On the second day of the active suit returning to work, Tristan was very serious about listening to the presentation Nicholas was giving. Today, at Emaar’s representative building, both seemed to be present at the invitation to launch a new tender.
This time, Emaar plans to make one-stop shopping plus entertainment on an international scale. Per the agreement, the project will be pursued for groundbreaking by the end of the year. That’s why this time, the developer immediately collaborated with five major construction companies to complete the ambitious project.
“According to the plan, this one-stop shopping venue will be built similar to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. A large shopping centre will be divided from the main floor containing luxury tenants and the middle floor containing standard tenants. In contrast, the ground floor is intended for various kinds of culinary and supermarkets. largest and widest ever.”
Nicholas described in detail the material from the portfolio he brought. All meeting participants, including Emaar’s side, seemed very enthusiastic to hear one by one the plans proposed by the brown-haired man.
Nicholas does not need to doubt his abilities when planning and to develop a property product. AlpaBeta’s flying hours are increasing yearly because of his ability to convince big investors to agree to all the long-term plans he has drawn up. Luckily, Jacob took Nicholas to be an assistant and a reliable work partner.
“In the first tower,” the man continued. “The hotel will be filled with apartments. The second tower will contain entertainment products for adults. And finally, there will be a game area and a giant garden for parents to spend time with their children. So this place can be enjoyed by all without exception.”
Emaar’s representative immediately nodded. In the next minute, all the plans Nicholas had compiled were approved and put on the agenda to be executed immediately. After the meeting was over, each contractor looked ready to leave. Tristan and his assistant did the same thing.
“Tristan,” Nicholas called. “Did you go straight back to the office?” the man asked as they walked down the hall together.
Tristan turned. Aligning steps, he answered. “It seems so. Besides, there are no other scheduled meetings after this.”
“Then how about we go to lunch first?” asked Nicholas. His face was obviously expecting his friend to agree to his invitation. “Coming back from Dubai, it’s been a long time since we talked together, right?”
Tristan nodded. Then turned to Mario, who was standing next to him.
“Mario, would you like to come to lunch with us?”
The Ashy blonde-haired man seemed to shake his head politely. “No, Mister. Looks like I have to get back to the office soon. I have some paperwork to prepare for you to check this afternoon.”
“Do it later, Mario. We can eat first,” said Tristan casually.
“No… no…” Mario shook his head again. “I’m not used to procrastinating work. Please, Mister, continue with Mr Nicholas. Who knows, you two want to talk a lot and need privacy. I’m fine going back to the office alone.”
Tristan finally agreed. But before going home, Nicholas said something to the white man. “Go home with the driver Tristan, Mario. I’ll let your boss take me back to Foxtail later.”
After separating, Nicholas and Tristan finally went to a restaurant in one of the shopping centres. A European restaurant, they chose this afternoon to stop by. Once seated, the two of them first chose a new food menu, followed by talking.
“How are you? Are you okay?” asked Nicholas opening the question. Tristan, who had just received a serving of coffee Americano from the waiter, chose to take a sip first. After finishing, he responded to the man’s question in front of him.
“I’m fine. As usual,” he said casually.
“Are you sure?” Nicholas’ eyes narrowed. “Last week, I stopped by your office twice. And Aurora said you weren’t working because you were busy locking yourself in your room. What happened?”
From the look on his face, it was clear that Nicholas wanted to know. As a friend, of course, he was happy that Tristan had a problem. The man wanted to share his story with him. Who knows, he can help find solutions to solve the problems at hand.
“No big deal, Nick,” Tristan said as if reluctant to share the story. For some reason, he seemed lazy to return to discussing the issues between himself and Sophia.
After all, it’s all over, right? While the curious Nicholas did not give up. The man slowly tried to lure Tristan into telling him what was going on on his own.
“Yesterday, Edward called Jacob and me. He asked us to meet next weekend. He said he wanted advice on his wedding plans with Sophia.”
Hearing what his best friend said, Tristan just glanced at him. Then soon, the man’s gaze returned straight ahead. As if more interested in paying attention to the people passing by. Even though it was clear from his vacant gaze, it was clear that the man’s thoughts were flying aimlessly.
“Is your and Sophia’s marriage over?” Nicholas once again asked bluntly. Tristan, this time brought his gaze to Nicholas. Taking a deep breath, the man couldn’t help but slowly nod.
“Yeah, Nick. We’ve both decided to divorce. There’s no hope of getting together anymore,” the man replied languidly.
“Not when you were in Dubai. You looked fine. I thought —-”
“Sophia turned me down, Nick,” Tristan interrupted quickly. “At first, I thought there was still hope of getting back together with her. But I was wrong. Sophia isn’t the least bit interested in getting back with me.”
Nicholas was also concerned. From his eyes, he could see how the sadness was displayed on Tristan’s face. The man seemed to regret what had happened to him.
“I’m sure that Sophia still loves you.”
“Yes,” said Tristan. “She even admitted to me directly that until this moment, she hasn’t stopped loving me at all. But to be together again, she doesn’t want to.”
“Have you tried to persuade him?” Nicholas inquired.
According to him, if it’s love, there should be a big effort to get Sophia touched or maybe even thinking about going back and cancelling the divorce plan that has been neatly arranged.
“Yes,” said Tristan weakly. “I’ve been begging him directly. Asking what action I should take to get him to accept me again.”
“And?” interrupted Nicholas. “That doesn’t shake his heart in the slightest?”
Tristan shook his head this time. “None of my offers have managed to shake Sophia’s heart. “I’d do anything, Nick, to get her back. But what can I do? Sophia has closed the meeting point for both of us.”
Both of them were silent for a moment as if lost in each other’s thoughts. Then before long, Nicholas changed his seat position and then spoke again.
“You both love each other, right? For God’s sake, it’s a shame to be apart. I’m afraid Sophia married Edward because the ego wants to get back at you. If that’s the case, then Edward will be the victim.”
Tristan sighed again in exasperation. He was at a loss as to what action to take.
“Whether they marry out of love or not, now it doesn’t affect me.”
“I don’t want one more effort to convince Sophia’s heart? Before it was decided by the court to divorce?”
Tristan seemed silent. Also, thinking about what Nicholas had just asked him. Is there still a chance for him to convince Sophia not to separate.
“Tomorrow is the first trial of our divorce case. I think I know what I must do once again to convince Sophia to accept my request for a reconciliation.”
A smile appeared on Nicholas’ lips. Honestly, he was happy to see Tristan, who had been lethargic, now seemed eager to do something again. he supported whatever his best friend did so that the two would not be separated again.
“I just pray that the way you have prepared it will succeed in breaking Sophia’s heart and finally coming back with you.”
Tristan nodded. Accepting the prayers offered by his best friend. Then not long after. Nicholas asked again. “But, what will you do if Sophia still refuses your offer?”
Tristan looked back at Nicholas. Full of confidence, the man then replied.
“You still didn’t succeed. That means I have to allow Sophia to start a new life with another man.”
***
Edward was seen stopping his car right in front of the agency building where Sophia used to work. Today according to the schedule, he wanted to invite the woman who was predicted to be his future wife to go to lunch together and, at the same time, take her to see the jewellery store.
Edward wanted Sophia to choose the wedding ring that they might wear at the wedding. That’s why, during lunchtime, he immediately went to pick her up and took Sophia to a shopping centre in central London.
“You’ve been waiting long?” Sophia scolded as she just got into the car Edward was driving.
“No, honey. I just arrived a minute or two ago. Besides, even if I had to wait for a beautiful woman like you, I wouldn’t have the slightest bit of loss,” Edward replied, rolling his eyes.
Sophia chuckled. After fastening the seatbelt on her body, the woman answered back.
“No need to overdo it. You seducer!”
“I’m not exaggerating,” Edward said, turning the wheel. While focusing on driving, the man occasionally turned to Sophia in response to the words of the woman next to him.
“After our business is done this afternoon, will you continue with work? Or maybe go straight back home?”
Sophia shook her head. Just a few days are starting work. How could she be absent again? After all, she already misses waddling on the catwalk because in the past few months, have spent more time at home after the series of problems she’s been going through.
“Of course, I have to go back to work, Ed. I have a lot of photo deadlines to complete. Not to mention there’s a costume selection I need to do immediately so I can wear it at London Fashion Week later this month.”
Edward nodded in understanding. As a professional model, he knows that sometimes Sophia has to spend her time and energy to complete deadlines for big brand photos that have paid for the agency she works for.
Edward was also confused. Even though Sophia was born into a rich family, the woman seemed diligent in her work which could be said to be very tiring.
“I promise when you get married and become my wife later, you can’t work too hard like this,” Edward said as he grabbed Sophia’s hand and kissed her.
“I don’t like seeing my beautiful wife have to be so exhausted and busy out there that she forgets the time. Besides, I’m already rich. So you don’t have to bother looking for money out there anymore.”
Sophia rolled her eyes. He was also embarrassed to hear Edward’s words, which even sounded cheerful in his ears.
“You’re exaggerating,” Sophia replied. “I love this job, Ed. Plus, money’s not what I’m doing all this time for.”
“So what?” Edward asked, glancing briefly at his interlocutor. “Besides pursuing hobbies, I don’t like to stay at home without doing anything. That’s why I don’t think I’m the right choice for you if you want to find a partner or wife whose job is to stay at home.”
Hearing the words from Sophia’s lips, Edward pulled the car over for a moment. Stopped the vehicle to clarify what he had previously said to the woman next to him.
“Sophia,” Edward called. The man had to change his sitting position to face Sophia directly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you in the slightest. For God’s sake. I said this earlier because I didn’t want to see you exhausted or bothered. No other intentions.”
Sophia looked back at Edward. Paying close attention to how the man next to her shows a look of remorse or maybe feels guilty about what he said earlier.
“Forget it, Ed. There’s no need to talk about it or prolong it. Besides, I’m slightly offended by what you said.”
Edward breathed a sigh of relief. Reviewing a smile, the man grabbed Sophia’s nape to land a short kiss on the forehead of his future wife.
“Thank you for your understanding. Again, I’m sorry.” Then the two of them resumed their journey. Once at the shopping centre, Edward chose to take Sophia to go to the jewellery store first to find what kind of wedding ring they would wear later.
“Ed, isn’t this too soon?” whispered Sophia. The two of them have arrived at a diamond shop and are waiting for the waiter to choose their premium collection.
“No, Sophia. It’s not like your divorce process is only a few weeks. As soon as the hammer hits, I’ll immediately propose to you. And maybe in a week or two, we’ll get married.”
“But, Ed—”
“Shh.” Edward immediately hissed softly. “Now hurry up and choose which one you think is the best fit for both of us to wear later.”
Sophia sighed in resignation. It was hard to refute what the man next to him had said. That’s why, as soon as the shop assistant brought her collection, Sophia immediately saw the offered models.
Ultimately, they chose the Unity Desire model with one diamond eye in the middle. So elegant and beautiful when worn by him.
“Is there any more jewellery you want?” Edward offered.
“Nothing. This is more than enough. Can we go eat now? Honestly, I’m already hungry,”
Sophia complained sheepishly. Edward was immediately excited to see the expression shown by the woman he loved so much.
After paying for what they had chosen, he immediately took Sophia to a restaurant not far from the shop where they had bought the ring earlier. As soon as he entered the restaurant, Edward’s eyes immediately caught the presence of Nicholas with a man he knew so well.
At first, Edward intended to take Sophia away immediately. But when you think about it, because Tristan was there, there’s nothing wrong with all of him heating his former friend.
“Edward, are you sure you want to eat here?” Sophia hesitated when her eyes also caught the presence of Tristan, who was sitting leisurely with Nicholas.
“What’s the matter, Sophia?” Edward asked. “Are you afraid of meeting your ex-husband?” he said emphatically. They haven’t officially divorced yet. But he was excited to give that nickname to Tristan, whom he hated so much.
“It’s not like that,” replied Sophia. “I’m afraid the two of you will fight.”
Edward turned to Sophia. He smiled confidently.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I promise I won’t make a fuss in a public place like this.”
Sophia nodded resignedly after hearing what Edward said. So the next second, the man intimately took Sophia to step forward. He slowly approached the position where his two friends were sitting in the restaurant’s corner. As soon as he arrived, he, without the slightest hesitation, greeted the two of them.
“Nice to meet you guys here. Can the two of us join you?”