Chapter 23: Making it Official!
Coincidentally, every man present was just as stunned by the sight of Luca Hale and Sophie Kennedy standing together.
The pair looked perfectly matched, as if they had stepped straight out of a romance novel.
For a brief moment, countless hearts shattered in silent unison.
Most of them were already married, some had children, and others had built successful careers. Yet no matter how much time had passed, who could truly forget their first love?
As for Mason Reid, who had arrived with them, he was completely ignored by the crowd.
"What’s going on?" Luca asked as he walked over with an easy smile. "Why is everyone standing around outside?"
"Luca, long time no see!"
Chloe Hilton was the first to recover. The curly-haired beauty stepped forward in her high heels, her crystal handbag hanging from her wrist as she greeted him with a graceful smile.
"We were just shocked by the handsome men and beautiful women in front of us. None of us knew how to react."
A complicated emotion flickered across her eyes before disappearing.
"Exactly," Natalie Bennett immediately joined in. "You two are unbelievable. You’ve been secretly dating all this time and didn’t tell any of us."
"At least make it official!"
"Seriously. Why are you acting like secret agents?"
Even Mason Reid nodded vigorously from the side.
Luca couldn’t help smiling bitterly.
’We’re really not dating.’
At least, not officially.
Unfortunately, looking at everyone’s expressions, he knew that even if he explained himself right now, nobody would believe a word of it.
Just then, Sophie suddenly moved a little closer.
Their shoulders brushed.
Before Luca could react, he felt a soft warmth against his arm.
A faint floral fragrance drifted into his senses, carrying Sophie’s unique scent.
He turned in surprise.
Without the slightest hesitation, Sophie slipped her arm through his.
The movement was so natural that it left Luca momentarily speechless.
Ignoring his stunned expression, Sophie smiled at the crowd.
"It’s not too late to make it official now."
Her voice was gentle, but there was a playful glimmer in her eyes.
"So please stop making things difficult for Luca."
The crowd exploded instantly.
"That’s it. I’m full already. No need for lunch."
"These two are too much!"
"Not only did you secretly get together, but you’re showing off right in front of us."
"Luca Hale, you’re not leaving this reunion sober."
"That’s right! We’re drinking him under the table today!"
The male classmates looked at Luca with envy so obvious it was practically written across their faces.
Back then, Sophie Kennedy had been the dream girl of the entire school.
Now she was standing beside Luca, holding his arm.
How could they not be jealous?
Amidst the laughter and teasing, everyone finally entered the hotel.
Soon, lunch officially began.
The atmosphere at the table was surprisingly comfortable.
Nobody brought up salaries, job titles, or social status. Those topics often made reunions awkward.
Instead, everyone reminisced about the past.
The conversation quickly shifted back to their high school days.
Stories that had seemed embarrassing back then had somehow become hilarious years later.
Someone exposed an old secret crush.
Someone else confessed to writing anonymous love letters.
The entire room was filled with laughter.
Then Chloe suddenly raised her wine glass.
"Speaking of high school romances..."
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"Back then, didn’t we all think our Class Beauty never dated anyone because she liked Luca Hale?"
Instantly, every head turned toward Sophie.
"That’s right!"
"Class Beauty, tell us the truth!"
"We’ve been curious for years."
A male classmate sighed dramatically.
"I confessed to Sophie once, you know."
"And got rejected on the spot."
The person beside him immediately burst out laughing.
"Liam Carter, that’s nothing."
"I spent three nights writing a love letter."
"What happened?" someone asked.
"A gust of wind blew it away before I could give it to her."
The room erupted into laughter.
"I took that as a sign from heaven."
"After that, I never tried again."
Faced with countless curious gazes, Sophie simply smiled.
Then she turned to look at Luca.
Her eyes were calm, yet there was something hidden beneath them.
Luca suddenly felt nervous.
Truthfully, he’d secretly loved that rumor back then.
Perhaps more than anyone else.
"In high school," Sophie said softly, "I only wanted to focus on studying."
"I really wasn’t interested in dating."
Everyone nodded.
That answer sounded exactly like the Sophie they remembered.
Just when they thought the topic was over, Sophie’s ears slowly turned pink.
Then she lowered her gaze.
Her next words were almost drowned out by the noise of the restaurant.
"But..."
"I was really embarrassed by that rumor."
A pause.
Then a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"And honestly..."
"I’m still embarrassed by it now."
The entire room froze.
Then exploded.
"Ohhhh!"
"So that’s what it was!"
"The mystery has finally been solved!"
"Luca Hale, I’m so jealous!"
Cheers erupted throughout the room.
Everyone began raising glasses and offering blessings.
Luca sat there silently.
For a moment, all he could do was stare at Sophie.
His hand unconsciously lifted.
As though he wanted to reach out and hold onto something.
Yet before his fingers touched her shoulder, he stopped.
Slowly, he lowered his hand.
"I’m sorry, Sophie."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Only she heard it.
Sophie’s body trembled slightly.
Silence lingered between them.
A few seconds later, she turned back around.
The smile on her face remained unchanged.
Elegant.
Beautiful.
Gentle.
She raised her wine glass toward him.
Luca understood immediately.
Their glasses clinked softly.
Then both of them drained their drinks in one go.
The reunion continued for several more hours.
Laughter echoed throughout the private room.
Wine bottles emptied one after another.
By the end of the meal, almost everyone was drunk.
Some staggered as they walked.
Others slumped over the table.
A few couldn’t even stand properly anymore.
Taking advantage of a trip to the restroom, Luca quietly went downstairs to settle the bill.
At the front desk, the cashier smiled politely.
"Sir, your total comes to 2,580 Dollars. How would you like to pay?"
"Card."
Luca handed over his black bank card.
"Oh, and book twenty standard rooms as well."
Most people had drunk far too much to drive.
Some would be picked up by family members, but many would need a place to stay for the night.
"Of course, sir."
The cashier immediately began processing the request.
[DING!]
[Host spent 3,280 Dollars and received a Critical Hit Reward!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained 100% ownership of Stone Free Grand Hotel!]
The familiar mechanical voice echoed in Luca’s mind.
His drunkenness vanished instantly.
Stone Free Grand Hotel wasn’t comparable to the San Fierro Grand Hotel he already owned.
But exchanging a few thousand Dollars for an entire hotel?
Only a fool would complain.
’Not bad.’
No.
’This is amazing.’
After completing the payment, Luca returned upstairs.
The moment everyone learned that he had paid for the entire reunion and reserved twenty rooms, the room erupted into cheers once again.
"Luca, you’re incredible!"
"Boss Luca is treating us today!"
"Let’s drink another round!"
The noise continued for quite a while before the reunion finally came to an end.
One after another, classmates said their goodbyes.
Some were picked up by family.
Others headed upstairs to rest.
Meanwhile, Sophie had clearly drunk more than she could handle.
Her cheeks were rosy.
Her eyes were half-open.
She leaned weakly against Luca’s shoulder.
Supporting her carefully with one arm, Luca escorted her toward the elevators.
Together with the remaining classmates who were staying overnight, they made their way upstairs toward their respective rooms.
