SIXTEEN: THE NEW SECRETARY

[Shaira’s POINT OF VIEW]

The elevator to the top floor opened and welcomed a girl wearing a pastel blue buttoned long-sleeve and black pencil-cut skirt. The lady bowed her head as she entered the lift.

"Good morning, ma'am and sir," Aeriad uttered as she walked past us.

In my peripheral view, I can see the sophisticated secretary of my husband. She has a good figure and is much younger than I am. I can't help but compare myself with the woman who worked for my husband.

It's just the three of us inside the lift, and it feels so heavily awkward. I can even hear everyone's breath. I got startled by the 'Ding' sound of the elevator as it opened.

Jhotam squeezed my hand as we arrived on our floor. We headed straight to his office. Whilst Aeriad went to her desk, just outside my husband's office.

"Here's your chocolate beverage buddy," says Jhotam as he sat on the sofa, next to our son.

"Daddy, Hyunra asked if she was welcome to come here and play. Would it be fine?" Tamra asked.

My husband replied, "I have an urgent meeting today. How about you go to a theme park with her? How's that sound?"

I glanced at my husband, and before I could open my mouth, he immediately leaned over and kissed my cheeks. Then, Jhotam explained, "I don't want you two to leave, but I have an unsolicited meeting with a future investor from an advertising company. Let me escort you before meeting my investor."

"Ok. I'll call Hyunra right away," Tamra replied. He dials Hera's daughter's phone.

I stood up and sat next to my husband. Since the little guy has been busy talking to his childhood friend, I seized the opportunity to converse with my husband, "Who's this investor of yours?"

"Mr. Harrison, he's a wealthy tycoon that runs an international advertisement company."

"I see," I replied.

"Why'd you ask?" Jhotam asked.

"Is it wrong to ask who you are meeting?" I replied, furrowing my eyebrows.

He kissed my forehead and muttered, "Nothing. It's just that when we had Tamra, you rarely asked questions related to my work."

Thinking back then, it's indeed true. I rarely asked about my husband's job's what-not. I was too busy being a mother, and he was also busy working. Thus, the time we spent with one another was limited.

I burst into laughter and replied, "Then do you prefer if I nag you now and then?"

"Maybe it sounds crazy, but I would prefer it if you do that. If you're jealous, show it, and don't bottle it up."

"I'm not jealous. What made you think that I'm jealous?" I crossed my legs and squinted my eyes.

"My hunch told me so," Jhotam replied.

"I don't see why I should be jealous. Is there a reason for me to get jealous?" I asked in return.

He stood up and added, "I am just scared that you might no longer love me that much since you never get jealous lately."

"Not being jealous does not mean I don't care anymore. I simply have faith in you. Do you get it now?" I replied and accepted his palm.

Jhotam kissed my forehead. He was about to seal my lips if only our son had not intervened. Tamra stood up and held my hand and his dad as he uttered, "Dad, let's go. Hyunra and Auntie are heading to the theme park."

Jhotam locked his office as we left. We already passed his secretary's desk and were about to enter the elevator when Aeriad chased after us.

"Mr. Chua, are you leaving already?"

I furrowed my eyebrow and watched the secretary's behavior.

"I'll send off my family first. Then, I'll go straight to the airport to escort the guest, so prepare everything. Make sure our PR team will do their part. This transaction is vital for me."

"I-I thought we were heading there together. Take care and have a safe trip, ma'am and sir."

"If you're worried about the fare. You may ask the company driver to give you a lift."

"Thank you so much, sir. See you later," says Aeriad.

I simply watched the brazen lady's back as she turned her back to head back to her desk. I have this ominous feeling as I recognize how her eyes sparkled every time they landed on my husband's face.

Back then, his secretary wasn't brazen and young. Thus I never had this insecurity. I can't help but think maybe it's not the investor I should be wary of but his newly hired, young, and beautiful secretary…