CHAPTER 133: FROM LUNCH TO A SHOPPING SPREE
"Angelo, what is it?" James asked, his voice sharp.
"Sir, five percent of our shares are gone," Angelo responded, his voice tight with tension.
"How the hell did that happen, Angelo?" James demanded.
"I don't know, sir, but I think someone else sold out," Angelo replied.
"Find out who else sold and get back to me," James instructed.
"Alright, boss," Angelo said and ended the call.
"You have to go now, right?" Diana asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"I'll finish lunch first," James reassured her.
"But isn't it urgent?" Diana pressed.
"It is," James admitted, "but after today, we might not see each other for a while. I'm taking a work trip to Dubai."
"When?" Diana asked, her heart sinking a little.
"Tonight," James replied solemnly.
"How long will you be gone?"
"Probably two weeks," James said.
Diana looked at him, her voice soft and pleading. "Could you at least spend today with me? I'm ready to close work now."
James hesitated before suggesting, "Better still, why don't you come with me? It's Dubai, honey. We could do a lot of things together there. Plus we are yet to go on our first official honeymoon."
Diana paused, then shook her head. "You know what? Forget I asked." She focused on her plate, poking at her food.
A tense silence hung in the air for a few seconds before James picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Cancel my flight for today," he said into the receiver. "I'll take it tomorrow. Family emergency." He listened to the response, nodded, and hung up.
"Well, wife," he said, turning back to Diana with a warm smile. "I'm all yours. What did you have in mind?"
Diana's face lit up with a cheeky smile. "Finish your food first," she replied, her earlier disappointment forgotten. She dug into her own meal, eating with relish.
James watched her, a mixture of amusement and surprise on his face. Wasn't this the same woman who had been urging him to go to work just moments ago? And where had this sudden appetite come from? Earlier, she had barely touched her food; now, she was eating as if she hadn't eaten in weeks. He chuckled to himself and finished his lunch.
After their meal, Diana took him shopping. When they arrived at the shop, James was stunned.
"Uhm, Diana, what are we doing here?" James asked, a note of suspicion in his voice.
"Just picking up a few things," she replied nonchalantly.
James remained seated in the car, refusing to budge. Diana rolled her eyes at his behavior and sighed. "What is it now?" she asked, exasperation creeping into her voice. "Weren't you the one who brought me shopping last time? Or have you forgotten so quickly?"
"Well, this is different," James stammered.
"Different how? Because I'm the one bringing you?" Diana asked incredulously.
"Well… something like that," he admitted. "Besides, that day we shopped in a private room, away from prying eyes. This place is… different. This place is very public."
Wow, Diana thought, a mixture of confusion and amusement swirling within her. Was her husband shy? Or perhaps even scared of public places? She couldn't quite understand it, and he was certainly acting like a child.
"Okay," she said aloud, trying a different approach. "How about you just see it as… accompanying your wife?"
When she saw he still hadn't moved, her exasperation reached its peak. "Fine," she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "What if someone bullies me? Then I'll just cling to Antonio instead." She made as if to call out to their driver.
Before she could utter Antonio's name, James stopped her. "Alright, alright, I'll go with you," he conceded with a sigh. He took her hand as they exited the car.
Diana grinned and looped her arm through his as they walked towards the entrance.