A Cruel Coincidence
1093 Words
Daniel
"It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Ashford. I’m sure that this deal will bring much returns for both our companies.", the representative said, stretching out his hand.
He was a man who didn't smile often, and was said to be difficult to negotiate. But today, he looked like he had been satisfied with the outcome
I shook his hand.
"The pleasure is all mine"
I watched him leave. The door swung shut behind him.
I sank back into my chair. The agreement that we both signed lying right in front of me.
I figured that I should be thrilled, like I should want to throw a party to seal the win. But nothing.
My phone rang on my desk, cutting through the silence. I leaned over to see who it was before sliding to answer.
"Babe?" Jade’s voice came through the speaker with excitement, too excited for my current mood.
"Jade," I said, leaning back and rubbing the bridge of my nose.
"Are you done with work yet? I’ve been waiting for hours. You promised, remember?"
I closed my eyes, going over my mental calendar to remember.
The mall.
I had promised her that we would get everything we needed for our vacation trip to the Maldives at the end of the month.
"I remember," I said, my voice flat. "I just closed the deal. I'm finishing up a few things here."
"Great job, babe! That’s exactly why we should celebrate. I’ve already picked out a list of places I want us to check. Are you leaving now?"
"I'll be there soon," I told her.
"Don't be late!"
"I won't. I'll meet you at home."
I hung up before she would start to tell me about all the latest designer outfits she had seen online.
I sat there quietly for about a minute. I looked at the empty chair on the other side of my desk.
For a second, I expected to see a different face there. Someone else who would…
I pushed the thought far away, and grabbed my coat.
When I pulled into the driveway, Jade was already standing on the front steps.
She was wearing a bright yellow sundress that looked expensive and a smile that looked even more so.
She hopped into the passenger seat before I could even put the car in park.
"Perfect timing!" she said cheerfully, leaning over to press a quick kiss to my cheek.
She smelled like jasmine and citrus.
"I thought for sure you’d be staying back for drinks with the guys."
"Didn’t need to," I said, pulling out of the driveway.
"Even better. That means you’re all mine for the afternoon."
She adjusted the visor mirror, checking her lipstick.
"I was thinking we could start at the North Mall.”, she said “I hear they just opened a new European wing. I’ll need a few things for the beach, and you definitely need a new suit for the gala party."
"Whatever you want, Jade," I said, as I pulled out of the drive way
I’ve been with Jade for five years and that has become my usual response in times like these. I found it just easier to agree than to argue about her opinions on beachwear.
We got to the mall thirty minutes later. As we walked to the entrance, a*****e building across the street caught Jade’s eye.
The jewelry in display cases by the window reflected the afternoon sun.
"Oh, Danny, look!" Jade said, her hand catching my arm and pulling me toward the direction. "We have to go in. Please! Please!! Please!!! Just for a minute."
"But we’re here for the vacation clothes, Jade," I reminded her, though I let her drag me toward the door.
"Jewelry is part of a vacation! Just think…a sunset dinner with the perfect necklace.", she squealed as she dragged me in.
The store was silent, the kind of silence that only exists in places where everything costs five figures.
Jade immediately walked to the glass cases, her eyes switching between gold chains and sapphire pendants.
I stood a few feet behind her, my hands in my pockets..
She moved toward the back of the store, her excitement growing as the price tags increased. She stopped in front of the ring section, her reflection caught in the polished glass.
"Daniel, come here," she teased, looking back at me with delight in her eyes.
She pointed to a row of diamond rings, each one more expensive than the last.
"One of these would look really good when you finally decide to…you know?.", she teased.
She looked at me for a moment. Then she smiled and moved on.
I knew what she meant. But had I really let myself think that far.
"I think we have enough on our plate with the Maldives," I said, my voice lacking any of the playfulness she was offering.
I started to turn away, my eyes reluctantly skimming the cases with disinterest, until I saw it.
It wasn't the biggest stone in the case. It was like that piece of jewelry that didn't need to scream to be noticed.
My heart beat faster in my chest.
"That piece would be lovely for your lady, sir," the jeweler said, appearing at my side.
He noticed my sudden focus.
"It’s a vintage-inspired cut. Very rare. Very special."
Something shifted in my chest that I couldn’t describe. I couldn't shake the feeling.
It looked too similar. I wondered if it really was the one. Could she have…sold it? No. She wouldn't. Or would she?
I remembered the suitcases at the front entrance. She never came back. If she had no money, no home, no car... what else would she have done?
"Danny?"
Jade’s voice cut through my thoughts, her hands holding my arm. She looked at the ring I was staring at and then back at me.
"It’s not that bad," she said, sounding a bit disappointed "It’s shiny, I guess. If you like it that much, you should just get it."
I looked at Jade, then back at the ring. The similarity was just a coincidence. A cruel trick.
Even if it wasn't... even if she had sold it...It shouldn't care.
I straightened my coat.
"No thank you, sir. We’re just passing through," I told the jeweler, my voice cutting through the quiet of the room. "We’re not here for jewelry."
"But Danny, you were just looking at it like…" Jade started, her lower lip turning into a pout.
"Let’s go, Jade," I cut her off.
- Writer
