Chapter 4

Sapphire's eyes were on stalks as she heard Pascal's declaration. His words to her ears were unbelievable but at the same time the confidence through which he spoke brought cold shivers down her spine.

Carlos has sure gone ten days ago on a business tour but it wasn't to Miami. He had gone to Saint Petersburg on an expansion project of his company.

"You might have gone misled by your vision, Pascal. My husband has never gone to Miami in the last ten days and I am confident he would not go disloyal to me." Though she told the words in confidence, a part of her was screaming she has no proof of it and probably Pascal was speaking to her the truth. 

Saint Petersburg is just 260 kilometers from Miami and he is a billionaire. Carlos can easily take a flight and enjoy some sleaze from the huge female following he has got. 

Of late Sapphire was not able to understand who to believe and who not to believe. Pascal only nodded to her, hinting a soft smile and deviated the subject. "So I came here to tell you, I need you to go to California along with the other models on our upcoming project and guide them in our new venture."

He lit a cigarette and puffed the smoke out of the window. "Remember grabbing this project is very essential for us. Mr Benjamin, owner of Signature and the largest clothing line is sponsoring this modeling assignment. I want our top models to perform on this and you need to look after this project with great care." He told her and left the cabin.

Sapphire's head suddenly began to ache after the news that Pascal blurted out as a matter of fact and to top it off was this modeling assignment. She was really not interested in taking over the project. 

Going to California on an assignment will take her a minimum of ten days and her nerves will always be on fire thinking about what Carlos was going to do during those ten days.

Sapphire knew she wasn't supposed to suspect her husband without any proof. Pascal gave a look at the photo only for a second. How can he be sure that the man he saw at the Miami beach was Carlos?

She has been Carlos's wife for nine years and before that they had dated for seven years. Which means her association with Carlos has lasted sixteen years.

She knew him since his school days. No doubt Carlos was the heartthrob of many girls, being the head boy and the most intelligent student of the school but his eyes were only for her since the beginning. 

Sapphire tried to relax her agitated nerves but the inner voice in her was entirely contrary to speak. She needed to get answers from him at any cost. 

****

The night after Carlos came home Sapphire served him dinner. She forced a smile and initiated the much instilled conversation-working mess in her brain. "You know I got a photo framed from your interview to BBC yesterday and put it on my work desk at the office. It seems my senior saw you ten days ago in Miami beach. Did you have work in Miami apart from Saint Petersburg?" 

Carlos smiled, forking the streak to his mouth. "Why would I go to Miami without taking you and Akira? Your senior might have mistaken somebody else for me." 

"The lasagna tastes so good. Prepare it with….." The rest of the words Carlos spoke did not reach the ears of Sapphire. 

Her mind was in a disturbing state of no recovery.

Carlos completed his work at the study by late in the night. Generally by the time his sweetheart is fast asleep and he wouldn't disturb her at any cost. But today he needed her at any cost. The business of Pfizer is expanding and so is the tension associated with it. He needed a break and his wife is the answer for it.

Sex is the best stress reliever. He thanks his lucky stars for having won such an understanding person like Sapphire as his wife.

Turning off the lights of his study, he went to his daughter's bedroom and watched her pristine sleeping form from the entrance. She was putting on pink night wear and two pig tails were flapping on both sides of her face with the breeze coming from the casement.

Carlos shut the window to stop the cold air reaching the room and sat at the side of her bed observing her for a few minutes. A proud smile automatically laces his features. She is his beautiful Sunshine who looks completely like him. 

Bending his head he gingerly places a kiss on her forehead not to disturb her sleep and covers her little body in a blanket.

Carlos walks to their bedroom to find the bed empty but there was light coming from the washroom. He waited for Sapphire to make their night pleasurable but didn't know when his eyes shut off.

During the wee hours of next day when he woke up from sleep the bed beside him was still empty. Consternation crossed Carlos's features as he walked out of the bed looking for Sapphire.

The washroom was empty. Getting down the stairs he searched for Sapphire agitated when he found her smoking deeply in thought on one of the guest room balconies.

"I see you did not sleep the whole night Sapph, what is the issue?" Carlos's voice was laced with concern.

"Nothing much, just work pressure. My senior wants me to go to California for ten days on an important assignment." Sapphire spoke robotically gazing at the lawn and not sparing a look at Carlos. 

"Resign the job. I earn more than sufficient to feed both of you." He spoke decidedly. "I thought you quit smoking when we were planning for a child but I see you have restarted it. You are taking too much pressure from this employment." He bit the words and nipped the cigarette in the ashtray before snatching it from between her fingers.

Was Carlos really a caring husband and father or is Sapphire's uncertainty about him the real truth?