Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

"Sophia's here!" exclaimed a woman in a pale blue suit as she stood up. "Long time no see, you're looking more beautiful than ever!"n"Jewel!" Sophia greeted her with a smile. These people were Jason's classmates, and Sophia knew them too.

Jewel took Sophia's hand and sat down. "I heard you're working at Jason's studio now. I really feel for you, having to deal with his poker face every day."

Sophia chuckled lightly, "It's alright, I've been used to it since we were kids. What about you, Jewel? What are you up to these days?"n"Started my own little company!" Jewel replied with a laugh.n"That's amazing!"n"Just getting by!"n"Sophia, remember me?" a man in a striped shirt greeted Sophia.n"Of course, I remember you, Finny," Sophia replied with a smile. The others also greeted Sophia warmly, quickly rekindling their acquaintance.

Finnian asked Sophia, "So, Sophia, I heard you've been winning design awards left and right. You're making quite a splash in the design world, huh?"

Sophia responded modestly, mimicking Jewel's tone, "Just getting by."

Finnian chuckled, pulling out his phone, "We've got a fashion model contest coming up at my company in a few days. You're the expert; mind taking a look at some of these designs?"n"Sure!" Sophia walked over to help Finnian review the fashion photos.

Jason glanced over, remaining composed. He and Finnian had been classmates for four years and got along well, mainly because Finnian was happily married.

Jewel, observing Jason's demeanor, poured him a drink and said with a soft chuckle, "Sophia used to have a crush on a senior, right? What happened with that?"

Jason looked down, a cool shadow passing through his eyes, "They broke up right before the holidays."

"And what about you two?" Jewel asked, raising an eyebrow as she sipped her drink.n"Same as always," Jason replied.

Jewel smirked, "Her relationship ended, aren't you going to make a move?"

Jason swirled his drink, "She just broke up. I don't want to take advantage of the situation."

Jewel rolled her eyes, "Come on, don't be so hesitant. If not now, then when? Wait for someone else to sweep her off her feet, and you'll be waiting forever."

Jason frowned, taking a sip of his drink, "She's always seen me as a brother."

Even if he confessed now, she would likely reject him, potentially ruining their harmonious relationship and possibly even their friendship.

It was a gamble he was not willing to take.

Jewel spoke softly, with a chuckle, "You're just too careful because you love her deeply."

She had seen this clearly before, which is why she had backed off. No one could enter Jason's heart because it was completely filled by Sophia.

Jewel continued, "But have you

considered, without breaking the old, you can't build the new? Continuing like this, Sophia will never

understand your feelings. She look for love, but she won't consider you."

QUMS

A trace of frustration crossed Jason's face, "I want to give her some more time."n"What if she falls for someone else in the meantime? How long can you wait?" Jewel pressed.

Jason frowned, "She won't."

As Jewel looked towards Sophia, who was laughing and talking with Finnian, Sophia, sensing their gaze, looked back and smiled.

She reached for a cocktail on the coffee table, which immediately made Jason frown, "Your throat's been bothering you, no alcohol!" Instead, he handed her a glass of water.

Sophia obediently put down the cocktail and sipped the water instead.

The others joked about Jason treating Sophia like a daughter, but she didn't mind and continued to review the fashion photos on her phone.