Jason awoke with a dull ache in his muscles, a lingering reminder of the intense Day 5 workout the night before. Every stretch and lift seemed to echo through his body like a gentle warning. He groaned quietly, rolling over and forcing himself out of bed. The sun had already risen, spilling a soft golden light across his room.
After a quick stretch and cleansing in the bathroom, he went about preparing breakfast. Today, he decided, would be different. No ordinary scrambled eggs and toast. He pulled out ingredients he rarely used, adding a touch of flair that would likely raise eyebrows. A hint of herbs here, a dash of spice there—he was determined to make this morning something memorable. The aroma filled the kitchen, richer and more inviting than the usual morning smells of bread and eggs.
By the time he had plated the breakfast, Sophie walked in. Her eyes widened immediately at the smell wafting through the air.
"Wow… breakfast smells amazing today," she said, sniffing cautiously but intrigued. "What happened? This is… better than usual."
Jason smiled faintly, brushing back a strand of hair. "Something happened last night," he said, trying to sound casual. "And I made something a little… fancy this morning."
Sophie tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Fancy, huh? Why? Did something really happen to you last night?"
He sat down across from her, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Well… maybe I did. But I'm going to make you guess first."
Sophie leaned in, squinting at him. "Oh, I like games. Hmmm… did you get into trouble?"
Jason shook his head. "Nope. Not trouble. Maybe… something good. Or at least… interesting."
Her curiosity only deepened. "Interesting? How interesting?"
He chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "Let's just say… I might have a girlfriend."
Sophie froze mid-bite. Her eyes went wide as she processed the information. "Wait… what? You… you have a girlfriend?!"
Jason nodded, playing it cool. "Might. That's why I said might. Don't get too excited yet."
Sophie's face brightened with a genuine smile. "Oh my gosh, Jason! Really? That's… amazing! I'm so happy for you!"
Jason smiled at her reaction, but she held up a finger, wagging it slightly. "But… promise me. You have to be serious this time. I don't want to be happy for nothing, Jason."
"I promise," he said with a grin, leaning forward. "She's real. And she's… someone special."
Sophie tilted her head, her curiosity peaking even further. "Wait… I want to see her. Show me. I need proof!"
Jason chuckled and reached for his phone. He scrolled to Elena's Instagram page, carefully showing Sophie a few pictures, from casual selfies to scenic photos with clear glimpses of her luxurious lifestyle.
Sophie stared at the screen, her mouth slightly agape. "Impossible," she whispered. "She… she looks way too wealthy to like you, Jason. She… she wouldn't even notice you."
Jason leaned back, shrugging lightly. "Well, that's the thing about people, Sophie. Sometimes… they surprise you."
Sophie shook her head, unconvinced. "No… I don't believe it. I just… I can't imagine her actually liking you. She's too perfect."
Jason sighed, realizing arguing would be pointless. "Okay… fine. Forget it." He set the phone down, focusing instead on finishing breakfast with her.
Sophie, however, seemed restless. Her eyes flicked toward her phone as it buzzed on the table. he picked it up, swiping to answer a video call from Elena.
Jason raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh? That's… fast."
Sophie grinned mischievously. "Well… I guess she wants to meet me, or something."
Jason shook his head but couldn't hide his grin. "Okay… just a couple of things first. Turn on the light, and check your background. Make sure it looks… impressive. You know, just in case someone notices your house."
Sophie's eyes widened. "Really? Okay… wait." She fumbled with the lamp and adjusted a few things in the room, moving her books and a small pile of clothes to make it look neat. "There! Is that better?"
Jason chuckled. "Much better. Now… let's see."
He accepted the video call, and within moments, Elena's face appeared on the screen. She was radiant, her smile effortless and warm. Jason's heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to play it cool.
"Hey… babe," he said, attempting a casual tone.
Elena laughed softly. "Hey you!. were you stalking me? I noticed you were viewing my page not quite long, Did I interrupt something?"
Jason glanced at Sophie, who was peering at the screen with wide eyes. "I'm… trying to convince Sophie here," he said casually. "She's skeptical, you see."
Elena raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Skeptical? About… what?"
Jason turned the camera toward Sophie. "Meet my… maybe girlfriend. Elena."
Sophie froze, her jaw dropping slightly. "Wait… what? That's… that's the girl you just showed me!"
Elena laughed warmly. "Hi Sophie! So nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
Sophie blinked, a mixture of surprise and joy spreading across her face. "I… wow… you're… you're really her! The one Jason… showed me… oh my gosh."
Jason couldn't help but grin at the expression on Sophie's face. "See? Told you. She's real."
Sophie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This is amazing! I can't believe it! I mean… I didn't expect this at all."
Elena smiled softly, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I think you're pretty amazing too, Sophie. Jason talks about you all the time. I can see why now—he's lucky to have a sister like you."
Sophie beamed, though a small crease appeared on her forehead. "Lucky? Maybe… but I'm not sure I want anyone loving my brother more than me."
Jason laughed softly, shaking his head. "Sophie… it's not a competition. You'll see."
Sophie rolled her eyes playfully, but the tension eased as Elena laughed. "Don't worry. I'm not trying to steal him away from you. I promise."
The three of them spent the next hour talking. Sophie asked questions about Elena's hobbies, her interests, and her travels. Elena was equally curious, asking about Sophie's drawing, her school, and her dreams. Jason watched quietly, a smile tugging at his lips, feeling the warmth of the moment.
Elena and Sophie joked about Jason's quirks—how he sometimes got too absorbed in his work, how he tried to cook and ended up with funny mishaps, and how stubborn he could be. Every story brought laughter, breaking down the barriers of formality and hesitation.
Sophie couldn't hide her delight. "I like her," she whispered to Jason during a pause.
Jason smiled, leaning back. "I knew you would. She's… someone special."
Elena added softly, "I like her too. Sophie has a wonderful vibe. She's smart, funny, and… protective of her brother. I respect that."
Sophie's cheeks flushed slightly, a mix of pride and hesitation. "Protective? Yeah… well… I just want to make sure he doesn't get hurt. I mean… anyone who takes his heart… it has to be someone really good."
Elena's eyes softened. "I understand. And I promise… I'll do my best to be worthy of him."
Jason couldn't help but grin, watching the exchange. The video call was more than just a meeting; it was the start of a bond forming between his two most important people.
As the call ended, Sophie turned to Jason, her eyes bright. "So… she's real. And… she really likes you. I guess… maybe it's okay."
Jason laughed softly, leaning over to ruffle her hair. "I told you. Sometimes people surprise you."
Sophie smiled, shaking her head. "Yeah… yeah, they do. But don't think you're off the hook, Jason. I'm still watching you."
Jason chuckled, feeling a warmth in his chest. "Noted, little sis. Noted."
As the morning sun climbed higher, Jason cleaned up the dishes and prepared himself mentally for the day ahead. The encounter had been unexpected, emotional, and filled with laughter—but it had also solidified something he had hoped for: a connection between Sophie and Elena, a bridge forming in his little world.
For Jason, it wasn't just about a girlfriend anymore. It was about trust, family, and seeing the people he cared for interact, laugh, and share moments he could cherish forever.
And for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of peace—knowing that whatever happened next, he wasn't alone.