004 - Ruby, Aquamarine

Adrian fulfilled his promise. Just as the clock struck midnight, Sophie could hear the beeping of their door system. She swiftly assumed her usual role. The wife, who was always ready to welcome her husband back.

“Adrian, you’re too much,” Sophie said with a pout. “Not a word, not even a text. Do I have to go through Mr. Abbott to get news on you from now on?”

Usually, Adrian would coax her when he saw her pout. But now, he seemed a bit awkward.

“Adrian? What? Did something happen?”

Adrian was at a loss for words. But he didn’t need to say anything, because from behind him, a figure stepped out. Petite, precious, with a professional blazer and pencil skirt. 

Julia Hall.

“Ms. Hall, you’re here,” Sophie said, not bothering to sound welcoming. She then turned to Adrian, her eyes demanding explanation.

“It’s late. I promised you I’d come back tonight, but I can’t just let her come back alone. Her neighborhood…”

He brought her here. Adrian Beckett had really brought Julia Hall to their penthouse.

Good thing Sophie’s smile was so trained, it didn’t betray anything.

“I see,” was all she said. “I understand. It is dangerous for a girl to be out there at this hour. Please wait. I’ll tell my housekeeper to prepare the guestroom.”

Perfect hospitality. Perfect smile. Perfectly understanding wife. Sophie had given Adrian no room for wanting. She once again turned to Adrian, her smile unfazed. “What a good boss you are, Adrian. I’m so proud of you.”

It made Adrian feel even more awkward instead.

“I’m sorry to impose, Mrs. Beckett.” At least Julia Hall had the common sense here.

Sophie expected that much. For a woman to bewitch Adrian, she expected someone capable. “Then, please make yourself at home,” she said, putting emphasis on the last two words. “The housekeeper will let you know when your room is ready.”

As Sophie retreated back to her room, she noticed that Adrian didn’t follow. Once again, she pouted. “Adrian, my dear, don’t you have a promise to fulfill?”

Adrian smiled, saying goodbye to Julia. His gaze lingered for a beat too long before he finally followed Sophie. Sophie didn’t miss it. She couldn’t—they made it too obvious.

In their room, Sophie said nothing. She was just there, calmly making the bed. Adrian sat on an armchair, watching her. Seeing as Sophie was silent, he tried to break it first.

“Are you sulking right now?” he asked with a playful grin. In his head, Sophie was just angry that he disappeared for two days.

“No,” said Sophie. “It’s just that my husband left me at a restaurant, didn’t contact me for two days, and when he came home, he brought a woman with him.”

Adrian was left speechless. He ran a hand through his hair. “I know, I’m sorry, okay?”

Then he pulled out something from his inner pocket. “Here, I got you something.” In his hand was a velvet box. When opened, it revealed a necklace with a brilliant, deep blood ruby as a pendant. “It’s your birthstone.”

Sophie paused. Her gaze landed on the ruby necklace, then to Adrian, smiling obliviously. “No,” she said. “Ruby is a birthstone for July.”

Adrian went stiff. Just for a moment, before he composed himself and pulled out another box. “Sorry, that was a mix-up.”

“Whose birthday was in July, Adrian?”

“Look, it was a mistake, okay? Here, this is your actual gift,” Adrian said, trying to brush the matter over. This time, it was a necklace with aquamarine. A correct stone as Sophie was born in March.

Sophie stayed silent, and it dragged for a second too long that it left Adrian feeling nervous. “Do you like it?” he finally asked.

After a moment, Sophie finally nodded. When she lifted her head, a cute pout was there. “But you still owe me a punishment. Two days, just for me. To replace the two days you went missing on me.”

“Yes, yes, my cute needy darling,” Adrian said, pulling Sophie in an embrace.

“Just. The two of us.”

To this, Adrian didn’t say anything. He just smiled, kissed Sophie on her forehead, then got in the shower. Sophie just watched as his figure disappeared into the bathroom.

She just realized that the oud and musk scent was nowhere to be found.