Please do remember to leave a
🤎 Vote & Comment! 🤎

My nails anxiously find themselves clasped between my teeth as a thousand theories swarm my mind. I don't even notice Hoseok watching me from the kitchen while a concerned frown weighs on his lips.

I've barely spoken to him since yesterday. As soon as he came home, I briefly explained what happened with Jiho's teacher, then forced myself asleep. Honestly, I just don't feel like speaking to him.

"...You okay, honey?" He calls out.

My silence causes him to look down awkwardly.

"Mayana, don't stress yourself any more than you already have. Today's your day off."

I allow another moment of silence to pass before shaking my head distractedly.

"Imagine having a teacher look you in the eye and treat you like an endangerment to your own baby. Like I didn't carry Jiho for 9 months and bring him into his world. I've never felt so insulted... Whatever, I'll figure this out." I stand up from the couch.

"Hey, we'll figure this out. You're not on your own Mayana, I'm here too."

I can't help but lean away when Hoseok attempts to rest a hand on my shoulder. His face instantly stirs with confusion.

"What? What did I do?"

A ball forms in my throat as I stare disappointingly at my husband, my head shaking once more.

"How long did you think you could keep up this act? ...I know something's up between you and April. You've been sneaking around behind my back."

"What?! You've been talking to Dana again, haven't you?"

"Do you think I'm joking? The two of you have been acting weird, Hoseok. Just what are you hiding?"

Hoseok's lips curl when he emits a scoff.

"Is that what you think of me? You think I'm secretly fooling around with our son's nanny?"

"I don't know WHAT to think anymore! I thought I could trust you not to hide anything from me but you've certainly giving me reasons to doubt."

"Mayana it's not—!" Hoseok stops himself to pinch his nose bridge and exhale stressfully. "Look, it's not like that. You're getting yourself worked up."

"Hobi I heard your conversation on the porch! You lied to me about who was calling you! I mean, do you seriously think I would come to this conclusion without proof? Whether you're either doing something together, leading her on, or protecting her... At least be man enough to speak about it honestly with the mother of your child."

Hoseok licks his lips in deep thought when I shove past him. On one hand, it would be moral to tell the truth, but on the other, it would feel ignorant to expose and embarrass a woman for accidentally having their nudes leaked...

It doesn't take long for him to rotate and reach for my hand.

"Mayana, come on. This is ridiculous."

"Don't tell me what's ridiculous! You're not the one who's had to—!"

On cue, the doorbell chimes.

With a roll of my eyes, I pull the handle to reveal April standing there with an energetic smile. Her camel beret, matching tweed co-ord and suede pumps seem to be become less shocking by the day. As for the face, it's touched with light makeup while her pumpkin-glazed lips match her now auburn bob.

"Morning! Just here to return Jiho's lunchbox. I'm sure you guys were looking for it and I wasn't sure if anyone would be home later."

"Thanks," Hoseok retrieves the box, his gaze diverted from hers and his smile more awkward than the usual.

Despite the diffusing interaction, I don't take my focus off of April the entire time. Her eyes nervously shift to mine before she tugs an innocent grin.

"Nice outfit. It's very preppy," I squint.

"Thank you. Just some old pieces I put together."

"I can imagine. You know, it feels like years ago since we met and you owned nothing but sporty tracksuits. You were such a different person then." I tilt my head.

Catching onto my energy, April blinks rapidly before plastering a passive-aggressive smile of her own. "Well you know how us girls switch up our closets for the seasons. I guess you could say I was inspired by—"

"By me?"

My lids flutter and smile spreads. It's as if I've caught her off guard by the way she silently smiles with an intense stare.

"Actually, by your husband. He gives such good style recommendations. He practically dresses me." April peers up at Hoseok in admiration. My nose scrunches sarcastically at her cocky reply.

"Hmm you would think that, wouldn't you?"

"—Ohhhkay." Before I know it, Hoseok is breaking the tension by clearing his throat.

"Uh, thanks for bringing Jiho's lunchbox April. Enjoy your week off."

"Of course! I'll see you around. Bye Hoseok... Bye May."

She flutters her fingers elegantly at my husband before saying my name a little daringly. I watch April leave before walking past Hoseok without a word, letting him shut the door with a sigh as I head upstairs to prepare Jiho for school.

I could've put both of them on the spot. I could've interrogated them while I had them in the same room... But as frustrated as I am with Hoseok, our marriage conflicts stay dealt between us. And I refuse to prove to another woman that I'm an insecure wife.

Though one thing's for sure; this is more than just body dysmorphia... Something's not right about April.

⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢
➽───AFTERNOON───➤
⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣

The interior of the meeting room is as cold and monotoned as you'd assume. Men and women in grey suits surround the briefing table while Hoseok presents a whiteboard of graphs and tallies, wearing a white button-up with and grey belted trousers himself.

"And for last week, we were +155% from our estimate target sales. Even though stocks are coming in far beyond projections. I believe that if we can—"

Midway through the presentation however, a worker interrupts the meeting room by making his way to Hoseok's side and whispering;

"Mr. Jung, your wife's waiting for you in the hall."

"She is? Tell her I'll be 45 more minutes."

"I tried, she said it's urgent."

"Has something happened?"

The colleague can only shrug, leading Hoseok to hold up a finger to the room apologetically, "One moment everyone, I apologize for this."

Confusion continues to crease his forehead as he makes his way outside to see his red-headed wife standing in the corridor with her back turned... Though the figure promptly turns around to reveal herself as none other than, April.

"April?!" He whispers, "Where's Mayana? A-and what are you doing here?"

"Saving you from that boring meeting, silly. And sorry that I had to pretend to lie to your buddy, but I figured this would be better to see in person."

April proudly opens her trench coat to reveal a sexy red lingerie set that hugs her supple skin. Hoseok immediately scrunches her jacket shut and looks around with panic as a few co-workers look their way.

"What are you, crazy?! This isn't funny April! There's people around!"

She grabs his jaw flirtatiously, her tongue pressed against her teeth behind a red-lipped grin. "So let them watch."

But that grin is short-lived when Hoseok grabs April by the wrist and pulls her away from the populated corridor. The two seclude themselves behind a corner wall, further from the eyes and ears of managers as Hoseok practically pushes her to the wall. April looks him up and down before excitedly biting her lip.

"Good idea. More intimidate."

"Do you think this is a joke? April, what's gotten into you?? I have a wife and kid! It's like you want me to get fired."

"And it's like you don't want anyone to know about our LITTLE SECRETTTT!" She pokes her head out from behind the wall and shouts, letting the echoes carry her voice on for many feet. Hoseok immediately slams a hand over the nanny's mouth but retracts it when she licks his palm.

By the time he wipes it against his pant sleeve, April's already binding her arms around his neck to raise her legs around the married man's hips and tug him close. Hoseok hooks his hands around her thighs in a desperate attempt to get her off before somebody sees, his struggles muffled as he tries to remain quiet.

"April get off—!"

"Do it. Hit me." Her hair disperses against the wall while her neck elongates, "You know you wanna get rough. Do whatever you want to me, Hobi."

"Quit it!"

Hoseok finally manages to distance the proximity between their bodies which has April looking up in offense.

"Well I'm not gonna stop until you come clean to all these people!"

"Would you keep your voice down??" He whispers, "And come clean about what?!"

"About our feelings for each other!"

Hoseok immediately chokes on air.

"You're joking, right?"

"Oh come on! The flirting? The back hug? Offering to take me home? Saying that I cooked better than your wife?!"

"April, I think there's been a misunderstanding. I only back-hugged you because I thought you were Mayana, and I said you cooked ONE dish better than her as a joke! I try to be a nice guy but that doesn't mean I'm flirting outside of my marriage."

"W-well you said you'd always be there for me!"

"As our son's NANNY!" Hoseok tone-raise is replaced with paranoia from the random footsteps that grow louder and louder. He quickly pushes April into the very corner and blocks her with his own body as a group of colleagues walk by.

"Just let them see us Hobi."

"You're gonna STOP calling me that." His angrily pointed finger earns a pout from April.

"Look, I don't know what sick fantasies you have going on up there but this ends now. I do not, have not and will NEVER have feelings for any woman who isn't my wife." He now taps his temple aggressively, "So get that into your skull and stop following me before I call the cops."

"But—!" A disheartened frown falls upon her lips when Hoseok returns to his meeting room without looking back. It's the first time she's ever seen him so serious... And what a turn on it was. A determined fire soon returns to her eyes as April storms off in the opposite direction.

*Thud!* The door of the office swings shut when Hoseok returns to his meeting. Nothing but silent and awkward stares follow him, especially from his slightly messy hair and tie that he'd failed to adjust.

"Apologies for the long intermission everyone. Let's uh, let's try to pick up where we left off shall we?"

⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢
➽───6'OCLOCK───➤
⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣

After the meeting, Hoseok enters the leveled indoor parking lot of their company building alongside a colleague. Both men carry briefcases with a blazer hung over their arm, exposing Hoseok's arm hair through rolled up as as he strolls; one hand in his pocket and the other gripping a coffee cup.

"You sure you're okay, pal? You seemed a little off back at the briefing. You weren't your usual upbeat self."

"I'm fine, just tired." Hoseok sips his mocha, to which his colleague nudges him.

"Yeah I bet you are. We all saw how you came back after the wifey came to visit."

His dirty joke fails to spark Hoseok's laughter. Instead, the hardworking husband gulps down the last of his coffee before slipping on his blazer.

"I'm gonna head home, I'll see you on Monday."

"Alright bud. Tell the wife and kids I said hi."

Hoseok raises his hand with a closed grin before unlocking and opening the driver's door. His body practically sinks into the leather as all of today's stress slips from his very shoulders and escapes through an exhale. Just the thought of returning home to his family felt so refreshing.

"Alright, time for some music."

He cracks his neck on both sides and rolls his shoulder muscles before starting the car's engine. Just as he's about to drive however, two hands trail down his chest like snakes from behind. It's not long before April reveals herself to Hoseok with a daring grin in the reflection of the front mirror.

"Good idea, I love some music to set the mood."

Hoseok immediately stiffens and glares through the mirror. "Just WHAT are you doing."

"You said you'd never love a woman who isn't your wife... So let's rectify that."

She eagerly retracts her hands and climbs into the passenger seat, though Hoseok is forced to instantly looks away with a hand shielding his eyes when April reveals herself to be wearing nothing but a lace white garter around her thigh, her breasts and womanhood entirely exposed.

"April I swear to God, put on some clothes."

"Why? The thrill of getting caught is such a turn-on."

"Do you hear yourself?? I have a wife and you have a boyfriend!"

All April can do is laugh at Hoseok's paranoia.

"You seriously believed I had a boyfriend? Oh Hobi... You should remember why you hired me in the first place. Because you needed a helping hand around the house..." April leans in with seductive whispers.

Her hand soon trails up Hoseok's legs like a snake to its prey.

"Well I can give you a helping around anywhere. Plus, it looks like you could use one."

Hoseok looks down when a painful stiffness hitches the space between his thighs with undeniable height. His brows immediately furrow at the poke before he throws his head back and groans.

"Oops. Might've been my coffee you just drank..."

April's sadistic giggle descends lower until she's marking kisses across Hoseok's clothed erection. His eyelids seal tighter before he grabs a fistful of her hair and shoves her head away.

"Get out."

"I would, but there's a catch... See, I have no clothes on. So if you kick me out here, alllll your co-workers in this parking lot will see a naked woman who's 'not' your wife, exit your vehicle. And if you decide to give me your clothes... Well, that's even worse because then I'll have all the proof that I'll need Mr. Boner."

It's like a lose-lose game. Hoseok scans his focus around the dozens of employees that chat within the parking lot before looking down at his hardened erection with a clenching jaw.

"And your coat?"

"Threw it away. Oh, and outside of this parking lot is a busy high street. Drop me off there naked and I can promise you some jail time... You're only option is to leave this place together and you pray that nobody can see the beautiful naked woman beside you right now... So what's it going to be?"

Her fingers trace back and forth along his knee while her tongue flicks at his neck and her other hand steadies his jaw. Hoseok's teeth clench and his eyes pace with every passing second as the intensity of the stakes close in on his mind...

But abruptly—

*Skrrrrt!*

He swerves out of the parking spot and towards the exit. The harsh turn causes April to fall with a thud, and in turn, none of his colleagues notice her in time.

"W-Where are we going?"

He doesn't say a word, but instead lets sunlight flood the car as soon as they make it outside. The drive only lasts about 5 minutes before Hoseok suddenly hits the brakes outside of a budget halloween store. April's shoulders jolt at the harsh slam of the door when he exits without a word...

After only 60 seconds seconds, Hoseok returns and slams the door shut again before aggressively tossing a plastic bag at her naked body, all while keeping his eyes diverted.

"Put it on and get out."

April takes one look inside of the back and lets her jaw hang in offense. "I'm not wearing this—!"

"You wanted to play games? Now we're playing games. I'd put on the clothes if I were you."

"Baby come on—"

"APRIL YOU'VE GOT 10 FUCKING SECONDS. TEN! NINE—!"

⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢
➽───────❥───────➤
⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣

Just seconds later, humiliation plasters every inch of April's face as she stands next to Hoseok's Mercedes in a ridiculous turkey fat suit. Her arms fall by her sides as she pouts.

"Safe journey home."

"You think this is funny?! You're a dick, Hoseok! I'm gonna tell everyone the man you really are! I'm gonna tell the world what you've been hiding about us! I'm going to fucking destroy your life!!!"

Hoseok reaches over and pulls the passenger door shut while April smacks the window and yells, her voice becoming muffled behind the glass. At the exact moment that he drives off, she attempts to kick his car but misses it and falls into a puddle, earning the stares of many passing-by standers. Anger fuels and bubbles up inside inside of her more than ever.

⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢
➽───────❥───────➤
⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣⌣

It's been hours since April's unwanted visit to Hoseok's workplace and yet the events were far from forgettable. In a more comfortable attire of a t-shirt and sweatpants, the anxious husband watches some TV in the living room whilst biting his nails impatiently for my arrival...

It takes about 20 more minutes for the door to unlock at my arrival. Despite not uttering a word, Hoseok springs up from the couch and practically runs over to me. "Mayana!"

"Hobi, I'm really not in the mood to—"

"We have to fire April."

My eyebrows slant and eyes roam around his face in confusion.

"Why, what happened?"

"She's crazy. I know you don't believe in that word but she's batshit crazy, and I'm starting to think she's the one who reported you to Jiho's teacher. She came to my workplace in lingerie today and pretended to be my wife to get me out of a meeting."

"What?!"

"Then after I told her to knock it off, she broke into my car and flashed me. I had to force her out myself. And last week, she spammed my work laptop with a bunch of nudes. That's what our phone call was about and that's all that happened. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth sooner. I tried to see the positive in her but she's too delusional... We have to fire her."

My brain can barely process the new swarm of information as I look around the floor with an open mouth of speechlessness.

Abruptly, I swat him on the arm.

"Ow!"

"And you didn't think to tell me this?! You lied to me!"

"I know Honey, I'm really sorry. I just didn't want to worry you."

The apologetic but cute softness to his eyes thaws my anger almost entirely. With both hands on my hips, I look to my side and exhale.

"So how should I do this? Text? Email? A phone call?"

"All of the above if you have to. As long as she's gone and away from this house."

"...I'll email her, text her to check the email and then block her."

I waste no time tapping away at my phone. I won't lie, the anger in me has definitely traced to my thumbs, and there's no slowing down. To think I was so nice to her... I hired her with the trust that her priority would be Jiho and only Jiho. I welcomed her into my home and uplifted her... Yet this whole time she just wanted to replace me and sleep with my husband.

Betrayed thoughts continue to swell in my mind as I type.

'...We will no longer be needing your services and have terminated your contract. Please never visit our home again or we won't hesitate to call the authorities and issue a restraining order."

"And... Done."

It's as if the awkward tension between us returns the moment my message sends, like one problem after another. With two hands cupping my face, Hoseok angles my attention to his almond gaze.

"And for the record; I'd never cheat on you. Okay? Especially not with the nanny of all people. You're everything I want and need in this world. You're strong-minded, intelligent, mature, nurturing, ambitious, beautiful..."

It's impossible to not look down with a shy smile as he showers me with compliments.

"You're my wife, nobody else. I mean that. I don't care if Megan Fox walked into the room, I never want you to doubt my loyalty again. And as for these reports, you and I both know what an amazing mother you are. I mean we can literally prove it at any time. As long as that's the case, they can't take Jiho from us. We're gonna protect him, together."

I show a soft nod before melting into his kiss like warm chocolate. His hands enclose around my waist while I caress his jaw and embark in this moment, until we're both pulling away with loving smiles.

"You better keep your word or I promise.... Ti torcerò il collo come un asciugamano bagnato."

"I don't know what you just said but it sounded sexy." He winks. I chuckle when he kisses my forehead and brings me into his warm embrace.

"Ok, if April's out of the picture then we need to figure out who's picking jiho up for school."

"What about your cousin? Doesn't she live about 20 minutes from us?"

"... Oh my God you're right! And it's semester break which means she should be free! I'm gonna text Phoebe and see if she can pick up Jiho for a couple of weeks."

"See? Everything's panned out fine. Nobody's cheating on anybody, April is out of our hair and Jiho will have someone within the family to collect him. We can finally breathe."

I smile when his lips press my temple. I'll admit, a weight has definitely been lifted from my shoulders. No more copying, no more creepiness... April's finally over.