“Yes, Seren. You’re right. I have double standards. I know I’m so full of myself. You’re right to say that about me.”
He extended his arms to pull Serena, together with the cushion, into his embrace Zack said apologetically, “I know my wife isn’t conniving, and she isn’t out to get my money. Don’t be mad, Seren. I feel bad when you’re mad.”
Giving his arm a good pinch, Serena peevishly said, “Why tell me now?”
“I usually stay there. I feel that the place is my home.”
Well, it was his personal space, a home that belonged to him.
“I think we should spend our first night there together.”
Pursing her lips, Serena pinched his arm once more. “You’re only telling me now because you found an excuse to make me less mad at you.”
Despite the pinches, Zack refused to let go. He trapped her with his arms.
“I really want us to be in our home. It means something to me.
“Please forgive me for keeping it from you, Seren.”
Serena tried to push him away, but his hold on her was secured. She gave up in the end.
“Is the villa paid for, or are you still paying the mortgage?”
Zack did the math in mind before uttering, “I joined York Corporation fresh out of college and have been working for a few years. I started off with an annual income of a few hundred thousand dollars. It took me a few years before I earned my first million. Now, I bring home several million a year.
“Although I saved my wages, I wasn’t in the position to pay the house in cash. I’m on a mortgage, but I put down 80% for the down payment, so I didn’t have trouble making the monthly repayments. I put aside some money after deducting the mortgage to afford another property before marrying you.
“That was why I told you that the apartment in Brynfield and the national MPV will go to you if we divorce. It was to make up for your lost time.”
Serena responded, “No wonder you asked me to sign a contract when we first got married. You were so generous to give the house to me. Since you can afford a villa, why didn’t you get a better car?“
After much silence, Zack said, “I don’t have much savings left after purchasing the villa and the apartment in Brynfield. The car is only a mode of transport. I don’t need a luxury car since the one I have now does the job.”
Zack was flustered as he was making up more lies to cover up the web of lies* from before.
Serena gave him another push. “Let go of me.”
“Are you going to run?”
“Where can I run to? I won’t tell you if I plan to run away. I can just pack my stuff and leave. I would be bluffing and trying to scare you if I made a huge commotion to leave. I’d be quiet if I wanted to leave for sure. It will be without hesitation, and you won’t be able to find me.”
With his heart beating out of his chest, Zack cautiously asked, “Seren, in what circumstances would you leave me?”
“You must be guilty of doing me dirty to ask that question.”
Zack was quick to deny, “I just want to know, so that I won’t make that mistake and hurt you. I don’t want to give you a chance to leave me.”
Serena observed his facial features. Seeing that he was calm, Serena held his face still and looked into his eyes for a long time. She did not catch any signs of guilt in his eyes.
Zack might be honest or good at hiding his emotions. Either way, she could not read him.
“I can’t stand cheating, domestic violence, and endless lies.”
“I won’t cheat or raise my hand at you.”
Zack immediately promised.
Serena ran her fingers across his face. “I hope you’ll keep your word.
“Only time will tell.”
With something to hide, Zack ignored the statement about endless lies. Although it appeared he had only lied to her once, a single fabrication was covered up with countless lies. He had not been honest with her many times.
His intention was to probe for Serena’s reaction. He would come clean to her if she only needed a moment to get over her anger.
Now that he knew where the fine line was, Zack felt conflicted.
He tricked his wife once, and now he was paying for it. Well, Zack may not stick around to clean up the mess he created because she might dump him before that happened.
“Zack.”
Zack lowered his gaze to meet hers.
“Aren’t we flying home?”
With a flicker in his eyes, Zack nodded.
“Why are you still hugging me? Let go, so I can pack our stuff to go home.”
Zack smiled and dotingly planted a kiss on her forehead. He teased, “Why do I feel my wife is more eager than I am?”
“You’re imagining it. I’ve been away from home for a week. I miss my sister, Sonny, my best friends, and Nana. I can’t wait to get home.”
Serena pulled out a wad of cash from her pocket. It was remuneration from Mr. Tank for looking after Zack.
“Did you get your pay? Did you check if the amount is right? Make sure they don’t go behind your back and dock your pay.”
While counting the money, Serena uttered, “I’m homesick.”
She received money for coming all the way to care for her man.
“I’ll only get my wages just before the holidays start. Don’t worry, they won’t dock my pay. I was sent by the headquarters to go on a business trip, so it was paid sick leave.”
Seeing that Serena had too much fun counting the cash, Zack said, “While counting the money, are you thinking that I should remain longer in the hospital, so you could’ve gotten more for taking care of me?”
“Yeah. I mean, no. No way. I hope you’re always healthy and away from pain and illness.”
Zack lovingly dabbed her nose before letting her go.
“Yeah, right.”
Zack went on to pack his bags.
Serena sat down, carrying on with her money counting.
York Corporation was the top company in Wiltspoon for sure. The corporation had deep pockets that even the subsidiary company was generous. Serena earned a few thousand dollars for the few days of caring for Zack.
Mr. Tank would have given Serena more money, but she might suspect something.
After counting the cash, Serena got up and grabbed her go–to purse. It was a cheap canvas purse that cost a few dollars if bought in bulk online. Nevertheless, the purse was useful and could hold bills worth tens of thousands.
Serena stuffed the cash into the purse and watched Zack pack the suitcase. There was not a lot of stuff. She packed his bags before Zack went on his business trip.
Since Serena came in a hurry, she only brought along two changes of clothes. The daily necessities were bought here.
It did not take long for Zack to finish packing. He approached Serena with the suitcase in tow and said, “Mr. Tank arranged a private plane for us. I’ve contacted the flight crew. Let’s go.”
Serena put her hand out to him, and Zack dragged the suitcase with one hand and held her hand with the other as they moved along.
“Zack, Mr. Bucham is a nice guy. How did you become good friends with him? I wonder if there’s any chemistry going on with him and Jasmine. He’s a brilliant man. It’s a shame that he’s single.”
Serena sincerely hoped there would be some sort of spark between them.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.