Chapter 4: A New Home
1165 Words
As dusk settled, Simon Kent stepped through his front door and was gobsmacked. The once dreary abode was now a beacon of coziness.
On the dining table, a shiny new calendar hung quietly. Purple wisteria adorned the walls, while cutesy number magnets jazzed up the fridge. Even the once chilly coffee table now boasted a basket brimming with sunny fruits, like a cluster of sunflowers.
The kitchen was a sight, with pots and pans aplenty, breathing life into the space. A stark contrast to the old black-and-white vibe, even the artwork on the walls now warmed the room with their cheery hues.
All this change? A clear sign of his other half, Julia Wilde's zest for life. Simon Kent arched an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his mind.
He moved closer to the artwork, eyes landing on the signature and softly uttered, “Julia...” Did she paint this herself?
Just then, Julia Wilde glided in from the kitchen, homemade shrimp noodles in hand, and asked gently, “Didn’t know how you’d sort your dinner, so I whipped up a little something. Wanna try?”
She'd prepared a meal for two, complete with durian tarts, just in case Simon Kent turned up his nose – they'd serve for breakfast otherwise.
Simon Kent paused on the plump shrimp, their springy texture paired with the scallion-infused bone broth, made his mouth water.
He didn’t decline. After a tentative sip of the broth, he was taken aback – it was pretty darn good. Used to meals crafted by top chefs, and the Kent family’s chef being a culinary wizard, this noodle dish was a novel experience for him.
Julia Wilde watched him dine with grace, then quietly sat down to savor her own meal.
Recalling the signed painting, Simon Kent asked in a measured tone, “Did you paint that?”
Julia Wilde nodded, a brief response.
A flicker of surprise in his eyes, he listened as she explained, “Loved painting as a kid. Took some lessons before my parents... passed away.”
Memories of her file flickered in his mind – her parents had indeed died when she was young.
He commented calmly, “You’re quite good. Keep at it if you enjoy it.”
Julia Wilde blinked, “You know about art?”
He paused, “Picked up a thing or two chatting with riders while driving Uber. Can appreciate a bit.”
“That’s cool,” she acknowledged, understanding the hardships of Uber driving, yet the exposure to diverse walks of life.
Simon Kent let the topic drop.
They ate their noodles, few words exchanged. Simon Kent polished off his bowl – a rarity.
Post dinner, he handed her a card, nonchalantly saying, “That’s some savings from my wages. Let’s use it for household expenses.”
“No need…” Julia instinctively resisted, but he left the card on the table, “I ate your cooking tonight, not fond of freeloading.”
She agreed, nodding seriously, “I’ll keep tabs. Won’t let you down.”
A smile tugged at Simon Kent's lips.
The three rooms: the master for Simon Kent, a secondary for Julia Wilde, and she'd turned the third into a cozy study.
Despite industry blacklisting, uncle Kent had mentioned Simon’s prestigious education. Driving Uber was no long-term gig.
She felt Simon Kent wouldn't always just be an Uber driver. With the study, he might find his ambition again.
She kept these thoughts to herself; he didn't notice her intent. For now, he was just squinting at the cramped master bedroom, massaging his temple.
Never lived in a room so small.
Felt kinda claustrophobic.
He glanced at Julia Wilde’s room, puzzled.
How did she seem so content and at ease here?
Julia, oblivious to his musing, washed up, wished him goodnight, and retreated contentedly to her sanctuary.
The next day.
Julia Wilde whipped up a breakfast of sweet potato corn porridge, boiled eggs, and beef patties. The delicious smells filled the air. She left a note for Simon Kent so he could dig in when he woke up. She had taken a couple of days off from school to deal with some family stuff.
Today was her bestie Cindy's little boy Osborn's birthday. Julia had promised to make it a day to remember with Cindy. When they met up, Cindy teased, "What have you been up to these past days? Osborn's been missing his godmother, you know."
Julia playfully tickled Osborn, casually saying, "Just getting married and moving house."
Cindy nearly spat out her drink, "Huh?"
As best friends go, Cindy was Julia's go-to gal. Julia had no plans to keep secrets from her, so she spilled the beans about the past two days.
"An Uber driver..." Cindy frowned, "Julia, even if you've decided to tie the knot, you shouldn't settle. You said he's blacklisted in his field—that doesn't bode well for his future. And a shotgun wedding after just one date? Marriage is all about getting to know each other and having a solid foundation."
Julia smiled, "I think he's great. Plus, he's educated. He's bound to make something of himself. And let's be honest, that handsome face of his? Makes me happy just looking at it."
After hearing this, Cindy couldn't help but think about her own marriage. She and her husband had been together seven years, both with decent jobs, but life had become a grind. The daily grind and the kids had put a strain on their relationship. Maybe Julia would be luckier, maybe she'd found the right one.
"Fair point, at least you said he's easy on the eyes," Cindy suddenly got interested, "Since he's an Uber driver, see if he's free for lunch. We can all eat together. Osborn can meet his godfather."
Julia hesitated, "I'll ask him."
When Julia called, Simon Kent was tearing into someone at work. Used to being top dog, his temper could be intimidating. But he calmed down after picking up, "Hello?"
Julia passed on Cindy's idea, and Simon coolly agreed, "Got it. Tell me where, and I'll be there soon."
Julia gave him the address and hung up.
A few minutes later.
The execs and assistants at Kent's mopped their brows as they left the boss's office, murmuring, "Who was on the phone with Mr. Kent? Saved our skins..."
Julia was clueless about the drama at Kent's. She, Cindy, and Osborn had a blast at the amusement park, then caught a cab to the restaurant.
At the eatery, Cindy and Julia were ordering when Osborn bumped into someone with an ice cream cone. The guy cussed out, "You little rascal, do you have any idea how much this outfit cost me? Can you even afford to clean it? What, are you blind..."
That voice sounded familiar. Julia got mad, wiped Osborn's tears, and stood protectively in front of him. She looked up, and her eyes met Rupert's, which lit up instantly.
"Julia, what are you doing here?"
- Writer
