Chapter 10

James was still lost in his thoughts when he heard a car pull up to the front of the front lobby. He immediately came to observe but hid behind the door frame of the dark room so he wouldn’t be seen. He could see the figure of the same man from before opening the car door and even walking her up the stairs. The man handed Hannah a small bouquet of flowers and quickly left. Hannah didn’t have much of an expression of than grateful and headed upstairs into the bathroom. During that time, James had already snuck into bed and pretended to sleep. Hannah proceeded to bed exhausted and did not give mind to James. During the night, James had accidentally kicked the body pillow to the end of the bed and only noticed when there was a fresh, sweet scent rising into his nose. When he awoke, he was already sleeping so closely to Hannah who was peacefully still asleep. Her brown hair was perfectly laying on the pillow and he couldn’t help but take a closer look at her unbothered, still face. Her lips, so lusciously curved. The moonlight was reflecting her exposed neck and it intrigued him. Suddenly, he felt himself lowering his lips near hers, but she had turned over and scared him so he backed off and chuckled at himself. How reckless! He placed the body pillow in between them and fell asleep again.

In the morning, a woman in a red blouse came to their residence and introduced herself as Dr. Hailey who was hired by Uncle Henry to attend to Hannah per the contract. Without knowledge of her arriving that day, James and Hannah were taken back a little but still agreed to the examinations. She insisted on being alone for the physical examination. James decided to leave to meet up with Sherry and Martha for lunch.

Dr. Hailey commented, “Hannah, you’re in pretty good health and you are in your prime years to conceive.” These kinds of words made Hannah feel embarrassed. She kept her head lowered and just nodded in acknowledgment. “Are you still a virgin?”

Hannah quickly nodded.

“So you and James have not….”

“No!” She tried to end the question immediately.

Dr. Hailey made a few notes with her professional poker face and said, “I’ll send a general report to Henry and Esther as agreed.” She smiled and left.

Four more months to go, Hannah. She encouraged herself.

***

“James, you look so thin now! I must go back and scold that poor girl for not taking care of you. I knew she wasn’t wife material, “Martha scoffed just wanting to make trouble.

James was carrying in food and answered, “Mom, I’m fine. We’ve been occupied on our own and not interfering with each other. Don’t worry. She’s not troubling me whatsoever.”

“That better be right. Because if she dares to try schemes to seduce you, I’ll handle her myself!” Sherry threatened with a twisted frown. Her true colors were coming to light whenever Henry and Esther were not around to fight for Hannah. James continued walking into the dining room because he was tired from work and just wanted the bickering to stop.

Martha chased after him and asked, “Son, I think you and Sherry should begin your wedding planning regardless so that once the divorce is processed, we will have the wedding immediately take place. Remember, you already have your woman here waiting. You must stay ahead of the game to have a baby in order to gain CEO position.”

Upon hearing this scheme, Sherry’s face lightened up in agreement and held James’ arm tightly. “Babe, I think that’s such a great idea. Huh? Don’t you agree? Let’s go wedding shopping ahead of time. Take me, please?”

James was flustered and only said, “I still have a lot of work to get to. I don’t know how we’re going to fit it in my schedule. We might need to hire a planner so it’s probably best to wait until the contract is over. I don’t want to get into it with Uncle Henry again. If he finds out, it might jeopardize my position.”

“Are you that dumb?! Are you not my son?! Do it secretly,” Martha said roughly.

When James returned home, Hannah was lounging and reading a book by the window pane in a comfortable, flowing dress in the glass sunroom. “You’re here,” James said softly so as not to startle her.

She looked up from her book and greeted him gently. “James. What’s up?” Hannah sat up more properly. He had come to sit on the sofa arm rest and felt much calmer than before in front of her. James must’ve been lost staring at her softly for a while that he didn’t hear her speak to him. Her look was very welcoming and charming. He suddenly felt….safe. “James. James? James!” She waved at him.

“Oh!” He snapped out of it. “Sorry. I just came to see how the examination went.”

She chuckled, “It was fine. She just said I was healthy.”

He walked away embarrassed.

Back at work, Ricky continued to visit Hannah’s classroom every lunch hour. She was oblivious to this and just innocently thought Ricky was a being a really good friend. Many of the female colleagues began gossiping behind her back. Rose would deny those rumors as much as possible, but Hannah found it best to ignore them. Many people did not know that Hannah was married and thought that “Chen” was her maiden name. Also, she did not wear a ring.

“Hannah, it’s Friday night. Join me for dinner tonight?” Ricky asked during lunch.

“Er, let me see if I have a lot of work by the end of the day. I’ll go if I don’t have much to take home.”

He went to her desk and grab a handful of homework. “Here, I’ll help you with these.” And left her room before she could respond.

Later that evening while at the office, James received another text from Hannah, “Won’t be home til late again.” Although he was also drenched in work, the text spurred his curiosity as to who Hannah was going out with.  “Kyle, please go get the car ready for me.”

Kyle, James’ personal driver, immediately went to wrap the car around. On their way home passing the same busy, Korean barbeque restaurant, James demanded Kyle to stop the car instantly. Behind the black tinted car, James stared at the couple sitting joyfully by the front window. Hannah. It was Hannah and the same man from last time. James felt uneasy and angry. If he could, he would go in there and drag Hannah out, but he didn’t have the rights to at the same time. “Proceed.” He ordered Kyle.

When Hannah finally returned home, she found James sitting on the chair in their room in the dark. She was startled when she turned on the lights and saw him just staring out the window where he must have witnessed Ricky walking her to the door.

“James, I thought you weren’t home.”

He set down his glass of alcohol and responded, “Why? Were you doing anything inappropriate? You sound a little…startled.”

Hannah did not move but hearing his words provoked her to defend herself. “What do you mean?”

“That man that you’ve been hanging with recently. Is he someone special I should know about?”

She let out a little chuckle. “Uh, no. He’s just my colleague.”

“Do colleagues hug too?” James walked towards her slowly and his cold gaze fell on her pale face.

“Huh? Don’t accuse me without evidence, James. First you accused me of playing innocent and now you’re accusing me of other things. Besides, why are you quarreling with me about it? How’s it any different than what you’re doing with Sherry?”

“Hah. Are you admitting to it then?” He suddenly grabbed her wrist and pushed her against the wall behind and narrowed in on her face.

She could smell the alcohol on his breath. “Stop. You’re hurting me. You’re drunk.” Hannah shook off his hand but he suddenly grabbed it again.

“What I said is true. It’s the innocent one’s like you who are the sketchiest. I’m sure he’s already had you,” he called out closely to her.

Plop! Hannah slapped him and her eyes teared up. “Don’t talk down on me like that. I don’t act lowly like you. I don’t even interfere with you and Sherry. Leave me alone.”

James looked at her with cold eyes and then abruptly left slamming the door.

He did not return home that night.