A Touch of Raspberry

Chapter Three

     As Beau stepped into Grazia, Suki's favored restaurant, the golden lights stringing the walls immediately captured his attention. The place was opulent and expensive, which matched Suki's taste in clothing well. Her black cocktail dress and emerald jewellery stood out starkly against the backdrop of business suits.

      Stasia didn't have time to change after work, so she came in her work suit. It was a pink affair to match her heels. Diamonds lined her ears, wrists and neck. 

     Beau watched as Stasia's honey eyes lifted, observing the décor as her perfect eyebrows raised in surprise. His wife was clearly impressed, and he hated that he was watching her, so Beau forced his eyes to wander around the restaurant as well.

     As the quartet sat to eat, each facing their respective partners, Alex smiled at the group and asked, "Isn't this the best?"

     Beau made a noise in assent, watching as Stasia returned Alex's grin politely in his direction. Suki and Alex's smiles seemed natural and genuine, whereas Beau thought that Stasia's cheerfulness was somewhat overdone.

     Most of Beau's shock over Alex and Suki's engagement was due to his belief that they were only casually dating. In the last few months, while Suki was touring Europe, the quartet only met up occasionally. Typically Suki would drop by once a month, then she'd pick up and leave again, leaving Alex alone and miserable once again. Beau wondered when their relationship found the time to bloom into thoughts of marriage.

     Beau's experience with marriage was sour, but there was hope for Alex. However, given that Suki and Stasia were close friends; the two being similar in their wild temperaments and tall ambitions, Beau doubted Suki and Alex's relationship would still be smooth sailing after a few years. Not that he wanted to be a pessimist.

     Beau watched as Stasia smiled at something Suki said, taking a sip of her red wine. Occasionally, his wife's eyes flicked to Alex and she would study him like he was a bug in an insect collection. 

     Beau knew that Stasia's analytical, sharp-as-a-dagger mind was flurrying to dissect his feelings towards Suki. She was probably plotting to end their engagement. Else she was likely scheming with some other nefarious intention in mind.

     But when Beau let his mind wander, his eyes would trail away from the sharpness in Stasia's eyes to the curve of her neck, the fullness of her mouth. The jewels in her ears made her brunette hair shine like copper. 

     As Stasia laughed at something Suki said sarcastically, Beau wondered what their relationship would have been like if his wife wasn't a conglomerate heir. Then he berated himself for doing so, realising how pointless it was. 

     Work was Stasia's first priority. At least, that was Beau's perception of things. He never could read his wife properly. Secrets dangled around her like the jewels she wore.

     "Isn't this great?" Alex was saying as Beau tuned back into the conversation. Alex smiled, looking every bit like a golden retriever. "It's been ages since we went out together.

   Suki propped her chin elegantly on her hands, smiling at Stasia. "I'm just glad that Stas took out the time for us. And Beau, of course." she glanced over at Beau with a slight smile.

      "We always have time for you, Suki." Stasia replied warmly. Beau wondered why Stasia couldn't direct the same love towards him. Then again, he'd stopped making any efforts for friendship years ago.

     "Their desserts are raspberry themed." Suki informed the group with enthusiasm. As she picked up a menu, her well-acquainted eye perused it critically.