
“All right. I know you're tired. Go take your shower.” Despite not wanting to hang up, he knew she needed rest.
“Okay.”
“Don't end the video call. I'll wait for you here.”
“Got it!”
Sophie positioned her phone in a way that captured her movements before grabbing her clothes and heading into the bathroom.
Tristan would then glance at his screen from time to time while sorting out his mail.
It was a quick shower, and Sophie re-emerged less than twenty minutes later in a set of pajamas with a towel wrapped around her hair.
Tristan gulped subconsciously when he saw her. Then, he couldn't help but smile upon realizing what he had done.
Why was a man in his thirties like him getting all flustered like a teenager in love?
“It's late. You should get ready for bed.” Sophie still had to dry her hair and figured he wouldn't be able to hear her speak while she used the blow dryer anyway.
“It's fine. I still have some things to take care of. Don't mind me.”
“Okay.”
With that, the woman went to dry her hair.
When she was done, she opened up her laptop and hacked into the International Medical Association's system to view the building's floor plan.
As they would be heading there tomorrow, she had to memorize the floor plan so they could escape in case anything were to happen.
“All right, it's getting pretty late, so get some rest,” Tristan urged, prompting Sophie to carry her phone to bed.
“Don't miss me too much. I'll be back in two days,” she remarked while still holding onto her phone.
“Okay. Have a good rest. Good night.”
Tristan ended the call reluctantly.
If only she were by his side now.
Unfortunately, she wasn't. All he could do was hope she would sleep well and deal with whatever might happen tomorrow.
Right after hanging up, Sophie realized that someone had snuck into her room. She remained seated on her bed and didn't budge.
“Come on out,” she demanded.
Upon hearing her voice, Nicholas walked out of a corner with a huge smile on his face.
He was truly elated to finally get to see her after so long.
On the other hand, Sophie was clearly unamused to see someone who wasn't supposed to be here there in her room.
“Do you feel glad to see me, Sophie?”
The woman scoffed.
“You tell me. How do you think I'd feel about seeing you? Haven't you been clear on this all along?”
Nicholas plopped himself onto the couch.
“Don't say that. You can just treat me as an old friend dropping by for a chat. There's no need for you to have your guard up like that. I've never wanted to hurt you. I love you!”
Sophie was speechless.
Love? I don't want a sick love like this.
“Are you done, Nicholas? If you are, then get out of here now!” She had never cared about this man—not in the slightest.
“No, Sophie. They all say I'm sick, but I don't think that's true. I just love you too much, that's all! You know that, right? I know I'll be fine as long as you're with me!” Nicholas replied in despair. “You won't hate me, will you? I love you so much!”
“If you're sick, go see a doctor instead of bothering me!” Sophie only had a robe on, so she wouldn't be able to engage in combat very well.
Nicholas stood up and began walking toward her.
“I don't need a doctor. Even if I do, you're the only one I want, Sophie. Or you could keep me company whenever I visit the doctor! I might stop bothering you if I get better, you know?”
Wouldn't this be an irresistible offer?
The woman glared at him.
She never liked being threatened.
“You've fallen in love with the wrong person, Nicholas. I told you, I don't care whether you're dead or alive. In fact, I'd be more than happy to kill you!”
With that, she whipped a gun out from underneath her pillow and aimed it directly at the man's forehead.
It had been a while since she last used this gun, but it felt the same as always in her hands.
A bitter smile formed on Nicholas' face.
“Do you really not care about me at all? Why are you so cruel to just me? Are you that heartless, Sophie? Can't you feel the love I have for you?”
He began to lose control of his emotions.
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