Chapter 178 - [Bonus ] Bridesmaid?!

"Let's discuss and come up with a possible strategy tomorrow. Just remember, if anyone would ask if we will participate in the regionals, just tell them that we are still undecided," Sofia emphasized. She held a slicing knife and was about to cut the cake.

"AHH, Miss Jing Jing, your cake is so nice to see! It's a waste to cut it," Claire started feeling a little anxious while watching Sofia slicing it.

"Hahaha, I know right? Carmella Cakes is of the best in this craft. Don't worry, there will be many more cakes to eat and many more events to celebrate," Jing Jing responded, her tone was full of enthusiasm.

"That's right! We will have many more celebrations in the future," Sofia smiled and agreed with Jing Jing's idea. She then distributed all the sliced cake to her members.

The group enjoyed every bit of the cake while having random conversations about their school works. 

Jing Jing found it pleasantly surprising to hear how the teens really shifted their focus of the conversation to a different topic. She had never been surrounded by teenagers who had somehow blended their interests and randomly talked about it. 

"Is your school activities hard?" Jing Jing suddenly asked.

"It is hard, Miss Jing Jing! I am assigned to conduct a report next week," Joey quickly replied without masking his sullen expression.

"It's for you to practice your confidence in speaking with a greater audience," Clark told him.

"No, no, no, my confidence is sufficient," Joey argued.

"Then, it should not be that hard to do class reporting. In my class, one of our teachers assigned us to create a miniature. The work is kind of extensive," Clark described.

"Yeah, compare to that output, my reporting is indeed mild," Joey mumbled.

"I'm catching up with the days that I have been away. But, all of my paper works were already submitted," Stephen muttered.

"Speaking of school, do you guys want to enroll in an advanced online financial literacy course? It's an online course every Sunday," Sofia spoke after she remembered that she saw the advertisement for the course in her social media account.

"Now that you want to start your business, this kind of course is also essential for you to learn. I'm not so interested in this but, I will enroll if you want to enroll, Miss Sofia," Jing Jing stated.

Sofia blinked a couple of times. With her previous knowledge, there was no need for her to enroll yet, it was necessary so that her group would also indulge in the course.

"I will enroll! The span of this course is only a month and there are four meetings to comply. That's every Sunday," Sofia stated.

"If it's one month duration, then, we will enroll too! When will this online class start, Sof?" Claire inquired.

"If we register tomorrow, then we will be included in the master list. It should start this Sunday," Sofia replied. She then picks her phone and checked if the course was still available,

"Here, it's still available! I'll send you the link, then, let's enroll in this course. We will take the payment in our income last time. Our money is still enough," Sofia told them.

"This course, are we going to spend the entire Sunday for it?" Joey inquired.

"According to their schedule, it's only 2 hours per session. It will start from 1 PM - 3 PM. Learning this course will give us an idea of what to expect and how we manage or allocate our money," Sofia said while reading the details.

"Cool! Then, let's do it!" Clark agreed and the rest also nodded their heads in agreement.

Minutes passed into a blur without even them noticing that the night had grown deeper. The plates on the table had been almost empty. Only the leftovers of bones from the chicken that they ate remained. Claire gathered all the bones and placed them on the disposable container.

On the side, Clark was carefully watching her movements.

"Maybe you guys will have a shooting tomorrow for a brand deal. Do you have a vacant time? Just expect it. Sometimes, the announcement is on the spot," Jing Jing suddenly said. She also helped Claire clean the table.

"That is possible. I will prepare an excuse letter, just in case, they will contact us. But for the brand deals, there is no information that was sent to me yet. I hope it's what you mentioned to me last time, Sister Jing," Sofia thoughtfully responded.

"What is the brand?" Clark inquired.

"Oh, it was only my assumptions. Anyway, just reject it if you don't like it. Sometimes, the company will really choose the brand that pays higher," Jing Jing stated.

"Sister Jing assumed that it may be a swimwear brand. Maybe to promote the upcoming summer sale. Do you want to endorse swimwear?" Sofia informed them.

"We will wear them? I'm not confident about that!" Claire asked while giving Sofia an awkward expression.

"That could be the arrangement. But let's wait for tomorrow and deal with it," Sofia sighed.

"I don't mind endorsing a swimwear," Joey expressed. Then he glanced at Stephen and asked, "how about you?"

"Do it yourself if you want! Don't drag me," Stephen responded dryly.

"Hahaha, okay!" Joey said while rubbing his stomach. "I'm so full though and I lost my abs and muscle after quitting the varsity team. So, I don't think I have an appealing body to model this kind of clothing!"

"Nah, they will just photoshop it. If you are willing to endorse, then, your popularity right now is more than enough to give you the opportunity to endorse this brand. The marketing will do the rest, just give them a nice face," Jing Jing commented.

"If there is a swimwear endorsement, I will offer your soul to the deal, Joey. We will support you," Sofia eyed Joey and give him an encouraging look.

"Yes!" Joey said. Then, he dramatically flexed his arms to show off some of his muscles.

"Now, it's really almost 11 PM. I have to go and you guys should rest. Let's eat together again in the future," Jing Jing stated after realizing the time.

"Sister Jing, thank you for joining and celebrating with us!" Sofia stated and smiled at Jing Jing.

"Thank you for inviting me too, Miss Sofia! I have to go now. No need to send me off," Jing Jing said and then stood from her seat. 

The group watched as she gathered her bag and sling it on her shoulder. Then, at one glance, Jing Jing waved her hand swiftly went out of the room.

"Okay, time for me to go! My driver is already waiting outside too," Clark announced as he stood.

"I'll see you out," Claire offered and joined Clark.

"My gosh! Then, Sofia will send Stephen... who will send me out? I am left alone!" Joey suddenly said while giving them a dramatic look,

"Sofia will rest. Come!" Stephen stated and dragged Joey's arms before he could speak his playful remarks.

"See you tomorrow, Sof!" the four of them said and waved goodbye. All of them were wearing a content expression on their faces that reflected in their eyes.

"Good night, guys! Take care," Sofia responded and walked towards the door. She looked up to see the bright moon and stars scattered in the sky. Then, her eyes went to the retreating figures and watched them until they went away.

After she closed the door behind her, Sofia stretched her body and yawned. She casually flipped her phone and sent a 'good night' message to their group chat.

Just as Sofia checked her inbox again, it suddenly notified a message from Brent.

Brent: My wedding is on the 25th, this month. Elders already agreed.

"Why is it so soon? Just a week away?" Sofia mumbled to herself. She was about to type her reply when she received another message. This time, it was from Grace.

Grace: My father had already cut ties with the prior arrangement of me and Stephen. The wedding is in rush., Brent want to make it happen this 25th. Can I take you as my bridesmaid?

"You've got to be kidding me?!" Sofia exclaimed after reading the last request in Grace's message. 

Of all the things that she had calculated, she never thought that Grace would ask her to be a bridesmaid! Does the lady had no other candidate to be her bridesmaid?

Sofia contemplated for a while. This message had completely made her brain hurt. On one side, she wanted to refuse. However, it would also be a good exposure to their business if she accepted such a request. Perhaps, this was Grace's generosity to give her an opportunity to make her connection wider?

In the end, she finally manage to type a single word for her response to the request.

Sofia: Sure!

After sending her response, she went back to Brent's message and also gave him a response.

Sofia: Guess who is the bridesmaid, young master Brent? Hehe

She waited for them to reply, but there was no more new message notification that prompted from her phone. 

"They probably fall asleep now," she stated and went straight to her bedroom.