Adaline spent her Friday night with Tess at one of their favorite cafes, reliving the routines they used to have when Adaline was still single. Although Tess was already dating Duncan at that time, due to Altezza's busy schedule, Tess and Duncan rarely enjoyed time together.
Adaline wore a knee-length black dress with small floral patterns. The collar was round, and the sleeves puffed up to above her elbows. A white leather belt cinched her slim waist. Her long hair cascaded beautifully in waves down her back, making her look more like a teenage girl than a twenty-five-year-old woman. Perhaps it was because of her petite frame and natural makeup that she looked youthful.
"Have you been waiting long?" Tess sat in front of her, wearing a long-sleeved turtle neck top and a black leather mini skirt. Her body looked beautiful and sensual with curves in all the right places. Even Adaline herself desired Tess's ideal body. Compared to Joanna, Tess had an equally sexy body, just shorter. And that one flaw was what Joanna often teased whenever they met. Her long black hair fell onto her back, slightly damp from the drizzle outside the cafe. Yes, it was drizzling outside, but it only made Tess look even sexier.
"Not too long, I just got here myself. But I haven't ordered anything yet," she said, and then they ordered food while chatting again.
"After this, where do you want to go? Watch a movie or stroll around the mall?" Tess asked after they finished eating.
"Both are fine with me," Adaline agreed. "How's Duncan doing?"
Tess squinted her eyes. "Duncan? Why not ask about the Boss?"
"Oh... I just wanted to know about Duncan, not the Boss," Adaline turned her face away, her cheeks flushed.
"Who knows, maybe you miss your husband but feel embarrassed to ask when he's coming home," she teased again.
"I don't miss him. He said he'll be back tomorrow," Adaline replied shyly.
"Awww... seems like it's getting more intense. Could it be..." Tess teased, making Adaline even more embarrassed.
"What's that, Tess?"
"Hmm..." A cough interrupted their conversation. Adaline and Tess looked up. A young man stood beside them with a bright friendly smile. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be a high school student or maybe a college student.
"Yes, can we help you?" Tess asked politely.
"Um, miss, uh... can I sit here?" The guy asked again, slightly nervously. His tan skin darkened a bit out of embarrassment.
Adaline and Tess were indeed sitting at a round table with four chairs surrounding it. And because Adaline and Tess were sitting facing each other, the chairs on their right sides were empty.
Tess smiled charmingly while Adaline looked at her friend in disbelief. The woman intended to entertain the young man even though she didn't know his motives.
"Sure, the chair is empty."
"Thank you," he replied and then sat next to Tess on her right, meaning he was sitting next to Adaline on her left.
"You're welcome," Tess replied. She rested her elbow on the table and leaned her head on her hand. "So?"
"Can we introduce ourselves?" The guy asked again, extending his hand toward Tess. "I'm Dennis."
Tess shook his hand and smiled warmly. "I'm Tessa, and this is Adaline." Adaline shook his hand. "What's the bet?" Tess asked again.
The guy widened his eyes. His mouth gaped as he looked awkwardly at Tess and Adaline.
"Oh, come on. I know you and your friends are making a bet. I've known it all along," Tess replied, and the guy chuckled nervously, scratching his neck.
"Can I get your phone numbers?" The guy finally asked, handing his phone to Tess.
"Sure, but don't spam us, okay? Especially don't bother us with cheesy pickup lines. I'm a materialistic girl, so I prefer gifts rather than cheap compliments. So, are you still up for it?" Tess challenged. The guy looked astonished but then blushed.
Tessa typed her number into the rectangular device of the young man. 'Beautiful Tessa' was her self-given nickname. Tessa handed her phone to Dennis. Dennis smiled as he saw the name on the screen and pressed the call button, and immediately Tessa's phone rang.
"See," she said, showing the screen of her phone as proof that she wasn't deceiving the young man.
The guy smiled again and was about to hand his phone to Adaline. However, when Adaline reached out for it, the phone was already taken by someone else.
Adaline and Tessa turned simultaneously to the figure who had taken the phone. They were surprised, their mouths wide open.
"Duncan?!"
"S-Sir," they both responded simultaneously.
"So, this is what you're doing behind my back?" Altezza asked, one eyebrow raised and eyes sharp.
"So now, you're into younger guys?" Duncan looked at Tessa cynically.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt once in a while, right?" Tessa replied casually. "We're just lonely girls," she added. Duncan hissed while Altezza was still waiting for Adaline's response.
"S-Sir?" she stuttered.
"Now you're into younger leaves too?" His tone sounded sarcastic.
"No. It's just... um..." Adaline was confused. She felt like a thief caught red-handed. But she hadn't done anything wrong.
Altezza handed the phone to the young man. "She's my wife," he said with a fierce growl. "Even though she's petite and cute, she's already married. Didn't you see our wedding ring on her finger?" Altezza growled. He grabbed Adaline's left hand and showed their wedding ring. His tone sounded threatening, while the young man looked embarrassed.
"I hope we never meet again. And I hope you and your friends never do anything foolish like this again.
"Lucky for you, you met my wife. Because I'm not sure if another woman's husband would react like I did." After that, Altezza grabbed Adaline's right hand and led her out of the cafe.
"S-Sir," Adaline panicked, trying to free her hand from Altezza's grip.
"Yes, Madam?" Altezza replied coldly after they reached the parking area.
"I-It's not what you think," Adaline tried to defend herself.
"What did I see then?" Altezza asked back, his hands folded in front of his chest. His face looked angry, and the dark circles under his eyes showed that he was physically tired. But Adaline was still grateful that Altezza wasn't being rough, whether to her or to the young man who had tried to get her number.
"Madam?" Altezza called her again as Adaline remained silent.
Adaline jumped in surprise, unconsciously biting her lower lip, causing Altezza to tense up instantly.
"That phone, he..."
"I know he tried to introduce himself to you. And that inexperienced kid also asked for your phone numbers. Is there anything else I need to know?" Adaline frowned, then shook her head. So Altezza didn't misunderstand her.
"B-But, how did you come here?" She asked, confused. Now that she realized the situation, Adaline felt puzzled herself. Didn't the man say last night that he wouldn't be coming home yet? Then why was he now towering in front of her? How?
"Oh, come on, Darling. This is the modern age where everything is easy. What's the point of having an assistant as smart as Duncan? Just click to ask anything, and he'll answer," he replied nonchalantly. Adaline could only nod, although she doubted his thoughts.
"Are you both full?" He asked, looking at Adaline and Tessa in turn. Adaline nodded, as did Tessa.
"In that case, where do you want to go for round two?"
"I don't know, maybe we could go to the mall? Or if there's an exciting movie, we could watch that," she suggested again. Altezza just nodded in response. He ushered Adaline into the car. Tessa shouted out the name of the mall they were heading to before getting into Duncan's car.
The journey proceeded in silence; neither Adaline nor Altezza uttered a single word. Adaline didn't want to ask, and Altezza didn't seem inclined to explain.
They arrived at the mall parking lot. Tessa got out of her car and caught up with Adaline as they were about to take the elevator.
"So, where are we going tonight?" she asked Adaline. "If I were you, I'd prefer to spend my boyfriend's money." She whispered again. "Oops, my bad, he's your husband," she teased, winking. Behind them, Duncan and Altezza stood side by side.