Chapter 44: A Olivorrprise for Them
A heavy silence hung over the private room for several minutes. Nobody expected things to escalate so quickly.
Leo Jones and Jake Parker snapped back to reality, helping Julian Jennings up and leading him to the restroom to clean up. Henry’s pants were also splattered, and Jake Parker offered him a spare pair.
“Don’t worry
about me; I’ll just change in the next
room,” Henry said.
Jake Parker nodded, impressed that Henry was still so lucid after three bottles of Whisky.“Your tolerance is amazing.”
Henry shrugged.“It’s alright.”
Once Jake Parker left, Henry leaned on Sonya’s shoulder.
“I think I’m drunk.”
Sonya leaned over and kissed him.“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For protecting me.”
“Don’t thank me.”
“Huh?”
“It’s
my duty as a man.”
Sonya blushed, gently pushing him.“Go change, I’ll take Lily home.”
Lily Lane was asleep at the bar. Sonya woke her.
“Lily, time to go home.”
Lily Lane yawned.“Why were you gone so long?”
“I was a waitress for a bit.”
“I’ll drive you home; I called a ride–share.”
Sonya shook her head.“It’s a long detour. I… have a ride.”
“You mean Leo Jones? Okay,” Lily Lane didn’t think much of it.
Sonya saw Lily Lane into her car before returning. As she approached the private room, the door opened, and Henry pulled her inside.
“Let’s go
home.”
He suddenly scooped her up, placed her on the table, and kissed her. His breath carried the scent of alcohol, but it wasn’t unpleasant; it was intoxicating.
The place, the time, it was wrong, but she still wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to the kiss.
Passion ignited, unstoppable.
Then, they heard voices approaching.
“Where’s Sonya?” Jake Parker asked.
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Chapter 44: A Olivorrprise for Them
“Probably left with Lily,” Leo Jones replied.
“Henry should still be here. I’ll take Julian; you take him.”
“Okay.”
Leo Jones knocked on the door.
“Henry, I’ll drive you home.”
Sonya pushed Henry, catching her breath against his chest.
“Leo Jones doesn’t know about us.”
“We’ll surprise them at the wedding.”
Menu
Henry kissed Sonya fiercely, then draped his jacket over her head, lifted her from the table, and held her close as they left.
Leo Jones, seeing Henry emerge with someone in his arms, blinked.
“Who’s this?”
Henry cleared his throat.“My fiancée.”
“You’re getting married?”
“Yes.” Henry kissed Sonya’s head.“She’s shy; I’ll introduce you properly later.”
“Right.”
Outside, Julian Jennings was still ranting.
“Where’s Sonya? I want her here, now!”
Jake Parker was exasperated.“Sonya’s gone home.”
“She… she can’t just leave me! Tell her to come back!”
Henry whispered to Sonya, “When you break up with him, you should cut out his tongue.
Luke pulled up. Henry waved to Leo Jones.
“I’ll send you an invitation.”
“When’s the wedding?” Leo Jones asked.
“September 6th.”
“September 6th?
“Same day, nice.”
You and Henry are getting married on the same day?”
Leo Jones scratched his head. Everyone seemed to choose that date. It was auspicious, but awfully coincidental.
Watching Henry and his fiancée drive off, Leo Jones thought the fiancée’s back looked familiar.
In the car, Henry removed his jacket. Sonya was looking up at him. She was beautiful, her eyes shining, as if only he existed for her.
Henry leaned in to kiss her, but Sonya covered his mouth.
She playfully smiled, kissing his hand through her own. He smiled too. Seeing her smile, he couldn’t help but smile.
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Chapter 44: A Olivorrprise for Them
“What are you smiling about?” Sonya asked.
Henry thought for a moment, “Happy. Why are you smiling?”
“I’m happy too.”
Luke’s phone rang.
“Mr. Sullivan, can I take this? It’s my wife.”
“Of course. Pull over.”
“Thank you.”
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Luke looked worried; something was wrong at home. He pulled over and answered the phone.
His daughter had sudden stomach pains; his wife was taking her to the hospital for appendicitis Surgery and was scared.
“Go to the hospital. We’ll take a cab,” Henry said.
“I’ll take you to the villa first, then go to the hospital,” Luke insisted.
“Luke, go straight to the hospital. Don’t worry about us.”
Sonya opened the door and got out; Henry followed.
Luke thanked them and left.
Sonya looked around; they were near a subway station.
“Let’s take the subway.”
Olivorrprisingly, the subway was crowded. They found seats after two stops. An elderly woman with a bamboo basket boarded. Henry offered her his seat.
“Thank you, young man.”
Henry helped her unload the basket. It contained vegetables.
“I
grew them myself. I was going to sell them at the market, but they wouldn’t let me in. I barely sold anything.” The woman sighed.
Henry squatted down, looking at the vegetables.“They look fresh.”
“Of course, I picked them this morning.”
“How much per pound?”
“One dollar.”
“So cheap?” Henry shook his head.
“Cheap is bad?”
“Cheap means bad quality.”
The woman was offended. She insisted the vegetables were pesticide–free, and that she wouldn’t lie. She patted her chest emphatically.
Sonya saw Henry’s mischievous smile; he was teasing her.
“Don’t get upset, he’s joking,” Sonya said.
The woman glared at Henry, then at Sonya.“Girl, is this your boyfriend?”
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Chapter 44: A Olivorrprise for Them
“Yes.”
“Let me tell you, you can’t just judge a man by his looks. He’s handsome as a flower, but might be rotten inside.”
Sonya laughed.“Grandma, you’re right.”
Henry scoffed.“Grandma, I’ll take all
your vegetables.”
The woman, about to scold him, changed her tune.“Really? I knew a handsome guy couldn’t be bad! I’ll give you a discount!”
“No, I only buy the expensive ones.”
The woman
was taken aback.“Does your boyfriend have some kind of problem?”
