Chapter 119 - Watch Your Tone

On the other table, Mr. Greg stood from his chair and sneaked out of the party. He lazily strolled at the hallways and checked the architectural design of the building for a while before he moved his direction, headed towards the smoking area of the building. 

Several staff in the party who were very cautious of their actions instantly sigh a breath of relief as they saw the man leave the hall. Then, the group joined the crowd and danced. 

If Greg would be able to see their expressions, he would surely laugh. Who would have guessed that his presence restrained some of the staff?

The location of the smoking area was near the exit. When he arrived, the vicinity was was empty giving him a great time to enjoy his solitude.

As he took a lighter from the pocket of his pants, he noticed a figure of a man with three bodyguards trailing behind. The aura of these figures exudes tremendous amount of authority.

It was the same man that Drake saw that entered the hotel. Although Drake did not know the man, Mr. Greg recognized him. Despite the great distance he was standing, he knows who the man was right away.

He instantly took his phone and typed a message on it. His eyes followed the man's movement and realized that it was going towards the hall where their victory party was located.

After few seconds, white smoke puffed out of his cigar as he looked at the street outside the window. Then, he put out the fire of his cigar and slowly head back to the party.

At the same time, the guests were at the peak of their energy. But, Sofia and Stephen decided to stay at their table.

"The Lee Gaming squad is not joining the party? I did not see any of their members here," Stephen casually diverted their conversation to the event. It was kind of odd not to see them since they were the team who competed for the championship title.

"Those rich kids do not lack party life. And with this occasion, they might be celebrating Valentine's," Sofia giggled. 

The wealthy life was not new to her. Hence, she could easily tell the routine of rich kids every Valentine's day. 

Wealthy families normally go for a fancy dinner together or they would be set up their parents for a blind date to some of their business partner's children.

They have different kinds of ways of enjoying the occasion.

"Ohh, yeah!" Stephen casually agreed as he also remembered the backgrounds of their opponents. 

"Brent could actually come but now, he had a company to run. He won't have the kind of privilege that we have," Sofia earnestly responded. 

She knew clearly how busy running a company was. To be able to play a virtual game was much like a consolation to them. 

"This Brent, do you like him?" Stephen cautiously asked.

"We are friends. With his background, his family had surely arranged their in-laws already. Don't see him as a competition," Sofia expressed. She knew exactly what the boy wanted to know. So, she addressed it directly. 

Hearing her words, Stephen became tensed. Somehow, the words she spoke created a tug in his heart, and his expression momentarily turned sour. 

He felt conflicted. But, it was just fleeting emotion, and he quickly concealed it before Sofia could notice anything.

"Sister, let's take a picture!" a random guessed approached Sofia. She recognized it as one of her opponents in the tournament.

She nodded and snapped some photos together. Most of the players followed and approached their table just to get a selfie. No one had really stopped at them to have a serious conversation about the game.

Sofia also understood that the focus of these fellow gamers around them was to really enjoy such a rare event. Instead of chatting around, she saw people dancing and laughing.

Some group was imitating their in-game character's movement while other were really confident to display their talents.

It was but a great scene to see.

Stephen's eyes scanned the crowd and he secretly took a deep breath. Just now, he felt as though he was subjected to intense psychological quest.

At some point, he even quietly chanted a prayer to avoid Sofia's rejection. He may appear calm and collected when he confessed but internally, he was without a doubt, very nervous about one thing. And that thing was if Sofia would say no to him.

However, he still took the shot and expressed his feelings to her.

He planned to wait for a good time to talk to her. Perhaps, get a good place to have an appropriate discussion with their feelings.

But, somehow, his instinct told him that there was no other right time than right now.

Vulnerability was but an ugly feeling. When Stephen told Sofia that he liked her, he felt so vulnerable. He exposed himself to the possible pain of being rejected. 

Not that he could not endure the pain but he just could not imagine what would happen to their group if the two of them had some awkwardness.

"Thank you, Sof..." he spoke without looking at him. He could sense that the lady was not really that much interested. Heck, he had seen when her passion was laid. 

Still, he was grateful that she was willing to think about his confession. The idea of them together going beyond the boundary of friendship. Somehow, it was overwhelming.

He wanted to say more but it was too hard for him to confront all of his emotions right now. There was full of hope and also that fear of ruining everything because of him telling his emotions to her.

On the other hand, Sofia gave Stephen a side glance. She knew the sincerity of his confession.

"I have no plans to be in a relationship at this early. But, I'll make a serious consideration about it tonight," she responded.

Their conversation ended with a comforting silence between them. No one spoke and just observed the people enjoying the party.

In the distance, Sofia watched Clark and Claire enjoying their moment. A small smile subconsciously curled on her lips seeing how good this pair looked.

She could not also help but worry for the future that laid between the two. They have a different social standing and she was certain that it would be the gap that they needed to face along with their relationship.

'Ahh! Why am I thinking these negative things... Right now, I'm a teenager! I should live life to the fullest!' she mentally scolded herself after realizing how her negative thoughts had been playing in her head.

Time passed by and people started to disperse and consider it a night.

"I'll probably go first. It's getting late," Sofia stated.

"Let's go together!" Stephen said.

The two maneuvered their bodies towards the crowed and went to Claire and Clark. 

"I'll go now, Claire! Enjoy the party!" Sofia told them. Since Clark had a driver, she knew that the two would be safe even if she will leave the party first.

"But--" Clark frowned yet, he could not finish his sentence.

"I'll take a cab. Stephen's with me," Sofia said.

"Okay! See you tomorrow!"

Stephen also told Joey that they were leaving. 

"I'll come with you! I wanna sleep now," Joey stated while massaging his head.

"Okay, let's go," Sofia mumbled and swiftly went to the door. The two boys trailed behind her.

Several guests were also leaving the venue with wide grins on their faces indicating that they were having a good time.

Sofia waited for the guests to went their way before she stepped out of the hall.

Just as she was about to make a quick turn to go towards the exit of the building, the man wearing a silver suit emerged on the opposite side.

"Get the young master," the man's voice echoed in the hallway.

Stephen abruptly halted upon hearing the voice. His body stiffened on the spot and the color of his face drained in an instant.

Before Sofia and Joey could process what was happening, the guards escorting the man advanced their way to Stephen. Their agility was on top notch and in one motion, they dragged him away.

Sofia watched as Stephen reluctantly walked together with the intimidating bodyguards.

She was too familiar with the uniforms that the bodyguards were wearing.

It was a special agency that catered protection of the wealthy. She had those types of bodyguards in her last life as well.

'What is happening?' she thought.

She just watched until Stephen's figure was lost in her sight. She did not react for she knew that those bodyguards were professionals in securing the safety of their bosses.

Only a few families could afford to hire thier services. Somehow, she could tell that Stephen may be connected to them.

The man wearing a silver suit glanced at her and also looked at Joey.

"Who are you?" the man asked them. His tone was firm and intimidating making Joey stood straight.

"Watch you tone, Mister," Sofia muttered. Her voice was soft yet there was a hind of threat laced on it. 

In an instant, the man was startled by her response.

He did not expect that a young girl would talk back to her. Not to mention, she was pointing out his tone of voice! The lady was challenging his authority!