“Sophia, wait here a moment. I have to meet Alabbar inside. When I’m done, I’ll show you around Dubai.”
Tristan and Sophia are in the Emaar Business Park building on the Dubai Hills Estate. On his last day in the United Arab Emirates, his husband had to attend a brief meeting to hear the official announcement of which tender Emaar would give Foxtail in the future.
Because it was short, Tristan took his wife along. The plan, after all, business matters are finished, he wants to take Sophia around to enjoy the city of Dubai until the evening. After all, they were back in London tomorrow. Tristan wanted, on this last day, could give his wife the best memories she could remember before they parted.
“Okay. Then let me wait for you in the cafeteria near the Lobby. When you’re done, follow up there.”
Tristan nodded. Before actually leaving, the man approached. Without awkwardly grabbing Sophia’s nape and then briefly kissing the beautiful woman’s forehead, she spoke softly.
“I’m going in first.”
Sophia then let Tristan go. After the man entered the room, he immediately turned around. Stepping lightly to go to the cafeteria immediately. Looks like Nicholas is there. The man had been watching what Tristan and Sophia were doing from a distance.
Seeing Sophia walking closer, Nicholas got up from his seat. Waving, inviting Sophia to sit down to join him.
“Thank you,” Sophia said as Nicholas helped pull out a chair for her.
“You’re welcome. Don’t be shy, Sophia.”
The beautiful woman smiled. “You’re not coming inside? Meeting other business colleagues?”
“No. I’m done. Indeed, the meeting is divided into two sessions,” Nicholas explained and took a sip of coffee in his cup. “Oh, yeah, do I want something to drink? Let me help you order,” the brown-haired man offered.
Sophia turned to look at the menu flyer stand lying on the table. Check it out, then choose one of them.
“Greentea Freeze seems more suitable for me to drink this morning.” Nicholas nodded. Indeed, usually, women do not like coffee and, as an alternative, usually prefer milkshakes or non-caffeinated drinks.
After hearing Sophia’s choice, he immediately waved at the female waitress not far from him to help order.
“Greentea Freeze one.”
“Any other additions?” asked the waiter before leaving. “Add two slices of Red Velvet Cake.”
The waiter nodded as he took note of what Nicholas ordered. “Please wait. I’ll be back in a minute.”
It didn’t take long for Nicholas and Sophia to wait. Not even a minute later, two plates of Red Velvet were served beautifully on the table. Then soon, it was Sophia’s turn to order Greentea Freeze.
“Enjoy it, ladies and gentlemen.”
Nicholas nodded kindly. Then invited Sophia to eat what he had ordered.
“This Red Velvet is for me?” Sophia asked.
“Yes.” Nicholas nodded. He also pulled a plate of cake towards him. “I heard that you like Red Velvet. That’s why I wanted to treat you this morning and experience how good this red cake is.”
Sophia smiled. Reaching for the spoon, he slowly cut off the edge of the cake on his plate. “You know how I like this cake?” Sophia asked. She was curious as to why the man in front of him knew. Then his hand reached out, bringing the spoon containing the red velvet piece to be directed directly to her mouth.
“Of course, from your husband. Who else?” said Nicholas. “The other day, while visiting his office, I saw a large box of cakes on his desk. When asked, he said the cake was specially bought for you.”
Sophia immediately gasped. “Is that true?” Nicholas immediately nodded.
“Yeah, I think it’s a few days before you leave for Dubai.”
Sophia thought for a moment. Remembering when Tristan had bought him a Red Velvet Cake recently. Until not long, his memory immediately focused on the night when Alexius suddenly knocked on Edward’s car window to give Tristan a cake. “Ah, I remember,” said Sophia.
“The last time Tristan bought me a cake was because he wanted to book me for Coming to Dubai.”
“And it seems my best friend succeeded?” guessed Nicholas as he continued to feed the cake on his plate.
“Not really,” Sophia said, shaking her head. “I agreed to go to Dubai, not because of Red Velvet’s bribe from Tristan, if you want to know.”
Nicholas stopped his hand. Lifting his face, the man stared at Sophia intently. “So, what made you change your mind, Mrs Quartararo?”
“Well, at first, I didn’t care if Foxtail lost its performance. Bankrupt or crashed even once. I think I have no responsibility here. Why bother, let alone dizzy, right?”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“But…” Sophia continued. “From childhood, Mama taught me to have a little empathy with other people. I’ve always been taught to be kind even with people who have hurt me in the past.”
“Because this is why you are helping Tristan?” Nicholas asked again. Sophia took a sip of the Greentea Freeze he had ordered halfway. The woman then nodded as she continued her sentence.
“It was one of them. But my main goal is because I want to help Foxtail. As Uncle Raphael said, many people’s fates here were at stake. So it’s okay if I change my mind and then help. After all, I was only asked to attend, not to be asked to think, let alone negotiate with related parties, right?”
Nicholas nodded in agreement with Sophia’s words. “And while in Dubai, how did you feel?”
Sophia’s brows furrowed in response to the man’s question. In front of him. Sounds very ambiguous because it asks about feelings. Did Nicholas mean whether or not he was comfortable in Dubai, or maybe it was about his feelings that he had been with Tristan, her husband, for almost a week?
“Of course, I’m happy,” Sophia said diplomatically. She thinks this answer is safe because it sounds more universal, doesn’t it? But instead of being satisfied, Nicholas snarled again.
“That’s not what I wanted to know, Sophia.”
The beautiful woman’s eyebrows furrowed together. what do you mean by your question?” Nicholas chuckled softly. His face was scornful.
“Okay. I mean, are you happy or excited to be spending a week with your husband? The man who status legal as your partner?” Sophia guessed right. Nicholas did ask this. He was not sure about what he was feeling.
“I don’t know. I think it’s normal. Nothing special.”
Nicholas finished his meal. Wiping his lips with a napkin, the man then leaned in slightly.
“Are you sure about what you just said?”
Sophia nodded immediately. “Do you think I look hesitant?” It was Nicholas’ turn. now the one who nodded back. “From the scene, I saw a few minutes ago, or rather before you and Tristan parted ways, it is clear in the eyes of the two of you that you both have a sense of belonging. I’m guessing your husband loves you, Sophia.”
Sophia immediately laughed at that moment. Not the least bit affected by what Nicholas had just said to her.
“That’s just how you feel, Nick. Besides, I’m sure you know that Tristan did that on purpose because he wanted to make a good image of himself in front of Alabbar and his wife. You know that too, right? During our week here, we both have to act like a happily married couple,” Sophia said almost in a whisper.
Nicholas just nodded. But the man continued to argue. “So that you know, Sophia. I’ve never seen the look of affection Tristan showed to any other woman. Even to Aurora, she’s never been as sweet as what she’s been shown to you these past few days. He carries you when you have trouble walking. Protects you from bad guys’ eyes by not allowing you to wear sexy clothes. Not only that, he immediately takes care of you when you’re drunk. In fact, from the way he held you from outside to enter the building this morning, it was clear that he loved you like a real wife.”
Nicholas again nailed Sophia’s blue bead for a moment. “Don’t you feel anything?”
Sophia’s shoulders lifted dramatically as she took a deep breath. For a moment, she wondered if that feeling was still in her? The feelings of affection and love that she used to fully give to Tristan but wasted by the man on purpose. However, one side deep in her heart seems to be rebelling. Asking if Tristan has changed, doesn’t that man deserve forgiveness and forgiveness from him?
“You two are like the north and south poles. Sophia,” Nicholas said again, breaking the silence. “The women always give the code while the men are not sensitive to the code given right. Yes, you two are like a couple in general. Tristan has a hard time reading the minds of the opposite sex and the prestige of expressing what is in his heart. You’re more of a woman who doesn’t like to be honest. Even after the apocalypse, I guarantee your relationship will never meet.”
“Whose relationship will you not meet?”
Suddenly from behind, the man who had been discussed earlier appeared. He did not come alone. There was Alabbar and Helena following along. behind the man.
“A man and woman who are not honest with each other,” Nicholas replied casually. The man then stood up and immediately hugged Tristan as usual. Then after that, he shook hands alternately with Alabbar and Helena.
“Mrs Helena wants to meet you, honey,” Tristan said to Sophia. “Looks like he has something he wants to talk about.” Sophia nodded. The woman followed Helena, who led her to sit in another chair. Let the men talk about business. While the two of them will discuss other things. “Tomorrow, are you going back to London?” Helena asked to open the conversation.
“Yes, Helena. Tomorrow as scheduled, my husband and I will return to London.”
Helena smiled. The woman awkwardly grabbed Sophia’s wrist on the table and gently touched it. “I must have missed you. For some reason, I feel so compatible with you, Sophia. Is it because I don’t have a daughter? That’s why I’m happy to see you even spending time with you.”
Sophia smiled. She’s said it many times. Helena was very smart to flatter her like she is now. “If you have a business trip to London scheduled, stop by my house. I’ll show you around or have dinner together.”
Helena smiled back and nodded. “Of course. But, before letting you go, I want to give you something.”
“Give what do you mean?” Sophia asked curiously. “I’ve left it with Mr Tristan. I hope you like it and continue to wear it.” Sophia didn’t understand what the other person meant. But because he didn’t want it to be long, he just agreed to what Helena said.
“I hope we meet again next time, Sophia,” Helena continued before letting Sophia walk away from him. “You must be tired of listening to this, but once again, I want to say that I am happy to see your relationship with your husband. I love how Mr Tristan made you like a queen. Looking at you lovingly. Even giving you such gentle treatment. I pray your relationship will always last until death does you part.”
Can Sophia be prayed for like this? There was nothing he could do but smile and nod. Thank you for the attention and prayers that Helena has prayed for. Once finished talking, at that moment, Tristan approached. After saying goodbye, the man took Sophia to go straight to the car that had been prepared.