Chapter 122 - Father's Arrangement

"I can't believe it! The Stephen that I knew was almost expelled from school because of bad behavior! He has a street kid attitude that does not care of what the people think of him." Joey paused and looked at Sofia in the face. "You don't look so shocked as me, Sof!" he wondered upon realizing that Sofia looked calm.

"I've already recovered from my shock, Joey. Hehe, you have not yet recovered? Go back to the base and heal!" Sofia playfully commanded at Joey to console him.

"AHH! I forgot that you are a tank user. Your recovery skill must be so high!" Joey chuckled reflecting Sofia's role in her personality.

"Yes, I've gained this ability! Haha," Sofia just mildly laughed.

"Still, it's unbelievable! After years of being friends with Stephen, I did not expect him to have a rich father! Well, I am not also familiar with the rich family in other districts so, it must be the reason!" Joey murmured with a confused expression on his face. Then, he looked around the place to check if there were other people that witnessed their confrontation.

His eyes went straight to Mr. Greg who remained standing few feet away from them. But since he knew the special identity of the man, he could only force a smile.

Mr. Greg realized that Joey was looking his way. He nodded back at Joey and muttered, "Ohh, I better get going!"

"Sof, Clark's parent is rich. Now, Stephen's is also rich. If you have something to reveal to me, now is the right time. It's better to get shocked in all once," Joey suggested.

"I'm not rich... just yet," Sofia giggled. "When I have that wealthy status, you would surely know."

"Okay... Well, I'm not very observant but I could tell that you have the character that rich people have. The confidence is very solid. Even when you talk back to Stephen's father earlier, you look like you are standing on the same level as him, Sof!" Joey commented.

"Did I? I don't know really. He just came at us with strong hostility, And since I am your tank, I had to fight back," Sofia easily responded. She conveniently used her role as a reference for how she behaved earlier.

Joey nodded his head like he was fully convinced of Sofia's words. Then, he absentmindedly responded, "Ohh... that's why!"

"Stephen may have his own reasons to hide his identity from us. It's his personal life and we have not yet reached that extent of knowing every aspect of our lives. Let's just respect his choice," Sofia suddenly stated. 

She would not condemn the man for not telling his family background. If the man wanted his personal life to be private, then it was his choice. 

Also, Sofia had her own secrets to keep that she could never tell anyone.

"Stephen told me that the place he was living in was his home. It's just a few blocks away. It does not make sense if he is a ran away..." Joey trailed while trying to analyze his friend's situation.

"It could be their property. Rich people such as Clark's family had it. So, it's not intriguing that Stephen's family also has many houses located all over the place," Sofia explained.

"You are right. Will he continue to hang out with us though?" Joey sighed and felt dejected. 

Sofia slightly patted Joey's shoulder as they started to walk towards the exit door. "Why are you thinking too much? You can call Stephen directly if you want to know his real situation. Only he can give the accurate explanation of it!"

"Ahh! Right! I'll call him later!" Joey agreed and before he could speak more, his mobile phone rang hinting him for an incoming call. "Ohh, he is calling now!"

"Good! Then, it saves you the effort of calling him," Sofia chuckled. Then, her attention was cast towards Mr. Greg who was casually walking near a pillar. Sofia offered a friendly nod to greet the man before she continued to walk.

On the other side, Joey answered the call anxiously. 

"Bro, how are you? Am I still your brother? What should I call you? AHH, I'm so confused!" he immediately bombarded the man with questions.

"Joey, I'm fine bro! Hehe, No need to worry. Do me a favor... take care of Sofia--" the line went dead.

"Hello? Bro? Hello?"

Joey frowned and looked at the dark screen of his phone. "Damn, My phone is low bat! What a bad timing!" he cursed.

"You did not talk with him?" Sofia asked curiously.

"It was too short that I did not confirm anything to him. He said that he is fine. There's no need to worry. Then, my mobile phone shut down!" Joey reported.

"Of course he is fine. It's still his father. And those men who took him were professional bodyguards," Sofia expressed. Unlike Joey, she was not so disturbed by Stephen's situation. No matter what, Stephen is a man. And it may not be obvious in the public, but, in a rich family, sons were always dotted over daughters. 

Her concern was on his father instead. She dared to talk back to the man. If Stephen's father bore grudges on her, then, troubles were about to come her way.

'Ahh! Why did I argue with that old man!' Sofia scolded herself in her mind.

"This phone is cursed!" Joey clicked his tongue and placed back his device in his pocket.

"I should have not quarreled with Stephen's father," Sofia sighed deeply.

"I don't know but he was actually acting like he is superior like an emperor or something. I was irritated also by how he treated us. But, I just stayed silent because I'm too scared to say anything!" Joey lamented.

Superiority... perhaps, it was the exact reason why Sofia snapped at the man. 

In her last life, people always respected her. No one acted like a supreme being in front of her. 

Thus, she was unable to control her emotion when the man approached her rudely.

"What he sows is what he reap," Sofia randomly said.

The two finally stepped out of the hotel and called a cab.

"Joey, I'll go take this cab first. Just take the next cab. See you tomorrow," Sofia bid her farewell before she went inside the car. There were a lot of thoughts that were running in her mind as she sat in the car.

"Take care, Sof! See you tomorrow," Joey waved at her and stared at the vehicle as it moved towards the highway.

Meanwhile, Stephen was sitting on a limousine looking at the call logs of his phone. He wanted to call Sofia, but he felt that he would need to explain a lot to her. It was not the right time for the two of them to have a discussion.

He tried to call Joey another time after his initial call was cut off, but the device operator notified him that his friend cannot be reached. 

After three more attempts of dialing and getting the same response, Stephen could only sigh and keep away his phone.

One guard was driving while the other was in the passenger seat. His father was in a separate car trailing behind him.

"Young Master, your father was in a foul mood. I advise not to add on his anger," the guard who was driving the limousine stated.

"How did you find me here?" Stephen asked.

"Ohh, it's because of the headmaster of your school. Well, your father had already known that you are a student in district 7. So, he directed the mayor of this district to tell your school that they needed to expel you at any cost. Young master, your father assumed that it was the only way for you to come back to him. But, when the headmaster of the school told the mayor that they cannot expel you, your father quickly investigated the matter." the bodyguard politely responded.

"Ohh, I see. I don't really plan to go home even if I was expelled in school," Stephen expressed. Now, he completely understood how his father found his whereabouts.

"We sent you several chat messages, young master. Have you not receive it?" the other guard asked.

"I've deleted them. I won't agree to it so there is no point in reading the message," Stephen responded. He then leaned his shoulder comfortably and closed his eyes. 

He suddenly felt exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

"Young master, I must say that you have behaved well tonight. In the past, we always have a hard time chasing you. But now, you voluntarily come with us," the bodyguards expressed their gratitude.

If only they would know that the reason Stephen did not go for a chase was that Sofia was there, they would definitely be shocked.

"Young master, today is the occasion set for your father to meet your fiancé. And when you did not arrive at the venue, he becomes furious and commanded us to drag you there," the bodyguard continued to report. 

Stephen did not respond to the two men. He just looked outside the window with blank expression in his face.