CHAPTER 17

Adrian's eyes widened in shock, he stood from where he sat and walked towards me. I could feel my heart pounding against my chest as I began developing cold feet.

How on earth was I able to talk back to Adrian? How did I do it? As much as I know that he wasn't going to take it lightly with me, I do not regret it.

He was close to me by now with his head high above mine. I fixed my gaze on the floor, looking at nothing in particular.

“What did you say?” He asked slowly, I could feel his breath showering on my earlobe.

“Nothing”. I replied in shutters. “I didn't say anything”.

“Are you sure?”. He pressed further.

“Yes”. I affirmed.

“I thought as much”. He said and walked away.

I heaved a loud sigh of relief and strode away silently. When I got to my room, I twisted the door knob clockwise and walked in. The first thing I did was to take off my clothes and walk under the shower. The stench of the hospital was glued to my body, and although I loved it, it had to go.

After freshening up, I hurried downstairs to eat because my stomach was rumbling. I had hot porridge for breakfast. The chef said that was the best meal for my health at that moment.

Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed by the presence of someone behind me, making me gasp for breath. He walked past me and sat on the other edge of the dining table. This was the first time I was having a meal with my so-called husband at the same table.

I gulped hard and tried to force out my voice.

“Adrian, I still need to visit home”. I mumbled, trying hard to look at him.

“You have my permission”. He muttered.

“Are you done thinking about giving me some money to change my wardrobe?” I asked in one breath.

He glared at me with his side-eye making me nervous.

“I have made my decision, Mrs Jenny Sterling. I looked at his face abruptly, he had never addressed me with that name.

“I don't give out my money to people on a platter of gold”. He stated matter-of-factly. “You will have to work for it”.

“What do you mean?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“My personal assistant, Tiller, was involved in a car accident and was flown to India yesterday. You will take up the position until he gets back to his feet”.

“Whattt!” I exclaimed, dropping my spoon. “The contract terms clearly stated that I would not have to work during this period”.

“That's true. But the last time I checked, the contract also made provisions for amendments”. He replied.

“Well, I have not fully recovered”. I mumbled.

“You will resume work tomorrow”. He said ignoring my excuse. “Anyway, it's not by force. If you do not want to visit home anymore, you can reject the offer”.

Adrian gulped down his tea and emptied his cup. His bouncers picked up his suitcase and followed him outside.

I had totally lost my appetite. I realized Adrian was only trying to make out an avenue to taunt me more. How exactly would I survive with Adrian? I was not able to condone him as my husband and he now wants to be my boss as well.

But my hands were tied. I had to do it for Mom, I had sacrificed a lot for her already. I summoned courage and trudged to my room; my fingers were still aching, though. I laid down on the bed and dozed off.

I woke up two hours later to find an alert of fifty thousand dollars from Adrian. That was for my wardrobe, I guess, it was more than I expected, but it didn't mean anything. I dragged myself out of bed lazily and dressed up.

The ride to the boutique was slow and steady. I couldn't help but admire the exterior view, many people were troping in and out of the boutique. I wished to own a fashion house, at least since my dreams of becoming a medical personnel were destroyed. But for now, all my imagination, dreams, aspirations, aims, and goals remain far-fetched, unless fate intervenes.

Once inside, I told my shopping assistant that I needed mostly professional dresses. He took me to a part of the mall and picked a few and tried it out.

I loved shopping, it was something I and Mom loved doing together back then. We play a game called “higher price pays”. With the game, we would pick as many dresses and accessories as we wanted, and when we were satisfied we would go to the cashier to pay our bills. When our goods are calculated and totalled, the person with the highest price pays for everything.

I loved the game so much and of course I always won. But now I was all alone, trying to make shopping and other daily actives murmured without her. It was hard but that didn't change Anything.

I stretched forth my hands to pull out brown heel shoes from the upper shelf but someone immediately snatched it. I turned around immediately to see who it was.

“I'm so sorry ma'am, I didn't mean to be rude. It's just that my Mom's wedding is coming up next week and these are the exact shoes she wants”.

The lady looked my age; she had a little figure with her boobs and nipples poking through her chiffon dress.

I smiled at her and murmured. “You can have it, since it's that important”.

“Awwwwnn, thank you so much for understanding”. She replied and gave me a quick up before we parted ways.

My phone beeped a few seconds later and Julian was the caller. I hesitated before picking up.

“Hello, dear”. He sang into the phone as usual.

“I'm not your dear you blockhead”. I yelled into the phone.

“Alright, hello Mrs Adrian”. He said with a sneer.

“What do you want?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“Nothing much, just called to check up on you and also let you know that you don't have to pay for your goods because I have taken care of it already”.

“Whatttt, how dare you?” I fumed.

“Enjoy the rest of your day dear”. He replied ignoring my anger.

“Look here, this is your last warning. The next time you call me, I will tell Adrian about it”. I said matter of factly and ended the call.

I trudged to the cashier to pay my bill because I didn't believe what that asshole said.

“No ma'am, the boss has already taken care of it”. The cashier refused my card.

What boss is she talking about?