HEY, HUSBAND

MIRANDA

The expression on the faces of everyone turned into shock. Seeing that I looked serious, the lady at the counter said, "Calm down, Ma'am. I will call Mr. Duke right away and inform him."

At this point, a man walked up to the counter. From the way he was dressed and the way all the employees at the counter greeted him respectfully, I could tell he was a prominent figure.

One of the employees picked up a card from a bunch on the counter and handed it to the man, saying, "Here's an invitation to the boss' launch party tonight. It's mandatory to show up with the invitation, sir."

The man smiled and accepted the invitation card, saying, "Thank you, I will surely be at the party."

As the man turned and began to walk away, I stared at the heap of cards and thought, "So that arrogant man is throwing a party, huh? I wonder how he would react if I gate crashed it. Would he send me back home just as I want?"

I suddenly became excited as I thought about what I could do at the party.

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Duke is not answering the phone. He must be very busy," the lady said to me with an apologetic expression on her face.

"I'll just go up to him then," I replied and wanted to proceed to the elevator.

"Please be patient," the lady implored. "I don't want him to get upset. He might fire me."

"Mr. Duke?" One of the men at the counter suddenly said and everyone turned their attention to the elevator where Hazel had just come out from. He was speaking to an older man who had come out with him and he was smiling at the man.

Seeing that everyone was now staring at Hazel, I slyly reached out my hand and stole one of the invitation cards. I quickly hid it in the pocket of my gown and smiled as though I had not just stolen an IV.

I turned my attention back to Hazel who was still talking and smiling. Who knew he could smile so much? He seemed like a monster earlier in the day.

He shook hands with the man and finally looked my way as the older man began to leave. He stared at me briefly before turning his attention away and I could tell he did not recognize me. He wouldn't have ignored me otherwise.

"Hey, husband," I called out to him before he could get back in the elevator. He stopped, turned, and stared at me in surprise, and I knew he had recognized my voice.

The expression on his face changed to one of anger as he began walking toward me.

I smiled when he got closer while he gritted his teeth, "What the hell are you doing here, dimwit?"

I chuckled and leaned against the counter, "Hazel, there's no law that says I can't visit my husband at his company."

The employees at the counter all pretended to be busy as though they had no interest in our conversation but I could see them from the corner of my eye, occasionally lifting their heads from looking at their computer screens to stare at me.

"Get out of here right this instant," he ordered.

I folded my arms and smirked, "Make me."

He scoffed, took out his phone from his pocket, and made a phone call saying, "Come to the counter right now."

A few seconds later, four men in uniform hurried toward the counter and I could tell they were security.

I smiled, "You will regret this, Hazel."

"See her out," he pointed at me as he spoke to them. Afterward, he turned and walked away.

The men tried to grab my hands but I raised them, "Don't touch me, I will leave on my own."

The men kept their hands down and I walked out of the company. My visit to the company wasn't completely in vain so my mood was quite good.

I smiled as I strode toward my car where Mel was waiting for me. Seeing the smile on my face, she got out of the car and said, "I'm guessing the meeting with your husband was a pleasant one, seeing how happy you are."

"You can say that again," I replied and got in the passenger seat.

"I am so happy for you," Mel said as she got into the car.

I took out the invitation card I had stolen, from my pocket and showed it to her, "What do you know about parties like this?

Well, Hazel invited me. He said he'd like to introduce me to everyone at his launch party but I have no idea what exactly he is launching and the type of people that would be there."

Mel smiled, "Leave it to me, that's my specialty. Once I carefully look through this IV and do a little research, I will tell you everything you need to know."

I smiled at her, "You are so efficient, Mel. How old are you?"

"I am twenty-six," she replied. "I've been professionally trained in different aspects, that's why I could take on a job like this."

"That's amazing," I replied. "Let's go back home for now, so you can do your research while I figure out what to wear to my husband's party."

Seven hours later, I walked out of the house with Mel by my side. She had done my makeup and styled my hair so professionally that I almost could not recognize myself. I knew I was beautiful but I didn't think I could look like a beauty queen.

How could one person be so skillful? Mel was a rare gem and I was grateful to have her by my side, and even though we just met, I was a little sad that our time together would be short.

The domestic staff had all stared at me in surprise because I looked nothing like the ugly duckling they had seen in the morning. Mel had gone all out to beautify me because she believed Hazel had truly invited me to his party. Very funny.

"Don't you think your gown is too short?" She asked once I took off the long jacket I had used to cover my body.

I smiled. From the moment she told me that the code was dress and tux, I decided on how I wanted to look, so I convinced her to take me shopping.

I deliberately selected a very short, and sexy red dress that exposed my thighs because I had a goal. Even though I was uncomfortable in the dress I smiled and said to her, "Hazel asked me to look really sexy for his party, that's why I look this way."

She nodded and drove the car to the venue of the party. We arrived early but I waited in the car until Hazel arrived.

"Your husband is here," Mel said pointing at him.

"I know, and I'll meet him inside," I replied.

I did not leave the car until thirty minutes later, after convincing Mel to wait behind with the excuse that Hazel didn't want her inside the hall.

I wore back my jacket to avoid attracting attention before I could carry out my plan. I showed my IV when I got to the door and I was let inside. It was truly a grand party and Mel had told me that Hazel was launching one of the most sought-after products in the country.

There were at least two hundred people present and they all looked like big shots. I took in deep breaths in preparation for what I was going to do while ensuring that I was hidden from Hazel's view.

When Hazel was done speaking, they all clapped for him and began to congratulate him. Afterward, everyone sat down and the emcee took the stage.

Then came my chance. I got up from where I sat behind, took off my jacket, and began making my way to the stage without looking back.

The emcee was surprised when he saw me approaching, and I just smiled at him. I got on the stage, whispered into his ears, "Mr. Duke asked me to speak," and took the mic from him.

Believing my words, he gave me the mic and moved to the side. As I faced the audience, everyone stared at me curiously, wondering what I was up to, including Hazel.

I realized he had no idea who I was because of how calm he looked.

"Hi, everyone," I began. "My name is Miranda Hazel Duke and this is my husband's launch party."

The moment the words left my mouth, Hazel got up and stared at me in shock. I winked at him and while waving my hand to show my ring to everyone, continued, "As Hazel's wife, I am here to entertain you all. DJ, hit me with some music."

As I waited for music from the DJ, I ignored the gossip from those in the audience and focused on Hazel who kept staring at me as though he had seen a ghost.