Arjun's ex-girlfriend wanted to meet me.
She was dressed impeccably, her delicate features accentuated by her sophisticated outfit. Meanwhile, I was in casual clothes, without a hint of makeup, feeling every bit the dowdy housewife.
I assumed she wanted this meeting to ask me to step aside, to show off how madly in love Arjun was with her. To my surprise, she slid a contract across the table.
“Ms. Carlson, I’d like you to be my personal assistant. I want to buy your soups, your comforting meals, your perfectly put-together outfits, and your genuine care.”
When Arjun discovered that I was delivering soups to someone else every day, disbelief filled his eyes as he demanded, “Who is it? Who’s the person?”
---
I couldn’t help it—I agreed to the offer.
The proposal was too enticing to resist. This woman, she was truly wealthy. Initially, I was skeptical. Was Jessica trying to manipulate me?
“Ms. Dunn, if you’re planning to get back together with Arjun, I will willingly step aside…”
Jessica chuckled, covering her mouth.
“Get back together? We were never a thing. What is he to me, anyway? I’m here for you, dear. The contract is right here, take a look, take another look.”
Her eyes held eager anticipation as she watched me.
I glanced through the contract, still in disbelief. It offered a monthly salary of $20,000, along with various perks.
Jessica was accustomed to a life of luxury. What could she possibly want that she couldn’t have? My cooking wasn’t that exceptional.
“The food I make…”
“It’s delicious, just perfect for me. It warms me all over,” Jessica genuinely praised.
“Your cooking might not be gourmet, but it has a comforting simplicity that makes it incredibly satisfying.”
That, I believed, because I did have some unique cooking techniques.
Jessica recounted how one day, as I delivered lunch to Arjun, he wasn't fond of the cafeteria food at the office and found my attire too casual and embarrassing. He thought the lunchbox I used was uncool and wanted to throw it away, but Jessica had stopped him.
Intrigued by the meal, she decided to try it and found it extraordinary.
To impress her, Arjun claimed that if she ever wanted it, he'd have me make it for her. When he came home, he actually demanded I cook for Jessica.
I felt utterly humiliated and ended up having a huge fight with Arjun, refusing to cook for him anymore. I wasn’t some housemaid.
Knowing my husband was fawning over another woman and still having to send her meals? How degrading!
He criticized my attire, even though he knew my style for years.
That day, Jessica happened to be visiting his office for business. Arjun belittled me in front of her, trying to convey that he didn’t love me. He thought by emphasizing my flaws, he'd make Jessica happy.
Since I knew my husband didn’t love me, I didn’t want to keep trying to get his attention.
So, I refused to cook and deliver meals.
Arjun smirked, assuming I was just being moody, expecting that ignoring me for a few days would have me come back to him willingly.
But Jessica couldn’t forget the taste of my cooking.
