Daphne’s Longing
Toby sat down and held her by her waist, then he pecked her cheek. “Yep.”
“Oh, you smoked.” Sonia frowned when she smelled the stench of tobacco. She then pushed his face
away so he couldn’t kiss her.
Toby was surprised, then he smelled himself. “That obvious?”
“No, but I can smell it.” She shook her head. It wasn’t rancid at all. In fact, it had a hint of sweetness to
it, but she disliked tobacco, so she disliked its smell as well. “Why did you smoke anyway?” She
steamed the ground beans. “Did something annoy you? You were on the phone for a while.”
Toby sipped some water. “It’s alright. I’ve settled it.”
“I see.” Sonia nodded and stopped asking. She killed the heat and put a cap on it, then she poured two
cups of coffee.
She gave Toby a cup. “Blue Mountain coffee. Original, just like you like it. See how it tastes. It’s my first
time making it, but I think I didn’t overcook it.”
Toby picked up the dark, luscious coffee and smelled it, then he smiled. “It smells great, so I bet it
tastes nice. And you made it yourself. I’ll finish it even if it’s bad.”
Sonia rolled her eyes. “My, someone’s having a glib tongue. Where did you pick that up?”
“It’s my true feelings. I’m not being smooth,” he said seriously.
Sonia shook her head in amusement. “Just drink it.” She looked down and added milk and sugar to her
coffee. Unlike Toby, she had to add a few things to her coffee, or it’d be too bitter for her.
“How long did you talk to Zane?” Toby suddenly put his coffee down and stared at her, as if he wanted
to know the answer right away.
Sonia arched her eyebrow. “Why? Jealous?”
“If you talked to him for too long, then yes.” He admitted it honestly and pursed his lips. “You know how
much he likes you.”
Sonia stirred her coffee and smiled. “Two minutes. Happy?”
Two minutes? Toby smiled. “Not bad.”
Sonia held her forehead.
Daphne knocked on the door and came in. “Chairman Reed, President Fuller, it’s lunch time. What
would you two like? I’ll order them.”
Sonia looked at Toby, obviously asking what he wanted. He was a guest after all, so she had to put him
first.
Toby shook his head. “I’ll have whatever you have, Sonia.”
Daphne smiled. “President Fuller really loves you, doesn’t he? He’ll have whatever you have.”
Sonia blushed. “You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not. Am I right, President Fuller?” Daphne looked at Toby.
Toby put his coffee down and nodded at Daphne with approval. “You’re right. She’s my lover, so of
course I’m spoiling her. It’s all about her. I’ll have whatever she has.” He then looked at her lovingly.
Sonia’s face turned even redder, and her ears turned scarlet as well. Gorgeous. He would have held
her chin and kissed her if there were nobody else around. Toby suddenly shot Daphne a glare. What an
eyesore. But then, if she didn’t come in and say that, Sonia wouldn’t have blushed either.
Daphne noticed Toby’s displeasure, and she was confused. Did I do or say something wrong? Why is
he glaring at me? She tilted her head, but since she couldn’t figure it out, she put it aside and looked at
Sonia. “What would you like, Chairman Reed? The usual?”
Sonia thought about it and nodded. “Sure, but add two more dishes for me. I’ll take some orange crabs
and some fried shrimp balls.”
Toby’s eyes shone, and his smile broadened. My favorite.
Daphne adjusted her glasses. “Got it. I’ll call the restaurant right away.” Then, she turned around to
leave.
Sonia remembered something, and she stopped Daphne. “Daphne, hold on.”
“Anything, Chairman Reed?” Daphne stopped.
Sonia looked at her. “I called Charles a while ago, and we talked about you.”
Daphne was surprised, but she calmed down quickly and asked, “What did Mr. Lane say, Chairman
Reed?” She started clenching her fists nervously.
Charles never liked her. He didn’t even ask about her after he sent her over to Sonia, nor did he care
how she was doing or if she could get used to Paradigm. After Charles sent her over, it was like she
never existed to him, so she was pleasantly surprised that he suddenly asked Sonia about her. I
wonder why he’s asking. Is he thinking about me after what happened back then? Daphne started to
make up theories of her own.
She knew it wasn’t probable, but what if it was true? Don’t people say that a man always remembers
his first woman? I’ve worked for him for many years now, and I know I’m his first. Maybe he actually
misses me after what happened that night and came to ask Chairman Reed about me. Her heart
started pounding, and she looked at Sonia expectantly, wanting to hear the answer she longed for.
Sonia and Toby could see the expectant look in her eyes and her excitement, since she wasn’t hiding it,
and they looked at each other.
Toby stayed calm. After all, he didn’t care about anyone besides Sonia. On the other hand, Sonia
sighed silently and felt sorry for Daphne. “Daphne…” Sonia didn’t want to do it, but she decided to tell
Daphne after all.
She shouldn’t live in her fantasies forever, or she’ll get sucked in and think that’s true. And when the
bubble pops, she’ll suffer for a long time. I have to wake her up before she gets fully sucked in. It will
hurt for a while, but it’s better than the other route.
Daphne knew Sonia was going to talk, so she snapped out of it. “Oh, yes, Chairman Reed. What did he
say?”
“Um… He asked me if you’re acting weird lately.”
Daphne blanched, and all her hopes and dreams were dashed. She stiffened up and only asked after
some time, “Did he only ask that one question, Chairman Reed?”
“Yes.” Sonia nodded.
Daphne clenched her fists. “What did he mean by me acting weird?” Did he find out about my morning
sickness and guessed that I got pregnant? Is that why he called Chairman Reed? To get confirmation?
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