CHAPTER 33: SPOILING HUBBY WITH LUNCH III
As Antonio's footsteps faded down the hallway; James, alone in his office, unwrapped the lunch his wife had sent. The aroma of garlic and simmering tomatoes wafted through the air. A wide grin split his face as he surveyed the feast – a mountain of spaghetti Bolognese, golden crispy chicken nuggets, a juicy steak, and a side platter of crisp fried greens drizzled with tangy chicken sauce. "This woman," he thought, his chest filled with warmth, "she's something else."
He dove into his meal, savoring each bite, when the door flew open. Jared swaggered in, grinning ear to ear like a Cheshire cat, clutching a similar lunch flask.
"Oh, dear brother," Jared boomed, "you wouldn't believe what sis-in-law just did for me!"
James, still enjoying his lunch, gave him a noncommittal grunt. The sight of Jared's plate, however, did make him raise an eyebrow. It was noticeably smaller than his own, adorned in same meal as his.
James, mid-chew, rolled his eyes at him. "She gave you a dictionary? Time to learn some manners, perhaps?"
Jared chuckled, then plunked down in a chair. His eyes widened as they fell on James' overflowing plate. He choked on his own sarcasm and nearly fell of his seat. "What in the heavens, brother?" Jared cried in his mind. He had abandoned all decorum? Lunch in the office? Eating during work hours? It was unheard of from his brother.
He leaned in to look at his brother's plate and frowned. "Sister-in-law sure cheated" Jared stated. "Your plate is fuller than mine bro".
James glanced up, a smug smirk playing on his lips. He wanted to ignore him and enjoy his food but when he wouldn't stop whining, James rolled his eyes, ignoring his theatrics and responded. "Jared do you look like her husband?"
Jared blinked, then sheepishly grinned. "Touché, bro" he conceded. "But you wouldn't believe, she even brought food for Angelo! Dude's practically inhaling his lunch right now"
Angelo sat in his office and sneezed without knowing the reason.
James' brow furrowed. "She made lunch for Angelo too?The guy who lives on coffee and dry biscuits?"
Jared nodded vigorously. "Apparently, sister-in-law's kindness is contagious. Even Angelo got a sneeze-worthy feast today."
James snorted, then his gaze softened. He was very happy earlier that she had brought him lunch thinking he was the only one until he saw his brother eating and now Angelo too she just couldn't help herself. "She's something, isn't she?"
Jared nodded gleefully, his eyes twinkling. "Couldn't help herself, I guess. The woman's a culinary goddess, and the guys will be green with envy when they hear I've been on the receiving end of her culinary love." He paused, a dramatic sniffle escaping his nose.
James only rolled his eyes at his brothers shamelessness until he added. "Even Father, I'm sure, wouldn't resist her magic touch."
James' playful smirk vanished, replaced by a steely glare. "Jared," he growled, "one more word and I'll personally toss you out the window."
Jared gulped, wisely retreating to his own lunch. The silence grew thick, punctuated only by the clinking of forks and the soft hum of the air conditioning. Finally, Jared cleared his throat. He was just allergic to quiet places.
"Work calls," he mumbled, practically leaping out of the office.
James watched him go, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Later, after polishing off the last morsel, James reached for his phone and dialed a familiar number. Diana answered on the first ring.
"Waiting for my call, were you?" he teased, his voice softer than usual.
"Mhm," she mumbled, "Are you done eating?"
"Just finished," he replied, the warmth creeping back into his tone.
If Jared could hear James's voice now, soft and sweet like honey, he'd probably faint on the spot.
Silence hung in the air for a moment, then Diana asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "So? Did you enjoy it?"
"More than words can say," James replied, his voice soft. He could practically hear her smile.
A giggle escaped her lips. "Good, then I am pleased," she chirped shyly.
"Thank you for lunch Diana"
Diana's heart swelled with warmth at his words. This, she realized, was the real reward – the quiet understanding, the shared laughter, the unspoken love woven into every delicious bite.
James smiled, then his voice turned serious. "Diana," he began, "Are the pains still bothering you?"
It took Diana a few seconds to register what James was saying. The abrupt shift in topic left her puzzled. "How did we get here?" she thought, but quickly replied, "Mhmm, yes, I am still in pains," she finally acknowledged,".
"I'm sorry I didn't apply the ointment on you before i left today. I promise I'll do it tomorrow, but can you at least go do it now?" His voice laced with a hint of apology.
James question was met with silence. Then, his voice came through again, a touch firmer this time, "Diana, I meant now. I want to be sure you're actually doing it."
"How?" Diana asked, confused with brows furrowed.
"Switch to video call?" James responded calmly
A strangled cry escaped her lips before she could stop it. James, on the other end, flinched at the sudden noise and pulled the phone away from his ear before putting it back.
"Why?" he asked and rolled his eyes in the process even though she could not see him. "I've already seen everything there is to see".