Published: Dec. 06, 2018---Edited: Sept.30, 2020

"Where were you, young lady? Your husband has been away, and you let him wait for you to come home for two hours and twenty-five minutes."

Startled to hear Jared's accusing voice, Katelyn, who was closing their bedroom door, almost shouted with the fright of the unexpectedness of his presence at home.

Clutching a bag on her chest, Katelyn turned around to see Jared standing with his back on the door frame of their balcony. Even with only the outside lighting, she can still decipher his arms crossed to his chest.

"Oh! I thought you are not here yet as the lights are still out," Katelyn then reached out on the switch. As far as she knew, every time Mrs. Smith left the house at three in the afternoon, she left open the lights of the hallway and living room.

Upon brightening the room, she saw Jared with his unbuttoned white shirt showing a clear view of his lightly haired muscular chest and brooding eyes.

"So, while I was away, do you always go home at this hour?

"It is the first time that I went home late." Katelyn averted her gaze from his torso as it enticed her to caress it. "Don't tell me that because my hunk of a husband is back, my mind will be full of immorality."

"I was calling you on your cellphone earlier, but it was only ringing. Are you deliberately not answering my calls?

'Of course not, I just left it...

"You had seen me earlier, at least even if we are married in name only be at home every time I came from a business trip."

Upon hearing his aggrieved voice, Katelyn lie, "It just happened that Tess and I had already agreed to go to the mall tonight before I know you came back." Katelyn doesn't want to offend Jared in his annoyed state that she intentionally went home late. Besides, she cannot tell him the truth, thoughts of him being back, filled her with a dread of being disappointed by not seeing him at home, or the guilt of separating him from his lover. She knew it was wrong of her to lie, but it's for the best.

She remembered how Charlize wrapped herself around him earlier, showing that she has no intention of letting him out of her side, and his consenting to her action proved that he was reciprocating her sentiments. She cannot have high hopes as his Grandma told her that if she persists, in the end, he will fall for her.

Moreover, from the very beginning, he had already made it clear that their marriage was to appease Meme and last for two years. Katelyn then reminded herself she must see it fulfilled for her good, and besides, she has never run after a man.

Meanwhile, Jared looked at her left hand empty of anything that would betray her shopping spree.

"I gave you a card, why you did not buy anything?" As far as Jared knew, when you left a woman inside a shopping mall, she will only walk out of it once she was exhausted from fitting and buying every item that she wanted as most of his girlfriends were.

Considering that his wife was born in a privileged family was only impoverished and had a mother who had influenced her to an expensive taste, she surely missed all those things. Surprisingly his wife, who has his unlimited card at her disposal, went home without a single purchase, proving him wrong of his assumption.

"I did not buy anything as I don't see something that catches my attention, besides I still have bags and shoes." She told him, but her eyes were still staring at his lightly haired muscular chest.

"She wondered why he still looks so cute even if he looked pest off. His perfectly formed body only added to his handsomeness, but it's a pity. He is only a husband in name, or else she will fell those arms hugging her." She thought and then recalled that her indulging in fantasies should stop.

"Tori, are you just going to stand there all night?" his voice immediately reminded Katelyn that, she was still standing and gawking over her husband, so as not too embarrassed herself she said the first thing that came to mind, "I was just thinking, how come you are not with your girlfriend, surely she missed you."

His scowl darkened upon her, mentioning his girlfriend," When did I let you talk about her?"

"Oh! Sorry, I was out of line," she apologized, "next time I will not mention it again." Katelyn walked as if she was in a walking marathon away from Jared to the other side of their bed, going to their wardrobes area en-suite to the bathroom to avoid further discussion on that topic.

Katelyn leaving him with an unsatisfied answer made Jared more annoyed. He was expecting that she will be home before him, waiting like a dutiful wife but only to be disappointed.

He just wanted to be home, slept, and relaxed his tired mind and body as he needed to go early again to California. He even refused his girlfriend's fervently inviting him to spend the night with her because lately, only thoughts of her are on his mind.

Once Katelyn finished her toiletries, she cautiously opened the bathroom door, praying that Jared was not around, but then his back was the first thing she saw upon opening the door, sitting on the edge of their bed.

"Have you eaten your dinner?" she asked in a carefree way while walking to the sofa.

"No, I have not," he turned to look at her.

Well, at least his sound not vexed anymore Katelyn thought, "You should have told me earlier so I can prepare it." In a voice full of concern, she told him it was already past nine in the evening.

"Do I have to tell you everything that a wife should do?" Katelyn was astounded but not offended with the words Jared has spoken. It seemed that he regarded her as a real wife because he had noticed her lapses. "Sorry," that was all she can answer besides, as the saying goes, "a hungry person does not care for a reason."

"Don't always say sorry, just do what wife duties at home and treat it as if you are practicing for your future husband."

Of course, those words pricked Katelyn as he reminded her that everything was temporary. Besides, a real wife has a duty in bed making babies that she cannot do unless, "in the middle of the night she becomes amorous and raped him," those impure thoughts sometimes surprised her. She has never been this kind before. Though she promised to take care of him, it's the least she can do after all the financial assistance her family received.

"I will go and prepare your dinner," she immediately walked to the door and went to the kitchen so she can reheat the dinner that Mrs. Smith left them. Once it was heated, she put it in a tray and brought it to the table that had been readied earlier by their housekeeper. As if in a cue, Jared also came out of their bedroom and sat down in the table.

"Take your seat and eat together with me," Katelyn wanted to refuse as she had eaten already, but then she remembered what he had said, of a wife's duties. She took the seat opposite him and started to eat.

"You have to eat a lot, you are too skinny," Jared told her while adding a slice of the chicken fillet to her plate.

Katelyn wanted to protest again that he should have told his girlfriend that as she was a walking stick but refrain herself, "How was your trip?" she asked, changing the course of the topic.

"The most part was alright. We had acquired a new company in Germany, and after we signed the contract, I went to Switzerland and then France. How about you, are you well-adjusted to life here?"

"Yes, kind of...as I gained new friends and working in your company is amazing."

"That is good to hear that you are adjusting well." Katelyn felt the sincerity in Jared's voice that she began to relax in his presence, though he was "a bear with a sore head" when hungry.

Jared also helped her clearing away the table and cleaning the utensils that they had used after eating to Katelyn, surprised, and pleasure. His actions made her decide to feed him always on time and be conversational.

He looked cool if in a good mood. Another thing Katelyn discovered unexpectedly was he could also do a menial job. As far as she has known, he had never experienced anything that can force him to do this kind of household chores. He had grown up totally in a privileged life.

There was no awkwardness between them once they were already in their bedroom, evidence of being at ease.

Katelyn woke up with a feeling that someone was staring at her. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw a dark form on her vision that made her cover herself with a blanket.

"Tori, I know you are awake already," she heard a familiar voice and then it registered on her head that it was Jared, looking at him already in a white shirt made her realized that she was going to be late at work, instantly throwing away the blanket she sat down on the bed.

"Calm down, it is only quarter to six," Jared told her upon seeing her reaction" So why did you woke me?" she complained while Jared chuckled.

Jared laughed at her way of waking up, and although newly awakened with her long hair in disarray and everything swollen, she still looks beautiful. He realized that she looks good with more meat on her bones, his idea of encouraging her to eat more was right.

"I have to leave earlier as I will be going to California, but I will be back later tonight." Jared informed her while tying his necktie," the box in the dresser was for you. Wear it always."

Katelyn seeing him putting it on a bit crooked, "I will help you tie it," she got up while he walked near her.

"I asked Mr. Smith to pick you up, as usual, this morning and tonight, but starting tomorrow, you will go with me to work," he instructed.

Katelyn started to open her mouth to protest about her going with him the next day, but then she remembered their proximity and stopped herself. She doesn't want to embarrass herself by talking, and Jared smelling her morning breathes, so she immediately finished her task. Jared left her tucked in bed and kissed her forehead, "she almost always doesn't understand him," with those thoughts she falls asleep again.

At work, Katelyn's colleagues were bustling as if expecting something when she entered their office after going to the Purchasing Department to give them the approval form. However, amidst that fuss, she went directly to her table at the end of the room opposite of Tess.

"Tess, what is going on? It seems that something happened in the ten minutes or more that I was not around." she inquired once she was in front of Tess table.

"Oh, everyone is happy to hear about a new company acquired," Tess answered her while opening her drawers.

" Colleagues, please gather here in front as we have good news for everyone" Annie Forest with her bob cut brown hair, and soft and warm brown eyes stand in the middle of the room beaming with a smile to everyone and beside her was their manager, Mrs. Johnson, clasping her hands over her lower abdomen.

Katelyn waits for Tess to stand so they can go together in the middle of the rows of the cubicle as instructed. Once they were there, most of their colleagues are already rising and waiting for the announcement.

"As we are all here, we want to inform you all that we had acquired a new company in Germany," there was a joyful shout of "nice job" from everyone inside the room after Annie's announcement. Even some of their senior colleagues follow it up with a high five.

"Listen carefully; for what I am going to say is the most important news," Annie continued, "The Company will be giving us incentives." She smiled at everyone again as they made a rapturous shout. "Colleagues, please tone down your voice, and now I will give the floor to Mrs. Johnson so she can tell us what we will receive."

Mrs. Johnson, who was delighted with her subordinates' vigorous response, came forward, "As has been a tradition in this company. Every successful business venture that we have, the employees who are under the critical department in realizing it will receive supplemental rewards. Our department was one of those who spent late hours working on financial reports and analysis." As Mrs. Johnson noticed that most are fidgeting to know what will be the bonus, she directly told them, "Each one of you will be receiving a two-night complimentary stay at Steele's Hotel for two. If you decide to utilize it, the company will also give you two days off. For our newly hired Assistants, the company will be giving you a free dinner for two."

All were clapping with what they heard and smiled with each other.

Katelyn noticed one of their junior accountants, James, looking at her with a wide grin. She also smiled back at him.

"Isn't it nice Kate, even if we are new, the company also gave us a bonus," Katelyn looked at Tess sparkling gray eyes and smiling face. "Yes, you are right. It was good of them to include us."

"Okay, team, we will go back now to our respective job. Just inform the HR of the dates that you want to avail of your rewards so they can give you the voucher." Mrs. Johnson then turned around to go back to her office, and all of them returned to their working table.

END OF PART 4

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