His Private Chef (by Amycee) novel Chapter 170

Chapter 170

288 Vouchers

When the waiter left with my order, I didn’t say a word on purpose, letting the silence stretch. Across the table. Mason glanced at Sophia. She glanced right back, both of them trading looks like they were trying to silently decide which of them would speak first.

I allowed them, biting back a smile. Their discomfort was almost entertaining, like I was watching a play unfold just for me.

Finally, Mason cleared his throat and leaned forward. “So, Emily. How have you been?”

“Oh, I’m wonderful,” I said lightly, letting my smile linger. “Actually, it’s shaping up to be a pretty great afternoon for me.”

I turned my attention to Sophia, tilting my head. “But it doesn’t look the same for you, Soph. You‘ ve gone awfully quiet. What happened to my loud, fearless Sophia? Suddenly shy today?”

Mason burst out laughing, slapping the table. Sophia groaned and buried her face in her hands. “This is not how I planned for you to find out.”

I leaned in, eyes narrowing with mock curiosity. “Oh really? Then how did you plan for me to find out? Because let’s be honest, girl, you weren’t planning on coming out anytime soon, were you?”

Sophia remained quiet, her silence loud enough to confirm everything.

I grinned, tapping the table. “Exactly what I thought. And trust me, Soph, we’re not skipping the talk waiting at home.

”

I flicked my gaze between the two of them. “But for now, how long has this little thing been going on? Actually, forget it. I’ll let Sophia explain it all later.‘

”

Sophia finally found her voice. “What are you even doing here? Shouldn’t you be resting at home?”

I arched a brow. “Well, since you’ve been ignoring me and your niece lately, I had to find something to do with my time. And look where I ended up.‘

Sophia threw her hands up, half–laughing, half–defeated.

“1

“Unbelievable. Out of every place in this city, you had to walk into this one.”

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Chat 170

288 Vouchers

“Watch how you talk to me.” I warned playfully. “You’ll be needing me soon enough.”

Sophia smirked. “Oh? So you’d help me?”

“It depends on what you’ve got on the table.

Mason blinked, glancing between us, confusion written all over his face.

“What’s going on?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” I said airily, waving him off.

Sophia rolled her eyes. “When I offered you something earlier, I remember you turned me down.”

“Because it was basic. You could do better than that, Sophia.”

Mason frowned, still lost. “Soph, what is this?”

Sophia shrugged, amused. “We’re negotiating bribes.

Mason let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You two are unbelievable. Weird. That’s the only word I’ve got.”

We kept at it a little longer, the table filling with teasing and laughter, until I finally pushed my chair back. “Alright. I’ll leave you lovebirds to it. But Sophia Black…” I jabbed a finger at her

…meet me at home. Don’t you dare think you’re escaping this talk.”

I waited in Sophia’s room, lying on her bed in the dark. The only light came faintly from outside, filtering through the curtains in soft streaks.

The doorknob twisted, and the door swung opened.

Sophia walked in, humming to herself, and reached for the switch. The light flicked on.

She screamed, clutching her chest. “Jesus Christ, Emily! You scared the life out of me!”

I sat up laughing. “Relax. I was just waiting for you.”

She collapsed onto her ved with a dramatic groan. “You reminded me of high school. When I used to sneak out for parties, Mom would wait up exactly like this.”

That sent me into another fit of laughter. “Oh my God, I can actually picture it. Did you ever get punished?”

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Chapter 170

288 Vouchers

Sophia laughed, throwing her arm over her eyes. “Always. Grounded, yelled at, the whole thing. And the next weekend? I’d sneak out again.”

“You’re hopeless.”

When we both calmed down, I leaned forward. “Alright, out with it. How did things even start between you and Mason?”

She hesitated, then let out a long sigh. “When I traveled a while back, Mason and I ended up in the same hotel. We started talking, and one night we went out clubbing. One thing led to another, and… clothes came off.”

She winced, then gave a helpless laugh. “After that, we kept talking, meeting up. Feelings got in the way, and eventually Mason was the one who said we should make it official.”

“Does Jay know about this?”

She waved it off. “Jay’s the least of my worries. Mason’s his guy, he wouldn’t care. It’s Liam I’m worried about. Considering Mason once liked you… Liam will never approve.”

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