illusions

The two girls laughed knowing what he was thinking.

After some time, she excused herself as she needed to use the restroom. then she soon came back to say she needed to go first. Their meetup was so good they agreed to meet again next time. She said she needed to go home and the two stayed longer.

The truth is, she booked a ride back home and had the driver pick her up at the parking lot. She cannot let Night know that she and YaoFeng are over specially now that she's pregnant. The two of them are very good friends. What if her brother mediate between them? Or help YaoFeng? She's so doubtful that's why she wanted to see Alex first to handle her divorce. She's afraid that if she do it herself, YaoFeng would be very capable to dismiss the divorce issue.

---

YaoFeng glanced at his rear view mirror to ensure that his parking is accurate.

He was momentarily dazed. Did he just see his wife? He got out of the car and moved towards the place where he saw a woman standing earlier but there was no one around when he got there. His heart was beating so fast to find nothing? He felt weird at that moment but he shook off the idea.

No. It's just my imagination. Yuyu is in London. His face frowns again as he proceeds to the entrance of the restaurant where Night and Gracie just left.

--

That night.

YaoFeng was surprised to see the new version of their house. There is less furniture and the floor is no longer shiny. Instead, the floor is covered by thick carpet.

Their kitchen has rubber flooring and even the stairs are covered in anti slip material.

He felt more depressed as his wife never got to see the outcome of her works.

He resigned from their room and checked for news about his hiding wife but nothing has changed.

---

Another new week. Ming Corporation.

A package arrived at the secretariat. Inside were bottles labeled with each of their names. Everyone was happy to receive their blessing from the old friend they missed a lot.

The group chat was filled with catching up messages. Then they received a reply.

"Next time it's gonna be three hundred yuan per 10ml. haha I'm being generous this one time so you will help me market our secret. I only give a ten percent discount to the members of the secretariat! -smile"

Yunru: "Assistant Xu is part of the secretariat, can I get his discount too?"

Yuyu: "Haha! Ask him if he will give it to you, he might want to give his wife a gift."

She missed her friends at work. But at least, they can still have fun at times like this.

Xu Heng: "Hah! Don't you dare use my discount!"

Sister Lun: "Your wife is pregnant, she cannot use the product."

Ying Tai: "That's right Assistant Xu. Give us singles and young people a better future!"

Yuyu: "My product is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding moms!"

Xu Heng: "I want to order a year's supply!"

Everyone: "LOL"

Yuyu: "How generous Assistant Xu! But sadly, I cannot mass produce. I am very limited with time and resources. I'll send you guys the last batch. I may not be able to work in the next year to come. I'll include your wife in the package."

Xu Heng: "Thank you Xiao Yuyu, we really miss you here! It feels like always doomsday without you :("

Assistant Xu did not notice that someone had been watching him since he started smiling with his phone.

"What's funny?" the CEO asked.

"Haha the people outside wanted to take away the discount Xiao Yuyu gave me!" He looked at his boss as soon as he finished talking.

The daunting look of his boss made him focus and hide his phone.

"Just finish the current project before we renew the contract." YaoFeng ended their discussion.

"Copy boss. Just call me if you need anything." he said as turned to leave.

"Leave your phone." The CEO commanded.

Assistant Xu was hesitant. "Boss, can I stay with my phone?" When he heard a grunt, he immediately passed his unlocked phone and sat in front of his boss.

Ming YaoFeng checked his chat and felt a mixed emotion when he back read on the group that's called secretariat.

The members are his immediate people and the creator is his wife. His heart was racing and he wanted to call her. However, he calmed himself. She will soon block all of these people who are, as of now, his only source of contact to her.

He felt like she's so near reading her messages to them. Then he turned to Assistant Xu.

"I thought you can no longer contact her?" he asked.

"Yes boss!" Assistant Xu replied with all honesty. "All of us cannot call her. But we can exchange messages," he explained.

"Check the package for the address of the sender." he ordered.

"Can I get my phone boss?" Assistant Xu asked. He felt conflicted with the way his boss glared at him.

(Boss, that's my phone….)

"Boss, my wife might call me anytime. She's pregnant." Assistant Xu pleaded.

"My wife might also call anytime. Just call the secretaries to do the job."

The two of them waited the whole day waiting for their wives as the phone stayed on the desk unmoving.

It was one of the secretaries who validated the address of the sender. It was Ming YaoFeng's current home address. She was so careful not to put a trace on her, he thought.

---

The next day, Assistant Xu received a brand new phone from the CEO.

He was so happy he gladly gave his boss the old phone. He knew that he wanted to be part of the group so he could watch his wife but they couldn't invite him or else, they would all be blocked.

Months passed but no more message came.

--

One afternoon, Ming YaoFeng was going for an inspection in three shopping malls under the Ming Corporation. At the last mall they were inspecting, something weird happened to Ming YaoFeng.

He felt like he saw two women shopping at the baby shop he passed by. He looked around but did not see anyone. Was he having illusions about his wife? This is the second time it happened to him. Does he miss her so much to see her everywhere?

---