Meeting his Beautiful Wife

At the burial, whispers floated around like the gentle rustling of leaves, mixing with the soft sobs of mourners. Gena stood at the edge of the gathering, trying to remain unnoticed. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she overheard snippets of conversation that made her stomach tighten. “Jared’s back,” a woman nearby whispered with excitement. “I can’t believe he’s finally returned after all these years.” “I know! Everyone thought he’d never come home,” her friend replied. “I wonder what he’s planning to do now. The company’s been run by that acting president... what’s her name?” Gena’s chest constricted. That’s me, she thought. But they didn’t know. No one knew her deeper connection to Jared—not even her closest colleagues like Cherry. It had been three years since their arranged marriage, a contract Jared had been tricked into signing by his parents. He had never shown any interest in her, nor in the life his parents had envisioned for them. Now, the fear of what he might do next haunted her. “I heard he’s going to take over the business,” another mourner whispered. “It’s about time someone in the Jacobo family reclaimed it.” “That stand-in president’s days are numbered,” the first woman added with a smirk. Gena’s breath caught in her throat. She had worked tirelessly to manage the Jacobo family’s company in Jared’s absence, and now he could just walk in and take it all away. Worse, no one knew about their secret marriage. If word got out, it would ruin everything. He’ll expose me, take everything, and kick me out. Before the panic could fully set in, Cherry, her assistant and friend, approached her, her brow furrowed in concern. “Gena, you look pale. Are you okay?” “I... I need to leave,” Gena whispered, trying to steady her voice. “Jared’s back.” Cherry raised an eyebrow. “Jared Jacobo? You’ve never even met him, have you? Why are you so nervous?” Gena glanced around nervously, lowering her voice. “I just don’t want to deal with him right now. If he’s here, he might start asking questions about the company, and I’m not ready for that. He could take everything.” Cherry frowned, not understanding the full depth of Gena’s anxiety. “But you’ve been running the company brilliantly. What could he possibly do to you? He doesn’t even know you.” “He doesn’t need to know me to take control. He’s the rightful heir, after all,” Gena said, trying to keep her voice calm. “I just... I need to go before he sees me.” Cherry studied her for a moment, sensing something deeper, but she didn’t push. “Alright. I’ll cover for you if anyone asks.” With a grateful nod, Gena quickly turned and slipped away, her heart racing. She couldn’t face Jared, not now. Not ever, if she could help it. Running was the only way to keep everything from falling apart. For now, it was the only thing she could do to protect herself. The Next Morning A knock on Gena’s door startled her from sleep. The events of the previous night, unsettling and vivid, raced through her mind. Jared is back—the thought churned in her stomach. She was about to face a husband she had never met, and the fear of what would happen next kept her nerves on edge. The maid greeted her cheerily. “Good morning, Gena! Breakfast is ready.” “Thank you. I’ll be down soon,” she replied mechanically, trying to maintain composure. Her routine felt like a shield, so she dressed in her usual work attire—a crisp white blouse and black pencil skirt, slipping on her three-inch heels with mechanical precision. The business-like exterior helped her hide the turmoil swirling within. Once ready, she hurried through breakfast, alone as usual, barely tasting the food. Just as she was finishing, the maid returned, speaking in a more reserved tone. “Ma’am, we received a call earlier. Mr. Jared Jacobo will be staying here starting today. His room is being prepared.” Gena’s heart skipped a beat. “Okay,” she said flatly, though inside she felt anything but. Staying here? The reality of her marriage, which had seemed distant and abstract, suddenly felt too close. She wasn’t ready for this. After breakfast, she left for the office. “Good morning,” the driver greeted her as she got into the car. “Morning,” she replied, forcing a smile. The drive to work passed in a blur as her thoughts remained fixed on Jared. What would he say when they finally met? Would he take everything from her? Would he expose their secret marriage? She had no idea what to expect, but none of the possibilities were comforting. At the office, Cherry arrived with a stack of documents and her usual cheerful energy. “Ma’am, the meeting you sent me to went well,” Cherry began. “But their boss insists that you visit their office before we finalize the contract.” Gena blinked. An opportunity. A way to avoid Jared. “You mean I have to go out of town?” Cherry nodded. “Yes, ma’am. They’ve requested your presence personally.” Gena didn’t hesitate. “Tell them I’ll go. We’ll leave tomorrow morning.” Cherry smiled, slightly surprised by the quick decision. “I’ll make the arrangements.” Relieved, Gena buried herself in work, hoping the day would pass quickly. That evening, she decided to visit her favorite restaurant—her sanctuary when she needed time alone. She sat in her usual corner, enjoying the quiet atmosphere, when the sound of giggles from two waitresses caught her attention. “Is that her boyfriend?” one whispered, eyes wide. “He’s so handsome!” Curious, Gena glanced in the direction they were looking. At a nearby table sat a strikingly handsome man with a famous local actress. The man’s sharp features, confident presence, and tailored suit stood out, but there was something about the way he was staring at her—intensely, almost transfixed. Gena’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze. She muttered to herself, “He’s probably just another unfaithful man.” She had no patience for men who acted so blatantly interested in other women, especially in front of their partners. She finished her meal, stood up confidently, and left the restaurant, ignoring the handsome man’s lingering stare as if his gaze had no effect on her. Back at home, Gena felt a mix of relief and frustration. Why do men like that always assume they can get whatever they want? She wasn’t about to be another notch on some playboy’s belt, especially not one who was already with someone else. She pushed the thought aside, packed her bags for the upcoming trip, and prepared to leave Jared behind before he could even arrive. But just as she was finishing, the sound of a car horn outside caught her attention. Gena walked to the window, peeking through the curtains. Her breath caught in her throat. A sleek car pulled into the driveway, and her maids hurried to greet the passenger stepping out. It was the same man from the restaurant—the one who had been staring at her. Gena’s blood ran cold as she watched him help the actress out of the car. That’s Jared, she realized with a start. That’s my husband. Her pulse quickened as the weight of the situation sank in. Not only had she unintentionally met him, but he was also with the same woman she had seen him with earlier. The sting of seeing him with another woman was unexpected, even for a marriage she had never believed in. Jared turned slightly, scanning the house, his face unreadable. Gena quickly ducked away from the window before he could see her, her heart pounding in her chest. She had to leave, and fast. But now, the situation was far more complicated than she had anticipated.