It's been three days since Tyler and I last spoke. I don't see him much at home anymore, he's always busy, always away. And on the rare occasions he is around, it's like I'm invisible to him, just air passing by unnoticed.
Until one night, after I came home from Gina's bar, he called.
Not to check on me, but to tell me to come to his office.
"The driver will pick you up. Fix yourself," he said coldly on the other end of the line. No explanation.
________
Now, here I am, standing in front of his glass office. I'm wearing my best dress.
I stepped inside, my eyes wandering around his incredibly sleek office.
Then I heard his emotionless voice.
"Sit down."
I did as he said. He cleared his throat and placed a folder in front of me.
"Read this. It's my offer."
I took the folder and opened it. A job contract?
"Are you sure about this? Look, I just started working at the bar. I can't just resign right away," I said, but he shot me a sharp look.
"The bar? Hah..." he reacted, clearly offended.
His fists clenched, and suddenly, he couldn't hold back he grabbed my neck tightly.
"I've already introduced you to the public as my wife. What do you think people will say when they see you working at a bar?" he said through gritted teeth.
I struggled to free myself from his grip and thankfully, I succeeded.
I coughed and held back my anger.
Khoeznie, you signed up for this...
He spoke again.
"Don't try my patience. You resign as soon as possible and sign that contract."
"That's kind of sudden," I muttered but I think he heard it.
"There are investors doubting whether our relationship is even real. There are rumors. You show up at my house but do nothing? It looks suspicious. If you work for me, we can say you're my executive assistant. That way, you have a role in the company. In the public's eyes 'you have value'."
I didn't know whether to feel insulted or laugh. "You have value" as if...
"If you don't want to, just say no. I don't beg," he added coldly.
I looked down at the paper. Maybe… maybe this was my way in. A way to gain his trust.
"Sign it. We don't have the luxury of time," he ordered.
I bit my lip. He's so manipulative. Why is he dragging me into a world of business.
"Fine. I'll take the job. For your image."
He smirked, but it wasn't a happy one.
"Good. Be useful."
Then he turned away.
He didn't even say thank you or offer me coffee. Tsk.
I was about to leave when he spoke again.
"Your start is tonight. There's an event at the Grand Hotel at 9 p.m. You have one hour to get ready. There's a salon in front of this building. Go get fixed up there. My people will pick you up right on time."
I let out a deep breath and reluctantly agreed to his final instruction, even if part of me didn't want to.