Chapter 6
As expected of the Head of the Bennett Family, James got the VIP treatment the moment he walked in. Someone came over to greet him personally and took him straight to the VIP suite.
"If you see something you like, bid on it. I'll cover the cost," James said.
That was the kind of bold, generous line that would sweep any woman off her feet.
Sophia's lips curled into a smile, her eyes lighting up without her even realizing it.
She replied with a cheerful lilt in her voice.
"No need. If I'm buying a gift for Arthur, it has to be from me to show I really mean it," Sophia said.
James didn't insist.
"Take your time and look around. I've got a few things to handle, but I'll be back soon," he said.
Sophia nodded. "Okay."
I followed James to the auction's backstage area.
When I saw the chairman come out to greet James in person, it hit me. This whole auction was actually his own private operation.
Even after six years of marriage, I didn't really know much about James. I had no clue how rich he actually was.
For someone like me, with no future ahead, money didn't hold any appeal.
It would only weigh me down. Thinking about dying with money I hadn't even spent made it feel even more miserable.
Of course, James didn't really know me either. As a bride chosen to bring luck to the family, he naturally had no reason to pay me any extra attention.
"Did you find what I asked for?" James asked.
The chairman nodded. "Yes, it had arrived. I was about to call you."
With that, he had someone bring over the gem.
James took the box and opened it. I leaned in for a look. It was a set of sapphire jewelry.
I'd seen this set online before. It was the same jewelry worn by the British Queen from the last century.
Is James really going to give this to Sophia? Man, true love really does make a difference, I thought.
James handed the box to Wesley and headed back to the VIP suite.
Sophia had already won the bid for the gift she wanted to give to Arthur.
After dropping Sophia off at home, James headed back to his apartment near the office.
"Send that jewelry set to Lakeview Residence, and give her Arthur's gift as well, so she can take it to the party for him," James instructed.
He must have meant me. I never thought that jewelry was meant for me.
But thinking about it, it made sense. If I showed up at Arthur's birthday party looking too shabby, it would embarrass James.
Such beautiful jewelry, but all I can do is look at it. I'll never get to wear it.
It was rare for James to come home and not bury himself in work. Tonight, he sat there, phone in hand, clearly waiting for a call.
When Sophia's name showed up on the screen, he answered without even checking the caller ID. You could tell he'd been waiting for this call all night.
I thought he was waiting for some urgent business call, but it turned out he was waiting for Sophia to call.
Seeing James so excited for her call, I felt like I was nothing but a punchline.
I didn't bother eavesdropping on their conversation. I left James' room and ended up crashing on the living room couch that night.
On the day of Arthur's birthday party, James left work early.
Sophia wanted to go to the party with James, but he had a driver pick her up and take her there instead.
When you really like someone, you always make sure everything's taken care of for them.
James probably didn't want people thinking Sophia was messing with someone else's marriage.
When you truly care about someone, you'd never want them to get hurt, not even a little.