The other woman

Sighing, she called his office.

"Hello, you are onto Buck's publishing company. How may I help you today?"

She sighed, "Hello, Sharon. This is Mrs. Buck. Can you please connect me with my husband?"

It was silent for a while before she heard the voice again, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Buck, but Mr. Buck already left the office."

She sighed. That was good. Maybe, he was already on his way back home. Her heart skipped with hope. "Please, what time did he leave?"

The line was silent again, and then a response, "He left around 5 P. M."

Five P. M. The journey to their apartment from his office wouldn't have taken two hours. Where was he?

The receptionist must have noticed her silence because she asked. "Is there any other thing I can help you with, Mrs. Buck?"

She shook her head and then realized the other lady can't see her. "No. Nothing. Thank you very much, Sharon."

The beep at the end of the phone signified that Sharon had hung up.

What if Jack was coming back home and had ended up in an accident? Her thoughts went wild, thinking of every possible thing that could have happened from his office to their apartment. She was a minute away from calling police aid when she heard the beeping in front of their apartment. Someone was inputting the security code, and there were just two of them who knew the code. She ran towards the door at the same time Jack came inside smelling like a woman's perfume. She moved backward and raised her brow at him.

He smiled, "Happy Anniversary, Wife." He moved closer to pull her in a hug, but she moved back shaking her head at him. He cocked a brow, "What's wrong? Are you not happy to see me?"

She glared at him, "Where have you been? I have been worried."

He smiled wider and pulled out a box from his pocket. Mia's gaze focused on the tiny box while he open it revealing a star golden necklace. She smiled, that was it. He was busy buying her an anniversary gift, and that was why he was late. She moved closer to him, while he put the chain on her. "Happy second anniversary to us, wife." He hugged her and pulled her in for a quick kiss.

Mia sighed, glad that he was okay. She touched the necklace and blushed. "I like it. It's really beautiful."

Jack stared at her, "You are really beautiful."

She chuckled and put her arm in his. She pulled him towards the dining table, and Jack gasped, "You made all this, Mia."

She nodded. "I did. Happy anniversary to us. I'm so happy with you. I hope this anniversary will be a new beginning for us."

Jack nodded taking his seat at the table. Mia sat opposite him. She helped him dish some of the food on his plate and filled their glasses with wine. They made a toast, 'to forever together.'

Mia felt more at ease than she had in a long time. Jack was finally opening up to her. He cared about her. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have bought her a golden necklace. She glanced at him while he smiled at her. They were having a conversation about his business when Jack's phone rang. He pulled it out and frowned at the screen. Mia also frowned. What was wrong?

Jack pulled the chair back and stood up. "I have to pick up this call. Excuse me." Without waiting for her response, he moved out of the dining room towards the balcony.

What was that? They never excused each other when receiving a call. What was so important that he couldn't have picked it in front of her? Mia thought. She stood up silently pulling her chair back to its position. She tiptoed to the door to the balcony and pressed her ears to the door.

Jack's voice was low but she could make out every word he was saying, "I know, honey. I am so sorry to have left you alone, but I have to be at my wedding anniversary."

Mia's heart skipped a beat. Who was the honey? He was silent for a while before his voice drifted again.

"I will make some excuse and come over to your place. I missed you too, honey."

Mia touched the necklace which suddenly felt heavy on her neck and frowned. She shook her head. She must have misunderstood whatever he was saying. There was no way Jack was going to leave her all alone on their anniversary night. She felt a tear drop on her hand, and stubbornly wiped it off. How many times was she going to cry over her husband?

Soon she heard footsteps. She ran to the dining and picked up a spoon of food forcing it into her mouth. Jack smiled at her, placing a kiss on her cheek before he went to sit on his side of the table. Mia avoided looking at him as she focused on her food as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

Jack cleared his throat, "That was an emergency at work;"

Mia nodded.

Jack continued. "I am sorry, wife, but I think I have to leave for the office. I just got a call that my attention was needed."

Mia cleared her throat, but her voice still sounded hoarse, "Can't it wait till tomorrow? It's our anniversary."

Jack shook his head, "No, Mia. I want to stay behind, but this is an important deal. I have to close this deal tonight."

Liar.

Mia nodded, and a fat tear dropped on her plate. She didn't look up. "It's okay. Maybe, if you come back we could continue."

He nodded. "That would be amazing."

He stood up again, and kissed her on the cheek, then he walked out of the apartment. Mia swallowed a gulp and felt her throat hitch. She was going to find out who that woman was.