Chapter 2The Husband Arrives
1230 Words
Gena barely remembered the drive home.
The image of Jared Jacobo stepping out of that black car haunted her thoughts like an unwelcome dream.
Those eyes.
Cold.
Sharp.
And somehow—
dangerously unforgettable.
She leaned against the car window and closed her eyes.
No.
She refused to let herself be affected.
He was only her husband on paper.
Nothing more.
And if fate was kind enough, perhaps she could avoid him entirely.
The mansion welcomed her with unsettling silence.
She entered quietly, hoping to disappear into her room unnoticed.
But the universe, apparently, enjoyed tormenting her.
“Ma’am Gena!”
One of the maids approached, smiling brightly.
“Good evening.”
“Good evening.”
The maid hesitated, then clasped her hands excitedly.
“Sir Jared’s room is being prepared.”
Gena froze.
Her heartbeat stumbled.
“What?”
“He’ll be staying here starting tonight.”
The floor suddenly felt unstable beneath her feet.
Tonight?
So soon?
The maid continued dreamily.
“He’s incredibly handsome, Ma’am. Everyone’s excited.”
Gena forced a smile.
“I see.”
But inside—
Panic had already begun clawing at her composure.
She nodded politely and walked upstairs.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Her room suddenly no longer felt safe.
Their room.
No.
She refused to call it that.
Three years of marriage and not once had they shared a life together.
She had lived quietly inside this mansion while Jared remained abroad, distant and uninterested.
And honestly—
She preferred it that way.
Because distance hurt less than rejection.
That night, sleep refused to come.
She lay awake staring at the ceiling.
What if he wanted divorce immediately?
What if he accused her?
Humiliated her?
Took the company?
Or worse—
What if he looked at her with disgust?
The thought hurt more than she wanted to admit.
Gena shut her eyes.
No.
Running away was cowardly.
But temporary retreat?
That was strategy.
And she had always been good at strategy.
The next morning, her alarm rang at six.
For once, Gena welcomed the distraction.
She showered and dressed carefully.
A crisp white blouse.
Black pencil skirt.
Three-inch heels.
Her armor.
The capable president of J Corporation.
Not the unwanted wife waiting for judgment.
Downstairs, she ate breakfast alone.
Or at least—
she thought she would.
A maid approached.
“Ma’am, we received confirmation earlier.”
Gena looked up.
“Sir Jared will arrive before evening.”
The spoon in her hand paused.
So she still had time.
A small, guilty relief settled inside her.
After breakfast, she immediately headed for the office.
The city blurred past the car window while her mind remained trapped inside the same terrifying reality.
Jared had returned.
And somehow—
Life no longer felt predictable.
The moment she entered J Corporation, the familiar atmosphere calmed her.
Employees greeted her warmly.
“Good morning, Ma’am Gena!”
“Morning.”
Her smile came naturally here.
The company felt more like home than the mansion ever had.
She rode the private elevator upstairs and buried herself in paperwork.
Work was easier than fear.
Much easier.
A knock interrupted her concentration.
Cherry entered holding several folders.
“Morning, boss.”
“Morning.”
Cherry placed the files down.
“The meeting yesterday went smoothly.”
“That’s good.”
“But…” Cherry grinned mischievously.
Gena narrowed her eyes.
“That face usually means trouble.”
“Our future business partner wants something.”
“What?”
“He insists you visit personally before signing the contract.”
Gena paused.
“Out of town?”
Cherry nodded.
“Private beach resort. One week.”
Silence.
Then—
An idea formed.
Escape.
Her pulse quickened.
Cherry continued.
“I already told them your schedule is packed, but they won’t budge.”
Gena sat straighter.
“When do we leave?”
Cherry blinked.
“…Tomorrow?”
“Book it.”
Her assistant stared.
“That fast?”
“Yes.”
Suspicion crossed Cherry’s face.
“You hate traveling for negotiations.”
“I’m making exceptions.”
Cherry narrowed her eyes dramatically.
“You’re suspicious.”
“I’m efficient.”
“You’re escaping something.”
Gena smiled sweetly.
“Back to work before I deduct your salary.”
Cherry laughed.
“You wound me, master.”
But she obediently left.
The moment the door closed—
Gena exhaled.
One week away.
One week without Jared.
Maybe by the time she returned, things would be easier.
Or at least—
less frightening.
That evening, after work, Gena decided to visit her favorite restaurant.
It was her sanctuary.
A quiet place where nobody demanded anything from her.
She settled into her usual corner seat and ordered dinner.
For the first time all day—
she relaxed.
Until she noticed the whispers.
Two waitresses stood nearby, giggling.
“Look at that man.”
“He’s gorgeous.”
“Is that actress Elaine Torres with him?”
Curious, Gena glanced toward the entrance.
And immediately regretted it.
A striking man sat near the window.
Dark suit.
Confident posture.
Dangerously handsome.
Beside him sat a beautiful actress.
But what unsettled Gena—
was not his appearance.
It was his gaze.
He was staring at her.
Directly.
Unmoving.
The intensity startled her.
Their eyes met.
And something strange passed through her chest.
A quiet shock.
His expression remained unreadable.
But his eyes—
They were studying her.
As though she fascinated him.
Gena quickly looked away.
Her brows knitted.
How rude.
The actress beside him was practically hanging on his arm, yet his attention remained elsewhere.
Disgust curled inside her.
Typical.
Handsome men really believed the world belonged to them.
She continued eating and ignored him.
Still—
she could feel his gaze.
Like warmth against her skin.
Uncomfortable.
Persistent.
When she finally finished, she stood and left without looking back.
She refused to entertain flirtatious strangers.
Especially attached ones.
Outside, cool evening air greeted her.
But strangely—
the feeling of being watched remained.
By the time she reached the mansion, she had almost forgotten about the man.
Almost.
She packed quietly for tomorrow’s trip.
One week.
That was all.
Just as she zipped her luggage—
A car horn sounded outside.
Gena frowned.
Curious, she moved toward the window.
Then—
Her blood ran cold.
A sleek black luxury car entered the driveway.
Maids hurried outside.
Her breath stopped.
The rear door opened.
And her world tilted.
The man from the restaurant stepped out.
The same man.
The same eyes.
The same devastating face.
Beside him—
The actress emerged gracefully.
Shock rooted Gena in place.
No.
No…
The maids bowed respectfully.
And realization struck like lightning.
Her fingers tightened against the curtain.
The handsome stranger—
The rude man from the restaurant—
Was Jared Jacobo.
Her husband.
The air left her lungs.
He had been watching her.
And she—
Had judged him without knowing who he was.
Before panic could settle—
Jared suddenly lifted his gaze.
Toward the mansion.
Toward her window.
Gena gasped and ducked behind the curtain.
Her heart pounded violently.
Please don't see me.
Outside—
Jared scanned the dark windows.
His expression unreadable.
And for reasons she couldn't explain—
Gena felt like prey hiding from a predator.
One dangerous realization echoed inside her mind.
Escaping tomorrow was no longer a choice.
It was survival.
- Writer
