Chapter 6

The next day, they were on a 9:00 a.m. flight back to Florivera. Traveling with the CEO, they all enjoyed the comfort of business class. Xander sat by the window, Abigail in the aisle seat, and Keith in the row behind them. As they settled in, a flight attendant approached. "Sir, ma'am, would you like something to drink?" Abigail replied, "Two bottles of mineral water, please." Knowing her CEO was quite particular about his beverages, she opted for the safest choice since hand-ground coffee was not available on the plane. The attendant nodded but did not leave, her gaze lingering on Xander. "Sir, we do have coffee on board. Would you like some?" Without even a glance at the attendant, Xander spoke to Abigail, "Tonight, I'm taking my wife out for dinner. Make sure to reserve a table in advance." Abigail nodded. "Understood." Turning to the attendant, whose smile was faltering, she added, "Could I have a copy of today's newspaper?" As an executive assistant, staying informed was essential, and with no internet access on the plane, Abigail had to rely on the printed news. Reading through various articles, she stumbled upon a piece about EdgeTech. [EdgeTech CEO investigated for corruption, suffers car accident while fleeing to the airport, right hand disabled.] Abigail unconsciously glanced at Xander, who was resting with his eyes closed, his long eyelashes fanning out from beneath his silver-rimmed glasses. Sensing her gaze, Xander raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Abigail cautiously asked, "Mr. Zane, are you aware that Mr. Ruddy of EdgeTech has had an accident?" Xander scoffed. "He should be grateful it was only his hand." His tone was casual, as if commenting on the weather. Yet, Abigail felt a chill down her spine and swallowed nervously. There were many rumors about the young CEO of Zane Corporation: ruthless, cold-hearted, and uninterested in women, to name a few. Twelve years ago, before he was even of age, he had managed to overthrow the cunning shareholders of Zane Corporation and restore the company to its former glory. Since then, the mere mention of Xander struck fear into the hearts of many in the business world, as his name became synonymous with terror. Xander slowly opened his eyes and fixed his icy gaze on Abigail. "Are you scared?" Feeling flustered, she nodded and shook her head. "No." "Really?" He clearly did not believe her but did not push further, closing his eyes again. Abigail thought to herself that despite the rumors, she could not deny the Xander she knew showed a tender smile when speaking of his wife, took the time to select gifts for her amidst his busy schedule, and protected his subordinates. 'I'm his assistant, not his enemy—why should I fear him?' With that realization, she exhaled and closed her eyes to rest. As the plane entered a smooth cruising altitude, Abigail drifted off, only to be awakened by a chilling voice. "Do you think I appear promiscuous, or do you believe I'm a man you can have?" The coldness of his words sent a shiver down her spine, and she opened her eyes to see the flight attendant who had been flirting with Xander earlier sheepishly retracting her phone. It was rare for a man as wealthy and attractive as Xander to resist the numerous temptations thrown his way. Abigail could not help but wonder what kind of woman his wife was, to have captured the heart of a man who never spared other women a second glance. The flight took two and a half hours. Upon landing in Florivera, the group headed straight for the office and resumed their busy schedules. Abigail juggled both company tasks and Xander's personal affairs, such as purchasing flowers, reserving a restaurant, and arranging post-dinner entertainment. She put extra effort into this particular date, knowing the CEO's wife's satisfaction would directly affect Xander's mood, which in turn would impact her own workload. At the end of the day, Abigail handed Xander the flowers and watched as he got into the car his driver had waiting for him, her duties for the day completed. Relieved, she prepared to hail a cab home when a message popped up in her three-person WhatsApp group chat from Melody. [Caterpie, tonight's matelote. Can you grab a bottle of olive oil for matelote from the supermarket downstairs on your way home?] Abigail replied, [Sure.] As Xander's car made its way to Abigail's residence, Margaret called again. "Xander, you have to understand, after you registered the marriage and immediately went abroad for work, leaving your new bride behind, I haven't had the nerve to face Abigail all year. If you don't bring her home soon, I'll die of frustration." Margaret rambled on, but Xander latched onto one crucial detail. "Grandma, what did you say her name is?" Margaret, fuming, shouted, "Abigail! Her name is Abigail! You rotten kid, you can't even remember your own wife's name. You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" "Abigail?" Xander repeated the name, picturing Abigail's fair face. No wonder he had found her name familiar when selecting his new assistant. She shared a name with his wife. He chuckled. "Grandma, I'm on my way to pick her up. I'll bring her to see you first." Margaret's mood lifted. "This time, keep your word. If you don't pick her up, don't bother coming to see me. Abigail is a good girl, and it's your fortune to marry her. Cherish her." Xander had only met his wife once, on the day they registered their marriage. They had hardly spoken. He did not know her well but trusted his grandmother's judgment. Besides, they were already married, so he was determined to cherish her. He nodded. "Okay." After ending the call, the driver pulled up outside Abigail's apartment building. "Mr. Xander, shall I pick up the young lady, or—" "My wife, of course I'll pick her up myself." Xander exited the car, holding the bouquet of roses, and strode toward the building. The complex housed mostly renters, and security was lax. Perhaps it was his imposing aura, but the guards let him in without question. Xander found building 10, unit 1, and took the elevator to the 15th floor. He arrived at apartment 1501 and knocked on the door. Shortly after, the door opened, revealing a man wearing only shorts, his bare chest exposed. "Who are you looking for?" The man held the door handle with one hand and a T-shirt with the other. His hair was still damp, suggesting he had just showered. Xander's eyebrows twitched, but he calmly asked, "Does Abigail live here?" The man nodded awkwardly. "Yeah." Xander's voice turned colder. "What's your relationship with her?" Before the man could answer, a soft female voice came from behind him. "Fee, who is it?" Then, a somewhat delicate face appeared within Xander's view. The woman wore casual loungewear, her hair also wet. It was not hard to deduce that the two had showered together – and it likely was not just a shower. She craned her neck to see outside, her eyes lighting up when she saw Xander. "Who are you? Who are you looking for?" Xander coldly eyed the woman before him, a stranger's face yet the one registered as his wife. 'Not only is she fooling around with another man, but she also doesn't recognize me,' he thought to himself.