Chapter 254 - Rainy Night (2)

"Sof, I have a weird vibe with your guest. Don't you think it's suspicious that she wants to hide her identity?" Claire questioned with a deep lines on her forehead.

"It's for ther privacy of her baby. Since she does not know how to play games, some people might bash her in the future," Sofia casually stated.

"Ahhh... but she did not remove her facemask even though she is already inside your room! It's not just about basher! She does not want us to know her look also!" Claire spoke feeling uneasy. Indeed, the lady never showed her full face to them. Sofia was also waiting for her to reveal her face but Heiz only laid down on the pile of blankets without removing her facemask.

"Hmn... Her family disowned her because of her baby, Claire. In fact, I also felt wary of her identity. She let her baby sleep underneath the small wooden cart. Heiz has no home. But, since we meet her in her lowest point in life we should help her. Who knows? If one day we would be put in a similar situation... It would be nice if there is someone willing to help us too. Ahhh... Let's just see how this arrangement goes," Sofia replied. The fact that Heiz had a valuable watch in her possession, her identity was not simple.

But, whatever her identity is, Sofia was not really interested to know. She just want to help her.

Claire suddenly felt a deep sentiment after knowing the situation of Heiz. She lowered her gaze and was silent for a minute. 

"Don't worry," Sofia smiled at her before returning her attention to the screen of her phone.

Claire released a long sigh and looked up, "I can't help it. I am really worried... you know, there are reports about underground syndicates using young teens to let them pretend to be beggars to collect money in the streets for them. The government news had warned us about that modus. What if your guest is part of it?"

"Mmm... She is genuine. I can feel her sincerity. Maybe she has other reason to hide her identity," Sofia stated.

"Okay, Sof. Do you think she is the same age as us? I think we are the same age. Why would her parents disown her? That's cruel!" Claire mumbled.

"I don't know," Sofia sighed. But, in her mind, she could speculate a few reasons.  She just does not want to judge Heiz and her family. After all, it's not her business to meddle with civil matters.

Half an hour passed with the two of them talking about Heiz and her baby. Suddenly, Clark and Joey's voices called out from outside of the door.

"They are coming over? It's late," Sofia reacted and went to open the door. 

"Yeah, it's more convenient to play in the same place," Claire followed behind her.

As they pushed the door open, they saw Joey bringing two plastics of take-out food containers. Sofia glanced at the food container with amusement in her eyes. "You're bringing food?" she asked.

"Hahaha, Sof--" Joey smirked but suddenly noticed Claire placing her fingers on her lips. 'Shhh...' They exchanged a silent message in a split second before he continued, "-- we went out and brought some food. Stephen is with us too. Bro, hurry! You walk like a snail!!!"

Sofia looked behind him but it was Clark who was the first to come next to Joey and he was also holding another transparent plastic containing wrapped snacks. "His, Sof!" he said and switched his line of vision to wink at Claire.

Claire stepped forward and took the transparent plastic bag from Clark. Their hands slightly touched. "Come in! How did you get so many snacks?" she asked while checking the contents of the bag.

"My legs are so numb," the weak voice of Stephen suddenly followed. But he managed to smile cheekily after he made eye contact with Sofia. His face brightened and he stood straight right away.

"What's up with your clothing?" Sofia gave him a scrutinizing look.

"My shirt got drenched by the rain. This is the coat of Clark's driver. I've borrowed it! Hehe," Stephen chuckled as the group stepped inside Claire's living room. 

Joey carefully set the food container on the table while the rest of the group went to the couch. Stephen was the first to take a sit followed by Sofia. Then, Clark sat beside Stephen and Claire occupied the next space.

"We coincidentally pass by at my favorite restaurant on our way home and  we thought to bring their specialty for you to taste them. Try it," Clark spoke and moved the food container towards Sofia and Claire.

"Thank you!" Claire quickly said and opened the lid of the container. It contained buttered chicken that was cut into eight pieces. It really looked salivating that Claire suddenly felt hungry. She clipped one cut and almost moaned of the tasty flavor.

Sofia only stared at Claire before she also  took a bite.

"Sof, eat more. There's another container with vegetable salad! Here," Joey spoke and gestured for her to open the other.

'Vegetable salad and buttered chicken?' Sofia looked at their faces with suspicion. But she did not say a word.

"Is it good?" Stephen suddenly whispered from her side.

"Yes. It is," Sofia answered and casually offered him a piece of buttered chicken. "You've managed to slipped away from your parent's watch?" she asked.

"They had something to focus on. Some sort of antique from my aunt's daughter. My aunt and uncle went to see my parents. They are after some huge assets that her mother-in-law left," Stephen chuckled. But his eyes landed on Sofia's wrist where the watch was strapped on it. He momentarily paused and stared at the watch.

Sofia sensed him staring with curiosity. She smiled and said, "I've bought this today. It looks good, right?"

Stephen nodded and looked away. "It suits you!" 

Alas! If only he had just listened attentively to his parent's conversation about the antique that they were looking for, he could have recognized the watch that Sofia was wearing. 

But, since he did not pay much attention to them and was too caught up with how he could escape, he did not think too much about Sofia's watch.

After they finished the food, the four of them proceed to log in and play the game. Stephen had no device to use and could only watch at Sofia's mobile screen. 

The fifth teammate was a random player in the game.

"I'm going to use a tank," Sofia said.

"I'll pick assassin. Hehe," Claire followed.

"Then, I'll go with mage," Clark stated.

"I will adjust whatever this fifth player would choose," Joey mumbled.

"Good for you bro! I'm sure that the fifth player would use mage. Look at his in-game name!" Stephen chuckled. The name of the player was 'only_mage86'.

"Try to use the marksman, Clark. Just follow me," Sofia suggested after the fifth player showed its pick. 

"Okay. I will use mage on our next match," Clark agreed as he understood that it was essential to balance the characters for them to win.

Soon, their lineup was settled and their characters were deployed on the map of the battlefield. They quickly scattered in different lanes after spawning on their base...

But this first match had not yet even reached ten minutes, Sofia felt Stephen's head fall on her shoulder.. She only adjusted her sitting position for them to sit comfortably and continued to play.