7

Maisie’s POV

“Dinner out, how about it?” I suggested it after my shift ended.

“Wow, the big boss's wife is different,” teased Nina – one of my coworkers – while raising and lowering her eyebrows.

I laughed. “I’m just asking you; I don’t want to be the subject of gossip if I ask someone else.”

Nina’s smile immediately vanished. “That’s true.”

One of the consequences of my reckless decision to marry Alexander is that I’m ready to be the topic of gossip at the office. And of course, my name has now become the top subject of conversation in the office gossip group.

“Hey, don’t be sad; I’m the only one getting gossiped about.” I gently patted Nina's shoulder when I saw her sad expression.

“Just relax. Breaking up with Neo and instead of crying, you’re working overtime. You’re weird, Maisie.”

I laughed again, recalling the night I caught Neo getting cozy with Erina at a nightclub. I had chosen to work overtime after breaking up with Neo that night. Not because I wasn’t sad, but because I didn’t have any other way to distract myself from the pain in my chest except by working late.

Nina didn’t know what was happening behind the wide smile that always graced my face. "You only live once; I can't bear to cry over a jerk like Neo."

"But he's now your stepson. Oh, crap! I just realized he's your son now, right?" Nina's eyes widened as if she just grasped the reality.

My cheerful laughter echoed again. "Yes. I also live under the same roof with him."

"Seriously!" I nodded, feeling a mix of sadness and laughter that I could hardly control. "Every day, I try to act normal, even though the situation is unusual."

Nina shook her head, looking incredulous. "That's crazy! How can you stay calm amidst all that?"

"Sometimes, I feel like an actress in a drama. Keeping up appearances so everything seems fine," I said. "But inside, yes, there are many things churning."

"I don’t know if I could do that," she said with a concerned tone. "You’re really strong."

"Or maybe I’m just trying too hard not to look fragile," I replied. "But hey, life goes on. We have to find a way to face it, right?"

Nina nodded, looking more understanding. "But don’t forget to give yourself space to feel, okay?"

"Yes, I’ll remember that," I replied with a smile, even though my heart felt heavy.

I nodded firmly. "So I have a mission; I’m going to be the wicked stepmother for them."

Now it was Nina’s turn to laugh heartily. “Could it be that you married his father to get revenge on his child?”

I just shrugged, not answering. We had arrived at the parking lot and got on our motorcycles. We were going shopping and eating good food today.

However, just as I was about to start the motorcycle, my phone rang loudly. I pulled it out of my pocket and frowned when I saw Alexander's name on the screen.

“Hello, Sir? What’s up?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

“Where are you?” Alexander's voice was flat as usual, without expression.

“In the parking lot, about to go home. Why, Sir?” I asked, a little worried.

“Don’t go home yet, come with me to a place,” he replied.

I paused for a moment, confused. “Where to, Sir?”

“No need to know now. Just come along,” he said, his tone still firm.

“Alright, but... is this important?” I felt something was off.

“Yes, quite important. I’ll be waiting outside.”

Before I could respond, he hung up. I looked at Nina, who was still waiting beside me. “That was Alexander. He wants me to go somewhere with him.”

Nina raised her eyebrows, a curious expression on her face. “Where? Why didn’t he say that?”

“I don’t know; he just said it’s important. I feel like something’s wrong,” I said, feeling a bit anxious.

“You shouldn’t go alone. Can I come with you?” Nina offered, looking serious.

“No need; I can handle it myself,” I replied, trying to convince myself.

---

In the end, I had to cancel my plans with Nina to shop and eat. I couldn’t refuse the orders of the big boss, aka my husband.

So here I am now, in a boutique called La Belle Attire. A beautiful young designer is measuring me. Meanwhile, Alexander sits on the sofa, waiting for me to finish.

“Make five dresses at once, okay? Adjust them to her body shape. I want everything to make her look elegant and classy.” Alexander instructed Bela, the designer and owner of the boutique.

“Understood, Sir.” Bela smiled widely, then turned to me. “Do you have any color preferences?”

“Hm… I like blue,” I replied.

“Alright, I’ll make one or two dresses in blue. Are there any colors you don’t like?” Bela asked, her face always smiling.

So far, I’m enjoying working with Bela. “Maybe… gray and purple. I’m not really fond of those colors.”

Bela nodded in understanding, returning to her desk to jot down the sizes and preferences I mentioned.

“Our nearest events are a charity party and an invitation from Bela to launch her latest collection. I hope you can represent yourself well as my wife at both events, Maisie,” Alexander spoke again.

“Launching a collection? Like a fashion show?” I asked for clarification.

“Yes, I invited Mr. Alexander because he’s a VIP customer of this boutique,” Bela explained.

“Oh, I see.” I nodded. I only knew that rich people often hold and attend parties.

Fifteen minutes later, everything was finally done. Bela said they could do the fittings in two weeks. Alexander had indeed requested everything to be processed very quickly as both events would be held next month.

“Go ahead, Mr. Alexander.” Bela invited Alexander to stand in front of her; now it was his turn to be measured.

“Excuse me, is there a restroom here?” I asked Bela.

“Oh, yes. Just go down from here; the restroom is under the stairs.” Bela explained kindly.

“Alright. Thank you.”

I quickly left the room and went down the stairs. However, my steps halted just before I entered the restroom.

“What are you doing here?”

I turned around to find the woman I hated most in the world approaching me. Who else but Erina?

I scoffed quietly, not answering, and continued walking towards the restroom.

Erina grabbed my shoulder, stopping me. “I’m asking, what are you doing here? How can a poor person like you get in here?”

“Not your business.” I shrugged off Erina’s hand from my shoulder.

“Are you here with Dad?”

“With whom else?”

“What are you doing?”

“Making a dress for a party.” I decided to bait Erina. “I’m going to make five at once,” I said arrogantly.

Erina frowned in annoyance. “What party? Have you ever been to a party?”

“I’ve never been to a party, but after this, my husband will often take me to parties.” I grinned as I saw Erina getting more upset. “If you want, just ask your husband,” I concluded and entered the restroom with a wide grin.

“Is she really making dresses here?” Erina murmured, filled with jealousy. I still heard that.