His Perfect Wife

Chapter 8: Shopping

Austin’s POV

“And this is what you all have done so far?” I yell again, looking at their reports. I can’t believe I am paying these f*****g scum bugs for these.

“Mr. Rodrigue, I… I…” one of the managers tries to say something, only boosting my irritation.

“Shut the f**k up. Do I pay you for this? I need this report end of the day. I don’t care how you do it. Now get lost.” And with that, the managers from the construction group run out of the conference room. These idiots! God knows who has hired them!

I call my secretary, Evalyn, “send the management people from the finance department.”

“yes, Mr. Rodrigue,” Evalyn replies promptly.

Soon enough, another bunch of scum bug comes inside the conference room.

“Gentleman, please take a seat,” I state politely, trying to hide my anger. They all take their seats.

“Where is the estimation I asked you to prepare?” I ask them directly, after going through some files.

“Mr. Rodrigue, we are doing…” One of them starts explaining.

“What about the new product launch?” I shoot again.

“That… that…” They stumble.

“Where is the estimation for the fashion brands?” I query. I don't know why I am being agitated.

“Mr. Rodrigue, you asked us to do it by next week. So…”

“So, you didn’t bother to start working? I can see here a bunch of lazy butts. I need them today. All of them. And one mistake, you can say goodbye to your job. Now get out of here.” I yell again.

I’m having a terrible day so far. Everything is irritating me. Every f*****g thing is messed up. None of these people have worked as I wanted. I am about to call Evalyn again, but Daniel comes in.

“What’s wrong?” He asks in his casual tone.

“What’s wrong? You are asking me what’s wrong? Where is the blueprint of new construction? Where is the plan for the next auction? Where are the estimations for the new product launch?” I yell at him while standing up.

“You are asking for all the reports by end of today? The next Auction is after three months, for Christ’s sake. Now, will you please tell me what’s wrong? Why are you yelling at everyone?” he shouts a little.

I sigh, walking towards the door. Daniel and I grew up together. He is my closest friend, and he knows me really well. But today I don’t know what’s wrong. I am just feeling annoyed. 

“Is that about Valerie again?” He mentions as I enter my office. Is that about her? Maybe! Have I really done the right thing with her? Her big teary eyes are kept flashing in my mind. In the morning, she didn’t even talk to me, not for once. Above all, she cooked those pancakes that I hate. But again, why did she take the money? That f*****g gold digger. This woman is driving me insane.

I rest on the couch as I enter the office. Daniel sits by my side, “so? Tell me.”

“There’s nothing to say. She’s just a gold digger.” I reply in short.

“Look, Austin. I don’t know why you don’t like her, but from where I can see, Valerie is really a very nice girl. She is anything but a gold digger.” Daniel reasons with me. Really? You know her too well, don’t you?

“Oh yeah? Then why did she sell herself just for fifty grand?” I ask him back. Let’s see what logic you use now to defend her.

“What? What do you mean?” Daniel questions.

“She asked for fifty grand yesterday. And I…”, I pause a bit, looking for a better word, “I humiliated her in the worst way possible. If someone else were in her shoes, she would have never taken the money after that. She has no dignity.” I reply. As I speak, I am feeling guilty again. My inner self is shouting at me. I shouldn't have done that.

“What do you mean by humiliation?” Daniel asks again. I sigh as I explain what exactly I have done last night and how she reacted today in the morning.

“She asked for fifty grand and you have assaulted her?” Daniel shouts out. Yep! That’s right.

“Are you insane? She is your wife, and that is not even a big amount! How can you do such a thing? I can’t believe it! Have you ever asked her why she needed it?” he continues. Wait, what? Now I’m the bad guy! But he does have a point. She is indeed my lawfully wedded wife, and it is normal for her to ask for money. Despite that, she could have told me if there was a genuine reason. Why will she just digest the insult and take the money?

“Why don’t you go and check what good deeds she has done with that fifty grand?” I reply furiously.

Before Daniel could reply, the door gets open with a gentle knock and Linda walks in wearing her breath-taking smile. She always puts my mind in peace, but today I really don't want to see her.

“Hey babe,” she leans over my face and places a soft kiss on my lips. Then she turns towards Daniel, “Hey Daniel!”

“Hey Linda,” I reply. Linda’s lips feel so artificial in front of Valerie’s juicy, sweet ones. They have a unique attraction. Her lips were really swollen in the morning, even so, they looked so kissable. I lick my lips once, thinking about that.

“Hi, Linda.” Daniel’s voice brings me back.

 “Austin, are you available today?” Linda asks me softly, hugging my neck.

“I don’t have much to do. Do you need anything?” I reply.

“Yes, I need to go shopping. Will you please come with me?” Linda requests this time. This is the best part of her. She always wants me to go with her shopping only because she wants my company. She always argues with me whenever I want to pay for her. But eventually, I always win the argument. How can I let my girl pay for herself? It should be my responsibility. Shouldn’t Valerie be my responsibility too? She just asked for fifty grand! My conscience snaps at me.

Fuck! Why is she always on my mind? She is nowhere near Linda. I pull Linda by her waist and force myself to concentrate on her, “whatever my princess wishes.”

“Yay! Thanks, Austin. I’ll call Ashley right away.” Linda stands up and leaves the room while calling Ashley.

After a while, I go out of the office, taking Linda with me. Linda has a specific choice, and she always goes to only a few designated shops.

As I pick up her friend, Ashley, I ask, “so, where are we going today?”

“Malesa’s!” Linda replies in excitement.

“Okay!” I reply as I take the turn. Malesa’s is a very famous fashion boutique and the best part about that shop is that they have a vast collection of different prince range, starting from school going students to elite models like Linda. I park in front of the huge building. It’s been a while since Linda has been here, almost months maybe.

Mrs. Malesa welcomes us as we walk in. She is a very kind lady in her mid-fifties and one of the very famous fashion designers of the country. But she believes that fashion is for everyone and hence she always keeps such diversifiable collections.

“Linda, sweetheart, how are you?” she asks her.

“I’m fine, Malesa. You look gorgeous!” my sweet girlfriend replies.

“Make yourself comfortable and the girl at the changing room will help you,” Malesa says again.

Linda and Ashley spend hours at the changing room while I am just sitting ideally. Suddenly a dress comes across my eyes. The material is not that sophisticated, but the pattern is unique. The dress has a different vibe that I can’t really express. I look for a designer. It must be someone new. The symbol is unknown to me.

“It’s a gorgeous piece, isn’t it? But the material is not that fine.” Mrs. Malesa speaks from behind.

“Yes, it’s unique,” I reply.

“A new designer has made this one. She is just a student but very talented and sincere.” She says again.

In between our talks, Linda and Ashley come up with the dresses.

“Babe, look what we have got,” Linda says excitedly.

“Linda, what do you think about this?” I ask her, showing her the dress I am holding.

Linda and Ashley both look at the dress and after a few moments Ashley speaks first, “this is not a branded one.”

“Yes, but I like the work” I reply.

“Ashley, I will wear anything that Austin will choose.” Linda speaks as she takes the dress in her hand and then she looks at me, “but babe, it’s not my size.”

“Forget it. Let’s just get what you have chosen so far.” I reply. I can see Linda doesn’t like that dress, and I really don’t want to push her.

“Babe, I’ll pay this time, please,” Linda whines as we approach the cash counter.

“I told you, sweetheart, if you are with me, I’m going to pay for whatever you want.”, I reply.

“But Austin…”

“That’s enough. I have all the right to spoil my girl.” I reply again, pulling her by her waist.

“That will be five million sixty thousand and fifty-two dollars. How will you like to pay, sir?” and I freeze with the voice. Valerie! What the hell is she doing here? I look towards the cashier. She works here!

“Excuse me, sir. How would you like to pay?” She asks again with a smile. Her lip is still a little swollen, but better than morning. This smile of her is a fake one, and I can tell that just by looking. Great job, Austin. You can spend a few million on her easily, but for your wife, fifty grand seems to be too much. And now it’s your wife who is making the bill for you. I regret everything I have done yesterday. I shouldn’t have done that. Her eyes are making me more guilty.

“Babe, credit right?” Linda asks me, bringing me back to reality.

“Yes,” I reply in short, handing Valerie my card.

“Mr. Rodrigue, the design you liked is made by her.” Mrs. Malesa speaks while walking towards Valerie.

“Val, you know he liked the new dress you made. But unfortunately, it is not the right size for Linda.” She says again.

“Thank you, Mr. Rodrigue,” Valerie replies with another fake smile. She made that dress! I can’t believe it! I don’t even know she goes to fashion school. Suddenly her eyes travel towards the door and her lips form a pure innocent smile that she always tries to use on me. Is that her actual smile? Is she always that transparent? I follow her gaze only to find out a guy coming into the store.

“Mr. Rodrigue, here’s your bill. Please excuse me.” Valerie hands me the bill and then rushes to the door.

“Liam!” Valerie greets the guy named Liam.

“Hey beautiful!” and with that, the f*****g guy pulls my wife in a side hug! And to my wonder, Valerie hugs him back. What the hell!

“Guess what I have got!” that guy says again, holding an envelope in front of her face. Her eyes widen as she looks at the envelope.

“Is that what I think?” she spells out in excitement.

“You bet sweety,” he pulls out a paper.

“OMG! It’s the cheque!” Valerie says again, covering her mouth. Money again, isn’t it?

“And this,” Liam speaks again, handing her another piece of paper. I want to see what is in that. And who the hell is he? Valerie reads the whole thing. It looks like a letter. And then suddenly she screams.

“OH MY GOD! LIAM,” and with that she throws herself at that f*****g guy again, f*****g hugging him tightly. That guy hugs her back once again. f**k! I clench my fist. I want to walk straight between them and rip them apart. And then I want to beat up that bastard to death.

“I’m so happy for you, babe!” he says as he pulls away. Then he speaks again, showing his cheek, “where're my tips?” Valerie giggles as she fu.cking KISSES his cheek! What the hell! My wife! And she is having some affair, right under my nose?

“What’s happening here? What are you doing, you kid?” Mrs. Malesa speaks this time as she walks near them.

“Aunt Malesa, look. She hit the jackpot this time,” Liam tells her, showing that paper.

“Oh, my! I’m so proud of you, Val,” Malesa replies. What the hell is going on? Why don’t I know anything about it?

“And babe, I am taking you for a party tonight,” that Liam guy speaks again.

“But…” Valerie wanted to say something, but Liam stops her.

“No buts, okay. I’m taking you to the bar and not leaving you until you lose all your senses. Aunt Malesa, she is leaving now. Do you have any problem?” He asks Malesa this time.

“Of course, not. Go and have fun, you two,” Malesa giggles as she speaks.

“Young love. So romantic, isn’t it, babe?” suddenly Linda speaks from my side. Young love my ass! That’s my wife! How could she! She is hugging and kissing another man in front of my eyes! And what are you doing, you i***t? My conscience mocks me again.

“Let’s go,” she says again as we come out of the shop.