Page 95 of The Accidental Wife

Cole

She came.

When I saw that cab pull up from the window and Shayla stepped out, my heart skipped a beat from excitement. I cannot lie; I was worried she would not show. It was ten minutes to two, and she had not arrived. I had lost all hope till I saw that cab. Now here she is, sitting in front of me, curled up in the leather seat reading a book. We took off four hours ago, and Dubai is eight hours from London. I keep sneaking little peeks at her over my laptop on the table. She’s either too engrossed in what she’s reading or is good at faking distraction. I lean back in my chair, bite my lip, and look out of the window, watching the clear blue sky and the clouds down below.

I let my mind drift off to the last time she and I were in this jet flying to Nice. I’d give anything to go back to that day and relive that whole getaway with her again. I did something a little senseless, and I don’t know if or how to tell Shayla about it without ruining this entire trip for us. Last night, when I went back home, Sophie came over, and I explained to her that Shayla would be working at Cult again. When I said she would be mature and understanding, I was wrong, so very wrong. She flipped out on me and accused me of still being in love with Shayla simply because I tracked her down and begged her to come back to work for me. I sigh, recalling the argument we had late last night.

“Sophie, you’re overreacting! It’s just business, babe. I need her for this project, it’s her design. Why can’t you understand that?!” I shout angrily and duck when Sophie hurls another glass toward me. “Christ, will you stop throwing shit at me!”

“You’re a rotten bastard, Tristan!” She screams, picking up another glass. “Why her? You have a million other architects you can work with. Why her Tristan?!” She hollers, her blue eyes icy and glaring at me angrily.

“Because she’s talented!” I retort, trying to reason with her, but she shakes her head.

“Bullshit!” Sophie shrieks, throwing another glass, and it hits the wall beside my head and smashes. “Just admit it, you’re still in love with her, aren’t you?” She cries, and I sigh and shake my head.

“If I were in love with her, why would I divorce her and get back together with you, Soph? I would have never let her walk out of my life, would I, if that were the case, but it’s not. I love you!” I tell her earnestly, and she drops her gaze.

“Do you, Tristan? Because we are right back to where we were a year ago. You’re disengaged again, and you’re working all hours of the day and night. You don’t talk to me. I barely even see you. And now you’re standing there telling me your ex-wife is back in your life, and you’ll be working ‘closely’ with her, and that you’re flying off to Dubai together.” She utters, wiping away the tears that roll down her cheeks. “Can you honestly, hand on your heart, tell me I have nothing to worry about here?” I rub the back of my neck tiredly and shake my head.

“What Shayla and I had is over Soph. This is strictly a professional relationship, babe,” I explain for the umpteenth time. “I have never given you a reason not to trust me. I’ve always been faithful to you. If anyone should have trust issues in this relationship, it’s me with you, because as I remember it, you were the one that slammed the door shut when you walked away from me, not the other way around.” I add, and she looks at me wistfully. “I chose you. What more can I do, Sophie?”

Sophie sighs and pulls out a little blue box and holds it up to me. “Did you buy this for me? Were you going to propose before I left?” I clench my jaw tight and drop my gaze.

“You went through my things?”

“Answer the question. Was this ring bought for me?”

“Yes!” I snap hotly annoyed she would go through my belongings. “I was going to propose that weekend. I had everything planned out, but you took off and left me.” I answer, kicking a shard of glass lying on the floor.

“Well, I’m here now.” She whispers, and I lift my gaze and look at her. Oh shit. When I don’t say anything, she holds up the box and shrugs. “You want to know how you can prove to me that I’m the one, you have your answer.”

“Sophie, we’ve only just got back together. We’re not ready for marriage.” I sputter, and her eyes water.

“It’s me, isn’t it?” She sobs. “You’re never going to marry me.” I look at her while she cries, and I sigh. “I’m tired of waiting, Tristan.”

“Right here? Like this? This is how you want your proposal?” I question, and she shakes her head, wiping away the tears.

“I’ve waited three years for a proposal. At this point, I’ll take what I can get as long as it ends with me putting this ring on and being your fiancée.” She explains, and I press my lips together and fist my hands by my side before I nod and walk over to her, stepping over the broken glass all over the floor.

“I’m not getting down on one knee with all this broken glass,” I say firmly, and she giggles tearfully, nodding. I grab the box and take the ring out. “Sophie, will you—”

“Yes,” She answers in a flurry, and I blink and look at her. I didn’t even get the fucking question out yet. I shake my head and slide the diamond ring on her finger. She cries and hauls herself at me, pressing her lips to mine. I kiss her back for a couple of seconds, and she wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me. I rest my arms around her small waist and stare at the wall ahead numbly. Did I just get engaged?

“Mr Hoult?” I blink and look up at the flight attendant who was holding out some food to me. I take it and smile, thanking her. I look over at Shayla, who shakes her head when offered the food. “You can leave it here. She’ll have it,” I tell her, and Shayla looks at me and scowls.

“I’m not hungry.” She sighs and looks down at her book again. I sigh and close my laptop before I lean over and pluck the book from her hands. “Hey!”

“You’re eating, and that’s final,” I tell her firmly, and she sits up and glares at me narrowing her eyes slightly.

“I will not. I said I’m not hungry.” She argues, sitting back, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Oh, no? But I’ve had it specially delivered for you.” I tell her, raising my brows, and she looks at me and then at the covered dish in front of us, intrigued.

“What is it?” She asks, lifting the silver cover. Those jade eyes grow wide, and she slowly licks her lips.

“Rico sends his love,” I say with a wink, and she smiles beautifully, just like she used to. It’s been a while since I’ve seen that smile, and I miss it. I miss the way it warms my insides like hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe you got the Shayla Special. Cole, this is so sweet of you. I honestly haven’t had the time to go recently.” She gushes, picking up her fork, and leans over to smell the food, her eyes closing. I watch her with a smile. It’s so easy to make her happy. I have never met anyone so easy to please in my life. That’s my favourite trait of hers. She has many good characteristics, but that one is for sure the best thing about her.