Scented Claudia

It had been almost a week since i last spoke to Raphael.

I'd been deliberately avoiding him, afraid he might bring up divorce, afraid he might finally say the words i couldn't bear to hear.

Today, though, I had no choice but to focus.

I was sitting in a café downtown, fingers wrapped around a warm cup of coffee, waiting for Andres to arrive.

He'd recently decided to invest in Lueur, my perfume line.

He was planning to open a luxury mall in Dubai and wanted my brand to be one of its signature highlights.

When he finally appeared, he swept in like he owned the place, wearing his usual tailored suit and easy grin.

"Claudia," he greeted, leaning in for a quick beso on the cheek.

I smiled despite myself. "Andres. Long time no see. How's life treating you?"

He sat across from me, adjusting his cufflinks with practiced nonchalance. "Busy, but you know me, I like busy. Dubai's a challenge, but I love a good fight." He gave a sly grin. "How about you? How's the glamorous life as a wife?"

I chuckled, taking a slow sip of coffee. "Good."

"Just good?" he teased, eyebrows lifting.

"Come on, give me details. Is he treating you well? Do i need to fly over and teach someone a lesson?"

I rolled my eyes. "No need. He's... Raphael."

He barked out a laugh. "That's the most evasive answer ever. Noted."

We bantered a bit longer, letting the conversation drift into safer, more familiar territory, before finally getting down to business.

"So," Andres said, tapping the table lightly, "about Lueur. I want an exclusive line. Limited edition. Only available at my Dubai mall. Something decadent. Sophisticated. Expensive."

I nodded thoughtfully. "That's doable. I'm thinking rare ingredients. Maybe Oud, it's huge in the Middle East. We can craft something lush, smoky, very signature."

He snapped his fingers. "Exactly. And i want the launch event to be unforgettable. Lavish. Private. Invite-only."

"We'll take care of it," I assured him. "This deal is—"

I didn't get to finish.

A shadow fell across our table.

I felt it before i saw it, the cold fury radiating off Raphael as he slid into the seat next to me, the scraping of the chair loud enough to draw stares.

Andres blinked, startled, glancing between us.

I kept my expression neutral, refusing to look at Raphael, choosing instead to lean back in my chair and smile politely at my guest.

"Andres," I said lightly, finally acknowledging the tension, "meet Raphael. Raphael, Andres."

Raphael didn't even try to hide the possessiveness in his tone. "I'm the husband."

Andres cleared his throat, giving me a subtle, apologetic look. "Well, Claudia, I think that's enough for today. Let's let our teams handle the rest."

I nodded smoothly. "Of course."

He stood and left with a quick, awkward nod at Raphael.

Raphael's gaze pinned me to the seat.

I pretended not to notice, stirring my coffee as if everything was fine.

His voice was low, controlled, dangerous. "Who was that?"

I gave a lazy sigh, eyes half-lidded with boredom. "A business partner."

He didn't flinch. "Since when do business partners greet each other with a kiss?"

I cocked my head. "Since it's standard social etiquette. Don't tell me you're jealous over that?"

He scoffed. "I'm not jealous."

"Hmmm." I raised a brow, smiling faintly.

"Your clenched jaw says otherwise."

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, voice tightening. "I just didn't like the way he looked at you."

I blinked, feigning innocence. "And how exactly did he look at me?"

His nostrils flared. "Like he wanted you."

That got a laugh out of me. "Oh please, Raphael. If that's the case, I guess i should just stop doing business altogether. So many people want me."

He didn't look amused. "This isn't funny."

"Oh, but it is," I murmured, eyes glinting with mischief.

He muttered something under his breath, but i just smiled wider, leaning back in my chair, thoroughly enjoying the discomfort radiating from him.

Eventually i stood up, grabbing my purse. "If you're done interrogating me, I'm going home."

He immediately pushed back his chair. "I'm coming with you."

I shrugged as i walked past him. "Suit yourself."

The drive home was silent at first, but i could practically feel his glare burning into the side of my face.

Finally, he couldn't hold it in anymore.

"What exactly did you two talk about?"

"Business."

"For two hours?"

"Yes."

He exhaled sharply, fingers drumming on the steering wheel. "What kind of business?"

I let out an exaggerated sigh. "You were literally there for part of it, Raphael. Perfumes. Dubai. Expansion plans. Do you need me to draw you a chart?"

His fingers tightened on the wheel. "I just think it's weird how invested he seems."

I smirked at the windshield. "Jealous, doctor?"

He shot me a glare. "That's not funny."

I bit back a laugh. "It kinda is."

He didn't respond, but his scowl deepened.

I couldn't help myself. "You're enjoying this," he grumbled.

I gave a little shrug, letting the silence do the talking.

When we got home, I kicked off my heels and immediately flopped onto the couch.

Raphael stayed standing, arms crossed like a sentry, eyes boring holes into me.

I picked up an apple from the fruit bowl and took a slow, deliberate bite.

"You're still standing there," I said dryly.

"I'm waiting for an answer."

I tilted my head. "To what?"

"To why you were so... familiar with him."

A slow smirk spread across my face. "Oh, Andres? He's tall. Handsome. Rich. Very ideal man, don't you think?"

His brows drew together, jaw ticking. "I'm tall too."

I took another bite, making a show of considering it. "Mmm."

"I'm handsome."

I pretended to think. "Debatable."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Claudia."

I couldn't hold back my laugh, standing up and brushing past him. "Relax, doctor. I'm just messing with you. But i have to admit—jealous Raphael is kind of entertaining."

He caught my wrist before i could get far, pulling me back toward him.

"I'm not jealous."

I lifted an eyebrow. "Then why are you still talking about him?"

He didn't answer right away.

His fingers loosened on my wrist as he sighed, rubbing his temple with his free hand.

"I just don't like the idea of another man looking at you that way," he muttered finally.

For a moment, my heart stuttered.

I felt it his vulnerability, raw and unpolished.

But i didn't let it show. Instead, I tilted my head, eyes dancing with mischief. "Well, what can i say? I'm irresistible."

He groaned in frustration. "You're impossible."

I winked at him, pulling free and walking away. "And you love it."

I didn't even have to turn around to know he was still watching me glowering, brooding, wanting.

And i couldn't help but smile.

Because even when he was angry, he was mine.