A particular woman came to mind—she had long hair, attractive features, and a somewhat bubbly personality. She was a foster daughter close to my husband's mother and provided companionship during his absence, becoming especially close during the three years he was away.
"Madam Au," I greeted with a faint smile, sigh this mother-in-law though, what a bane. "Miss Fe, it's been a few months. Didn't I hear you were planning to quit and start a family? You're almost thirty." She frowned, and I felt a surge of irritation. I suddenly wanted to hit someone. Why is she bothering me? I just turned twenty-six four months ago!
"Hello, sister-in-law!" The woman's cheerful greeting preceded her appearance. Had my acting skills not been perfected, I would have shown my disgust.
"Hello," I said, ignoring her name, she was not worthy, I need to be zen right now and really did not want her to interupt that said zen okay.
Ugh, this mother-in-law...why though? why is it that i have to be respectful?
I really want to be king kong or violent Barbie right now and to hell with the consequences, but ah, once again zen.
I had no idea why they were here, and I didn't have time for them. "Why are you here, Yi?" The locals struggled with my full name, so I was called Fe Yi, a name I found dull and this woman calling me was driving up that irritation therometer steadily. "You're a wife, Yi. Remember your image!" my mother-in-law's stern voice cut through. "Mother, don't say that. Yi is internationally known," chimed in the annoying Au Xia. This little idiot was just as insufferable as the rest. I wanted to roll my eyes but I couldnt because I was in public and I had an image to keep up.
Therefore, this small one looked at the milk tea and decided to brainwash myself to be calm and all of this is a play.
I sipped my milk tea, deciding to enjoy my melons as these two prepared to put on a show for me. "She's married into the Au family. My son is wealthy, with businesses nationwide, and ranks among the top twenty richest!" Look, this was easy, look at these clowns performing in public!
"Mother, don't embarrass sister,"
"She is my daughter-in-law! It's my right to educate her."
I kept my expression neutral, feigning ignorance while letting them pity me. Bully me? I didn't need to say a word; I was the group favorite, after all.
"Hey is that miss Confessions?"
"oh my god it is her!"
"I remember she had won an international medial a few months ago."
"Yes, yes, she also helped with a program."
"Yes, I remember that, she helped them raise ten million foreign dollars."
"Eh? which foreign one?"
"Oh sorry, the one from b country, their queen had not too long passed away and the new king and his…"
"Bah, no politics!"
"Right, anyway, you know right?"
"Yes, their currency is high, ten million, wow!"
"That is why see is worshipped, she had also helped over thirty students graduate from university."
"Yes, yes I've heard…"
I sat there sipping my tea as those passed spoke looking at the two who had stopped their performance. "Its a pity she is married."
"Oh, to whom? I have never heard of her husband."
"I am not sure, he has never been mentioned."
Having finished my bubble tea, I quickly messaged to change locations. Meeting in public had been a mistake before, but not now. They had shamed me then, but this time, they couldn't say a word.
It is fine to have a temper but one must always know when and where. This same conversation was heard but I had ignored them and decided to run away like a fool.
Why run, when you can strut, tch, foolish.
Also, If I stood up to speak, my height alone might make it seem like I was bullying them.
Boring.
I walked for a bit before entering an upscale restaurant on the mall's roof, which was divided into private, common, and members-only sections, occupying the entire rooftop area.
"Hello, Miss Fe, reservations with Vin," I said at the entrance. "Please come this way." This is the ideal spot to blend in, as it attracts the top one percent of the wealthy. The restaurant offers private rooms ranging from five hundred thousand to a million dollars an hour, complete with unlimited food, wine, and dedicated staff, including a server, chef, and tea maker. Dancers can also be arranged upon request, but the price increases, and at that point, you could book a suite for the night, though the hourly rate still applies. Personally, I like it but it is not my cup of tea, I don't like crowds even if I was accustomed to it. Especially the so-called entitled, and entitled people particularly irk me, and I might react violently—something I've long moved past.
I was only there for a meeting, so I didn't mind. I followed the woman down a wide hall, passing several doors until she stopped at one that slid open.
She stepped back and I entered.
This is my second time in one of these private rooms; the first was with that woman and a group of people, after which everything became a blur. Since then, my husband has looked at me differently, refusing to touch me, and my hatred for that woman has grown so intense that I've nearly broken my teeth from clenching them.
"Story, you're here!" a deep voice exclaimed joyfully as a man appeared.
Whenever I saw him, I couldn't help but stare a little longer. I know it's wrong to admire a man who isn't my husband, but let me explain. Vin Baisti is larger than my husband—most men aren't that big. His name suits him; he's a beast compared to most men, except for Giano, a five-time world bodybuilding champion and twelve-time titleholder. I swear, every time I see Vin, my eyes widen and my heart races. He's the perfect man to cuddle with.
Now, he works as my bodyguard whenever I travel abroad or go out in public.
Vin Baisti is an inch taller than my husband, with tilted eyes and a striking resemblance to him, though his undercut and man bun give him a more feminine appearance that often leaves me dazed. His family is known for producing male beauties.
There are rumors that he is married with a child, but the child is plain, while the woman, though attractive and from a decent family, is said to have never had a real relationship with him or a genuine marriage.
I needed to investigate further after she once approached me, warning me to stay away from him.
I had twenty animated question marks floating around my head with; who, what, why and where.