My best friend Julia Roberts got dumped and asked me to join her for drinks at the bar.

The secretly married movie star Jack Bullock, my husband, suddenly called to check up on me.

Within half an hour, he showed up at the bar to whisk me away.

Paparazzi captured the moment and posted it online, leaving netizens scratching their heads.

Jack tweeted: [My wife's not very disciplined; I'm taking her home to teach her a lesson.]

——

Julia, down in the dumps after being dumped, dragged me to the bar.

There, she was on her phone, probably up to no good, I didn't ask.

Out of the blue, my secretive husband called. "Where are you?"

I said without thinking, "At home."

Right as ten gigolos entered the room.

Julia piped up at that moment, "Charlize, I ordered you ten gigolos to choose from!"

She burped after saying that.

Great, just great; thanks, Julia!

Jack's voice on the other end was cold as ice, with no hint of emotion. "Huh, at home and ordering gigolos?"

The phone was hung up before I could retort.

I was done for. Thanks for the sinkhole, Julia.

I really wanted to make a run for it, knowing full well he'd come to fetch me home. I stepped into a minefield.

"Julia, I gotta go. You enjoy these ten gigolos." I shoved my phone in my bag and turned to leave without looking back.

Julia, a bit tipsy, asked, "What? You're leaving me?"

I grit my teeth, "Yeah, I'm saving my life!"

"You're saving my life?"

Just as I prepared to make a run for it, I glanced at Julia and felt pity.

I hoisted her onto my shoulder, ready to take her along.

"Where are we going?" Julia asked.

"Escaping together," I said, walking off.

I opened the door, and there he was, the man from the phone call.

Jack had a black trench coat, and his eyes were sharp. Those eyes were staring right at me. "Where are you running off to?" he asked, his voice deep.

I forced a smile, "Not running anywhere..."

Julia on my shoulder wouldn't stop, "Charlize, take me to play with more gigolos!"

I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable.

Julia, if you want me dead, just say so.

Jack gave a peculiar smile, tilted his head, and said to his assistant, "Take Ms. Roberts home safely. I need to handle some household matters."

"Yes, sir," the assistant replied, taking the restless Julia away.

I blinked and said, "Dear husband..."

Without a word, Jack grabbed the back of my neck and dragged me out.

Great, I'm doomed.

Jack ushered me into his car without uttering a single word. We drove straight to the villa—our home.

To be honest, marrying Jack was purely accidental.

His family pressured him into marriage, and I was also facing marriage pressure. We bumped into each other, and with our mutual needs, we ended up getting married on a whim.

He was the Best Actor, so Jack's agent laid out a few conditions: first and foremost, no cheating. If I found someone more suitable, I could file for divorce. But we had to keep the marriage secret. The cherry on top was a monthly allowance of 500 thousand dollars.

I agreed without a second thought.

Now, as I was sitting in the car, the oppressive silence felt like the calm before the storm.

I had stepped into a minefield; Jack might think I had been unfaithful. The car pulled up to the villa, and I walked in under Jack's intense gaze.

Jack flopped onto the sofa and motioned for me to sit.

"Uh, Jack, let me explain…" I decided to admit my fault to save my skin.

Jack glanced at me and said calmly, "Go ahead."

"Julia was heartbroken and asked me to keep her company," I confessed, feeling cornered.

"And you ended up ordering ten gigolos," Jack added.

"No! She did that, not me!" I protested, my anxiety showing.

Jack continued, "I suppose that's a pity?"

"No! They're not as good-looking as you, and their voices are terrible. I'm not blind..." My survival instincts kicked in.

Jack's usually composed face seemed to flush with a hint of embarrassment.

He cleared his throat and said coolly, "Just as long as you understand."

Wait, why did he suddenly seem bashful?

Have I just dodged a bullet?