After that day, Mary and Jake grew closer—like friends. Yes, good friends. But is it truly possible for a man and a woman to be just friends without even the slightest feeling? Of course, that's what Jake believed.
Being close to Mary only made his love for her grow clearer.
It had been ten days since Kody went to Japan. During that time, Jen had begged Bryan to let her stay in his apartment, claiming she was afraid something bad might happen if she was alone again.
Mary also had an important reason. She wanted to breastfeed Elsa because her milk was overflowing after not being pumped and delivered to the hospital. If not expressed properly, it could make her sick, and Elsa was lucky to receive it without her father having to spend extra money.
During that time, Jake had more to do. Since Mary worked from home while caring for Elsa, she needed Jake to deliver documents directly to the employees at Gold Fashion. Although a bit tiring to go back and forth between the apartment and office, Jake felt useful. More than that, it helped ease the awkwardness between him and Mary.
Everything seemed normal. But what looked normal wasn't beyond the watch of someone who had been keeping tabs on Jake ever since Kody left.
"Today, that man went to the Gold Fashion office again and came back to the same apartment building. Even at night, that big muscular guy didn't leave the building," said a man with a cigarette tucked at the corner of his lips. He was on the phone. "It's been ten days. Pay me now, Miss," he continued as he pulled the cigarette out and exhaled the smoke into the air.
***
"Yes, Dad. The partnership with the investors in Japan is going well. Pray that we close the deal today. I'll return tomorrow."
"I'll also visit you soon with Mary. Take care, Dad. I'll end the call now."
Kody had just spoken with his father-in-law—Mary's father. He let out a heavy sigh while running his hands roughly over his face. Talking to his father-in-law was nerve-wracking, more so than a graduation exam or job interview.
After that, he tried calling Victor, but his number had been unreachable for ten days. That made Kody even more frustrated. He turned toward Milan, who was standing by the hotel window.
Milan had kept his distance, knowing Kody was talking to Mary's father.
"Alright, I'll transfer the money to your account. Since your reports for the past ten days have been like that, stop the surveillance for now until I give further instructions. I'm ending the call," said Milan with a troubled expression.
Apparently, the man tailing Jake was working under Milan—following the orders Kody had given earlier.
"How is it? Has that man's routine stayed the same? Is he still at my apartment all the time?" Kody asked, full of curiosity.
Milan nodded. "Yes. That's right," he replied briefly. "Seems like your wife lied about not having an affair with your driver," he added, smirking mockingly.
Kody instantly clenched his fists tightly but turned his face away from Milan. "No way. Mary loves me, and she always says she's not having any kind of relationship. She even told me herself that she sent that man back and forth for work matters."
"I just need to get in touch with that fool Victor. Who knows where the hell he is—it's been ten days with no news. Damn it," Kody muttered angrily. Mentioning Victor showed he didn't want Milan to mock Mary any further.
Milan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever you say," he replied, though he sneered silently in his heart, "How long do you think you can hide the fact that your wife is just a cheap woman?"
***
The next day, Kody returned to the capital. Mary and Jake came to pick him up at the airport.
After ten days of not seeing his wife in person—only through video calls—Kody felt a strong sense of longing.
However, when he saw the woman he loved standing next to the man he suspected was her lover, right at the arrival gate, his blood boiled instantly.
Initially wanting to hug and kiss Mary, his emotions shifted to rage. The trust he held onto about Mary's loyalty began to crumble, replaced by a growing belief that she really was cheating on him with Jake.
There was no joyful greeting or warm smile brought home by Kody for Mary—even though she missed her husband dearly. Even with Jake beside her, her heart still belonged to Kody.
Kody quickly grabbed Mary's hand and led her to the car, while Jake was left to carry his employer's suitcase.
Inside the car...
"Have you found out where Victor is? Why did he suddenly vanish like he was swallowed by the earth? There must be a reason, right?" Kody immediately asked about his assistant.
The upcoming signing of the partnership between Gold Fashion and the Japanese party was being delayed because Victor, who knew Kody's work best, had gone missing.
"I don't know," Mary replied shortly. Her disappointment at her husband's return was already overwhelming, and the mention of Victor only reminded her of that awful incident.
"You don't know? I left you at the office with him. He was still updating me while you two were having lunch, discussing the project. Then he vanishes, and all you can say is 'I don't know'?" Kody's tone grew sharp with anger.
"If I really don't know, then what else do you want me to say about that idiot?" Mary snapped, her eyes looking out the window where Jake was loading the luggage. Kody noticed.
"Then why are you staring at our driver like that and answering me so half-heartedly?" Kody asked suspiciously. "You like him and cheated on me while I was away, didn't you?"
"And maybe your affair with that scumbag is why Victor left. Or… did you drive my assistant away so your little relationship wouldn't get to me? Am I right?" Kody baited her, and Mary's sharp glare was proof he hit a nerve.
"Why are you accusing me? What does that idiot disappearing have to do with Jake?" Mary protested.
"Oh, so this is your reaction when I connect your lover to the issue? Bravo, Mary!" Kody even clapped mockingly.
"Stop it. You're making yourself look like a fool accusing someone unrelated to your work problems!" Mary warned. Her angry expression only made Kody even more suspicious.
"You're afraid I'll blame your boyfriend?"
"Kody, enough! He's an outsider—you're my husband!" Mary shouted.
"Oh, I see. You won't admit your affair to me? You could've just said it, and I would've let you go." Kody's mocking words hurt deeply, and Mary began to cry.
"Why are you like this? After ten days of leaving me, instead of hugging me, you accuse me? I'm not cheating on you with Jake!" Mary tried to defend herself.
"Then let's see if that's true or just an act," Kody said—then immediately kissed Mary harshly.
Like a hungry lion, Kody went wild. His longing, now buried under anger and jealousy, drove him to stop listening to Mary.
"Kody, stop! We're still in a public area. Someone might see us!" Mary kept resisting as soon as her lips were free—but Kody didn't care. With her strength no match for his, Mary eventually gave in.
Tears streamed down her face as she endured the forced kisses and touches of her enraged husband. The clothes she had carefully chosen were now torn as Kody forcefully groped her. He devoured her greedily.
At that moment—Click!—the car door opened and closed. Jake got in.
Jake's face turned red and burned with anger. He couldn't believe what he was seeing—Kody, doing such an indecent thing to Mary, who looked helpless.
Jake… Mary called out in her heart, unable to speak with Kody still kissing her.
"What are you looking at? Never seen a husband and wife getting intimate?" Kody sneered, breathing heavily.
"Alright, Sir. I'll close the curtain," Jake replied awkwardly. A whirlwind of emotions stirred inside—confusion, anger, jealousy—but he remained powerless. He was just a friend.
Jake was about to pull the curtain shut, but Kody's words froze him in place.
"Leave it open. Just pretend you're watching a live adult movie. A souvenir from Japan for you."