||'Route for My love'||

'PART 10'

I woke up at 6am. My mind was foggy. i had been working non-stop for days and this was close to sleep I had. 5 hours of sleep. today's Sunday but still, I had to work. I took a bath and stepped out. I made my way down, watching as the maids had already begun to work up. I sighed and then made my way towards Sophia's room.

I knocked on her door, "Sophia.." I cooed, "Are you awake? Can i come inside?" After few seconds, i heard a grunt matching 'come in'. I came inside, and checked the room. Her room was always tidy, she's too different from me. I interacted with some things that had decorated her room into a make-alike cozy. No wonder she doesn't come out her room for hours. Then, my gaze settled at sophia, wrapped in the blankets and looking at me with groggy eyes. 

"Good morning, sleepyhead. It's Sunday. wake up." I turned around, exploring the books she had when she spoke up, "Today..me and Deren made a plan to hang out in the mall. And you got to come." I furrowed my eyebrows and looked back, "And by whose permission did you do so?" Sophia grunted, "Sorry..but me and Deren hadn't spent some quality time for quite a while." I raised my eyebrows at the word 'quality time'. "Yeah sure. I can't go. I have alot of work." I said.

"Cmon sis! You always work, atleast unleash the ropes on sundays." She stood up, settling her hairs. She's right. I'm too engrossed in work. "Fine." I muttered, chewing my nails. "Then it's set." She said and then made her way towards the bathroom. I did some more exploring but then i found a letter. On it was written, To lovely Sophia

My eyes held that amused look as i opened the letter, the paper was smelling like roses and i probably knew who could send this. I held the paper and began reading.

I know you're mad at me for not telling you in science exam and i apologize for that. Darling, you're not talking to me for quite a while and i swear it hurts! I even once slapped myself for that. Please darling, so sorry i swear i'll tell you in every exam from now on and also accept my roses and put it in that vase which you told me was new, blue and glittery. Lots of love to you my dear sugarplum.

My eyes immediately found the vase as i saw dark red roses. "Wow. cringe love story."

Sophia stepped out and spun around, showing off her dress. "How is it?" she asked, grinning. The dress was something straight out of a movie—deep emerald green, sleeveless, with a flowing skirt that caught every bit of light as she moved. I couldn't help but smile.

"You look adorable. Now go downstairs and tell the driver to take out the Bugatti," I replied, giving her a nod. She beamed, then headed off, her footsteps fading down the hallway. I returned to my room to change, slipping into a cream-colored dress with a thigh-high slit, pairing it with golden earrings and matching heels. The look was classic, understated, but it worked. Just what I was going for.

I asked her when i went down "Which mall are we going to?"

"The Opera," she called back up. "Oh, and Deren's coming too."

I nodded, slipping my phone into my clutch as we walked out. In the Bugatti, the city lights blurred past us. I never get out much, really—always too busy with work, yet I find comfort in the small things. No matter how rich I get, there's a part of me that stays grounded.

When we finally arrived, the mall was bright and bustling. Sophia dashed inside, no doubt looking for Deren. I strolled behind, soaking in the ambiance, until I spotted Deren walking over to Sophia. He gave me a wave, and I smiled, but then... I saw him. Denzel. 

Why is he always here?! 

We'd struck out truce, but even that didn't make him any less annoying. He walked up with a smirk. "Hey, friend," he said, stressing that last word like it was some kind of joke. I shot him a look, catching a glimpse of Deren and Sophia already moving deeper into the mall.

"So...how's life?" I asked Denzel, my tone as uninterested as I could manage.

"Nothing much. What about you?"

I shrugged. "Noiosa..." I replied.

We reached a high-end boutique, and Sophia started trying on dresses, showing each one off to Deren, who responded in that typical guy way. But my eyes locked onto a stunning gown—its skirt was slit high, revealing intricate blue gems that glittered with every angle. The sleeves were delicate netting, giving it an ethereal touch.

"Oh my gosh... I need this," I murmured, calling over an assistant. But she sized me up, clearly unimpressed.

"Miss, that's expensive," she replied, eyeing me with a slight smirk.

"I said I want this," I repeated, my patience thinning.

She raised an eyebrow. "This is really costly. I don't think you can afford it." Her words lingered, and I glanced over at Denzel, who had an amused look on his face, as if waiting to see how I'd respond.

I took a step forward. "You know," I said, voice steady, "I could buy this whole store... maybe even you if I wanted to." I unzipped my purse and let a handful of hundred-dollar bills scatter onto the counter. "Now, take the money, and get me the dress." She paled, rushing off to fetch it. I chuckled under my breath. "Bitch."

Denzel's corners twitched up abit. "You're too full of yourself."

"Nah, don't judge a book by its cover," I teased, as I headed to the fitting room. I tried on the dress, admiring myself in the mirror as I noticed Denzel's gaze from the doorway, a mix of intrigue and... something else. He was still watching when I stepped out.

"How... do I look?" I asked, catching his eye.

For a second, his expression darkened, but he simply nodded. "Cool."

I turned to go back inside but felt my heel catch on the carpet. My stomach dropped as I tipped forward, bracing for the fall—only to feel Denzel's arms around me, steadying me. For a brief moment, the world seemed to slow, his hands firm and steady. I could feel heat radiating from his body, his eyes darkening as our gazes remained in contact. Somehow, my heartbeat quickens.

Time just... stopped.