Chapter 15: Chapter 15

"I'm glad you're coming," commented Aaron shortly after seeing his wife emerge from behind the door in his room. That woman always looked beautiful. A pastel knee-length dress wrapped her beautifully along with her long hair that she didn't tie. Ah, Helena was beautiful. Always.

Helena closed the door behind her, then walked over to the big sofa there. "Of course. I promised you," she replied as she put the handbag, she was carrying on the table.

Aaron glanced at his watch. It was exactly fifteen minutes before lunch. "Can you wait a minute? I have to finish this first," he said, referring to the file in his hand.

Helena understood that. She nodded and silently let Aaron return to his work. It was the risk of visiting people's offices. She didn't want to interfere with Aaron during his working hours. After all, who was she? She was not Aaron's employee or co-worker. So, it was unethical for her to be selfish and asked him to pay attention to her.

Helena filled the silence between them by observing the room she was in. Her husband's office was not extensive. Maybe, only as big as her bedroom. Or smaller considering the minimalist decor of the place. There was only a set of desks that Aaron was currently using, a set of sofas to receive the guests, and a bookshelf that was not fully occupied. The man used a monochrome pattern—grey and white—to color his workspace.

Helena walked in silence. Of course, she didn't want to break his concentration. Slowly, she stepped closer to her husband and stopped in front of a large window behind his desk. The view of the blue sky decorated with white clouds instantly greeted her. Even from a distance, she could see. The panorama was what made her standing in her position to see more clearly.

Her hands crossed, apparently starting to enjoy the activity. Looking up at the sky from above was better than looking up from below. The blue sky felt close, although no one could answer how high it was. Yes, it was a mystery of nature that could either be answered or not.

Suddenly a pair of giant hands wrapped around her stomach. Helena was a little surprised but couldn't help as the hand gripped her tighter. Currently, her body was attached to the owner's hand.

"What are you thinking about?"

The deep voice sounded very close to her ears. And she could feel her husband's warm breath brushing against her skin. Then, a peck landed there. "I was thinking… When are we going to eat?" she lied because there wasn't anything she thought about. She was just enjoying the scene in front of her.

Aaron chuckled. Whether Helena was serious about it or just an excuse to get away from him, he still didn't want to free her from his embrace. "What do you bring?"

"Just see for yourself."

"Five minutes," said Aaron quickly as soon as he felt Helena's move to get away from him. "Leave it like this for another five minutes." He repeated his words.

Helena was silent. She no longer moved her body. That was a sign that Helena didn't refuse and let his big body surround her. She even leaned her body slightly against his chest behind.

"How was your meeting?"

"It went well. We've worked together before. So, I'm sure this time it will also go smoothly."

Aaron muttered, understanding her answer. "That sounds good. I hope it will all be over soon."

"If it's done, then what?"

"We are going on vacation," replied Aaron quickly. "You want me to say this, don't you?"

Helena smiled, a smile that was invisible to Aaron. The man was right. She wanted Aaron to say it, more precisely, to remember it. That was her way of reminding her husband of the words that came from his lips a few days ago. Oh, she was also looking forward to their vacation. "You know me well."

"Sure."

His short answer reminded her of something. "If you know me well-" Helena forced her body to move and twist until they were facing each other "-instead of five more minutes, we should eat now. Are you not hungry?" Her gaze locked on his eyes.

Aaron sighed as if he was unable to refuse in front of his wife's brown irises. However, that was a fact. Her eyes could always make him melt and granted whatever she wished. "Though, I still want to hug you. But, okay," he said resignedly.

Helena smiled widely. She removed his arm from her body, then took Aaron's one hand away from the window.

"You cooked it yourself?" asked Aaron after sitting down on the sofa with Helena beside him. He saw his wife began to unpack the lunch box she was carrying.

"Yes. I don't know what to name it. But, this is a modification of a Thai recipe I read."

Aaron nodded. It seemed Helena was serious about her idea. It had been two days, and the woman was still consistently making Thai dishes, although with many modifications because she had to adjust the taste and the existing ingredients. So far, the results had not been disappointing. Instead, he learned new recipes because he often helped his wife prepare their dinner.

The dishes in front of him did not look disappointing. Or maybe it was tempting. His stomach seemed to want to be satisfied as soon as he saw the food inside the lunch box. His hand reflexively took a spoon and was ready to scoop the neatly arranged food when suddenly his office door opened. They both turned to the source of the voice.

"Sorry, I thought Mr. Houston haven't had lunch yet."

It turned out that it was Beatrice. She was standing in the doorway with a very obvious nervousness she made.

"You can see for yourself, can't you?" quipped Helena, no longer using the flat tone in her voice.

"I meant to invite Mr. Houston to have lunch together or to buy lunch for Mr. Houston. But, it doesn't seem necessary."

Instead of taking her steps straight away, Beatrice continued her words which made Helena uncomfortable. At first, she didn't want to get into an argument with Aaron's secretary. However, it was not in line with Beatrice's actions which somehow provoked her. "If you knew that well, then you should be able to give us both some privacy," she said, trying to keep her composure.

"I'm sorry."

And the door closed again, leaving Helena and Aaron in a sudden awkwardness. How came? Beatrice appeared without warning and interrupted their time together. If it related to work, Helena wouldn't mind it. But, what did Beatrice say? Having lunch together? Buying him lunch? Couldn't Beatrice have guessed her visit to her husband's office at lunchtime? What stupid woman didn't know that her purpose in visiting her husband's office was none other than having lunch with Aaron.

"I don't like her," Helena commented scathingly. Her emotions rose when she thought of Beatrice's words at the beginning of their meeting. The woman had lied to her by saying that Aaron had an appointment, which there was none at all. The proof, he greeted her happily.

"Why? She did a great job."

Helena turned her face towards Aaron. Her gaze showed her disbelief at her husband's statement. "Seriously?"