Chapter 1: His odd behavior
Paige's Pov
"Can't wait to see you tonight"
That message kept ringing in my head, as the deep voice rang out of Do Hana's phone.
"Is... Is this okay?" I stuttered beckoning on my secretary, my hands on my waist.
My secretary jolted up as she turned back, she flashed a smile that seems fake, my eyes caught the name of the caller on her phone screen, "J-Love".
I didn't mean to spy, but I couldn't help the feeling of dread washing over me, I squinted my eyes in suspicion as I stared at her. She was dressed in an orange turtleneck and black midi skirt, with black pointed toe pumps.
She's always stunning as ever. I had always admired her style of dressing, but I can't dress like that, I'm a married woman for goodness sake.
My secretary's name is Do Hana. She's here to help me pick my dress for my wedding anniversary, because of her great fashion sense.
"President Lee," she called out to me after staring at her for a long time, "sorry!" I apologized, I must have made her uncomfortable, "are you okay ma?" Do Hana mumbled, giving me a concerned look.
She has been my secretary since I became a CEO, and she's still as polite as ever.
I gave her a smile, "I'm okay", I twirl around and said, "is this dress okay? Or I should just go with my normal corporate wear".
Do Hana squinted her eyes, "it's your wedding anniversary President Lee, corporate isn't fit for it" she disagreed and let out a cough.
"Are you okay? You look pale" I asked in concern, "I'm okay ma, I'm just a bit worn out" she said and took a step back, touching her forehead.
"You should have your seat then"
"I'm okay president... This outfit is not bad actually" she said and I smiled, I also have a good fashion sense. It's a full length straight gown, with a cape hand, it seems kinda out of fashion though, and a little too big for my slim body, but my husband will love it. He hates it when I reveal my body or dress in tight outfits, and I agree with him.
"Jong Suk should be here by now" I said as I picked up my phone from the king-size bed, dialing my husband's contact.
He was on another call.
My secretary had excused herself outside to pick a call too, "my phone charger--" I heard her say.
My brows knitted into a frown, as I dialed his contact again, still on a call...
Do Hana walked in gracefully, her messy brown hair bouncing, "Director Jong is on his way" she said, a suspicious gleam in her eyes, her cheeks flushed.
"Was he the one on the phone?" I asked in a small, pensive voice, with red ears she nodded glancing sideways.
Lost in thought, I pursed my lips with my eyebrows raised: Do Hana went outside to pick my husband's phone call?
That was suspicious! Jong Suk's my husband for crying out loud!
"You should have picked up the call in my presence then" I uttered as matter of fact, it was as if I caught her red-handed. "I'm...so... sorry ma" she apologized bowing politely, but there was nothing apologetic about her face.
It was weird.
"My guests will be waiting, let's go downstairs" I said sternly, putting on my heels.
"Yes ma" she answered, hands dangling at her side, "today's gonna be a long day" she said with a knowing smile, as we walked out of the room.
The deafening sounds of music welcomed us. It was Hana's idea to invite a lot of guests to the party. I wanted a low-key party but she insisted that my husband would like it.
Now it felt like she knew my husband more than I.
"President Lee!" An overly excited lady exclaimed, her eyes rounded, I frowned when I saw who it was. One of my managers, BitNa, she's like a wolf in sheep's clothing, I dislike her to the core.
"Thanks for coming!" I said, a fake smile plastered on my face, "happy wedding anniversary!"
I greeted all the guests, the aroma of the food wafting into my nose, but I wasn't hungry. I sat at a corner, anxiously waiting for the arrival of my husband.
I didn't have any friends, one of the reasons why I cherished Do Hana, though I've been having mixed feelings lately.
My relationship with my family isn't something to write home about too. I was born with a silver spoon in the United States though I haven't heard from them for the past five years. To sum it up, I'm the black sheep of the family, for the reason that I got married to someone from a poverty-stricken home.
"Paige, how can you dine with a pauper?" My elder sister would say.
But I'm grateful for not yielding to them then, Jong Suk has been a good husband, in spite of not giving him a child.
Though, I am the CEO of (JS);Jong Suk Electronics, one of the companies I inherited from my father. Despite changing the name of my company using my husband's name, he works directly under me. There were a lot of rumors about it which source was BitNa as usual, but I wasn't fazed by it.
And I know my husband wasn't bothered too.
Checking my phone a million times, Jong Suk didn't call back. Chewing the insides of my lips, I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, he was unusually late today. This wasn't the first time mostly because of business meetings. Nevertheless, today's our wedding anniversary.
I was almost panicking but at the nick of time, he arrived.
My lips spread into a wide smile at the sight of him, he looked good in the black three-piece suit he wore. I wouldn't say that he was that handsome, but I love my man.
Jong Suk broke into a smile, which I noticed wasn't directed at me. I scanned the whole place spotting Do Hana, but only her back view.
"Director Jong!" Someone called out his name, Jong Suk eyebrows rose rapidly for a split second as he laughed.
He bowed politely to guests, complimenting and joking with them, Jong Suk is people's Man.
His smile wavered a bit as he spotted me, he walked up to me and suddenly his expression dulled.
"Jong Suk!" I exclaimed in pure happiness and stood up, almost tripping because of the heels. To my surprise, Jong Suk didn't catch me, he just stood in front of me tight-lipped, "what's the meaning of this?" He said.
I held onto the table with sweaty palms, not quite able to comprehend what he was saying. "Today's our wedding anniversary Paige! You didn't have to invite everyone!" He whisper-yelled. I almost choked on my spit but I managed to force a few words out of my mouth.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault" I apologized brushing my palms together; I wouldn't blame Do Hana, it was my fault for not knowing what my husband wants.
Jong Suk threaded a hand through his hair, "and why are you dressed like an old hag? When are you going to learn to dress like Do Hana?"
I stared at my husband with my mouth wide open, my heart wrenching at the words spilling out of his mouth. How could he say that? "But you like when I dress like this?" I said, spreading my palms, he didn't have to compare me with her.
Jong Suk laughed so loud that it attracted people's attention, I can feel the gaze of my employees on us. This was the first time he would embarrass me like this, I really don't know how to take it.
"Director Jong"
Do Hana strutted to our side and smiled, "when did you come?"
"I just arrived Hana," Jong Suk said, his face brightening up. "You look like a piece of cake" Hana complimented as she smiled with reddened cheeks, "you really know how to make someone blush" Jong Suk covered his face, like he was shy. He suddenly pulled out a white phone charger from his pocket, "you forgot this" he said with a cheeky smile, handing over the thing to Do Hana.
My breath hitched immediately, how did he have that with him?! Did they meet behind my back?! I remembered Do Hana talking about her phone charger earlier!
Is Jong Suk J-Love?!
I couldn't stop myself from saying, "why did you have that with you?" I almost stammered, my voice quivering.
Do Hana flashed a snarky smile at me before lowering her head, "I... I...forgot..."
She didn't finish her statement when I snatched the charger from her, "this looks familiar... Jong Suk isn't this my charger?" I looked up at him, my face ashen.
"Tell me! You said it got stolen?!"
The whole room was silent now, my roaring voice attracting attention.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Jong Suk whisper-yelled with a crumpled face.
I took two horrified steps towards Hana in anger, almost smashing the phone charger at her "why did you have--!"
Do Hana suddenly fell on the floor as if I had hit her "I'm sorry..." tears was streaming down her cheeks.
I was baffled! What a drama queen!
"Will you stand up you two-faced bitch?!" I roared, my body boiling with fury, what was she trying to do?!
With a face masked with worries, Jong Suk had crutched down "you're burning up!" He exclaimed with creased brows, his hand placed on her forehead, Do Hana leaning on him.
"It's a lie!--"
I tried touching her, but Jong Suk slapped my hand away, as if I would hurt her.
"Does she look okay to you?! Why did you push her! Do you want to kill her?" Jong Suk bellowed rudely as he carried Hana in bridal style.
I was speechless at his reaction, my breath shallow.
"Get out of my way! You heartless piece of shit!" Jong Suk rushed out of the living room with Hana in his arms, not taking a look at me, his wife.
I was shocked to the bones!
This couldn't be my husband!
How could he shout at me in front of a lot of people! Jong Suk had never raised his voice at me, though he does it sometimes, maybe when he's irritated.
But this was too much!
"There are rumors that Director Jong is having an affair!"
"It might be Do Hana!"
"If not, why would he neglect his wife for a mere secretary?!"
My guests were whispering and talking in hushed tones. My face was beet red, my legs hurt as much as my heart hurts at the words.
An affair!
It was impossible!
Jong Suk wouldn't do that!
Do Hana is the bitch, not my husband!
A lot of scenarios to prove that Jong Suk could cheat on me with Hana flashed through my eyes. But I couldn't believe it!
"President Lee, you need to fight for your man before Hana snatch him from you" a voice rang beside me.
"Jong Suk can't do that, he loves me", my lips quivered as I spoke, "I didn't take you for a fool president, Hana's dramatic act is evidence that Hana is a snake under the green grass" BitNa disclosed, her nose crunched in disgust.
I shook my head frantically, "you're the snake! Get out of my house! Everyone get out of my house!" I shouted, I had lost my temper immediately.
"Leave my house!" I flipped the table beside me in rage, throwing all the glass of wine and bottles on the floor. The loud sharp of the shattering rang through the air! Making the guest scared as they scurried out, hooting and screaming in horror. I removed my shoes like a crazy woman, chasing the people away with it! I scattered the whole place, turning every table upside down, my body boiling with anger!
No one would take my husband from me! I wouldn't take it!
The smashing continued until I came back to my senses, chest rose and fell with rapid breath.
I had lost control.
Again.
Today is supposed to be a day of joy and happiness for my husband and I, but it has become a disaster.
A sharp pain shot through my legs! I was standing on the broken pieces of glasses. Paints of blood had mixed with the color of the wine, on the white floor.
No one would take Jong Suk away!