Story serial – The magic of Late Afternoon

Story serial (Part – 4)
The magic of Late Afternoon
A Promise or a Problem (Episode>11-13)

Sophie turned to Keniel —
“Why would you ask something like that?”
Keniel shrugged lightly.
“I heard everything. From behind.”
Sophie frowned.
“That’s not okay. Listening to others like that — it’s a really bad habit.”
Keniel smirked.
“Maybe. But I didn’t want to listen.”
He paused… then added —
“And honestly… it wasn’t unpleasant to listen.”
Adrian stepped forward slightly.
“What do you mean by that?”
Keniel smiled again—
“Nothing important.”
Then he waved casually —
“Goodbye, Sophie.
Goodbye, Adrian.”
He Fast walked away.
For a moment…
Sophie and Adrian stood in silence.
Sophie spoke first —
“I have a feeling… Kennel might take this too far.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“If he does… I won’t let him get away with it.”
Sophie quickly turned to him —
“Please, don’t lose your temper.”
She lowered her voice —
“Keniel’s friends are not very good. I saw them smoking.”
She looked straight into Adrian’s eyes—
“Please don’t get involved with them.”
A pause.
“If anything happens… let me handle it.”
Adrian didn’t respond. He just stood there… silent.
Sophie stepped closer.
“Adrian… promise me.”
Sophie immediately took one of Adrian’s hands in hers.

Sophie’s mother, Marina, returned home.
She opened her vanity bag and handed Sophie two chocolates.
“Here.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome. Give one to Adrian.”
Sophie paused.
“Adrian didn’t come today.”
Marina nodded slightly and walked into her room.
A few minutes later —
“Sophie, come here.”
Sophie entered quietly.
Marina looked at her and asked —
“If Adrian doesn’t come… will you have trouble keeping up with your studies?”
Sophie replied —
“He’s actually thinking of finding a private tutor for me.”
Marina nodded.
“Yes… I was thinking the same.”
Then she paused.
“ besides—”
Sophie looked at her—
“Besides what, Mom?”
Marina spoke calmly —
“The way you two spend time together… it doesn’t look very appropriate.”
Sophie frowned slightly.
“Adrian is a very good person. And he’s brilliant.”
Marina gave a small nod.
“I know.”
Sophie continued.
“I’ve spoken to Uncle Michael,” “I know about Adrian.”
She softened her voice—
“He lost his father not long ago. He only has his mother and older brother.”
A brief pause.
“Their financial situation isn’t strong either.”
Sophie’s eyes lowered.
“He’s… very vulnerable, Mom.”
Marina sighed quietly.
“I feel for him too.”
Then she looked directly at Sophie —
“But that doesn’t change everything.”
Sophie leaned forward—
“What do you mean?”
Marina gently placed her hand on Sophie’s head
and spoke softly —
“Listen, Sophie… Adrian is young.
Making mistakes without realizing it… is natural for him.”
Sophie replied quietly —
“He’s just a very good friend , Mom.”
Marina sighed.
“That’s exactly what worries me.”
Sophie looked up—
“Why?”
Marina held her gaze —
“What if… he starts to fall in love with you?”
Sophie froze.
Her eyes widened in shock.
It felt like she had suddenly fallen from the sky to the ground.
“Mom…
I’ve never thought about it like that.”
Marina nodded slowly—
“You should.”
Silence filled the room. Heavy. Uncomfortable.
After a moment, Sophie spoke again—
“Mom… what should I do?”
Marina didn’t answer immediately.
Sophie lowered her voice—
“Should I… stay away from Adrian?”
Marina shook her head.
“No.”
Sophie looked confused.
“Then?”
Marina spoke calmly—
“Stay close… but in a way that helps him understand.”
A brief pause.
“So that he realizes things on his own.” “ He can make his own decisions.”
Sophie remained silent.

• To be continued – story > Part -5 (Episode 14-16)