Chapter 26: You Don't Understand Anything
For many years, Henry thought he loved Ariel. To outsiders, he was the perfect boyfriend, deeply in love with Ariel. But deep down, there was someone else. When that person appeared, everything else paled in comparison.
Henry carefully packed up the artwork. Right now, work was his only excuse to sit down and talk to Sophia.
"I have some friends who might need your services. Can they contact you?"
"Of course."
Seeing her eyes light up, Henry couldn't help but smile. Sophia thought Henry's friends must also be wealthy. If everyone were as generous as Henry, her financial troubles would soon be over.
Sophia's phone buzzed. It was Isabella calling to let her know that the notorious manager, Lynn, was at the office waiting to discuss the final draft.
"Here's my card. If your friends need anything, they can contact me directly."
Sophia handed over her business card, grabbed her bag, and stood up. Lynn was not someone to be kept waiting.
In her haste, Sophia tripped over a chair.
"Careful!"
If Henry hadn't reached out to steady her, Sophia might have kissed the floor.
"Oh my god, isn't that Sophia and Henry?"
Ella and some colleagues happened to arrive at the café entrance.
Ella quickly pulled out her phone and snapped a photo.
"Who knows what they're up to?"
One of their high school classmates, James, whispered to Ella.
"Didn't Henry chase after Sophia back in high school?"
Ariel's expression darkened. "Who said that?"
"Wasn't it the rumor back then that Henry liked Sophia?"
Ella hesitated. Back in high school, Henry was quite the heartthrob. He and Sophia were almost a thing until Ariel came along. Their relationship became the talk of the school.
Ella looked at James with disdain. "What do you know? How could Sophia compare to Ariel?"
Henry wasn't stupid. Why would he choose Sophia over Ariel?
After regaining her balance, Sophia thanked Henry and hurried off.
At the entrance, she bumped into Ariel, who intentionally rammed her shoulder.
"Oh, sorry, didn't see you there."
Sophia shot her a cold glare, too pressed for time to engage in a confrontation.
Rushing to the office, Sophia found Lynn sipping coffee at her desk.
Seeing Sophia out of breath, Lynn frowned slightly. "No need to rush. It's not that urgent."
"Sorry, Lynn. I had something to take care of."
Lynn's gaze swept over her, finally resting on her face.
"Not getting enough rest?"
"Uh, I've been working on a project."
Lynn took a sip of coffee, her eyes meaningful. "Taking on side jobs?"
Sophia froze. How did she know?
"Relax."
Lynn suppressed a smile, finding Sophia quite endearing. She couldn't understand why Preston would let Sophia work so hard. He had no gentlemanly manners at all.
"The coffee's good."
Lynn didn't press further, and Sophia felt grateful.
"Don't worry, Lynn. I won't let it affect our progress."
"No rush. Take the next couple of days to rest. You can give me the draft next week."
Lynn stood up to leave but then turned back to ask, "Do you need money?"
Sophia was momentarily stunned by Lynn's directness. She couldn't lie to someone so imposing.
"A little."
Lynn was even more surprised by Sophia's honesty and nodded thoughtfully.
"I'm not in a hurry. Take care of yourself."
As soon as Lynn left Sophia's office, she called Preston.
"I hear you're too broke to support your wife?"
Preston had just finished a tense meeting, the atmosphere still heavy. He loosened his tie, his expression softening a bit.
"Who said that?"
"Your wife is pulling all-nighters to earn extra cash. You didn't know?"
Lynn's words reminded Preston of how hard Sophia had been working lately.
"You really didn't know?"
"The next quarter's project is yours."
Preston hung up, leaving Lynn staring at her phone. So Preston's way of showing gratitude was to throw money at the problem?
She had been eyeing that project for a long time.
Lynn happily opened her car door. Having Sophia was like owning a goldmine.
Preston instructed his secretary to look into Sophia's shop. She was running it well.
"Negotiate the price with her. High demand, high price, long-term contract."
Preston's pen tapped lightly on the paper. "Not too many orders per month. Ensure she has a normal life."
The secretary's lips twitched. It wasn't the first time he'd seen his boss secretly taking care of his wife.
"Understood."
...
Sophia finished Lynn's draft and, with a little extra income, bought ingredients to cook a celebratory dinner.
When Preston returned from work, he found Sophia busy in the kitchen.
"You're back. Dinner will be ready soon."
Sophia turned to smile at him. "Don't rush."
"Celebrating something?"
Sophia brought out the last dish. "My financial troubles are easing up."
She served Preston some soup. "And I got a big order. The client needs artwork every month."
Preston sipped the soup, nodding. "That's great."
Sophia radiated happiness. Preston wiped his hands, pulling out a card and handing it to her.
"My paycheck."
Sophia was taken aback, confused.
Preston nodded calmly. "Isn't it customary to hand over the paycheck when you're married?"
Their eyes met, and Sophia felt flustered.
If he handed over his paycheck, did that mean he was serious about being with her?
"If it's not enough, there's also a bonus from work."
Sophia's mind raced. "You... you want to live... together?"
Sophia's curious and surprised gaze locked with Preston's. He slowly met her eyes.
"What else would I want?"
Preston loosened his tie and took off his jacket, revealing a tight white shirt over his well-built chest.
His physique was impressive. Sophia quickly averted her eyes, blinking rapidly.
"Any clothes you need to wash?"
"I... I've already done my laundry."
Preston nodded. Sophia only dared to look at him once his footsteps faded away.
When he said "what else," did he mean they should live like a normal couple?
Did that mean they would share the same bedroom in the future?
Sophia glanced at her bedroom door.
Preston had been a gentleman, letting her have the master bedroom when they moved in.
Sophia patted her warm cheeks. "Don't overthink it."