Twice The Trouble Book 2 of 2: Twice The Love

Chapter 44: Moving?

Sophia

I couldn't move from the shock. Was that the reason he was so busy?

Lucas was moving to New York.. but how come he hasn't even told me?

"Sophia?"

My head jerked up, and I tried to plaster a smile on my face. I couldn't let Vivian realize this was all news to me. I just couldn't.

"Of course I know about it," I said huskily. Fudge. Was that my voice? I sounded pretty strange. I cleared my throat and went on: "I know all about it. But I.. I never discuss business in public." Or in private, for that matter, since I knew zilch concerning stocks and bonds. "Much better to be discreet, don't you think?"

"Oh, absolutely," Vivian answered, and they way she looked at me made me think she wasn't convinced for a minute. "So.. will you be going out there, too?"

I stared back at her, my lips trembling, unable to come up with an answer, my face growing pinker and pinker, when suddenly--Thank God--a voice behind me said: "Sophia Sta. Ana. Parcel for a Miss Sophia Sta. Ana."

My head jerked around in astonishment, and I couldn't believe it. A man in pale blue uniform was approaching my square white table, holding a huge bouquet of red and yellow roses. They were absolutely beautiful, fresh and still coated in water dew, sparkling under the fluorescent lights.

"That's me," I replied, managing a smile. "I'm Sophia Sta. Ana."

"Oh, right! The author!" exclaimed the man. "That's nice and easy, then. If you could just sign right here.." he handed me a clipboard, which I signed, before returning to him.

"Well, I mustn't keep you!" Vivian eyed my flowers in amusement. "Enjoy the rest of your stay, won't you?"

"Thanks," I said. "I will." And, feeling slightly numb, I stood and walked away, clutching my bouquet of roses tightly to me.

I was drowning in my thoughts so much, I didn't mind when I hailed a taxi instead of a jeep.

Sitting inside the white taxi,I tossed the bouquet on the space next to me before I gazed out of the window, my brown eyes barely processing the trees and houses swishing by.

Okay, let's go over the facts. Lucas was making plans to move to New York. And he hasn't told me.

Yet. He hasn't told me yet.

As I thought this through, my numbness started to melt away. Of course. He's probably planning to tell me this evening. Waiting for the right moment. That was why he promised to drop by the family bakery later. He didn't know that Vivian could stick her oar in, did he?

The taxi came to a stop in front of Sentimental Sweets, and I paid the driver, scooped up my bouquet of roses into my arms, swung open the car door, then straightened up as I walked towards the pink and white bakery.

I finally took the time to admire the arrangement of red and yellow roses in my arms. The petals felt so soft under my fingers, and as I continued to appreciate the beauty of nature, I felt my lips curving into a cool and tranquil smile. I felt my shoulders relax, and I used my back to push my way inside the crowded bakery.

"Hi there, Sop!" greeted my 23-year-old cousin, Ate Jolene, standing behind the counter.

I shot her a brief smile. "Hi, Ate Jo."

"Those are exquisite," she remarked, swooning at the sight of my flowers.

Kuya Marcus, Ate Jolene's husband and worldwide idol, had his arm wrapped protectively around his wife's waist. No wonder there were so many customers tonight.