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❝The truth is I am a toy
that people enjoy.❞

•••

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE FOLLOWING MORNING I went to work early, woke up, worked out and took a shower. While he was pretty much still asleep in the guest room. And that's how I avoided him. If I learned something from my past four years of being married to him was that he was selfish, very selfish. All he cared for, was being perfect, too perfect to a point that everybody started to believe, that he was someone else, and he even convinced himself. But I knew him and that's why it is hurting me to see him suffer.

      “So what's the problem-He didn't cheat, like he just met a woman,” Hara questioned, sounding inattentive as I shake my head and look straight up at her.

         “I am not talking about him sleeping with another woman, Hara what I am talking about is that, he felt the need to see another woman, and he made it sound like it was my fault," I spoke, clenching my teeth as my eyes flickered upwards searching for something, before I groaned frustratingly and stood up.

“Well, is it your—fault?" she asked, sounding quizzical, placing back the file on my desk, as I sighed and turned around.

            “I don't know. Look, I don't go around seeing other men, but he does it, and when he went on that business trip with his female secretary even then he didn't bother to ask me if I minded it,” I explained, sucking in a breath as she furrowed her brows.

When she didn't say anything I added,“Not everything is my fault.”

Minutes passed. The silence was becoming too deafening. It was hard, I was starting to wonder why am I even telling her this? Then, of course that's what you've friends for.

I clear my throat and raise my head to the ceiling, forcing a short painful laugh. I run my sleeve rapidly across my eyes as to my horror, a tear runs down. Hara notices it but doesn't say anything, my heart drops and I feel my stomach twisting.

          “Ivy-why do you have to be so hard on him, on yourself. Just forget what ever he did, and start again-" Hara suggested, walking over to me, her hands reaching out to hold me as I turn around, my eyes bright with unshed tears as I move her hands from over my shoulders.

“It's not that easy-” I snap my voice coming out harder than I intended, then suddenly realizing I drop my gaze and whispered back,“I am sorry. I didn't mean to take it out on you.”

Her eyes softened, as she once again reached for my shoulder,“It's going to be alright. You'll be fine.”

         I look up at her face for a second, before my hands goes around her neck and I leaned my face over her shoulder, seeking for her warmth. She chuckles, hugging me back as I snuggle closer, shutting my eyes close, as if it would somehow numb the pain.

We stayed like that for a few minutes, before I pull back, putting an arm length of distance between us as she stares at me face, her eyes glimmering with unknown tears, as I force a smile just to make her stop worrying about me.

“I should probably take the rest of the day off, and get myself a drink.”

I spoke, trying to sound less pathetic as Hara nodded already turning to get back to her work, whilst I put on my coat and took my purse.

•••

The bar was hot, it was 4:30pm and felt a lot empty when I first came here, but now that it was almost evening and the rush hour was coming to an end, more people have started to come. This place was slowly, filling up with people of all ages, everyone had someone with them, I've that noticed I was the only one alone.

Occupied with thoughts, I didn't notice when my phone started buzzing when suddenly the man serving me drink clasped his fingers in front of my face, making me pull out of trance.

Taking out the phone, I stare back at the screen. Unkown number. It was strange, who could be calling after work hours. Furrowing my brows I pressed the accept button. And tried my best voice to sound more sober, but of course I was still sober.

That was thing about age, as you get older, getting drunk gets even harder.

            “Ms. Ivy?” It was a man's voice, I blinked and pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at the screen once again, to check the number.

            “Are you listening? Ms. Ivy” The voice spoke from the other end of the phone, reminding me of it's presence as I sit up straight and clear my throat.

           “Yes I am. Can I ask for your name, Mister?” I spoke trying to sound calm, but my voice sounded too rough, it sounded like I just woke up from sleeping for quite long.

          “It's Lee Taeyong. Err-my secretary Ms. Choi must've fixed an appointment with you last week,” he tried to explain, as I stared hard at my empty glass and then back at my wrist watch,“Ms Ivy-can you hear me?”

         “Mr Lee—firstly you are calling me on a very peculiar hour. And second, there was an appointment which you didn't bother showing up.”

“I know, I'm sorry. It was an emergency, but I was hoping that we could have another... appointment?" he trailed off as I chuckled softly, rolling my eyes.

“Okay. I told your secretary that I'll arrange for another meeting myself and let you know,” I mumured, as he inhaled sharply, making my body stiffen.

“Ms Ivy-why don't we meet now?” He asked, making my eyes widen with shock as I blinked unsure.

“Mr Lee-—” I tried to speak, or to refuse but failed.

“Then it's decided, we are meeting right now. Where are you right now? At the orphanage?” he sounded, persistent and I definitely didn't like that, so I sighed and ran my tongue along the inside of my cheek.

                    “I am at a bar, Mr Lee and you shouldn't be here, it's inappropriate,”I explained, my sounding tired, as the man chuckled from the other end.

“Ms Ivy why don't you wait for me I'll be there, just text me the address.”

“You don't give up that easily, do you?” I questioned, flaring up with frustration.

“Well, a business can't run if you give up on things that easily,” he whispered back, as I found a smile reaching at the corners of my lips.

•••

Twenty minutes have already passed, since his phone call. It was starting to get dark, and I was wondering how long will I have to wait. I needed to get home, or perhaps I should just stay.

         Why do I even need to get home? When it was starting to feel like a prison. Home, is for those who have people that make a house, into a home, between us there was no home. We were just two people living under the same roof and yet, still living different lives.

             “Ms Ivy?” upon hearing my name I turned, my eyes flickering upwards as I started, the man standing in front of me was young, and his hair for some reason was dyed blue, a navy blue. Taking a deep breath and stood up, as the man made his way towards me.

And that's when I saw it, walking behind him, was another man,  my breath caught in my throat as I shivered when my his eyes darkened staring up at my face, he held my gaze captive as the two of them made their way towards, where I was seated.

                “I am sorry for making you wait, Ms Ivy,” Mr Lee Taeyong murmured, as I blinked averting my gaze. I could feel my heart racing, as I sank down back into my chair.

Awkward silence, pressured the air around us, as fidgeting my fingers, I felt my heart wavering, it was starting to feel uncomfortable to be under his scrutiny. Why was he still even staring?

“I am sorry I forgot to mention, I called another business associate of mine. I thought the three of us should, work on a joint–project,” Lee Taeyong spoke, as if noticing the awkwardness in the air, as he turned gesturing with his hand,“Ms Ivy, this is Mr Jeon Jungkook, my business associate. I hope to work with both of you in the future.”

          I looked up trying to force a formal smile but it was almost impossible with the way he was staring at me. I definitely wanted him to stop. Sighing I placed my hands back on my lap, battling to hold my composure. But it felt almost impossible with what he spoke next.

           “You don't have to introduce us, Mr Lee. We know a lot about each other, she's my wife. ”Jungkook confessed, his voice curt, yet at the same time his eyes brightened with amusement, as he watched the play of emotions across my face.

Taeyong turned to stare at me, his gaze questionable and puzzled as I shrugged shamefacedly.

        “Well, I guess the project is on. I look forward to working with you both,”he spoke, his eyes lit with respect and amusement as I failed to hold back my anger.

          “Mr Lee—we don't have to work on the same project together—” my sentence was cut short, as Jungkook, pulled me by my elbow from beside me and turned to face the man in front.

              “Don't mind her. I think that's a wonderful idea, Mr Lee,” Jungkook assured him, sounding completely firm and arrogant , as I restrain the urge to turn around, and immediately walk out of this place.

But, I didn't because the children in the orphanage mattered to me. They were family, and anything I've learned from my past working experience, that business and personal affairs should never be tangled. What happens, in between the four walls of married couple’s house should stay there.

It was botched, how just before I was complaining, that the two of us lived different lives. And now, it was after four years of our marriage; our lives were finally clashing together. Whatever it was, it is inevitable.

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note:

And I am back with another update, because I was motivated while having nothing to do all-day.

So, what do you think about their work lives getting tangled? Do you think it's good?

Stay at home, stay safe.
And be nice to the people around you especially during these tough times.💜

Don't forget to vote,
comment and share : )

Thanks for reading<3

Love,
shafaq-Shapel ♥