CHAPTER 18

"So, Bryle's older sister is already at his house, that's why you're sharing a room? Wait, why did you need to share a room? As if his sister would even care about such things. I don't get your logic." Aeun frowned, crossing her arms. "I'm not surprised. Next thing I know, you'll be pregnant and you'll have to 'make it real' because there's a baby on the way."

"You know, Aeun, you're so dramatic. It definitely won't happen with Bryle and me!”

"How can you be so sure? He even hired a lawyer for you to have a marriage permit. I don't get it. Honestly, you shouldn't have agreed. Didn't you think this through? You can fool others, but not me. Even if you don't say it, I know what's going on in that head of yours—" Aeun didn't finish as someone knocked on my office door. We both turned, and saw it wasn't just a Lee Corp employee... It was Grandma.

"Hi, good morning ladies. Looks like I interrupted something in the middle of work." I swallowed at Grandma's words. She's meticulous about work, and seeing Aeun and me talking has her eyebrow raised, staring us down. Bad timing, right?

"Madam Mathilda, it's nice to see you again. Welcome to Lee Corp," Aeun said smoothly.

"Tsui, it seemed you and Felicity forgot it's work hours, not time for idle chatting." Grandma's words had me lump in my throat, it felt like she heard our conversation. I suddenly got nervous under her piercing gaze...

"Sorry, Madam Mathilda. It won't happen again," Aeun apologized. Grandma gave a brief, stern look before shifting to work talk. I relaxed a bit. Aeun quickly presented the reports, earning a hint of a smile from her. I guess having Aeun here saved me from being scolded.

Lee Corp had a meeting, and Grandma didn't linger. She had another meeting with investors over lunch. Good thing it wasn't at the office, and her intense presence was gone.

"Ms. Lee, we have a complaint from a client. They wanted compensation for breach of contract. They claimed the delivery was three hours late, and the paintings arrived damaged—past the agreed deadline and unpresentable... They want Blu Arte's to pay for damages and inconvenience per the contract." I massaged my temples, hearing this from Secretary Fort. I was at Blu Arte's to check on sales, and this was the news waiting for me. "We can't reach the employee who delivered the paintings either."

"How much do they want us to pay?" I asked, frowning.

"$56 million for the delayed and damaged paintings, plus $25 million due to negligence for contract damages. It totalled of $81 million, Ms. Lee." I buried my face in my hands, exasperated, hearing Secretary Fort. I asked him to leave as I needed a moment. I was about to lose control, but my phone buzzed. I grabbed it, checking the message.

'Hey Ms. Lee, this is Jacob. I'm one of the investors you met with the other day, remember? I'm Riego, the man in the red suit.' I read the message from an unknown number. It made me pause for a while before I could recall who this was. I wondered what he wanted.

I immediately replied, 'Yes, I remember you. Hi Mr. Riego, how are you? Is there anything I can help you with?'

'I just wanted to ask you out, I have a proposal I'd like to discuss with you. We may schedule this whenever you're free.' He immediately replied to my message. I sighed. I'd just received some bad news here at the company, but this man's offer would turn out to be something good. And since I'm having financial problem again, I accepted Mr. Jacob Riego's invitation.

We met at a cafe near my office. "Hi, Ms. Lee. Thank you for accepting my invitation." He immediately greeted me and we shook hands.

"Why wouldn't I? You're one of Lee Corp's most prominent business partners, so I couldn't refuse your invitation." The coffee, which looked like he'd ordered for both of us, arrived. I took a sip before speaking again, "So, what is it that we need to discuss?"

"I'm looking for a project worth supporting. Your Blu Arte's project came to mind, and I'm sure you're looking for sponsors for your new venture."

"Ah, yes, Mr. Riego. I am indeed looking for sponsors. We'll be showcasing a collection of rare paintings at the museum and are seeking support to fund the exhibit. Would you be interested in discussing potential sponsorship opportunities?"

"Of course, Ms. Lee. You have my trust..."

I was overjoyed, really, Mr. Riego's arrival was perfectly timed. It's a relief that he came, I won't have to worry as much about the bad news from my company thanks to his potential help.

I didn't return to the office after meeting with Mr. Riego. I went straight to Bryle's place and freshened up, planning to paint again to add to my new collection. Midway through painting, I felt hungry. I stopped what I was doing and decided to head to the kitchen. That's where I froze, seeing Bryle cooking.

Is he already home? That's early? I'm not usually early, and Bryle and I rarely get home at the same time, so I wondered if he normally gets home this early, or if he just got home early only for today and decided to cook dinner?

I quietly sat down on a chair and leaned my chin on my hand, gazing at the exquisite build of his back. The muscles in his arms, the posture of his shoulders, and his entire stance were captivating, even without him trying to be. I swallowed hard at the thoughts running through my mind.

He turned around and flashed a quick smile, "You're here already. You're early."

"Yeah, but it looks like you're even earlier," I replied quickly.

"No meeting at Cava Corp, so I came home early. Besides, I wanted to try out a new recipe, so I cooked." He crossed his arms and leaned against the sink. "Want to taste it? Or you want to try something else? Maybe you want to moan here in the kitchen, yeah?" He asked with a grin, which made my eyes widen.

"Are you crazy? You're cooking, and you're still flirting? You're something else, you know!"

"Why not? Am I not allowed to flirt? I'm your husband, aren't I?" The smirk still lingered on his lips. I just rolled my eyes, before I got swept away by the charm of his smile. Tsk. "Anyway, come here. I'll let you try my new recipe."

"Recipe?"

"Hmm. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a chef and I have my own restaurant, so I like experimenting with different dishes to add to my menu." I was taken aback, "Come here, try this pasta I made."

I quietly approached him and watched as he picked up a piece of pasta from the dish he was cooking. He brought it to my lips, and I tasted it. My eyebrows rose in surprise at the delicious flavor.

"How was it? Is it good?" He asked.

"Hmm, it's definitely good."

"Great—"

"But you're tastier than pasta." I cut him off before he could say anything. He stared at me, as if debating whether to laugh or get flattered by my comment. I grimaced and gave him a smirk, planning to leave and return to where I was sitting, but he suddenly pulled me close to his body by my waist.

"Tastier? Prove it." He whispered huskily, and before I could react, he kissed me. I couldn't help but respond to his increasingly passionate kiss. He lifted me and sat me on the edge of the sink. He stepped between my thighs and whispered softly,

"Do you want me to satisfy you, wife?" He said in a seductive tone. I swallowed hard and quickly glanced around.

I knew it, he takes things too seriously when I tease him like that. Argh! What if someone sees us here in the house!? So embarrassing!​