Chapter 3: His Insult

The distant sound of her alarm awoke her as she threw her hand around everywhere trying to turn it off. After a solid minute of looking for it in vain, she groaned loudly into her pillow and forced herself to get up. Jiaye sat up slowly on the edge of her bed trying to figure out what had woken her up this early. Then it hit her, today was the day she dreaded. Today was when she was finally going to get a job at her husband's company. Did his employees even know he was married though? She guesses she'd find that out later at the HR department.

She went to the bathroom and started her daily morning routine as she tried to figure out what exactly she wear to an interview where she was going to demand a job and invoke some meaningless threats if necessary. Things she does just to get her dad off back with his lectures. He'd be speechless when he decides to call again and finds out she's being the perfect wife. Jiaye decided some time back since everything she loved was snatched heartlessly away from her, she just goes by her parent's bidding and proves to them that she's so much better than their pathetic image of her. Some people would say that she was the one being pathetic, but hey, she still cared about her family too much to just abandon them. So to most maybe it would look like she was scrapping for her dad's acknowledgment. And now that she was thinking about it maybe that's what she was doing. Jaiye didn't know and she didn't want to think about this topic any further.

She quickly finished drying her hair and headed to her wardrobe with an inkling of an idea of what she wanted to wear. She needed to look intimidating and elegant. Enough to get a job, maybe not too powerful-looking or they'd be too scared to hire her. But wait, wouldn't that be perfect to get a higher-ups job. Hmmm….

She scanned her clothes then finally managed to settle on what she'd wear. Jiaye opted for a white halter top and black skinny official pants. She eyed herself in the mirror and decided her outfit still needed something. She just looked like she was going out for a photoshoot or something. She checked her wardrobe and her peach blazer caught her eye. She never actually thought she ever wears it when her mum forced her to buy it. She pulled it on and liked how it was bringing her outfit together. She looked at her clock and saw it was almost seven. If she wanted to have breakfast before she left she was running late. She quickly scanned her heels and settled on a pair of nude-colored five-inch heels. She decided on carrying her black Michael Kors leather tote. She went over to her dresser and carefully did her makeup. She decided to go for a natural look. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail and admired how her dark curls were nice and wavy and bouncy and all. She wore her silver watch and grabbed her stunners from the table. Looking at my full-length mirror she was proud of how she'd turned out. She struck my power pose then stepped out confidently.

She knew she didn't have time to prepare breakfast for herself so she just decided to stop by whichever coffee shop came by first on her way. She grabbed one of Maddie's car keys ignoring the maid who was coming to chastise her no doubt and quickly headed for the garage.

She pressed the unlock button and was pleased to see that she unlocked his matte black jeep wrangler. Today she will be going to feel most powerful. She quickly got in and drove out partly expecting the watchman to refuse for me to pass. Thank God he opened without too much drama.

It was already 7:27 am she wasn't too late. She stepped on the gas hoping the traffic wouldn't be too much. But just in case she knew a couple of shortcuts. The traffic wasn't as heavy as she thought it would be for a Monday. Maybe everyone was just too lazy or busy hating themselves or Monday. Jiaye didn't care, she was happy. She stopped by a small cozy coffee shop.

An old woman smiled warmly at her and welcomed her trying to usher her to a seat.

"I'm actually in a hurry sorry, just give me a large cappuccino to go, and a brownie thanks."

She watched her, a smile still on her face go behind the counter and slowly take herself round the kitchen humming to some tunes. She was so slow if she wasn't so old she has left already. Five minutes later she handed her a coffee and brownies then slowly went over to the cashier. She hurriedly removed a twenty-dollar bill. According to the menu, her bill came to around nine dollars.

"Keep the change." She smiled sweetly at her then left.

7:39am Hooowww!!! This wasn't even possible. Time was practically flying.

She placed her coffee on the cup holder and her brownies next to her bag then continued with her journey in a rush. Would she get whoever was in charge though? Maybe they haven't reached or were in a meeting. Oh well. She has already come this far she might as well finish her mission. If she wasn't wrong she should be about ten minutes away from Ji Corporation. She took a sip of her coffee and stepped on the gas.

She decided to park in the company's basement as she quickly gulped down her coffee. She needs it. She'd barely taken more than three bites of her brownies before her phone started vibrating near her.

"Oh wow! My beloved husband was calling."

"Maddie." She answered brightly.

"What brings you here?"

Straight to the point. Sure, let's not waste time on mere pleasantries.

"I'm here to get a job," then a brilliant idea suddenly popped in her head. "Be a darling and get one for your dear wife?"

"Come to my office now!" he hangs up immediately. He sounded furious. She might be in trouble. She took a big bite of her brownies sipped some coffee, grabbed her bag and left. Immediately she entered, everyone's eyes were on her. She headed straight for the receptionist's desk.

"Hi, how may I help you?" the receptionist said with a strained smile on her face.

"Hi, where's Maddie's office?" She assumed she looked extra official since she'd switched her stunners for her spectacles on her way up. They could easily be confused for being a fashion accessory but she needed them.

She could tell she was confused as to who she was but it wasn't her job to ask.

"7th floor. It's the only office. You need a pass code to access the floor."

For real! She mentally rolled her eyes. She looked at her expectantly waiting for her to tell her but she just looked at her.

"What's the passcode?" SHe asked her with a forced smile.

"Only Sir Maddie and his assistant know. He has to come down and take you if you have an appointment."

She was struggling to stay positive. It was too early to get her day spoilt. She dug through her purse for her phone and dialed Maddie's number. He picked on the second ring.

"What the fuck's your passcode? Better yet come to get me." She muttered lowly trying to restrain her anger but she was pretty sure Ms. Receptionist heard everything she was saying. She noticed the shocked look on her face as she struggled but failed to mask it.

He scoffed then cut. She looked over at….she squinted her eyes a bit to read her name tag, Brittany.

"Where can I wait, Brittany?" she pointed over to the sofa just opposite the reception. She smiled slightly at her and went over to a seat.

She was just getting comfortable when she felt someone looming over her. She looked up to see the girl from the other night looking down at her as if she'd forgotten her. This bitch. She noticed her slight smirk as if she'd won something then she suddenly broke the silence.

"Mrs. Ji?" there was something about the way she said it. This girl should keep her guard up. She's trying her.

She gave her a sickly sweet smile and stood up. She easily towered over her since already without the heels she was still taller than her. She smiled a bit remembering yesterday night and watched as her bravado suddenly failed her. She took three quick steps back and nearly fell over but managed to keep her balance.

"Mr. Maddie awaits you. Follow me." She turned and started leading her towards the elevator. So she wasn't a model as she previously thought but the infamous secretary. Damn. Today she'd worn a tight beige skirt that had a slit behind between her legs and stopped around mid-thigh. Her white chiffon top had a killer cleavage. She doesn't blame Maddie for tapping this one.

There was that usual elevator awkward silence then they finally reached his floor. She got out first leading her down the hallway. She stopped in front of a huge mahogany door knocked twice and opened the door.

"Your wife, sir." She announced holding the door wide open for me.

Maddie looked up from his papers and took in her outfit.

"Don't let anyone interrupt us, Mingxia. Hold off all my appointments." She nodded dutifully and left closing the door carefully behind her.

He turned his attention back to her. "Sit."

She took her time going to the chair and sat.

"Why do you want to work? Here especially. I'll give you money daily if that's the problem."

"I'd like to work close to my husband. Is it so wrong for a spouse to want to be close to her fated partner? Is it so wrong for me to love my darling husband and want to be nearer to him?" She was being extra she knows.

"Don't be so dramatic." He eyed her as if weighing his options and having an inner debate then finally sighed. "What position do you want?"

My face immediately lit up. "Fin-"

"I was joking. I'm not giving you a job and an option to choose what you want to do. You'll be my assistant. I'm sure you know what that entails. I'll have my lawyers draft up a contract and you'll be presented with it before the end of the workday."

Jiaye's heart dropped. This wasn't at all what she wanted. She should've just stayed home.

"Before I forget, we'll be going public with our relationship status. My grandfather will be discharged soon and he'll get suspicious."

She loved the old man but he is discharged now, she just wasn't ready. She already knew that he loved her as a daughter ever since that time she worked at the hospital he was admitted in at the time. She hated that she had to lie to him for her to get married to Maddie. She had him believe that she was head over heels in love with Maddie and wanted to marry him. She convinced him to push Maddie into marrying her under the impression that it was just a business deal, which is what she had intended for it to be, but Frank was a sappy romantic, he wanted his grandson to finally settle and give him great-grandkids. Both of them would end up happy, his grandson will settle and she will get the cash for her family. With him aboard the ship, nothing could stop them. Even though she didn't plan on keeping up her end of the deal.

"So when will we announce our marriage?" She asked him after she managed to swallow the lump lodged in her throat. He looked thoughtful for a moment then came to a decision.

"Today." He bent over and pulled something out of the drawers.

"Here. This is only temporary so don't lose it. That's my grandmother's ring that goes down from generation to generation."

He handed her a beautiful vintage tiny box. She carefully took it from his hands and opened. She felt like her heart was going to jump out of my chest. What she was looking at was the most beautiful thing she ever laid on her eyes. It was a beautiful white gold ring with a princess cut diamond that just pulled you in. She plucked it from its haven and looked over at Maddie feeling like she was violating everyone in his lineage by even touching it.

"Won't you put it on me, darling?" the last part came out a bit strained but she could tell she took him by surprise.

"Come." He agreed immediately and that took her by surprise. She didn't think he'd agree. He pushed his chair back as she went round to his side. Her heart was going wild in my chest. He took her hand softly and slipped in the ring. It was a perfect fit. That was insane. His hand lingered a bit sending her heart into a wilder frenzy. He slowly pulled his hand away and she quickly stepped back. Confused as to what just happened.

"I know the perfect way for us to go public without much work on our end. Follow me." He stood up and left his office with her rushing quickly before him struggling to keep up with his pace.

He led into what she assumed was the employee lounge and quickly took her hand in his. Jiaye's breath hitched in her throat as everyone's attention turned to them.

Maddie cleared his throat to get the room to quiet down then announced in his bossy voice, "This is my wife, Mrs. Jiaye Ji. She'll be working with us as of tomorrow. Acquaint yourself with her in your spare time." He nodded his head and pulled her hand a bit to follow him. She was speechless. That was just like a normal announcement. But, oh well, he knew what he was doing.

As they got into the lift he let go of her hand and she instantly missed his warmth. She was a bit grateful though, She did not like the way she was reacting to him and all this was just too weird.

"There's a gala tonight we should attend. Paparazzi will be there. Dress to kill, I'll pick you up at 7:30. You may leave now." He finished just as the elevator dinged on his floor. She wanted to punch him in his gut so bad. She followed him though, for her purse, nothing too crazy.

He raised his perfect eyebrow at her but she ignored him and just increased her speed so she was walking alongside him. How was he still towering over her even with her heels? She was at least 6 feet tall now. He pushed his door open and she quickly slid in before him. She knew there was no way he'd hold it open for her.

She grabbed her purse that she left by the chair. "Will you come home with the contract?"

"Yes." She walked over to him and caught his tie just before he could sit. He looked at me bewildered.

"What's your favorite color?" She asked him in the sexiest voice she could master and look up at him through her lashes pushing her boobs up against his chest. If anyone asked her what the fuck it was she thought she was doing, she wouldn't have an answer.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd carry yourself with a bit more dignity." He pulled his tie from her grasp and sat down his attention immediately back to his work. That felt like a stab right through her heart. He'd managed to shred all her dignity with that one sentence. She thinks the female goddess in her may have died even. She still tied to keep my head up though. She turned and walked out hoping she looked confident to anyone watching her.