Manager Oh widened his eyes and stared at his boss, speechless, his legs rooted to the ground. He didn't know what to say or the right words to use to beg the man, so he grabbed his things and left as instructed.
Leo's eyes scanned the room. "Next issue?" he asked.
Sandra cleared her throat. "Sir, we have a meeting with the marketing team next week to discuss the new project."
"Good," Leo replied.
"I'll make sure to be there," Leo added.
The meeting continued, with Leo addressing various issues and making decisions.
As the meeting concluded, Leo stood up, his presence commanding attention.
"Remember, I'll be here for three weeks. Make sure everything runs smoothly," Leo said.
"Yes, sir," the staff replied in unison.
"The meeting is over," Leo announced, and the attendees quickly grabbed their belongings and left.
The females lingered, taking time to stare at Leo and blush before departing.
They rarely saw him, and had to come to the hotel for a meeting since he was often traveling to events and meetings in Australia.
Leo's phone began to ring, and his eyes narrowed when he saw it was his wife.
He allowed it to ring for a while before ignoring it and walking out of the room.
***
Adrian sat in a chair, legs crossed, visibly angry.
He was watching the news on TV and picked up his phone to call someone.
Pen walked into the living room and halted when she saw her husband's angry face.
"I can explain, Adrian," she began.
"But you've told the whole world she's no longer with our son," Adrian yelled.
"Do you know what she did to our son?" Pen yelled.
"I don't care to know about what she did, okay?" Adrian replied.
"Really? Then you don't deserve to question my actions!" Pen responded and walked away.
"Penelope!" Adrian yelled, but she ignored him and marched on.
***
Benjamin walked out of the kitchen with a bowl and spoon in hand.
Dominic was in the living room, running around with a pot, while Abi and Logan played video games.
"Why are you so good?" Dominic asked.
"Shut up, Dom! I'm trying to concentrate so I can beat this girl. What she's asking for is unimaginable if she wins," Logan yelled.
Benjamin laughed as he followed Dominic.
"Don't you have shame, Benjamin?" Dominic laughed.
"I helped Abi cook in the kitchen while you were busy talking to your manager," Benjamin replied.
"I would have helped, but I was working," Dominic said.
"The rest is for Abi, so you and Logan can order online," Dominic added.
"I'm not hungry, Dominic," Abi replied.
"That's not true, Abi. You're stressed from playing serious games with Logan," Dominic teased.
"I'm not stressed. I can play this with my eyes closed," Abi boasted.
Logan and Benjamin burst into laughter.
"I don't care whether you give him or not!" Abi yelled and jumped around with joy.
"I went easy on you, Abi," Logan confessed.
"That's true," Benjamin added.
"You should play video games with Leo sometime. He's really good," Logan said.
"He's not really good. He's a god," Dominic retorted, and they laughed.
"I don't think so. That cold guy isn't good at anything," Abi muttered.
"Give Benjamin my share of the food," Abi hissed.
"That's a lie. You said you weren't eating," Dominic pouted.
"I changed my mind," Abi replied.
"Let's go for one more round. I'll show you my skills. I went easy on you because you're a girl," Logan said.
"Sure," Abi agreed.
Seven minutes later, Abi was frowning.
"Stop cheating!" Abi cried, pointing to the TV.
"I don't cheat. Why would you think that?" Logan laughed.
"You're laughing, so you did!" Abi pouted.
"We finished the game quickly. They declared you the winner in under ten minutes," Benjamin said.
"Is that so hard to believe?" Benjamin laughed.
Abi got up, still angry.
"Where are you off to?" Logan asked.
"I'm going home, of course," Abi replied.
"But we just started playing with you," Dominic said.
"You all can play together!" Abi puffed and took her bag.
They watched her walk toward the door, but she stopped when she saw Junho with Jessica.
"Hey, Abi!" Junho waved.
Abi smiled widely, noticing Jessica's blush.
Abi could tell they were in a great relationship.
Their hands were intertwined, but they quickly released each other when they saw Abi.
"Oh, hi Abi! You look so good, Junho," Abi smiled.
"Eyes off, Abi! You have a husband," Jessica rolled her eyes.
Abi rolled her eyes and proceeded to leave.
"Where are you going when I just arrived?" Jessica asked with puppy eyes.
"You don't expect me to leave you here with these men, do you?" Abi whispered.
"Then, why don't we go shopping while I leave the guys to discuss?" Jessica proposed.
Abi hesitated.
"Okay. I'll buy you something nice too," Jessica added.
Abi hugged her.
"Oh, please. Do you want to suffocate the poor baby?" Jessica hissed.
"Want to tell Junho you're leaving with me?" Abi asked.
"I'll text him," Jessica replied.
"They know he doesn't check his phone, so—"
Jessica interrupted Abi's words with a hiss.
"He wouldn't dare forget to text me back after noticing my absence," Jessica laughed.
Abi laughed too.
She remembered she had called Leo to update him on her hospital visit and ask about him.
He had ignored her call; she was sure of it.
But she decided to keep it to herself since he wanted to be alone too.
Their last conversation went well.
She had called to ask permission to leave the house with Dominic.
Then, she met her mother-in-law and ex-boyfriend.
She decided to text her sister to hurry back home to be with their mother.
***
"Let's make a TikTok video, Abi. It's been so long," Jessica proposed.
The two had gone to one of her father's branches to pick up a document.
"Is that allowed here? That stand must be meant for something else," Abi asked.
"Don't be ridiculous, Abi. Let's enjoy happiness while we can," Jessica replied.
Abi was already getting ready.
Jessica turned around and let out a wild laugh.
"I thought you were worried, but here you are preparing for the video," Jessica laughed.
"Shut up, Jes," Abi laughed.
The two began fixing their hair and touching up their makeup.
They looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"This is nice," Jessica said.
"What is?" Abi asked.
"Our clothes. I'm wearing a white gown, and you're wearing a black gown. By the way, you look sexy. Your husband is so blind. I'm on team Julian now," Jessica smiled.
"Well, I don't think I'm getting back with Julian anytime soon, but since you're rooting for him, you can break up with Junho and date him instead," Abi retorted.
"You're so mean, Abi," Jessica cried.
"Want to know the song?" Abi asked.
"It's just a normal TikTok trend. Haven't you watched some TikTok videos lately?" Jessica asked.
"Of course I have. I've been idle lately, so I pass my time watching some," Abi said.
"So, this dance is just about grace and style. You put your right hand here, and then you twirl. Make sure you maintain eye contact with the lens of the camera so you can look sexy to the public. I want to gain followers, so we have to do this together," Jessica said shamelessly.
"I know this trend. It's the latest, but we need skill. I don't know if—"
Jessica interrupted Abi's sentence.
"We'll be fine, Abi. It's just three freaking minutes, and besides, your husband is not here to annoy us. He's so scary for a man," Jessica said.
"He isn't," Abi blurted out.
Jessica turned her neck to look at her best friend.
"I didn't say that," Abi said quickly.
"But I heard that," Jessica laughed.
"Okay. Three!" Jessica quickly moved back to position herself beside Abi properly.
Abi was ready.
They began dancing, shaking their waists and asses.
Abi flipped her hair while Jessica winked.
Abi blew a kiss while Jessica stuck her tongue out.
Abi acted cute while Jessica acted seductive.
They finished their video after dancing to the main part of the music.
"That was lit!" Abi exclaimed.
Jessica was editing the video.
"Wow! I never knew you were so fine," Jessica complimented Abi.
"I'm jealous of your skin," Jessica pouted.
"I should be more jealous, my pig," Abi replied.
They laughed.
"He's calling me! He's calling me!" Jessica shrieked.
Junho was calling.
"Hey babe. Yeah, I went with Abi to..."
***
It was already nightfall when Abi arrived home. The house was empty, which surprised her. She had spent the day with Jessica, and they were both exhausted. Jessica was drunk, and Junho had taken her home while Abi made her way back safely.
"Ava!" Abi yelled from the living room, but no one answered.
"Your sister left with her mother an hour ago, Miss Abi. They said they would be back, but I guess they'll arrive tomorrow morning," Butler Lee replied.
"Oh," Abi expressed her surprise.
"Good night then, Butler Lee," she wished him and went up to her room.
She threw her bag on the floor and locked her door behind her. Abi lay on her bed, feeling exhausted, and her eyes began to droop.
She suddenly remembered she hadn't spoken to Leo throughout the day.
"He would think I'm a useless wife for not checking up on him," Abi thought and began to strip.
Her phone rang, so she retrieved it from her bag.
"Hey!" Jessica sounded lively.
"Weren't you drunk?" Abi asked.
"Oh girl! I had to pretend to be drunk after sending a text to Junho that I'll have a one-night stand with any man I bump into if he doesn't come to get me," Jessica laughed.
"You witch!" Abi laughed.
"So, where is he?" Abi asked.
"In the bathroom. He'd be mad to know that I delayed him," Jessica smiled.
"Why did you do that?" Abi asked.
"Do what?" Jessica feigned ignorance.
"Why did you lie to get him to pick you up?" Abi asked.
"Get a guy you love wholeheartedly before you ask me that, Abi. He told me he was going to pick up his female friend at the airport, and you expect me to let him go? Every girl is a threat, even you!" Jessica pouted.
"You're drunk," Abi replied.
Jessica laughed.
"So, have you called your husband yet?" Jessica asked.
"Not yet! As you can see, I'm about to shower for the night, so shoo if you're done," Abi frowned.
"Why are you so mean?" Jessica asked.
"Oh, I wanted to let you know about that video," Jessica began to blush.
"What about it?" Abi asked nonchalantly.
Jessica paused, breathing excitedly.
"I've forgotten how bad you are with social media," Jessica sighed.
"I'm not mad at social media. I have thirty-seven thousand nine hundred followers on TikTok now, and my followers have increased on Facebook and Instagram too," Abi boasted.
"That's right, my lovely pig," Jessica teased.
"Your followers kept building up because most of them are young boys and guys who wish to get into your pants," Jessica added.
Abi's frown deepened.
Jessica quickly apologized.
"That's not what I meant, pretty pig," Jessica begged.
Abi laughed.
"I hate you," Abi joked and hung up.
She walked into the bathroom with her towel wrapped around her body.
"Ugh, what's this? Yuck!" Abi exclaimed, washing her hands quickly.
She put her phone in the holder and began to bathe.
She fixed the water in the bathtub, washed her body thoroughly with soap, and packed her hair into a hair cap.
She grabbed the shower pipe and sank into the tub.
"Ah!" she sighed, closing her eyes.
She thought of how far she'd come and chuckled softly, thinking of her annoying husband.
He'd been occupying her thoughts lately, and with him in Australia, she kind of missed him.
She bit her lips and felt her breasts heavy.
She cupped them.
"Why are you so big?" she spoke to them as if they could hear.
"And you," she continued, caressing her round, bulging tummy.
"Hurry up and come out so I can take you away from your cold father. I can tell he doesn't like us," Abi hissed, thinking of Logan.
"I'm sure that smart guy cheated! How did he win so quickly?" Abi muttered.
She got furious, washed her hair, and wrapped her towel around her body.
She walked out of the bathroom, then returned to retrieve her phone.
She threw it onto the bed, found a white nightgown, and put it on after drying her body and attending to her skin.
She jumped onto the bed and closed her eyes.
"I hate you, Leo," she mumbled.
"Why do you hate me, Mrs. Abigail Grey?" Abi jumped up with fear after hearing her husband's voice out of nowhere.