WILLIAM’S POV

When Liam, my closest cousin, called some weeks ago to tell me about his best worker who was coming to Willowbrook to supervise his new company, I was hopeful to meet the young lady.  It was rare to hear employers speak highly of their workers. And if they rained appraisal on anyone, it was because it was duly deserved.

He didn’t mince words when he praised her abilities and aptness. Deep down, I wished I could get such a competent worker, one I could brag about too. It had been so difficult to replace Alice; the ladies that came after her were no different from ducks. They shivered away in fear when scolded, something I always found repulsive. Alice was different; though simple and shy, she was not timid. She always returned my stares, and her aura matched mine, but she was evil, more treacherous than these other ladies. She was the least affected by my look, too. I had countlessly caught the other ladies stealing glances at my retreating figure and blushing whenever I turned to meet their gaze.

Aice was different, If I hadn’t had a feel of her passion, I would have tagged her ‘rigid and incapable of emotions’

Liam had pleaded with me to access the new apartment before the worker arrived.  He was willing to buy a new house for them, but for my quick intervention.

“Bro, you have me, and you won’t be buying any apartments for her. I have a perfect place and I know she would love it too”     He had laughed and made silly jokes about how I had so much money and didn't know what to do with it. “Bro. Don’t you think you need a wife at this point in your life? You’re almost 45,” he had chipped in amidst the joke.

“And who said I don’t have a wife?” I playfully retorted. 

“Oh! You mean the one that left you over 5 years ago? For all I know, she would be married now with kids as well… And you’re here, awaiting her return.”

For some reason, Liam’s assertion cracked me up.  I quickly changed the topic. Liam could be very annoying and persistent as well.  “Like I earlier said, I have a perfect apartment downtown. Your worker can have it.”

The apartment was one of numerous properties in town. I had offered to give it to the worker with a condition that she would also train my staff and make them competent like her.

“Liam didn’t bulge at the condition; in fact, he loved it.”

And when he called to inform me about her arrival, I asked my driver to drive me to the apartment. I also wanted to have a chat with her concerning what I discussed with her boss. 

As I stood at the gate waiting for their arrival, I finally sighted their car. In the dim light offered by the shiny stars, I could make out the number of heads in the car.

Liam didn’t tell me that the worker was coming with her entire family.

The car finally came to a halt, and I watched with interest as the lady came down, followed by a man and the three little children, who were almost the same height.

“They are a family,” I mused. It’s expected; she wouldn’t relocate without her family if she’s married.

I watched as they took purposeful strides towards me and blinked hard at the thought of being the one to welcome some sort of stranger to my own house. I could have sent my secretary or any of the other workers.

I guess I was willing to do anything to make Liam happy, and making his top-rated worker comfortable was one of those ways.

“Hello!” They waved midway. Are they scared of me? And what on earth were they scared of?  I was eagerly waiting for them to come closer so that I could do a proper introduction and maybe show them around before going home. 

I waved back and beckoned for them to come closer. The man made his way, leaving them behind.  I made up some jokes about the man’s size in my mind and laughed out loud.

The man was almost my height and well-built too, but I knew better. The military had proven that bigger people were easier to prey on than the undersized ones.

He hears my chuckle and raises his head as I catch a full glare of one of the faces I had come to loathe.

Alec—that’s his name. He was Alice’s playboy. I must applaud him for standing up to me five years ago; not so many had done that in the past.

Wait! Is Liam’s most prized worker his wife?

‘Hi! I’m Alec.” I watch him stretch out his hand for a handshake.

“Do you have some sort of night blindness? I retorted.

“Of course not! Why are you being so rude? 

I knew he had yet to make out my face. His response had proven that too.

I quickly retrieved my phone from my front pocket and flashed the light at my face.

He ducks back in fear, almost losing his footing.

“Are you okay, Alec? I heard the lady call out to him.

In response, he takes a turn and strides back to them.

I watch with a growing interest as they discuss low tunes.

Suddenly, the lady strode towards me, her hands clutching a backpack. I couldn’t tell her expression, but if she was wise, she should be willing to plead on behalf of her scumbag husband, guessing he has been briefed on the qualms we had in the past. 

“Hello, Dear, Ex. Husband.” 

That voice—I would never forget it, not even in a million years.

But, how come? Alice can’t possibly be married to Alec. They parted ways the same year she left town. The information I had from my sources confirmed it.

“You’re probably mistaken, little one, dear husband.”