005 - Slipping Masks

Early in the morning, Sophie woke up to yet another charade.

When she opened her eyes, she couldn’t find Adrian. She found him in the kitchen, operating the coffee machine. It was what she got for their first wedding anniversary, back when Sophie said she wished to enjoy espresso anytime she wanted.

Now, Adrian stood there, making two shots. Before, Adrian would have one shot and Sophie the other. Not today. What she saw was Adrian and Julia, sitting across from each other. Before them were a glass of espresso and Adrian’s special sandwich. He used to make it for Sophie back when they were still struggling students. A simple toast with a slice of ham, cheese, tomato, lettuce, and a special sauce that Adrian refused to disclose even today.

Sophie exhaled. She never knew that even those memories were no longer theirs alone.

Julia Hall sat there with comfortable ease, as if it was her own place. It didn’t help that Adrian was there, smiling with undeniable tenderness, like he was looking at his most precious person. 

Sophie had hoped she was just misunderstanding. That she was just paranoid, and the relationship between Adrian and Julia had been strictly professional. But that gaze, those loving eyes that used to be only for Sophie, were now directed at someone else.

For once, Sophie found it hard to maintain her smile.

Her steps towards the kitchen felt heavier than usual. Adrian noticed Sophie, his smile grew as he walked over. “There you are, sleepyhead,” he said with that velvety voice of his. His arm effortlessly wrapped around Sophie’s waist, guiding her to the dining table, to a seat next to him. He swiftly set up her coffee and sandwich.

“Good morning, Mrs. Beckett,” Julia Hall politely greeted. Sophie returned with an equally polite smile.

“Ms. Hall,” Sophie said. “Did you have a good rest?”

“Oh, the room was comfortable, yes. Sadly I was too… occupied, to sleep.”

For a split second, Adrian’s fork stopped. Sophie didn’t miss that, just like she didn’t miss the flashing provocation in Julia’s eyes.

“Really?” But Sophie didn’t want to give in to Julia’s taunt. Too soon. “That’s too bad,” that was all Sophie gave.

Julia didn’t get the reaction she wanted, so she kept silent. Adrian was completely silent altogether. Occasionally he spoke of work, as if deliberately using specialized jargon thinking Sophie wouldn’t understand. Julia effortlessly responded with precise professionalism, and soon their conversation evolved into something out of Sophie’s reach.

And they would be right. Sophie Beckett wouldn’t understand.

“Adrian,” Sophie interrupted. “What do we think about work talk at the dining table?”

Adrian paused, then turned to Sophie with an apologetic face. “Sorry, darling,” he said, and with two quick bites he finished his meal. “I’ll go change.”

With that, he walked towards their room.

Julia Hall, also finished with her meals, stood up. “And I, too, shall excuse myself. I need to prepare for work.”

Sophie was left alone in the kitchen, her sandwich untouched. With a sigh, she walked back to her room to help Adrian prepare. She found Adrian buttoned up his shirt, and for the first time in three years, she didn’t feel like helping. After all, he was preparing himself for a day with Julia.

“Oh, darling,” Adrian called. “Just in time. Which ties should I use today?”

When Sophie didn’t answer and walked towards the armchair instead, Adrian finally noticed something wrong.

“Sophie?”

Sophie locked Adrian’s gaze, her eyes betrayed nothing he could name. Only a sense of exhaustion and apparent confusion. When Adrian saw this, he felt a stir of unease. But this was Sophie. His meek and understanding Sophie. Adrian figured she was still sulking about his disappearance. With just a little bit of coaxing, she’d calm down. 

Before Adrian managed to say anything, Sophie spoke first. “Something feels different.”

Adrian froze.

“You’re not one to just disappear on me, but you were gone for two days without a word. You were the one who set up rules of ‘no work talk during meal’, yet you broke it this morning.”

“Sophie…”

“Whose birthday was in July, Adrian?”

“Sophie, I told you it was a mistake—" Adrian didn’t seem to realize that he had raised his voice. When he caught himself, he stopped, then turned to Sophie. A flash of panic crossed his face. “Look, I didn’t mean—”

But Sophie said nothing. Her eyes widened. She couldn’t believe that Adrian, ever the soft-spoken man, had just raised his voice at her. In a moment, Sophie felt hotness in her eyes.

So Sophie was not as detached as she thought she was.

Adrian saw Sophie’s tears, and he felt a pang of guilt. “Sophie, my darling, I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please don’t cry, okay?” he said, scrambling to calm her down. He was about to hug Sophie, but Sophie refused, her hands pushing Adrian away. “Sophie…”

“Something is different, Adrian,” Sophie said, her voice as low as a whisper. She lifted her head, her eyes meeting Adrian’s. As if having no more energy to pretend, she didn’t realize the face she had right now.

For the first time in three years, she was Sophie Langham once again. Fierce, resolute, with a piercing gaze that reached Adrian’s soul.

“You’re different.”

For some reason, Adrian felt a shiver down his spine.