Chapter 65


    #65 “It’s You, Sophia.”


    Alexander looked into Sophia’s eyes, his gaze filled with sincerity and vulnerability. He knew that what


    he was confessing was unconventional and unexpected, but he couldn’t keep his feelings hidden any


    longer. With a deep breath, he reached out and gently took her hand, hoping to convey the depth of his


    emotions.


    “That’s right, I have feelings for you, Sophia,” Alexander began, his voice steady but filled with emotion.


    “And I’ve been struggling for a long time to show you that I’m not who you think I am. I care about you,


    and it’s often hard for me to convey my thoughts exactly, and I think we often fight because we don’t


    understand each other.”


    Sophia’s eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively pulled her hand away from Alexander’s, shaking


    her head in disbelief.


    “This is crazy, Alexander,” she said. ” We’re divorced. Do you realize how crazy this is?”


    Alexander leaned in closer, his voice soft but resolute. “Sophia, our marriage was a joke. We haven’t


    even met each other for 3 years, and I know I apologized to you for that, but I’ll apologize as many


    times as I need to. Now, you say we’re divorced, but were we ever really married?”


    Sophia sighed and took another sip of her beer, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions and


    thoughts racing through her mind.


    “Come on, Alexander,” she said, her tone a mix of exasperation and confusion. “Don’t make it more


    complicated than it already is.”


    But Alexander was undeterred, his eyes locked onto hers as he continued toy his heart bare.


    “Sophia, I was captivated by you from the moment I saw you,” he confessed.” Back then, I didn’t care if


    you were the daughter of the president or the daughter of a humble farmer from the countryside. The


    way you walked and carried yourself was maic. You are maic, Sophia. And I think that if it


    weren’t for our supposedly marriage, if we had met as normal people, things would have been


    different.”


    Sophia was torn between the shock of Alexander’s confession and her own inner turmoil. She had


    never expected to hear these words from him, and it left her reeling with emotions she couldn’t quite


    put into words.


    “Sophia,” Alexander implored, his eyes searching hers for a sign of understanding. “I know our history


    is messy, but I truly believe we can make things right. We have a chance to start anew.”


    Sophia shook her head gently. ” Alexander, I appreciate your honesty, and I don’t doubt your sincerity.


    But the past is the past, and we can’t change it. Our rtionship has always beenplicated, and I


    think it’s best if we leave it behind us.”


    Alexander felt a pang of disappointment, but he respected her decision. He had taken a risk in sharing


    his feelings, and he couldn’t fault Sophia for wanting a fresh start, free from the weight of their shared


    history.


    Reluctantly, he nodded. “I understand, Sophia. I just hope that someday, you can find it in your heart to


    forgive me for everything that’s happened.”


    Sophia met his gaze, her expression softening with a hint of regret.” Alexander, forgiveness doesn’t


    always require rebuilding what’s broken. Sometimes, it means letting go and finding our own paths.”


    Alexander understood what Sophia was telling him, but he wasn’t ready to let her go. He would


    continue to try and prove to her that he wasn’t the jerk who treated his ex-wife terribly. He knew that


    she was the one for him and nothing could shake him, not even her current refusal.


    “Do you want to go for a walk?” Sophia suggested. “I’m out of beer.”


    Sophia was desperately trying to get away from the subject and hoped they could spend the rest of the


    carnival enjoying themselves.


    “Sure, a walk sounds great,” he replied, his tone noticeably lighter. “Lead the way, Sophia.”


    As they meandered through the carnival grounds, the vibrant atmosphere began to work its magic on


    them. The colorful lights painted the night sky, distantughter filled the air, and the scent of various


    carnival treats wafted around them, creating a delightful backdrop for their stroll.


    Alexander finally decided it was time to invite Sophia to his mother’s birthday. It was now or never.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    “Sophia, my mother’s birthday ising up soon, and I’d like to invite you to the party. It would mean a


    lot to her, and to me.”


    After a moment of contemtion, she replied with a gentle smile, “Alexander, I appreciate the invitation,


    but I already have ns for that day. I hope you understand.”


    Alexander nodded, his disappointment concealed behind a polite demeanor.” Of course, I understand.


    Maybe some other time.”


    Alexander realized that no matter what he was doing, he was hitting a rock. He didn’t want to pressure


    Sophia anymore and decided to let things happen naturally. He wanted to give them both a chance to


    get to know each other and he believed that fate would do the rest.


    “Well, anyway, we’re here, Sophia, do you want to go on a ride?” he suggested. This sounded


    dangerously like a date, Sophia thought, but when would she ever get the chance to go to the county


    fair.


    “Okay, where do you want to take me?” she asked and looked around.


    “How about bumper cars?” he grinned. “Aren’t you going to get your superb suit dirty like that?” Sophia


    teased him.


    “Don’t worry, I have spare clothes at home, so I’ll get through these,” Alexander reassured her. “Okay


    then, which cart do you want us to get into?” Sophia asked as soon as they got to the front.


    “Oh no, we won’t be in one. I’ve seen you shoot, I’m sure you’re not afraid of breaking a nail. We will be


    against each other.”


    “That sounds like kinky therapy for our marriage,” Sophiaughed. They got into different carts, and


    Sophia was d that Alexander didn’t treat her like Michael had, like she was delicate and could break


    at any moment.


    As the bumper cars began to whiz and spin around the track, Alexander and Sophia found themselves


    in the midst of a chaotic and fun-filled collision course. Laughter and shouts filled the air as they


    expertly maneuvered their cars, dodging iing hits andunching counterattacks.


    Sophia was surprisinglypetitive, her determination to win shining through as she expertly


    navigated the small arena. Alexander, equally determined, didn’t hold back either, relishing in the


    yful rivalry between them.


    At one point, their paths converged, and with mischievous grins, they locked eyes for a moment before


    simultaneously mming their cars into each other’s. The impact sent them both into fits ofughter as


    they ricocheted off in different directions.


    As the ride came to an end, they parked their bumper cars with triumphant grins. Disheveled and


    exhrated, Sophia couldn’t help but admit, “Okay, that was surprisingly fun.”


    Alexander chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from his face. “Told you it would be,”


    Sophia nced around at the other fairgoers, her eyes lingering on couples and families enjoying the


    festivities. Despite her reservations, she couldn’t deny that spending time with Alexander had been


    enjoyable.


    As they walked through the fairgrounds, Alexander’s steps grew slower, and he turned his gaze


    towards Sophia. He cleared his throat, a hint of nervousness in his voice.


    “Sophie, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say,” he began, and Sophia turned her attention to


    him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “I hope that we can take our rtionship to the next level.”


    Sophia blinked, taken aback by his statement. She couldn’t help but find it a bit cheesy, and the use of


    “Sophie” particrly irked her. She chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “Alexander, let’s not get ahead


    of ourselves. We’re just two people having a good time at a county fair, remember?”


    Alexander looked slightly crestfallen but nodded in understanding. “of course, Sophia, I just thought…”


    But before he could finish his sentence, Sophia interrupted with a mischievous smile. “You know,


    Alexander, there’s someone else who might be a better fit for you. Megan, for instance.”


    Alexander’s eyes widened at the mention of Megan’s name, and he quickly shook his head. “No, no, I


    have no contact with Megan after our breakup, and honestly, I no longer have feelings for her. It’s you,


    Sophia, that I’m interested in.”


    “I already told you that…” Sophia began, but Alexander put his finger over her mouth to hush her. “I


    understand, I was just rifying. Let’s keep going; I don’t want to miss anything from the carnival,”


    Alexander said.


    “Look at that interest all of a sudden,” Sophia raised a suspicious eyebrow. “I’ve never been to a ce


    like this; I’m interested,e on.”


    Alexander went forward like a little child, and Sophiaughingly followed him. He thought again about


    how ridiculous he looked in his costume against the background of the carnival, but his enthusiasm


    made up for it.


    Sophia couldn’t help but chuckle at Alexander’s sudden burst of enthusiasm. She found it endearing


    how he could shift from being so serious to childishly excited.


    “Alright, Mr. Stone, lead the way,” Sophia teased, matching his yful spirit. Alexander grinned, taking


    her hand as they navigated through the colorful lights and bustling crowds of the fair. He seemed


    genuinely excited to explore this unfamiliar world with her..


    Sophia’s eyes lit up with excitement when she spotted a store selling deep- fried candy bars by the


    roadside. Without hesitation, she rushed over to the vendor’s booth.


    “Oh, these! I used to love these as a kid! Sophia eximed, her voice filled with nostalgia, as she


    ordered one of the sweet treats. She handed a deep- fried candy bar to Alexander, an eager smile on


    her face.


    Alexander looked at the fried concoction with curiosity and hesitation. “Is it any good? It looks, uh,


    unhealthy,” he remarked.


    Sophia chuckled, taking a bite of her candy bar. “Trust it’s delicious. me, Childhood memories right


    here,” she said between bites.


    She observed Alexander’s hesitation and couldn’t resist teasing him. “You know, our backgrounds and


    habits are quite different, Alexander. Youe from a wealthy ‘aristocratic’ family, and me from a rural


    area. We couldn’t be more different.”


    Alexander, seemingly determined to prove that he could adapt, took a tentative bite of the deep-fried


    candy bar. However, his expression immediately shifted to one of mild difort. Clearly, he wasn’t a


    fan of sweets.


    Sophia couldn’t help butugh at his reaction. “I guess this isn’t your thing, “she remarked, offering him


    a sympathetic smile.


    Taking another bite and grimacing slightly, Alexander replied, “Definitely not. But, Sophia, I’m willing to


    try new things, even if they’re not to my taste. As long as you give me a chance and stop disliking me,


    I’ll do whatever it takes to get to know you better.”


    Sophia sighed, feeling frustrated. ” Alexander, it’s not about new experiences or trying to impress me


    with fried candy bars. I just don’t have feelings for you, and I don’t think that’s going to change. I


    appreciate your efforts, but I’m not sure there’s anything you can do to change my mind.”


    Alexander’s expression wavered for a moment, but he quickly regained hisposure. “I won’t give


    up, Sophia. I’ll keep trying, no matter what.”


    As they continued their walk through the lively carnival, Sophia couldn’t help but feel a sense of


    resignation. She believed that as long as she remained indifferent, Alexander would eventuallye to


    terms with the impossibility of their connection.


    Although she was having a great time with him right now, which she couldn’t deny, she couldn’t just put


    the past behind her.