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"So where were we?" My husband asked as he rolled up his sleeves and stalked towards me like a predator to his prey.

"Babe, calm down, it's not even what you were thinking". I tried to sound as calm as possible but inside me, I was far from calm. I knew what was about to go down and my eyes were searching for any and every possible exits.

We had just gotten back from a lunch meeting with one of the men my husband did business with. He had mentioned that he'd be coming with his wife and that was why my husband decided to take me along. He never took me along for his business meetings.

My husband is a very jealous man. I wouldn't say jealous, I'd say possessive in an endearing kind of way. He believes I'm too pretty and he doesn't want to share me with the world which is why I rarely ever followed him out.

However, this business meant a great deal to him and it was important that he closed it which was why he decided to take me along since the Mr Crestwood was coming with his wife. He wanted to make a great impression.

"What then happened?" He asked calmly "I vividly remember myself telling you that you were to speak to Mrs Crestwood and to not under any circumstance talk to the men at the table unless you're given permission

"I'm sorry Levi, I just thought… Ahh". The rest of the sentence was slapped right out of my mouth.

The slap didn't register at first, but I remember seeing a flash of white which I wasn't sure if it was because of the brute force of his backhand or because my head hit the wall he backed me into.

I held my face and counted, expecting the next slap but it never came.

"Be thankful that I secured that deal." Levi said over his shoulder as he started towards the stairs.

I slowly brought down my hand from my face and my pinky finger brushed the corner of my eye. It stung. I slid down the wall and brought out my phone to check the damage and I saw that It was bruised. Shit, he was wearing rings. The damage wasn't much and it would be gone in a few days. Like he said, thank God he secured the deal. It could have been worse.

I'm going to give myself this one credit though. I believe was a part of the reason Levi secured the deal. I know him acknowledging that fact was the reason why my punishment was lighter. He only punished me for talking to Mr Crestwood when he specifically told me not to. I was interested in the conversation and only asked him a question. I totally didn't think anything of it since Mrs Crestwood was also conversing with her and my husband. I got carried away and asked a question and before I knew it, I was full on conversing with the man and his wife. I should have looked out for the signs that Levi was pissed. The way his jaw tightened, the slightly forced breaths he took; but I was so carried away.

I saw a hand in front of me offering to help me up. It was Janet. The personal maid that was assigned to me. I tried to be friends with her but she kept her relationship with me strictly professional. She only talks to me when absolutely necessary and I know she reports my every move to her boss, Levi.

I took her hand and she helped me get up.

"Thank you, Janet."

She didn't even nod in acknowledgment. There were times like this when I thought I could see cracks in her hard exterior. Moments where I saw an emotion flit through her eyes. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's pity. It could be judgement. But you never know with Janet, it could be anything.

I smoothed out my dress and went up the stairs to my room. I entered my bedroom and like the rest of the house, it felt cold. I dropped my bag on the dresser and sat on the chair, took some wipes and started cleaning the little makeup I had on for the night. When I was done, I took off my dress, put it in the laundry and walked into the bathroom. I passed the mirror as I was heading to the shower and my eye caught a purpling bruise on my back, close to my armpit. I closed my eyes and willed the tears that were threatening to spill away. I took a quick shower, dried myself, changed into my comfiest pyjamas and tucked myself nicely into the sheets. I was out like light.