Rebirth: Love me Again

Chapter 21: The Lunch Date

I had expected the lunch with Lina to be quick and casual, nothing worth dressing up for, so I opted for a simple shirt and jeans as I stepped out of my room.

But no sooner had I left than Sophie appeared, standing firmly in my path like a soldier on guard duty.

"My lady," Sophie's voice was tense with forced politeness, "where are you going?"

"It's none of your business," I dismissed her, brushing past without a second thought.

But Sophie, ever persistent, proved more irritating than usual.

"Lady Sophia has instructed me to stay with you at all times," she insisted, trailing me with determined steps.

I shot her a glance, eyebrow raised. "What, are you my bodyguard now?" My words came out sharper than I intended, but I couldn't help it.

The idea of Sophie shadowing my every move was almost laughable.

Before, I might have tolerated it — played along with her tiresome hypocrisy.

But now that I knew the truth, something deep inside me simmered with anger. The thought of her lurking in my shadow, reporting back to Sophia, made my blood boil.

Every step she took, every breath she drew while tailing me, felt like a betrayal wrapped in false concern.

I could see the flush of anger creeping up her neck, her fists clenching just slightly at her sides.

It was always amusing to watch her struggle to keep her composure. The way she bit back her irritation, trying so desperately not to snap at me — it was like watching a volcano trying not to erupt.

"But my lady," she continued, her voice trembling with suppressed frustration, "if I don't accompany you, it'll be me who faces Lady Sophia's wrath. She was very clear — I am to go wherever you go."

Her words were carefully chosen, but I could hear the anger laced underneath.

I paused, weighing my options. Sophie was a nuisance, no doubt, but pushing her too far too fast would raise suspicions.

The more I tried to distance myself, the more erratic she would become, and the tighter her grip on me would grow.

No, the smarter move was to play it cool, to treat her as I always had, keep her close without giving her any reason to dig deeper.

Besides, bringing her along to lunch with Lina wasn't the worst idea.

If there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that Sophie had a way of making enemies out of even the most composed people.

And Lina . . . well, Lina had little tolerance for pretentious types like Sophie.

A plan began to form in my mind. Perhaps an opportunity would arise, a small moment where Sophie's behavior would grate on Lina's nerves just enough to spark something.

A rift, maybe. A little more tension between them could fan the flames of the already smoldering friction between Lina and Sophie.

I hid the smirk tugging at my lips and nodded, pretending to relent. "Fine. You can come."

Sophie was relieved, and bowed slightly, but I could still see the tension in her. She had no idea that the more she clung to me, the closer she came to unraveling herself in front of everyone.

And that, I thought, would be the real entertainment.

Sophie's presence would only add fuel to the fire, and if I played my cards right, I could set everything ablaze without lifting a finger.

"Where are we going, my lady?" Sophie asked as soon as we slid into the backseat of the car. Her voice was light, but there was a sharp undertone she couldn't quite mask.

I didn't bother looking at her. "Lunch with Lina," I said, gazing out the window. The city blurred past, a mass of gray and white, reflecting my own tangled thoughts.

In the glass, I caught Sophie's expression shift. She thought I couldn't see her, but I did. The slight widening of her eyes, the faint pursing of her lips — she was jealous. She tried to hide it, to compose herself, but I saw it all. She always forgot that I was watching, always assumed I was too distracted to notice.

"Since when were you and Lina so close?" Her tone dripped with fake innocence, but the tension in her voice betrayed her.

I leaned back in my seat, pretending to think. "Well, I gave her a gift last time we met. Maybe that's why. She invited me for lunch to repay me."

Sophie's face paled, and frustration flashed across her features. "Be careful, my lady. Lina may have some hidden agenda. You remember how she used to be — she didn't like you."

"She didn't say that she didn't like me," I replied calmly, turning my head slightly so I could watch her squirm.

"She didn't have to. Her attitude was cold, distant."

I shrugged, smiling at her with exaggerated sweetness. "Maybe, but people change. And today, she wants to get to know me better."

"W-what?" Sophie stammered, her usual calm shattered.

I let out a small laugh, relishing the crack in her armor. "She said I'd soon be part of her family. Isn't that wonderful?" My words hung in the air, as heavy as the truth they carried.

Sophie's eyes widened in disbelief, her carefully maintained façade crumbling. She couldn't hide the venom in her voice.

"That can't be!"

I raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. "And why not, Sophie?" My tone was smooth, daring her to speak her mind, daring her to reveal what I already knew.

She swallowed hard, scrambling to regain her composure. "I-I mean . . . don't trust her too much, my lady. She might have her own agenda."

Of course, she was projecting. Sophie was the one with schemes layered beneath layers. But Lina didn't need to hide behind plots or secrets. She held all the power — unlike Sophie, who clung to hers like it could slip through her fingers at any moment.

I smiled at her, tapping her shoulder lightly. "I guess we'll find out, won't we?"

And find out we did.

When we arrived at the private sushi restaurant owned by the Fay family, I could feel Sophie stiffen beside me. She was expecting something, but not this.

I hadn't expected it either.

The moment we stepped inside, I froze. My eyes landed on Lina, sitting serenely on the tatami floor, surrounded by an elegant spread of food. But it wasn't just her.

Lina smiled sweetly, an innocent look that I knew better than to trust. "I brought a gift," she said, gesturing to her brother.

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