In Love With Boss's Son

Patience came running out of the bedroom, clutching her phone tightly against her chest as if someone was trying to steal the most valuable thing she owned. Her face was filled with anger, and her expensive heels struck the marble floor as she hurried toward the sitting room. "Patience, stop right there!" Kelvin shouted, following her out of the bedroom. "I am talking to you. Why are you running away from me?" Patience stopped near the large window overlooking the beautiful garden. She turned around slowly, looking at her husband with an expression that made Kelvin feel like a stranger in his own home. "What do you want from me, Kelvin?" she demanded. "Can't you allow me to have some peace in this house?" Kelvin stared at her in disbelief. "Peace? Is that what you call it when your husband asks you a simple question and you behave as if he is your enemy?" "Which question have you not asked me already?" Patience replied, raising her voice. "You have been following me around the bedroom, asking about my phone, checking where I put it, and demanding to know who I am talking to. Are you my husband or a police officer?" "I am your husband, Patience!" Kelvin answered. "And that is exactly why I want to understand what is happening to you." Patience rolled her eyes and turned away. Kelvin was a handsome young man from a wealthy family. He was the only son of Mr. Martin and Madam Esther, and he had grown up surrounded by comfort, expensive possessions, and people who were always ready to fulfil his needs. His father was a successful businessman who owned a large company, several properties, and a magnificent mansion where the family lived. Despite the wealth surrounding him, Kelvin had never believed that money alone could make a marriage successful. He wanted a woman who would love him sincerely, care about his wellbeing, and stand beside him when life became difficult. He had believed he found that woman in Patience. They had dated for some time before Kelvin decided to marry her. He had introduced her to his parents and his younger sister, Lavender, and eventually brought her into the family mansion as his wife. At first, everything had seemed perfect. Patience had been affectionate, attentive, and respectful. She would wake up early to check whether Kelvin had eaten breakfast before leaving for work. She would call him during the day to ask how he was doing, and she would welcome him home with a smile. She had also been careful about her appearance, but Kelvin had never complained about her love for beautiful clothes. He enjoyed seeing her happy and had always been willing to provide whatever he could afford. Unfortunately, something had changed. Over the past few months, Patience had become a different person. She spent long hours on her phone, smiling at messages she refused to share. Whenever Kelvin entered a room unexpectedly, she would lock the screen and place the phone inside her handbag. Sometimes she would carry it into the bathroom, even when she was only going to wash her hands. She had also developed a habit of dressing in increasingly revealing and expensive outfits, spending money on accessories and beauty products while showing little interest in the responsibilities that came with being a wife. Kelvin had tried to ignore the changes at first. He had told himself that perhaps she was going through a difficult period. Maybe she needed more attention. Perhaps the demands of marriage were making her uncomfortable. But the more he tried to understand her, the more she pushed him away. And now, even a simple question about her phone had turned into another bitter argument. "Patience," Kelvin said, trying to control his temper, "look at me." She reluctantly turned. "Why have you started hiding your phone from me? You never used to do this. Before we got married, you could sit beside me and use your phone without any problem. Sometimes you would even ask me to help you reply to messages. What has changed?" "People change, Kelvin!" she snapped. "Marriage does not mean I have to surrender every part of my life to you." "I have never asked you to surrender your life. I am asking you to stop treating me like someone you need to hide things from." "Maybe you should stop being so suspicious, then!" Kelvin took a deep breath. "Fine. Let me ask you something else. When was the last time you asked me how I was doing and actually listened to the answer?" Patience stared at him. "What kind of question is that?" "A simple one." "I don't have time for these childish discussions." Kelvin laughed bitterly. "Childish? Patience, I come home after a long day at work, and you barely look at me. Sometimes I sit beside you for an hour, and you don't even notice that I am there. You spend more time on your phone than you spend talking to your husband." "Then find something to do with your time!" she replied. "You have friends, you have your company, and you have your family. Must I entertain you every minute?" Kelvin felt something tighten in his chest. "I am not asking you to entertain me. I am asking you to care." "Well, perhaps your expectations are too high." He looked at her for several seconds, hoping she would realize how deeply her words had hurt him. Instead, Patience pulled her handbag closer and checked whether her phone was safely inside. That small movement caught Kelvin's attention. "Who are you hiding from me?" he asked quietly. Patience's expression changed. "What?" "Whoever you are talking to, why can't you tell me?" "Because you have become impossible!" "Patience, I have never asked you to stop having friends. I have never stopped you from going out or buying the things you like. I have given you freedom, trust, and love. What else do you want from me?" She laughed mockingly. "Maybe I want you to stop acting as if you own me." "I married you because I loved you." "And I married you because I wanted to build a life with you. That doesn't mean you can control everything I do." Kelvin rubbed his forehead. He could not understand how the same woman who had once held his hand and promised never to hurt him could now speak to him with such contempt. "Patience, I am worried about you," he said. "You have changed. You don't care whether I have eaten. You don't ask about my work. You don't even seem interested in spending time with me anymore. Whenever I try to talk to you, you become angry. Is there something you are afraid to tell me?" For a brief moment, Patience looked away. There was something in her expression that Kelvin could not explain. It was not the look of a woman who was simply annoyed with her husband. It was the look of someone desperate to protect a secret. But before Kelvin could ask another question, she raised her voice. "Enough! I am tired of this conversation." She turned and hurried toward the bedroom. "Patience!" She did not stop. Kelvin followed her, but she reached the bedroom first and slammed the door behind her. He heard the lock click. Kelvin stood outside for a moment, staring at the closed door. "Patience, open the door." Silence. "I am not trying to fight with you. I only want us to talk." There was no answer. He placed his hand on the door handle and tried it again. Locked. "Why are you locking me out of my own bedroom?" From inside, Patience shouted, "Because I want to be alone! Leave me alone, Kelvin!" He stepped back. For the first time since their marriage, Kelvin felt genuinely unwelcome in his own home. He walked downstairs slowly and entered the sitting room. The large television was switched off, and the afternoon sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating the expensive furniture and polished floors. Everything looked perfect. Yet he felt miserable. He sat on the sofa and stared at the wedding photograph displayed on a small table. In the photograph, Patience was smiling brightly, her hand resting on his chest while he looked at her with the confidence of a man who believed he had found his forever. "Where did that woman go?" he whispered. He picked up his phone and considered calling her, even though they were under the same roof. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry for the argument, although he did not believe he had done anything wrong. But he stopped himself. How many times was he supposed to apologize simply because he wanted an honest conversation with his wife? A few minutes later, he heard footsteps on the stairs. Patience appeared wearing a short, expensive dress that left Kelvin wondering whether she had dressed that way for an evening event or for someone she intended to meet. Her hair was perfectly arranged, and she had applied fresh makeup. She did not look at him. "Where are you going?" Kelvin asked. "Out." "Out where?" She stopped near the door and turned sharply. "Must I submit a report every time I leave this house?" "No. But you could at least tell your husband where you are going." "I will come back when I am ready." "Patience, we haven't finished talking." "I have finished talking!" She opened the door and walked out. Kelvin rose from the sofa. "Patience!" She continued walking. He watched her enter the compound, get into her car, and drive through the main gate without looking back. The sound of the engine gradually disappeared. Kelvin remained standing by the window. He had money, a beautiful home, a successful family, and a woman he had chosen to be his wife. Yet he could not remember the last time he had felt genuinely loved by her. He had no idea that the secret she was protecting was much bigger than he imagined. He also had no idea that his decision to leave the house that afternoon would lead him toward a young woman whose kindness would eventually change his life. For now, however, all Kelvin could think about was his failing marriage. He needed someone to talk to. And there was only one person he could think of. James. --- James had been Kelvin's close friend for several years. They had met through business and eventually developed a friendship that extended beyond their professional lives. Kelvin had trusted him enough to help him secure a position at the family company, believing that James would prove himself to be a valuable employee. Unfortunately, James had developed problems with some of his workmates. According to him, they were jealous of his abilities and were deliberately making his work difficult. He had argued with them repeatedly until he finally stopped reporting to the company. Kelvin had tried to persuade him to return, but James had refused. "I cannot work with people who don't respect me," James had told him during their last conversation about the matter. Kelvin had not agreed with everything James said, but he had respected his friend's decision to take some time away. Now, with his marriage falling apart, Kelvin needed to see him. Perhaps James would listen without judging him. Perhaps he would offer advice that would help him understand what to do about Patience. Kelvin went upstairs, changed into a dark blue shirt and black trousers, picked up his car keys, and left the mansion. As he drove through the busy streets, he kept thinking about his wife. He remembered the first time she had visited his family's home. Madam Esther had welcomed her warmly, and Lavender had spent almost the entire afternoon showing her around the mansion. Mr. Martin had also accepted her because Kelvin had insisted that she was the woman he wanted to marry.