Sophia watched Alexander’s reflection shrink in the rearview mirror. She gradually loosened up as he seemed further and further away.
He enjoys getting me to drop him off, huh? Then I’ll grant his wish.
The neighborhood was fifteen kilometers from the city, and she had Alexander’s phone. If he wanted to head back to the city, he would have to walk for three or four hours. That was almost sufficient payback for the twenty-minute car ride she had to endure.
Back in the city, Sophia went to the police station with his phone.
It was eight at night. The police officer on duty froze as Sophia entered the station. He asked, “How can I help you, miss? Are you here to report a crime?”
Sophia smiled faintly and showed him Alexander’s phone. “Not really. I found this phone on the side of the road.”
The officer studied the phone. He didn’t recognize the model, but even a cursory glance told him that this was not a cheap phone.
The officer beckoned her over. “I see. Well, I hope you don’t mind filling up some paperwork.”
Sophia raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she followed the officer to fill up some forms.
About five minutes later, she left the police station.
She was back at her mansion by nine. Sophia took a bath, applied a face mask, and happily went to bed.
Around nine-thirty, Samuel received a phone call. It was rare for him to be able to go home and get some early shut-eye without being disturbed. He scowled and wondered which idiot was calling him.
Seeing that it was an unknown number, Samuel rejected the call.
However, the phone rang again as soon as he canceled the call.
Samuel was infuriated. He wanted to give whoever it was a piece of his mind.
He answered the call and barked, “Who is this?”
“It’s me.”
Samuel changed tack as soon as he heard that familiar, emotionless voice. He mumbled, “Alex? Whose phone are you using?”
The caller ID showed an unknown number. He would’ve hung up if he wasn’t in such an “amazing” mood.
Alex was in no mood for lengthy explanations. He said, “I’m in the convenience store at New Wind Avenue. Come and pick me up.”
“How did you end up all the way there?”
Alexander hung up. Samuel stared at the phone in disbelief and resisted the urge to curse. Sighing, he got dressed and left to pick up Alexander.
However, the address he gave was vague. Samuel spent a confusing twenty minutes circling aimlessly before finally finding him.
Rolling down the window, Samuel asked, “What brings you to this part of town?”
Alexander took a swig of water from a plastic bottle. He scowled. “You’re in a talkative mood today, aren’t you?”
Samuel shook his head. “Hey, you asked me to come and pick you up at night, and I came. The least you could do is tell me how you ended up here. Also, what happened to your phone? Why were you using someone else’s phone?”
Samuel shook his head. “Hey, you asked me to come and pick you up at night, and I came. The least you could do is tell me how you ended up here. Also, what happened to your phone? Why were you using someone else’s phone?”
As Alexander got into the car, he said, “Sophia brought me here. My phone’s with her.”
Samuel furrowed his brow. He wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, so he had some difficulty following Alexander’s explanation. “I don’t get what you. If Sophia dropped you off, why didn’t she come and pick you up? Also, what possessed you to come to the countryside in the middle of the night? Are you here to stargaze as the air here is fresher?”
Samuel craned his neck over the driver’s wheel and peered up at the sky. “Hmm, I don’t see any stars tonight.”
“Didn’t you pay attention in Geography class? You can’t see any stars because the moon is too bright.”
Samuel flushed at the insult. “That’s not the point. My point is—what were you doing here?”
Alexander threw his hands up in annoyance. “Are you going to drive? Or should I?’
Samuel had half a mind not to budge. However, he eventually decided to start driving.
After a few minutes of silence, a thought crossed Samuel’s mind. He finally understood what Alexander meant.
Looking around the streets, he happened to spot a late-night snack stand ahead. He pulled over and looked at Alexander. There was a peculiar grin on his face. “Hold up, Alex. Are you saying that Sophia purposely dropped you off here and took away your phone, forcing you to walk back home?”
Alexander’s face grew grim. He glared at Samuel, who was laughing uncontrollably. “You know, it’s still early. Should we do a couple of rounds at the boxing gym?”
Samuel hastily swallowed his laughter. “N-No. I have some stuff to do tomorrow. Maybe we should all head home. I promise not to laugh.”
Ten minutes later, Samuel began chortling uncontrollably. Wiping away tears, he said, “I’m sorry! I can’t help it. You know what, just go ahead and hit me.”
Alexander glared wordlessly at his friend.
He began regretting asking Samuel to pick him up.
Why didn’t I call Charles? Instead, I had to ask this annoying blabbermouth.
Samuel shouted, “She’s a goddess! The woman’s a goddess! I didn’t expect her to pull a stunt like this. Hats off!”
“Stop the car,” said Alexander abruptly.
Still chuckling, Samuel pulled over. “What’s wrong?”
“Change seats. I’ll drive.”
Samuel stared at Alexander in disbelief. He wasn’t in the mood to laugh anymore. “Come on, don’t be like that. I was just having a bit of fun!”
“Move over.”
Alexander forced himself into the driver’s seat, leaving Samuel no choice but to move to the passenger seat.
The car shortly pulled up at the boxing gym.
Samuel stared wordlessly at the familiar plaque.
The gym was filled with Samuel howling and shouting in pain. When the pair of them left, it was already eleven o’clock.
No trace of good humor could be found in Samuel. Massaging his shoulder in the passenger seat, Samuel whined, “Did you have to hit that hard?”
Alexander said nothing. He drove to the entrance of his condominium and stopped the car. After getting out of the vehicle, he muttered, “Good night.”
Samuel stared at his friend in confusion. He was sore all over.
Does Alexander seriously expect me to drive myself home?
When Felix received a call from the police station, Alexander had just wrapped up a meeting and was leaving the conference room.
Felix studied Alexander’s cold, emotionless face. He wondered if he had just been talking to a scam caller.
How can Mr. Xenos lose his phone? A driver brings him everywhere, and I’m with him when he’s at work. Where did he lose his phone?
Seriously, Felix walked over to Alexander. “Mr. Xenos, did you lose your phone?”
Alexander had planned to go over to Sophia’s place and take back his phone. Felix’s words confused him. “How did you know that?”
Could it be Samuel? That blabbermouth!
Felix was secretly glad he asked. Otherwise, he would’ve lost an opportunity.
He hurriedly explained, “I just got off the phone with the police. It seems that someone found your phone and left it at the station.”
Alexander wordlessly digested this bit of information.
Seeing that Alexander was silent, Felix suggested, “Mr. Xenos, should I send someone over to collect the phone from the station?”
“Don’t you think I should personally go to the station?”
Alexander scowled at Felix and wondered why even his secretary seemed to have lost a few brain cells.
Felix trembled. “Ah, yes. You’re quite right, Mr. Xenos.”
“Get the car ready. I’m heading to the police station right away.”
That d*mned Sophia. She’s not planning on giving me even the slightest opportunity to contact her.
Alexander pursed his lips as his heart suddenly felt heavy.
