Chapter 283 - Meet-Up
When Tristan, Zhen-Zhen, and Sophia arrived in the mall, they roamed around first since there was still one and half hours left before the scheduled meet-up of Sophia and Marcus.
Tristan decided to treat the ladies, buying more clothes for them, especially for Sophia. Zhen-Zhen and Tristan encouraged Sophia to dress up from now on.
She was the epitome of beauty and brain so Tristan and Zhen-Zhen were certain that Sophia would attract more people. But that's not their true motive. They wanted her to feel comfortable with her new look and gain more self-confidence.
They could see that her new transformation had positive effects on her. They couldn't wait to let other people see the better version of Sophia.
At first, Sophia refused their offers of buying things for her but Zhen-Zhen and Tristan insisted. Sophia was a very important person to Zhen-Zhen. She's the first person who befriended her after entering the university.
She was very kind to Zhen-Zhen that she even shared with Zhen-Zhen her favorite spot on the campus. She gave Zhen-Zhen a piece of advice regarding student's life in the university. So she wanted to return the favor as well by doing this for her.
They just finished buying and paying for the items they bought in the department store when Sophia received a message coming from Marcus. Jane was the one who gave them each other's phone numbers.
~ One Message Received ~
[ Marcus: I am here in the Mall now. I will wait for you here in front of Florenz Restaurant. I'm wearing blue jeans and white polo shirts. ]
Sophia informed Zhen-Zhen and Tristan that Marcus already arrived.
"Lillie, I have to go now and meet Marcus at Florenz Restaurant."
Tristan smiled at Sophia before getting the paper bag from her hand. "Let me carry this for you. We will deliver this to your home later. I think Marcus will drop you off at your house after your friendly date."
"Good luck, Sunbae. You can do this. Remember that I am just here, following you and watching over you from a distance," Zhen-Zhen reassured her.
Sophia gave her a faint smile before nodding at her. Then Sophia replied to Marcus, saying she's coming.
When Sophia's left, Tristan also informed Zhen-Zhen that he needed to go somewhere.
"Wifey, I will bring these items to the car and go somewhere. I just need to meet someone. It's work-related. I will be back after an hour. Are you okay just being alone here?" Tristan asked her.
"Yeah, I'm fine, hubby. I will just observe Sophia and Marcus. If sunbae will be comfortable then I will leave them. You can fetch me after an hour."
Tristan was reluctant to leave Zhen-Zhen alone but he needed to get FaMo's substitute from Agent Phoenix.
Tristan took a deep sigh before wrapping Zhen-Zhen in his arms.
"I'll be back soon. Don't worry, wifey." Tristan planted a soft kiss on her forehead before releasing her from his embrace.
Tristan decided to accompany Zhen-Zhen to Florenz Restaurant first. Sophia informed them that they would eat lunch inside that restaurant. Florenz Restaurant was the best restaurant, serving the most delicious and best-selling beefsteak in the City of Empire.
Once Zhen-Zhen settled down inside then Tristan would leave her to meet Agent Phoenix.
*********
Meanwhile, Sophia already arrived at Florenz restaurant. She immediately saw Marcus standing in front. He was checking his phone and peering at his surroundings from time to time. He was searching for Sophia.
On his phone screen, there was a picture of Sophia in her school uniform. He needed it so that he could recognize her. The picture was also sent by Jane.
Marcus was wondering where Sophia was. She said she's already near but until now he couldn't see her. Unknown to him, the girl he was searching in the crowd was already standing next to him.
Because of Sophia's transformation, her appearance was different from the picture on his phone screen. Marcus didn't recognize her.
Meanwhile, Sophia was still taking her time, mustering up her courage to approach Marcus. When she was walking toward him, Marcus met her gaze for a few seconds. He slightly smiled at him but after a few seconds, he looked away again, searching for someone.
At that certain point, Sophia realized that Marcus didn't recognize her. Because of that, she was able to calm herself first before approaching Marcus.
They had been standing there, next to each other for three minutes. Zhen-Zhen and Tristan even witnessed the two of them in that situation.
"What's wrong with Sophia? Is Marcus not yet around. Why is she standing there? Is the guy beside her is Marcus? Why they are not talking to each other?" Tristan asked, feeling a little bit confused.
"I think the guy standing next to her is Marcus," Zhen-Zhen stated with certainty.
Zhen-Zhen could recognize Marcus because of the clothes description he had given to Sophia. Sophia informed them that he was wearing white polo shirts and blue jeans.
She could also remember Marcus as Sophia described his physical features to her when the two of them talked about Sophia's crush.
"Okay, wifey. Let's observe them for a while before entering the restaurant." Tristan suggested, eyeing Marcus and Sophia.
After a few moments, Sophia finally found her courage to approach Marcus.
On the other hand, Marcus was already frowning, thinking that Sophia stood him up. He was about to call her when a soft mellow voice was heard beside him.
"Marcus…" Sophia called him out.
Marcus turned to his side, facing Sophia. At first, he was taken aback when this lovely maiden called his name. He even turned to his right and left to make sure if he was the one she was referring to.
'Did I know her? Did she know me? Who is this beautiful girl? Did she just call my name? I'm not mistaken, right? She just called my name.' Marcus was looking at Sophia, admiring her beauty. He forgot to say a word.
"Hi… I'm Sophia," Sophia finally introduced herself to Marcus.
Marcus: "..."
'Sophia? The nerdy girl in the picture? When did she become so beautiful like this? Is she kidding me? Did she send someone else in her place?'