The Mistress

I clenched my teeth and held my back as straight as I could. I was hissing through my teeth.

"You might be blind, Rochelle, but I'm still Matthew's wife! You're going to get fired for this!"

Rochelle Wood chuckled and huddled close enough to whisper into my ear. "Do you know why his mother took my side? Because I'm pregnant with her grandkid! Even if Mr. Grayson does show up, it's me against you. He's going to take my side, you barren bitch."

She scoffed. "You don't even hold a candle to me. I'd leave if I were you. Saves the humiliation and the spot for a more deserving woman."

My pupils turned into little dots, and I stared at the tiny baby bump on her belly. It was an eyesore. The man who promised me eternal love and gratitude had betrayed me a long time ago.

While I was paving his way to success with my money, connections, and resources, he kept a woman on the side and started a family with her!

They even had a baby!

"Why you…"

Before my rage could spill out of my mouth, Rochelle's smug smile turned into terror. She grabbed my arm and tumbled backward like she was hit with a freight train.

A bloodcurdling scream shattered the air of the hall. Rochelle crumpled down to the ground and held her belly tightly. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she put on the mask of a hurt pregnant woman.

"I was just trying to help, Mrs. Grayson! Why'd you push me?"

A furious voice exploded from the crowd. "What are you doing, Wendy?"

Matthew shoved the crowd aside and darted into the fray. He didn't even look at me. Instead, he went straight to Rochelle, looking every bit the worried lover as he helped her get back up.

"Are you alright, Rochelle?" he asked. "How's your… belly?"

At the same time, Sarah's heavily accented voice barged in. "My God, this is ridiculous!"

She darted in and raised her callused hand. Without even asking a single question, she put all her weight into it and slapped me across my face.

The impact made my head turn, and then burning pain throbbed in my cheek. My ears started to ring.

"You evil witch! The devil has taken you, hasn't he? You started a scene at my son's company, and now you pushed Rochelle!"

She jabbed a finger in my face and roared, "Get a divorce, Matthew! You can't keep this witch around! And make sure she takes nothing from you!"

My whole life, I'd never run into this kind of abuse. I thought, 'Guess there's going to be a big score to settle.'

I covered my cheek and turned around. My eyes scanned the furious Sarah, the fake bitch, and finally, Matthew. Slowly, I asked, "Are you sure you're going to make me leave with nothing, Matthew?"

He was holding the crying Rochelle. She was faking her weakness, while he froze for a fraction of a moment.

He quietly soothed Rochelle and hurried over to me. With a voice only he could hear, he whispered words of fake sweetness into my ears. "I’d never hurt you, Wendy, but you know my mom—stubborn as an old mule, and so impulsive. But she is my mother, at the end of the day. She was just letting her worry get the better of her. I’m truly sorry she struck you."

I was still indifferent.

It was a bullshit story. His mother slapped his wife for his secretary. That was way beyond being worried.

Refusal

The signs were all there, but I had no idea about them.

Matthew was watching me. He thought my indifference meant I wasn't mad, and he spoke in an even softer tone. "Go back home and leave this to me. You will get the explanation you deserve. Trust me."

I left the noisy hall and called my assistant.

"I need you to compile the company's transactions, important business proposals, work reports, and shareholder changes over the past year, then encrypt them and send them to me ASAP! Right now, if possible!"

My assistant answered calmly, "Got it, Mrs. Grayson. Right away."

…

It was already late at night.

Matthew was back. I heard the key turning in the keyhole. He was holding an immaculate paper bag. It was the delivery package from my favorite spot.

Matthew was carefully taking his shoes off at the porch and changing into slippers. Softly and gently, he said, "Are you still up, Wendy?" I could hear how much he was faking it.

Only a lamp was on in the living room. I was seated behind the desk, while the screen of my laptop shone in the near-darkness.

I met his eyes calmly. "Yes. I have work to do."

He put on a loving smile and approached me, then he set the paper bag down on the desk. "I can handle work. You don't have to work so hard. You should get plenty of rest."

He opened the bag and took out the food. It was still warm. Then he pushed the food over to me. Still gentle, he said, "I got you supper. Shrimp balls, your favorite. They're still hot."

I did not take the food.

I didn't even look at it.

Only silence remained now, and it was pressing down hard.

Matthew's smile froze, then he spoke again, this time relenting. "Are you still mad about what happened earlier? Ms. Wood's a fresh college graduate, and there's a lot she doesn't know about the workplace.

"I know she can be a bit rough around the edges, but she knows how to care for people. My mom's getting older, and she needs people like Ms. Wood."

He continued, "Yes, she went too far with you, and I've given her a proper scolding. She said she's sorry. We can give her a second chance."

He paused.

Then, he turned the attack on me, this time with a little flicker of resentment he did not notice. "And you did push her first. She's pregnant. If she lost her baby, we'd have a lot to answer for. We have to be reasonable."

I interrupted him, "Is she really? Whose baby is it?"

Matthew froze up, but then he smiled. "It's private. I can't just ask her that."

That acting was so bad, it made college students look like pros. I nearly laughed. Well, if he wasn't answering my question, I saw no point in pushing him.

Instead, I said, "Then, fire her. I see no point in keeping a secretary who can't even show any professionalism."

Matthew massaged his temples. This time, he did not back down. "I've talked to her, Wendy. She's just a pregnant college grad. Why do you keep pushing her? You can't have any children of your own.

"You don't get how hard it is for pregnant women. I think termination is taking it too far. And I'm in charge of all company affairs. So…"

He took a deep breath and softened up, but he still wanted to prod me. "So, just leave it at that. Let me handle it. I hired her for a reason."

Offensive Husband

I looked at him. This was ridiculous. The look on his face clearly said, 'I'm doing this for the greater good. You're being a child!'

Slowly, I stood up, and I met his eyes. "You're defying me for a mere secretary, Matthew?"

That question left a crack in his pathetic ego. "You're making a mountain out of nothing. And we're a family. Defiance shouldn't even exist between us. I made the company money, and all the shareholders recognize me.

"Ask them who's in charge, and they'll say it's me. You're telling me I can't even keep a secretary around?"

I did not break eye contact. Instead, a sneer curled my lips. "You make it sound like you're indispensable to the company."

"I know it's a hard-to-swallow pill, but it's the truth. You gave me your shares when you married me. You only hold 1%. My shares trump yours by a mile. I should've had the man of the family by now!"

Matthew was still relaxed. He pushed the warm food over to me. "I'm very grateful for everything you did for me, Wendy. You'll always be my wife, company or no company.

"You'll have everything a wife has, as long as you stay in line and don't cause a scene, get it? Now eat while it's still hot. Don't wreck your own body."

I snickered. "Pity I'm not going to stay in line."

His face fell, and he returned an icy glare to me. "Then, I'll have to make a move. Really sorry about that."

The storm came as promised the very next day.

…

What happened at the hall yesterday was posted online after heavy editing and embellishment. It made the rounds and topped the trending search list.

The titles were all ragebait and clickbait.

'Shocking News! Wife of Prosper Co. Chairman Abuses Pregnant Woman at Work! Causes Near Miscarriage!'

The photo that went with the caption was one that showed Rochelle on the ground, crying like a victim. Then there was also me, covering my cheek as I glared at everyone icily.

Rochelle posted an ultrasound on her personal page. The caption read, 'I'm sorry, my child. I failed you. I nearly lost you. All I wanted to do was help her get back up, but humanity is… terrifying.'

She tagged me in her post. 'I know you can't have your own children, but you're rich and powerful. Get some help. We're just trying to live. What did we do to you?'

She even tagged the company's official account and some of the more famous news outlets. The court of public opinion had a field day.

The Internet, blinded by its ignorance, attacked the barren wife of the company's chairman. Yes, that was me.

That scandal hit the company's reputation hard, and the share prices dipped. Driven by huge pressure, the senior executives called an emergency shareholder meeting.

Matthew invited me personally. The shareholders were seated around the round meeting table, and they wore different looks on their faces.

Matthew was in the main seat, while Rochelle stood beside him. She was holding his hand lovingly with one hand while touching her baby bump with the other.

He turned his gaze to me, and he spoke. "I called this meeting to discuss the company's future. As you are all aware, the company's reputation has taken a hit due to the inappropriate actions of certain people. Our shares have taken a huge hit as well. Our bottom line is at stake here."