"Mr. Lukinder, I didn't expect you to attend today's meeting. I thought you'd be on your honeymoon, now that you've finally joined our side,"
said a middle-aged man as he adjusted his suit. Lukinder didn't respond. His full focus—and the tension evident in the veins on his neck—was fixed on the young woman talking to a few investors near the company's exit.
' What's she fucking doing here'
He cursed, then took a deep breath and ignored the man speaking to him, walking straight toward her. A woman with a sculpted body, her curves a declaration of her captivating beauty. Her attractive red hair—she was simply flaunting herself before him. She knew very well that he preferred deep red.
"What are you doing here?"
he asked, almost shouting. His gaze was sharp. The stunning woman furrowed her brow and laughed silently, mockingly.
"My dear Lukinder, have you forgotten that I'm now a prestigious businesswoman? It's only natural to see me here,"
she said as her eyes slid from his to rest on his left shoulder.
"I thought you were loyal in love… what a pity. Congratulations on the marriage,"
she added, putting on her sunglasses.
He was practically a volcano now.
"You're the last person who has the right to speak about loyalty, Lisa,"
Lukinder snapped coldly, watching her walk away as if she were nothing.
"Mr. Lukinder, you need to calm down. This could turn into a scandal..."
his assistant warned. He knew exactly how his boss reacted when it came to that woman. Rage, destruction—nothing survived his fury. And today's deal couldn't afford to be sabotaged by personal drama.
"If you don't start choosing your words carefully, it won't just be the deal we lose, it'll be your job. Take me to the private airport. I'm going home."
His assistant blinked several times. Usually, after an important conference or deal, Lukinder stayed a few days to study the market and new investors.
And when he was in a bad mood, he went to the beach.
This is progress, the assistant thought. He hasn't broken anything. Not even his phone. Maybe it's the influence of the new bride.
He followed his boss to the car.
"Sir, Madam Nabilar has a high IQ. She was the top student in her university. She excels in every activity—sports, literature, culture—you name it. She's the embodiment of ideal perfection. No flaws, no misconduct. Everything about her is... in place,"
the assistant said while glancing at Lukinder's distracted face.
Perhaps he's thinking about Lisa. Honestly, I'm upset she showed up too. Maybe she did it on purpose after hearing about the marriage,
he thought, driving in silence. Numerous banking notifications buzzed on Lukinder's phone, but he didn't seem to notice. The veins in his neck were visibly pulsing.
"Damn it. Damn that wench,"
he muttered as Lisa's face flashed in his mind—how she only grew more beautiful and radiant over the years.
---
"Mother, I told you I'm fine. I couldn't reply to your messages because I was busy replacing the furniture—it's old,"
Nabilar said as she admired her newly vibrant and stylish bedroom decor.
"Well, behave yourself. I don't want people saying you're a failure of a wife. There will be a family gathering for the women in our family in two weeks. You must attend. Make sure your husband comes too. I want to show you off,"
her mother said, then hung up without waiting for a reply—like her words were law, and nothing more needed to be said.
Nabi sighed and pushed her hair back.
"Fine, Mom. Nabilar never failed at anything in her life, and she won't now."
She glanced at the clock. She had a salon appointment she'd booked yesterday.
She still didn't know when her husband would return. It had already been a full day and night, and he hadn't come home—or even called.
"I don't understand why he has to be so complicated. He doesn't listen to anyone. He just does what he wants, like his word is absolute truth."
She grumbled, then smiled as her eyes drifted to the bed.
"But I love the way he looks at me,"
she whispered, leaning her head gently against the wall with a wistful sigh.
"Will there ever come a day when we share this bed like any normal, loving couple? Instead of all these misunderstandings?"
she asked in a sad voice before heading downstairs. She didn't have time to fall into despair. After all, she'd fallen in love after a long time. She was excited.
"Sorry, madam, but Mr. Lukinder has ordered that you not leave the house,"
the driver said, stepping back a little. He looked afraid.
"Ma'am, I'll lose my job if I take you anywhere,"
he said, worried, because Nabilar didn't look like she planned to listen.
"Heh, I'm not a bird to be kept in a cage,"
she scoffed, just before her phone rang. It was her friend, Seal.
"Cel, do you still have that book on psychological manipulation? I need it,"
Nabilar said as soon as she picked up, turning back inside.
The driver stared and slowly shook his head.
"Yes, Mr. Lukinder, she's gone back inside,"
he reported in a vvoice message to his boss.
---
"Wait, wait, tell me what's going on. You rarely like psychological games. Do you need emotional counseling?"
Seal asked, laughing loudly. It was the first time she'd ever seen Nabi annoyed.
She tossed her scarf onto the couch and said,
"It's nothing like what you're imagining. I just want to try something new,"
Nabi replied, inspecting her nails, still trying to adapt to her new situation.
"Okay, any how, I wanted to tell you—some of the final scenes of the film will be shot in Barcelona. Probably at the end of the month. I wanted it to be a surprise, but you know me… We'll go shopping and have fun just like the old days. Get ready. It's going to be a shopping spree you'll never forget!"
Cel was excited—unlike Nabilar.
'Ugh. My husband won't even let me leave the house. Just what I needed,'
Nabilar smiled bitterly before answering,
"Of course we'll have fun. I'm looking forward to it,"
she said before ending the call, noticing the head maid's trembling expression.
"Madam, the master will return this evening,"
the maid informed her, feeling it was her duty to give her time to restore the house and furniture to normal before Lukinder returned.
Nabi was glad to know he would return, "He will actually love the house style,"
She said in exciting voice.
---