Chapter 2

Jasmine's POV

“ I can't believe you're not pregnant yet!” He banged his clenched fist against the dining table as the array of chairs separated us. I for once was glad that I was sitting at the other end, it was technically my life saver right now. He threw the test results aside in anger.

“ There's no need to be mad, it's just been a few months since we got married. It's not abnormal for concep...,” I mumbled in fear.

“ Mrs Margaret, from now on make sure Jasmine doesn't eat any junk food. Feed her with mostly fruits and vegetables and don't forget to make her drink low-fat butternut squash bisque,” he instructed.

“ You can't do that to...,” I sealed my lips at his intense glare. He knew I loved junk food and now he was going to take everything out. Warm tears built up in my ears with some escaping and flowing freely down my cheeks.

“ Sir, don't you think you're being too... extreme?” Mrs. Margaret spoke up for me even though she filtered and weighed her words. Asphalt treated Mrs Margaret and Butler William very well and with regard which I didn't know he could possibly do.

“ Mrs. Margaret, let's not talk further about this issue,” he dismissed.

“ Sir,” his secretary walked in. Other than Mrs. Margaret and Butler William, he was the only worker of his that knew me and treated me with sincere respect.

“ Did you find out what I asked you to?” 

“ I think we might have found out were Janet is hiding with her boyfriend but we're yet to confirm that sir,” he handed him a tablet to look at. My heart stopped for a moment at the mention of Janet's name, what would happen to me if Janet came back? I clenched my fists in anxiety, I wasn't ready to let go of Asphalt not even for my sister. I loved him and deserved him even if he didn't see it but Janet doesn't even care about whatever feelings he has for her so why won't he move on and notice me?

“ Alright. I need you to confirm her location as quickly as possible, once that's done I'll freeze her account. Let's see how long she can survive without money,” he wore an evil grin.

“ I'll get on it sir,” he bowed. With that, he got up from his seat and after adjusting his tie, he turned to leave the dining room.

“ Will you be home early for dinner?” Mrs. Margaret’s question made him halt.

“ I can't tell yet,” 

“ Asph-- Honey!” I ended up saying. I knew he was going to get really pissed at me now but if I didn't do that he would leave without paying any attention to me.

“ What did you just call me?” He turned back to look at me more in shock than in anger, this was the boldest I've been to him.

“ Honey,” I repeated. “ We've been married for a little over  two months now but I've never called you by anything, even when I did it was only by your name,”

“ Don't call me that ever again,” he warned sternly but I wasn't about to give up now. Janet would be found sooner or later and if I don't put the extra effort now, I would definitely lose any chance I had of winning his heart.

“ No, I'll keep calling you honey,” I stood on my ground though I trembled within, I held my head in confidence as I defied him.

“ What...,”

“ I just wanted to ask you again about my getting a job. I really want to do something, I can work at a bakery and I'll make sure no one knows that I'm Mrs. Levine,” I pleaded but his time not with fear but more naturally, the way it ought to be.

“ Mrs. Levine may be right. I'm not sure if it's healthy for her to stay cooped up all day,” his secretary vouched for me nervously.

“ Don't call her that, she might begin to forget her actual place. The title is only for one person and that's Janet, don't forget that you're nothing more than a substitute,” he hammered as he walked out with his secretary following closely behind.

“ Are you alright?” Mrs. Margaret asked seeing me break down to the ground in tears. It was like he derived pleasure in hurting me continuously.

“ You shouldn't cross the boundaries he's set. Asphalt is very sensitive, we've been taking care of him since he was a kid,” Butler William explained.

“ Yes, Butler William is absolutely correct. Asphalt had a very rough childhood and that may also be why he's a bit reluctant to let you leave the house,” she claimed.

“ His mother the former mistress of the house was a very outgoing person, too outgoing if you ask me and let's just say she ended up finding love outside her marriage to Asphalt’s dad,”

“ So what happened after that?” My tears immediately dried up at the mention of a good story especially one that concerned Asphalt.

“ Asphalt’s mom loved money more than anything and she found herself a rich foreigner. Did I mention that by then L cosmetics and scents wasn't as big?” Mrs. Margaret continued.

    “ And so she ran off, abandoning her only son. So he most likely doesn't want to let you out because he's afraid that you may go around exploring,” Butler William emphasized the exploring.

“ Where's his dad then? I always wondered why ever since I got here I hadn't seen or heard of his dad or his mom. Does he live somewhere else?”

“ Not quite, madam. A few months after his mom left, he's dad unable to bear it, killed himself,” she said bitterly.

“ And so he was traumatized as a kid. It's the reason we do not blame him for his attitude, he just has a lot of unsettled feelings,” Butler William slipped in a good word for him.

” That doesn't mean we justify his harsh treatment towards you but we only want you to have more patience with him,” she wiped off the tears on my cheeks.

“ Shouldn't this be a family secret? So why are you both telling me?” 

“ That's because you're family and not to mention our boss’s wife,” she said jovially.

 “ And as much as we respect his decisions, we still know what and who he needs,” Butler William comforted.

 “ Does that mean you see me as a better wife material than Janet and you're willing to help me solidify my stand in his life?” I went to my usual chatty, bubbly self. It was nice to have insiders who support you fully.

“ Yes, we will. Janet is nothing but a facade, acting all nice and innocent,” Mrs. Margaret scoffed. I guess she really didn't like my sister.

“ It's not that I hate her or anything,” I fondled with my fingers. “ I actually look up to my sister, the only thing is I'm not willing to give up Asphalt even if it's for her sake,” I stated my tone objective.

“ The sooner you become less naive the better,” she replied placing both hands on my shoulder.

“ So what sort of food does Asphalt like?” 

“ Huh? Why are you asking out of the blue?”

“ That's because OWMH, Operation Win My Husband is on a roll.”