CHAPTER 3: HOW UNGRATEFUL CAN ALAN BE!

"I think I should hire you as a cleaner. The company really needs good ones, and you’re excellent at house chores. You handle your role as a housewife very well, and your cleaning skills would be a great asset. What do you think?" Upon hearing this, my happiness vanished, and my smile disappeared.

"A cleaner in my own company? How ungrateful can Alan be? Has he forgotten I'm his wife? If I work there as a cleaner and my parents come to visit and see me, they'll realize I'm being mistreated by Alan, and they won't take it lightly. But if I refuse his offer and try to take care of myself, he'll become suspicious," I thought, lost in my own mind.

He snapped his fingers in front of me to regain my attention. "I asked you a question, woman. Don’t keep me waiting."

At that moment, I was unsure of how to respond, but I didn’t want to expose my true feelings. When my dad handed over the company to me, I managed everything remotely while I was abroad, so no one there knew me except for Harold, the long-time gardener. I noticed Alan was getting frustrated with my silence, so I quickly replied, "Yes, I’ll accept the offer. I’ll work as a cleaner."

Alan smiled and gave me a pat on the cheek. "Good girl. Start tomorrow." Then he walked away.

"Tomorrow! Oh my goodness!" I took a deep breath and hurried to the backyard to call Gabriel, one of the board members I trust. I requested that he transfer Harold to another company immediately, and he agreed.

The next morning, I woke up, got ready, and wanted to ride to work with Alan. However, he pushed me out of his car. "Get your filthy self out of this car!"

I was speechless. I couldn’t understand why he would say that. "Alan, we’re going to the same workplace. At least give me a ride."

He slammed the car door and shouted, "Are you stupid? We can’t be seen going to work together. You’re a cleaner, and I’m the CEO. You can’t ride with your boss. What would my employees think?"

I was at a loss for words. Was that all he cared about? As I stood there, he tossed some cash at me. "Take a taxi. Don’t let me get to work before you. It wouldn’t be proper for your boss to arrive before you, especially on your first day. You know where I work, so don’t be late." With that, he drove off.

I picked up the money and ran to catch a taxi. However, there was traffic, so I jumped out and ran across the road without looking. I almost got hit by a car but didn’t care. I took a shortcut to work, arriving sweaty and breathless. I went inside and saw other cleaners. I approached a cleaner named Jane. "Where can I find the cleaner's uniform?"

Jane smiled at me. "You must be new here." I nodded and smiled without showing my teeth. She pointed to a room. "You can change in there."

I thanked her and quickly changed into the uniform. Then I began mopping the floors. I noticed Alan driving in and walking inside with an air of authority. His shoes left dirt on the area I had just mopped, and he pretended not to see me. I sighed, looking down, and Jane placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don’t worry, newbie. You’ll get used to this."

I didn’t respond, just glanced at Alan, shook my head, and continued with my work.

During lunch, I sat down, reflecting on everything that was happening, but I refused to give up.

After work, I waited by Alan's office door. As soon as he came out, I rushed to him, exhausted. "I’m so tired, honey. Can we go home now?"

Alan reacted angrily and pulled me aside. "What did you just call me?" I told him to let go of my arm because he was hurting me, but he tightened his grip. "Don’t ever call me honey or your husband at work. Address me as 'sir' or, if that’s too hard for you because I know you lack formal education, just call me 'boss.' You’re lucky no one heard you." I opened my mouth to respond, but he shushed me and continued, "Let me be clear: at home, I can be your husband, but at work, I’m your boss. Understand that, Audrey." He tapped my head and released my arm, pushing me aside. I winced in pain, holding my arm.

"I understand. So how do I get home?" I asked slowly.

He chuckled. "The same way you came." My teeth ground in anger, but I composed myself and left to catch a taxi.

On my way home, I kept muttering to myself, and the taxi driver kept glancing at me in the mirror. I finally snapped. "Why do you keep staring?"

The driver smiled. "Nothing really; I just noticed you look exhausted. It seems like the work is weighing you down, and you look like you could use someone to talk to."

He was very observant, and I did need someone to talk to, but I brushed him off. "Just drive and mind your own business." I don’t know why I was rude to him, but I didn’t want to share my personal issues with a stranger. The driver nodded and drove me home. When I arrived, Alan was already there.

"Good to have you back. Make me something to eat; I’m starving," he said, as if I were his servant. Just returning from my own company where I had to work as a cleaner, the thought still lingered in my mind. I said nothing and went to prepare his meal.

While he was eating, I coughed to get his attention. "Honey, this cleaning role is too stressful for me. Can you give me another position, like your personal assistant or even your secretary?"

Alan spat out his food and shocked me with his harsh response...