Chapter 317 Coming Of Age
“Let’s talk about it later!” Sophie uttered. When she was part of The Wheelers in the past, they would enjoy a meal together on her birthday. Sophie was not that particular about celebrating her birthday.
“It’s settled then. I’ll make arrangements right away,” Mark said. The situation was not the same as before. Although it was just a simple meal, The Wheelers had a large fanbase. Hence, they had to find a quiet place for their get-together.
“All right,” Sophie replied. “I’ll pick you up from school the day after tomorrow. You’ll have to skip the self-study session at night,” Mark reminded her.
“Sure!” When Mark hung up the phone, Sunny immediately probed, “How was it? Did Sophie agree to it?”
Mark nodded in response. “Seriously, Mark, we all know that you like Sophie. She’s becoming an adult soon. Why don’t you confess to her?” Sunny suggested. He knew how much Mark liked Sophie.
“Sunny, do you think Sophie will like me?” Mark asked. I do like Sophie, but what about her? She only thinks of me as her buddy. If I confess to her rashly, I might ruin our friendship.
Sunny shook his head. “Mark, give yourself a chance no matter what! Just tell her that you like her.”
Regardless of the outcome, one should have no regrets after the confession.
“Most importantly, I don’t think Sophie is a pretentious person. Even if she doesn’t reciprocate your feelings, she won’t cut ties with us!” Sunny added. Our relationship throughout the years must have meant something to her. Right?
“I mean it, Mark. Give yourself a chance. Anyway, I don’t like Mr. Tristan. Who is he to want to take Sophie away from us?”
Sunny felt displeased whenever he thought of Tristan’s attitude.
What right does he have to keep control of Sophie? She belongs to us. We all know how kindly Mark treats her.
“That’s right! Mark, it’s not easy to fall in love with someone. Don’t worry about the outcome and let Sophie know about your feelings for her. Then, she can decide for herself.”
Their encouragement moved Mark. “Hmm, let me think about it.” I have never told Sophie how much I like her. So, I should give myself a chance! Even if it doesn’t work out in the end, I’ll have no regrets after confessing to her.
Sunny immediately stood up from the couch and uttered reassuringly, “Mark, do you need our help? Feel free to tell us if you need us to do something. We’ll cooperate with you no matter what.”
Mark shook his head.
“It’s fine. This is between me and Sophie. You guys shouldn’t interfere.”
Anything could be helped apart from matters concerning love.
When Sophie hung up the phone, Tristan grabbed her hand from behind and dragged her to the couch.
“Was that Mark?” he asked.
The moment Tristan first saw Mark, he knew that the latter liked Sophie.
However, he did not think Sophie would reciprocate Mark’s feelings.
All along, Tristan was only concerned about Sophie’s opinion.
He could not care less as long as Sophie did not harbor that kind of feelings for Mark.
“Yes. He asked me to have dinner with them the day after tomorrow,” Sophie informed.
Besides, I have something to discuss with them. It’s good to have a meal together.
“Why don’t you want to celebrate your birthday?” Tristan probed.
I’ve been preparing for so long, only to hear that she doesn’t want to celebrate her birthday. I deserve to know the reason why at least!
“There’s no reason. It’s just that I don’t have the habit of celebrating my birthday.”
Seeing the disbelief on Tristan’s face, Sophie broke into a smile.
“I mean it. There isn’t a particular reason. It’s just a habit. Besides, you know I don’t like boisterous events,” Sophie explained to her best.
“Don’t worry! Just celebrate your eighteenth birthday with me. I promise it won’t be noisy,” Tristan reassured her.
He had never been a fan of rowdy events.
The two of them were on the same page in this regard.
Sophie remained silent.
“Is there a gift you want?” Tristan had thought long and hard about the present for her coming-of-age ceremony. Perhaps due to his overthinking, he could not make the final decision.
Suddenly, Sophie was in the mood for jokes. “I want the stars in the sky.”
“The stars in the sky?” Tristan asked earnestly.
Seeing his reaction, Sophie did not dare to continue joking.
“I was just kidding,” she admitted.
“Sophie, even if you aren’t joking, there’s no way I can pluck the stars for you!”
Tristan had to admit that there were things in this world that he still could not do.
Tristan pulled her into his arms.
“My little Sophie has finally grown up.”
Even though they had not known each other for long, Tristan always felt like he had waited for ages.
Sophie remained silent for a moment. She never felt any difference after turning eighteen.
Then, she spoke up. “Mr. Tristan, I guess I won’t be thinking about getting married for a while.”
I’m only eighteen. This is just the beginning of my adult life.
Holding Sophie’s hand, Tristan planted a kiss on the back of her hand. “I know.”
We haven’t known each other for long. How could I ask for your hand in marriage right now?
“Don’t worry! I won’t force you to do something you don’t like. In fact, I won’t let you do it as long as you have a sliver of hesitation,” Tristan promised.
Sophie was rendered speechless. Isn’t it too unfair for him to treat me like this?
“But I think your family really wants you to get married! After all, you’re-”
Tristan cut her off abruptly. “No one can force me to do anything I don’t like to do.”
Not even my family has that kind of power over me.
She was moved by Tristan’s determination.
Reaching out her hand, Sophie gently touched his perfect jawline.
“Mr. Tristan, why are you being so nice to me?” Sophie probed. She did not know how to repay him for his kindness.
“Of course, I have to treat you nicely. You have so many suitors. If I don’t treat you well, what should I do if you leave me for someone else?”
Despite being confident that he was the most suitable man for Sophie, Tristan could not help but feel threatened by the number of suitors around her.
After all, unlike everything else, no one could control matters regarding love.
Tristan spoke up out of the blue. “I want to be there when you have dinner with The Wheelers!”
“You guys aren’t cut from the same cloth. Why do you want to hang out with them?” Sophie probed, feeling curious.
“No, I’m cut from the same cloth as them. As long as they’re your kind of people, they’re my people too!” Tristan retorted.
You’re the standard!
Meanwhile, Ysabelle was also struggling with what gift she should give Sophie for her birthday.
Ysabelle really liked the gemstone Sophie gave her on her last birthday.
“Felix, what gift do you think Sophie would like?” Ysabelle had been struggling to find the perfect present for a while. She had not settled on a gift even though it would be Sophie’s birthday the following day.
“I don’t know either,” Felix replied. How would I know what a girl likes?
