With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I suggested to my wife, Francine Watson, that we take a trip to the beach.
She shot me down, citing her busy work schedule.
A wave of disappointment hit me. I didn't expect that, the very next day, when I walked into the office, I'd be handed an expensive luxury watch.
And two tickets to the Maldives.
My colleagues immediately took notice.
"Mr. Rutherford, the Chairman really spoils you," one of them whispered with a grin. "Miss Watson is beautiful, wealthy, and so understanding. Where else could you find a wife like that?"
A part of me swelled with pride.
But when I picked up the tickets, that pride quickly faded.
One ticket was for Francine.
But the other ticket? It wasn't mine.
It was for Evander 'Evan' Graves, my wife's newly hired male assistant.
——
I froze. The warmth that had filled me evaporated instantly.
I lost all interest in my work. I turned away from my desk and walked out.
By the time I reached the CEO's office, the last thing I expected to find was Francine standing with Evan.
Evan was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, one hand casually resting on her waist.
In front of them stood a photographer, his camera flashing nonstop.
I clenched my jaw and pushed open the door.
Francine's smile froze when she saw me.
Evan's hand jerked away from her waist, almost as if struck by an electric shock.
The silence between us felt suffocating.
My chest tightened, a heaviness settling in.
"Carson? What are you doing here?" Francine asked, hurrying toward me.
I looked straight at her. "What are you two doing?"
Francine's eyes flickered for a second, and then she quickly masked it with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"We're taking promotional photos for the new quarter," she replied, her voice casual. "Evan looks great, so I asked him to help out."
Francine then turned to the others in the room, giving them a professional smile. "That's all for today. Thank you, everyone."
The crowd quickly dispersed, and only Evan remained standing, still and unmoving.
He adjusted his suit sleeve with a slight air of indifference.
I ignored the guilt that flashed in Francine's eyes and pulled out the tickets.
"What's the deal with these two tickets?" I asked, my voice calm, but with an edge to it.
Francine blinked in surprise, then forced a smile.
"Sorry, Carson," she said softly.
"These tickets and the watch were rewards for Evan's outstanding performance last month. I just forgot to change the address when I sent them to you."
I could feel my fingers trembling as I gripped the tickets.
"So, when you told me last night that you were too busy with work to go to the beach with me, you were actually planning to go to the Maldives with him?"
"Carson, what are you talking about?"
Her voice suddenly rose, drawing the attention of a few employees who had lingered.
They turned their heads, curiosity written all over their faces.
"I went to the Maldives for a business trip, not for fun. And definitely not to be with Evan," she snapped. "Can you stop acting so childish?"
I looked at her, noticing how flawless her makeup was and how carefully her hair had been styled. At that moment, I felt a deep sense of unfamiliarity.
"Just a business trip? Do two people really need to go together to a resort for a business meeting?"
"Mr. Rutherford," Evan finally spoke, stepping forward and giving a slight bow.
"You've misunderstood Miss Watson," he continued, his voice smooth and polite as he met my eyes directly. "The meeting with AquaWave Corporation was arranged by their chairman, specifically to take place in the Maldives. Miss Watson has been preparing the materials for this deal for weeks. She's been working overtime for the past two weeks to make sure everything is perfect."
He maintained a neutral expression, but there was a faint, almost imperceptible hint of pity in his gaze.
"If this situation has upset you," Evan added, "I'm happy to give you the tickets instead. After all, your marriage is more important."
"Evan!" Francine snapped, her voice anxious. "That's your reward. Why should you give it to him?"
She turned back to me, her eyes flashing with anger. "Carson, you've really disappointed me. Do you know why I work late every night? It's for our future!"
