“Ethan… I can’t. Tomorrow, I promise.”
“So be it,” he sighed. “But spend this afternoon with me. Wilkins can take you home after dinner,” he offered.
“Before dinner. Seven o’clock.” She kissed him lightly. “It’s the best I can do.”
“Are you going out this evening?” His demeanor darkened.
“No. I have a contract to review.” Yeah, she’s a blonde, blue-eyed three-year-old contract.
The car parked in front of a brick building. Ethan leaped out and held his hand for Sophia.
“Remember your promise,” he insisted as Sophia stepped on the pavement and looked around warily. “Shall I blindfold you?”
“Blindfold me? What for? I promised I wouldn’t get mad and you said we weren’t going shopping.”
“I said we weren’t buying more clothes,” he corrected and guided her by the hand in the direction of a jewelry shop.
Sophia planted her heels on the ground.
“You won’t make a scene in the middle of Sloane Street, will you?” He stared back at her. “You promised.”
“Ethan… Please. There is no need for this.” His generosity and domineering behavior distressed her. At Christmas, he had already given her a whole set of jewels. “I don’t feel comfortable with so many gifts.”
“Indulge me, please, baby,” he asked her sweetly.
How can I say no? She let him tow her into the shop.
The instant they entered it, a beautiful woman came to greet them with a big smile on her face.
“I’m Ethan Ashford,” he smiled and the woman melted at his charm. “We have an appointment with Mr. Arkade.”
“Of course. He’s expecting you, Mr. Ashford.” The woman eyed Sophia speculatively, taking notice of her purple three quarter sleeve wool dress from Carolina Herrera with a deep V-neckline and classic multicolored patchwork bag, black lambskin high heel booties, and long black lambskin gloves from Chanel. She opened a door at the end of the shop and motioned them to follow. “May I take your coats?” Sophia handed her dark gray overcoat trimmed with purple and lilac fox fur and Ethan gave her his black one. “Please, be seated. Mr. Arkade will be here in a moment. Would you like something to drink?”
I don’t need jewels, Ethan. I have so many that Gabr-Understanding dawned on her when she remembered his words on the restaurant. This is jealousy and it’s absolutely ridiculous, Ethan. It’s abuse. You’re trying to dictate what I can wear while I am with you. “Still water, please.” Sophia took off her gloves.
“The same for me.” Ethan smiled at the woman who grinned at him, bewitched by his charm.
“Is it always like this?” asked Sophia, amused.
“Like what?” he frowned.
“Women falling at your feet?” She giggled. “Oh, my. I can’t believe I just said that out loud.” She put a hand on her mouth. “Mr. Ashford, you’re a danger to my sanity.”
He grinned at her. “The only woman I’m interested in is here in this room.” His blue eyes flamed. “Let me see your watch.”
She extended her arm for him to look at her Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega Four with rubies.
“Take it off, please,” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Why not?” He frowned. “Is it a fake?”
“Of course not.” She replied with indignation. “It’s a work of art.”
“Yes, it is. It is one of the most complex wristwatches in the world, looked at in three hundred and sixty degrees.” He eyed her sideways, “Please?”
Sophia relented.
As he turned the watch, he noticed an engraving on the leather bracelet.
‘Para G., o amor da minha vida.
Eternamente sua, S. 27/09/2002.’
“What is written here?” he asked.
Oh, damn. Mr. Jealousy is about to enter the room. “For G., the love of my life. Forever yours, S.”
He stiffened. “Who is G?”
She sighed. “My late husband.”
His hand closed around the watch, his knuckles white. “You got married when you were eighteen years old?” he thundered.
“Ethan… Please.” She opened her hand to receive the watch back.
“You didn’t answer my question.” His anger was boiling.
“I married when I was seventeen. On September the twenty-seventh, two thousand one.”
“You were a child. How old was he?” His azure eyes were bright.
“Give me back my watch.” She thinned her lips.
“I don’t think so!” he threatened. “Answer me.”
“I don’t discuss my husband. Not with you, not with anyone. I don’t feel like it. It’s a part of my life that has ended.” God! The man is more than just jealous. “Give me my watch back. My husband is dead. Six feet under. Cold and alone.” Her voice choked and she snatched the watch from his hand. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?” I wish I weren’t; I wish I were buried with Gabriel. “Why are you spoiling for a fight? Do you want me to leave?” Her low, sorrowful voice and withheld tears cut deep within him. They were worse than shouts.
“No,” he stared at her, surprised, “no.” His thumbs dried the wetness on her eyes. “Please, don’t cry. I’m sorry. I’ve told you I don’t like you using things other men gave you.”
She pleaded with a susurrus, “Let’s not argue about this, please.” God! Gabriel gave me everything! I was married for almost seven years!
The woman knocked on the door, bringing two crystal glasses of water on a small silver salver. She put the glasses on the table and hastily exited the room, returning with Mr. Arkade and trays plus trays loaded with jewels.
“Mr. Ashford, it’s an honor to receive you again.” He shook hands with Ethan and nodded at Sophia. “Mademoiselle, it’s a pleasure.”
Sophia acknowledged the little man. What am I doing there? I’m no frivolous woman to accept jewels from a man I barely know. More jewels, Sophia, remember. More jewels.
“So, Mr. Ashford, do you have something specific in mind?”
“It’s up to the lady. But I thought about Van Cleef.” He turned to Sophia. “You like Van Cleef, don’t you? Perhaps you prefer something different?”
“Anything you feel like. I love Van Cleef.”
Mr. Arkade motioned for his assistant to put the trays on the table and started sorting through them. “I have some beautiful butterfly diamond clips and necklaces.”
“Ah… Nothing with butterflies, please.”
“Why not?” Ethan asked her.
She grimaced. “I-I’ll explain later,” she stammered.
“Any preference of color or gem?”
“Sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds.” Ethan enumerated the gems as if they were buttons. “Do you have the new catalogue?”
“Louise, could you please…” Mr. Arkade asked.
Louise handed Ethan a leather covered book. “This is the latest one, sir. Of course, we have the others. As you know Van Cleef is timeless.”
He waved her to put the other catalogues on the table as he peered through the first book. “Hmm… I’d like to see this,” he showed something to the woman, “and the matching complements.” He turned over two more pages. “Also this set with the matching ring.” He passed some more pages and leafed back, “and this one. Come on, Sophia, take a look at the others.”
“Ethan, I’m sure I’m going to like what you have chosen,” she murmured and drank her water, licking her lips.
He leaned in her direction and breathed in her ear. “Do that again and I will buy you the entire shop!”