Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2468

"Hugo scanned the hotel lobby, his eyes darting from one corner to the other. "She said she was heading out to meet a client. She must have left by now, right?"

Robin didn't respond, just kept walking forward.

Hugo ventured, "Did Sophia have a thing for you back in the day? Why didn't you guys end up together?"

Robin frowned slightly, a self-deprecating tone in his voice. "She was too good for me. I didn't deserve her."

Sensing the mood, Hugo quickly added, "Sophia seems to have gotten the wrong idea about you. I've already cleared it up with her. It was my screw-up, and you just took the fall for me."

He looked genuinely remorseful. "Robin, I'm really sorry. If I get the chance, I'll make sure everyone knows the truth."

Robin clapped him on the shoulder. "It's been years, man. Let's not dredge up the past. I know you've been beating yourself up over it, and you haven't made the same mistake since. That's enough for me."

Hugo's voice was laced with guilt. "If I screw up again, I'd be letting down all your hard work."

"So, let's just drop it," Robin said with a graceful smile. "What do you feel like eating? Dinner's on me tonight!"

"Anything's fine. I'm on your turf, you call the shots!" Hugo grinned sheepishly. "I'm staying in J City for a few more days. How about we round up our old classmates, including Sophia, and have a get-together?"

Robin's eyes flickered, and he nodded. "Yeah, it's been ages since we've all seen each other."

"Deal, I'll organize it!"

"Sounds good!"

Robin smiled. "Let's hit the road."

Sophia had dinner in a restaurant across from her apartment. After heading upstairs, she took a shower, changed clothes, and went into her study to work on some design drafts.

She got a couple of calls from Yolanda, discussing some new ideas she had for a ring. Sophia listened patiently for a bit before muting her phone and sliding it into her drawer.

Sophia blushed, laughing it off. "That's not necessary. I haven't done enough to earn that much."

Jason chuckled.

Sophia then shared, "I went to Mr. Waldo's anniversary today. It gave me a lot to think about."

"What sort of thoughts? Let's hear them," Jason prompted gently.

Laughing, Sophia confessed, "I always thought love was most beautiful at the beginning. But now I see that love, aged over time, is even more touching."

"Does mine count, then? Has it aged enough?" Jason asked.

Sophia's heart warmed, though she teased, "Yours doesn't count. Unrequited love doesn't count!"

Jason didn't argue, just laughed softly along with her.