Chapter 44
A heavy silence hung over the private room for several minutes. No one had expected things to escalate so quickly.
Leo Jones and Jake Parker quickly 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 offered him a spare pair.
“Don’t worry about me; I’ll change in the next room,” Henry said, brushing it off.
Jake Parker nodded, clearly impressed. “Your tolerance is amazing.”
Henry shrugged casually. “It’s alright.”
Once Jake left, Henry leaned on Sonya’s shoulder. “I think I’m drunk.”
Sonya leaned in and kissed him softly. “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 had fallen asleep at the bar. Sonya woke her.
“Lily, it’s time to go home.”
Lily yawned. “Why were you gone so long?”
“I was helping out,” Sonya replied, smiling.
“I’ll drive you home. I called a ride-share,” Lily offered.
Sonya shook her head. “It’s a long detour. I… have a ride.”
“You mean Leo Jones?” Lily didn’t think much of it.
Sonya saw Lily into her car before returning to the bar. 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 was intoxicating, not unpleasant. The moment felt wrong, but Sonya 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.
“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 quickly pushed Henry away, catching her breath against his chest. “Leo doesn’t know about us.”
“We’ll surprise them at the wedding,” Henry said, grinning.
He kissed Sonya fiercely, draped his jacket over her head, lifted her off the table, and held her close as they left.
Leo Jones blinked as Henry emerged with someone in his arms. “Who’s this?”
Henry cleared his throat. “My fiancée.”
“You’re getting married?” Leo asked, stunned.
“Yes.” Henry kissed Sonya on the head. “She’s shy; I’ll introduce you properly later.”
“Right.” Leo looked confused, but Henry led Sonya outside, where 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!” Julian yelled, furious.
Henry leaned in and whispered to Sonya, “When you break up with him, make sure you cut out his tongue.”
Luke’s car pulled up, and Henry waved to Leo Jones. “I’ll send you an invitation.”
“When’s the wedding?” Leo asked.
“September 6th,” Henry replied.
“September 6th? Same day?” Leo scratched his head. “You and Henry are getting married on the same day?”
Henry nodded. “It’s an auspicious date. Everyone seems to choose it.”
As they drove off, Leo Jones watched Henry and his fiancée leave. The fiancée’s back looked strangely familiar.
In the car, Henry removed his jacket. Sonya was looking up at him, her eyes shining as if only he existed for her. Henry leaned in to kiss her, but Sonya stopped him by covering his mouth.
She smiled playfully, kissing his hand instead. Henry couldn’t help but smile back, captivated by her expression.
“What are you smiling about?” Sonya asked.
Henry thought for a moment. “Happy. Why are you smiling?”
“I’m happy too,” she replied softly.
Luke’s phone rang, and he glanced at it, his expression shifting to concern.
“Mr. Sullivan, can I take this? It’s my wife.”
“Of course, pull over,” Henry said.
Luke parked the car, worry etched on his face. He answered the phone, and his expression darkened as he listened.
His daughter was in sudden pain and had to be taken to the hospital for surgery. His wife was scared.
“Go to the hospital. We’ll take a cab,” Henry said, trying to ease Luke’s mind.
“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 added.
Luke thanked them and hurried away. Sonya glanced around, noting they were near a subway station.
“Let’s take the subway,” she suggested.
Surprisingly, the subway was crowded. They managed to find seats after two stops. An elderly woman with a bamboo basket boarded. Henry stood and offered her his seat.
“Thank you, young man,” she said warmly.
Henry helped her unload the basket, which was filled with 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,” she explained with a sigh.
Henry squatted to examine the vegetables. “They look fresh.”
“Of course, I picked them this morning,” the woman replied proudly.
“How much per pound?” Henry asked.
“One dollar.”
“So cheap?” Henry raised an eyebrow.
“Cheap is bad?” The woman was defensive.
Henry grinned, teasing her. “Cheap means bad quality.”
The woman frowned. “These are pesticide-free! I wouldn’t lie.”
Sonya saw Henry’s mischievous smile and quickly intervened. “Don’t get upset, he’s joking.”
The woman glared at Henry, then at Sonya. “Girl, is this your boyfriend?”
Sonya smiled. “Yes.”
The woman gave Henry a critical look. “You can’t judge a man by his looks. He’s handsome as a flower, but he might be rotten inside.”
Sonya laughed. “Grandma, you’re right.”
Henry scoffed playfully. “Grandma, I’ll take all your vegetables.”
The woman’s face softened, and she beamed. “Really? I knew a handsome guy couldn’t be bad! I’ll give you a discount!”
“No, I only buy the expensive ones,” Henry said with a wink.
The woman blinked in surprise. “Does your boyfriend have some kind of problem?”
