(JARED’S POV)
I gasped in horror as I quickly swerved the car to the side, narrowly avoiding a head_on collision. My car missed the streetlight pole by mere inches. Heart racing, I brought the car to a halt. The other driver’s cusses rented the air as he drove past. “That was a close one,” I mumbled, grasping the steering wheel tightly.
My heart pounded rapidly, and my hands shook uncontrollably. Just the thought of being involved in an accident made my heart pound.
After a few minutes, I finally got a grip on myself. I turned the car on and continued driving home. Upon arrival, I found Sofia in the sitting room, her legs crossed, typing away on her phone.
She looked stunning; her hair styled, makeup perfectly applied, and wearing a beautiful knee length beige dress. As I approached, I felt that familiar tug of fondness for her, in my heart. “Hi,” I said.
“Hi,” she replied, flashing a bright smile.
“Are you going somewhere?”
She rose from her seat and walked towards me. “The question should be; are we going somewhere?”
My face creased in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“With everything’s that happened, I think you need a break,” she said, tugging at my tie. “I booked us a spot at a nice restaurant, and we’re going there for dinner.”
“Sofia…” I trailed off, hesitant.
“No complaints,” she warned, gently placing a finger on my lips. The act sent jitters through my system. “You’ll go upstairs, have a nice bath, get shaved-your face is a mess with that stubble on it. Afterwards, get dressed in a tux and we’ll head out.”
I knew Sofia wouldn’t take no for an answer, not with her plans in motion. “Fine,” I mumbled. Maybe she was right; I do need a some fresh air to think all that’s been happening, through.
“Good,” she said, patting my arm. “Now go on.”
I nodded, and walked upstairs. Under the refreshing feel of water on my skin, I cleared my thoughts a bit. After shaving, I dressed in a comfortable white shirt and dark pants, skipping the tux Sofia suggested.
As I made my way downstairs, I checked my watch-almost 6 pm. Early dinner didn’t seem like a bad idea.
Sofia’s eyes lit up when she saw me. “Look how handsome you are!” she squealed, standing up.
“Thank you,” I replied, feeling flattered.
“No wonder Arielle wants you all to herself,” she added, her voice taking on a condescending tone. “Such a selfish woman.”
My smile faltered, and I locked gaze with her. “Can we please not talk about her?”
Sofia raised her hands in mock surrender. “As you wish. The evening is about you and me alone anyway, so I agree, there’s no point involving her.”
I remained silent, and we walked outside together. As I reached for the Bentley’s door handle, Sofia stopped me. “Not that one,” she said.
“Let’s take that one instead,” she said, pointing to the orange Ferrari sports car parked in the garage.
I raised an eyebrow. “You want to take the Ferrari?”
Sofia nodded, a mischievous glow in her eye. “Why not? It’s been accumulating dust. It’s time to take her out for a change.”
“Alright, then,” I said, taking out the key fob that contained the key of every car parked in the garage. Few minutes later, we hit the road. “Where are we going?” I turned to Sofia, realizing she had not given me the direction of the restaurant.
“The restaurant Arielle works in,” she said.
I cast her a curious and suspicion look. “Why that one? If I remember clearly, you bad-mouthed their food the last time you were there.” “That’s because it was prepared by Arielle. She’s not there, so I’m sure the meal will be handled by another chef who knows her job.” “Are you trying to insinuate that Arielle is bad at what she does?”
Sofia gave no response, but leaned over and tapped on the phone’s radio. Soon, the car was filled with the tune of Justin Timberlake’s song.
I saw that as a gesture that the conversation was over, and I didn’t pres further. Merely focused on the road. I soon pulled up at the restaurant, and we alighted.
The moment we did, Sofia locked
arms with me. I turned to give her a questioning.look, and she flashed me radiant smile. I looked around and saw people staring at us in admiration, I decided to play along. I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings in public.
We strode into the restaurant like couples, holding the stares of people Sofia led me to the spot she booked, and it was at the center of the restaurant where we had everyone’s gaze on us.
Sofia suddenly beckoned on a waitress, raising her voice. “Hey, you, come over here. My husband and I will love to place our order.”
At this point, literally everyone was
looking at us turned to Arielle in embarrassment, lowering my voice “That was not necessary, Sofia. There’s a button on the table to alert waiters, and if you didn’t want to use it, there are more civilized ways to beckon a waitress without creating a scene.”
“Are you calling me uncivilized?” She asked, appearing offended.
“Of course not,” I whispered. The last thing I wanted was Sofia throwing tantrums in public. She can be quite a handful.
The waitress soon arrived, and with the way her eyes dimmed, it seemed she recognized us.
“I recognize you, girl. You were the one who served me the poison your incompetent chef made, the last time I was here.” Sofia said. “Ma’am-“
“Oh, keep quiet. I know you’re gonna try to defend her but save it. I want to see the chef in charge.”
“Ma, I can take your orders. She’s currently not available.”
Sofia frowned. “Do you want to lose your job? Get me the chef, right away!”
People were once more looking in our direction, and I tried to signal Sofia to take it easy, but she avoided my gaze.
The frightened waitress scurried off to do as she was told.
“Sofia, you’re being rude. Can you please not create a scene? We’re in a public place, remember?”
“And who cares? I can’t risk eating poison the second time. I have to see the chef in charge, I’m scared of another Arielle.”
I sighed in tiredness. This evening was going to be long, and a far cry from what I expected.
The waitress soon returned, and she was with Rebecca. Surprise etched on her face when she saw me with Sofia, but quickly masked it with a professional smile.
“Hi ma, and Sir, it’s a pleasure-“
“Save it, please,” Sofia said with a wave of her hand. “I see, you’re the chef in charge,” she continued, looking Rebecca up and down.
“Yes, I am.”
“I asked to see you because the last time my husband and I were here, another chef tried to poison my child and I with her bland food-“
The surprise on Rebecca’s face was now palpable, as she cut Sofia short. “Sorry, did you just call him your husband?”
Sofia was offended. More offended at being interrupted than she was at the question. “Yes, why?” She snapped. “Do you have eyes on him?” “No, It’s just that I didn’t realize he had two wives…”
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