CHAPTER VI: A SUSPICIOUS WIFE

IT'S been two years since he had an affair with another woman. He was aware that what he was doing was wrong, yet he couldn't stop himself. His other woman gave him something that her wife couldn't give. His mistress, despite being wild and demanding, made him feel like a man. She made him feel as if he was needed. His wife, on the other hand, was self-sufficient and successful in her career. He sometimes felt like he was just a bystander in her life. It was as if their marriage was merely something to round out her whole picture of a perfect woman with a successful profession and a wonderful marriage!

Of course, he knew that cheating was wrong, and no reason could justify his actions. He attempted to end their affair multiple times over the past two years. But every time he tried, it didn't work since he couldn't do it. Perhaps he was a weak person and a bad husband. But he wanted to hold on to that forbidden relationship for as long as he could. Of course, he would never give up his family for another woman. But for the time being, he couldn't let go of her.

Not for now.

He wanted to keep their love affair, no matter how wrong it was, for as long as possible.

"Hey, why are you spacing out?" said his wife. "Are you still on cloud nine?"

He laughed. "Yeah, this is surreal."

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it. This is your new reality."

From his pocket, he felt the vibration of his cellphone. He grabbed it right away and looked to see who was texting.

It was that unknown number again.

He had already blocked that person several times, but he was still able to reach him. Eventually, he gave up and let that person text him but he never responded. That stranger only made meaningless threats against him and would never succeed in bringing him down.

However, his most recent message piqued his interest.

YOUR WIFE KNOWS SOMETHING.

He was sweating from what he had read, but he tried not to show it.

"I think we should go home, 'hon, you seem extremely sick," Elena expressed concern.

He fixed his gaze on his wife. There was no indication that she was aware of his secret. She appeared to be quite normal. Nothing has changed in her tone and facial expression.

"H-hon?"

"I said, I think we should go home. I'm sure they'll understand if you go first if we let them know you're not feeling well."

F*ck.

His wife has the potential to be a good actress.

Maybe she was just pretending to be unaware of what was going on. She could simply be attempting to be nonchalant. But, beneath those lovely gestures and looks, she could be plotting to capture him with his lover. Worse, she could be planning her vengeance!

There was no way in hell that he would let that happen. He was only just beginning to realize his ambitions. Nobody can ruin what he has begun.

He would fight his own wife if he had to.

"I'm fine, 'hon. Don't mind me," he tried to grin at her.

"Are you sure you're all right?"

"Please don't worry about me. I'm fine."

"Are you lying to me?" she asked in a meaningful tone. She appeared and sounded very different—dark and scary.

He was taken aback and couldn't answer the question for quite some time.

"H-huh?"

"You're saying you're fine, but you look so pale. Tell me honestly, are you lying to me?" her wife's tone softened. It seemed like he was just imagining the side of her that he saw earlier.

"I-I'm really fine."

"If you say so." She shrugged and smiled at him again. "Just tell me if you're not feeling good. Don't hide anything from me."

"Of course, 'hon."

"Because I'll know if you're not okay. I know you too well, 'hon."

Fuck it! She really knows something!

***

ELENA made an effort not to worry about what she had discovered. She attempted to persuade herself that it was stupid... It was nothing. There was also no proof that her husband was cheating on her. She had better things to do than listen to a hater's baseless claim. Everything was going so well for their family that she shouldn't be bothered by those who were attempting to ruin it.

Her husband would never cheat on her.

"This is weird," Peter commented as they sat into the car. Their driver was taking them to his school at the time. They'll drop off her son and then head straight to the studio for the taping of her talk show.

"What's weird?"

"I'm just not used to cars following us. We're like public officials." He chuckled.

"Can't blame you, son. This is also weird for me. But your 'dad insists on doubling our security because of his new position."

She didn’t want to agree at first but her husband insisted. She understood him, though. They were the family of the CEO of the country's biggest business empire. Many people could do bad things to them out of envy and a desire to overthrow them.

"Are we going to be like this forever?"

She just smiled and held her child's hand.

"Let's just get used to this new set-up, son. This is the least that we can do for your 'dad."

"I'm happy for him. I just didn't realize that this is how big the changes will be in our lives."

"We'll get used to it, too." She kissed him on his head.

"Mum! I'm not a child anymore," he complained which made her laugh

"Of course, you're all grown-up now. Sometimes I forget that you're not a baby anymore."

"Of course not!"

"But you will always be my baby ... forever!" She was about to hug him but she stopped when she saw him looking so pissed-off. "You're so grumpy!"

"Your fault."

"Hmp! Maybe you already have a girlfriend that's why you don't want me to treat you like a baby anymore."

He didn't respond and just looked out the window. Her eyes widened when she noticed the expression on his face. Her son was really a grown-up now!

"Oh my Gosh! You already have a girlfriend!"

"Mum, please stop!"

"Mang Ramon, my baby already has a girlfriend!" she said laughing to their family driver. "Our dear Peter is already in love!"

"Oh, ma'am, that's how young people really are. Just let him enjoy his youth."

"Of course. Hey, son, don't ever think I won't support you. Do you think I'll be angry so you didn't tell me you already have a girlfriend?"

"It's not like that—"

"As long as you still prioritize your studies, then I'm good with that."

"Thanks, mum."

"I want to meet her, though."

"No!"

"Why not? Aren't you proud of her?"

"No, what I mean is—"

"If you're serious with her, then you should let me meet her. I'm sure she's a wonderful girl."

"You're crazy, 'mom!"

"Ah, whatever. Let's set the date, okay?"