"Wifey... hurry up and get dressed. We're going to be late for dinner at Mommy's," Jinho called out. "You know Dad absolutely hates it when people are late."
"I'm coming... I'm almost done!" Cha called back.
Moments later, Cha began making her way down the stairs.
Jinho stood frozen at the bottom, entirely captivated by the sight of her. She looked breathtaking, dressed in a soft, light-pink cocktail dress that suited her perfectly.
"Hubby... shall we go?" she asked, reaching the last step.
"😍 Ah...? Right... let's go," Jinho stammered, coming back to his senses.
- inside the car -
"Wifey..."
"Yes?"
"You look so beautiful in that dress," Jinho said, glancing over at her.
"Thank you, Hubby," Cha replied, offering a warm smile.
- at the Lee family residence -
"Oh, my son and daughter-in-law are here!" his mother greeted warmly as they walked through the door.
Soon after, they all sat down for dinner. The table was filled with a spread of Jinho's absolute favorite dishes.
"Mom...? Did you really have all my favorites cooked?"
"Of course! It feels like forever since you last visited, ever since you moved out on your own," his mother said with a slight pout. "Why don't you two just move back here so we can all live together? What do you think, Cha?"
"Mom...!" Jinho interjected.
"What? This house is huge. There's plenty of room for both of you," she argued.
"Mom... I want us to be independent. I want to build a house of my own for the family I'm starting."
"But your condo is so small! What happens when you two have children?"
"Once I've saved enough, I'm going to build a proper house," Jinho insisted.
Cha remained quiet, politely listening as mother and son went back and forth.
His mother turned to her. "Cha, dear... what about you? What do you think?"
"Um... Mom, whatever Jinho wants, I'm completely fine with it too."
"Alright then..."
"Why are you pressuring them?" Jinho's father chimed in gently. "Let them decide what's best for themselves."
"Fine, fine... it's up to you two," his mother sighed before brightening up. "But when are you planning on having a baby? We're not getting any younger, you know. We want grandchildren!"
"She's right. Is there any good news yet?" his father asked.
"We haven't really discussed it yet, Mom, Dad," Jinho answered.
"What?!"
"Soon, Mom," Cha quickly cut in with a polite smile.
"Alright... hopefully as soon as possible!"
Jinho and Cha shared a quiet, knowing glance across the table.
After dinner wrapped up, they said their goodbyes and headed back home to their condo.
"I really had a great time having dinner with your parents, Hubby," Cha said as she unfastened her dress.
"They're so persistent... they ask way too many questions. That's why I get hesitant to visit sometimes," Jinho sighed.
"Hubby... they just miss you, that's all."
Jinho walked over to the couch, sitting right beside Cha. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a playful wink. "So... what do you think? Should we start working on those babies tonight?"
Cha blinked in surprise. "Huh...?!"
"Come on..." Jinho teased.
"You're unbelievable! Not yet!" Cha laughed, brushing his arm off her shoulder. She scrambled off the couch and bolted straight toward their bedroom.
Jinho knit his brows in confusion and hurried right behind her.
"Wifey... why did you leave me out there?" he complained, walking into the room. "Seriously, why not? Didn't you hear Mom and Dad? They want a grandchild as soon as possible!"
Cha was already lying in bed, completely pulled under the heavy duvet. Jinho sat down on the edge of the mattress.
"Wifey... don't be like that. Why are you hiding under the blanket?"
Jinho tugged at the edge of the duvet, but Cha pulled it right back, starting a mini tug-of-war between them.
"Do whatever you want!" Cha muffled from beneath the covers.
Frustrated, Jinho let go and stood up abruptly. What is her problem? We're married! Ugh... so annoying!
With a scowl written all over his face, Jinho stomped out to the kitchen, grabbed a cold beer from the fridge, and headed straight for the guest room. He didn't return to their bedroom for the rest of the night.
When Cha woke up the next morning, the space beside her was empty. Jinho had already left for work without a word.
He really didn't come back to sleep here... Did I really make him that mad? she worriedly thought to herself.
Hours passed, and Cha didn't receive a single call or text from Jinho. By late afternoon, her phone was still silent.
Should I just call him first? Ah... no, what if he's still annoyed and snaps at me?
- at the IMG Office -
Jinho sat at his desk, staring blankly at his phone. She really didn't call me at all today... Not even to ask why I left so early without waiting for her.
"Sir... are you feeling alright?" his secretary asked, stepping into the office.
"Ah? Yes, I'm fine..." Jinho snapped out of his thoughts.
"Alright, Sir. I'll be heading home now."
"Okay."
"Oh, by the way... Miss Tanya was asking for you earlier, but I told her you were busy."
Jinho inwardly groaned. That girl is just another headache...
Down in the parking garage, Jinho was just about to get into his car when Tanya suddenly stepped out from behind a pillar.
"Heading home already, Jinho?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I just wanted to say thanks for coming to get me the other night. Sorry I was so drunk."
"It's fine."
"Jinho... can't we at least be friends again?" Tanya asked, stepping closer.
"No, Tanya."
"Why...? We used to be friends. Is your wife really going to throw a fit just because you have a female friend?"
"Yes," Jinho said firmly.
"She sounds incredibly selfish then. I'd love to meet her."
"That's not happening."
"Don't worry... it's not like I'm going to do anything to her," Tanya smirked.
"Tanya, just go home. Or go hang out with your other friends if you're bored," Jinho said coldly, getting into his car.
"Fine..." Tanya huffed.
As Jinho pulled out of the garage, Tanya watched his car leave, her eyes narrowing. Do you really think I'm going to give up that easily, Jinho?
She unlocked her own sports car, slammed the door, and sped off into the street.
- at the Condo -
When Jinho walked through the front door, the living room was completely dark and empty. Cha was nowhere in sight.
Where is she...? Did she get mad and leave me? Panic began to set in. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed her number.
- on the phone -
"Yes...?" Cha's voice sounded dull and weary on the other end.
"Wifey... where are you? Why aren't you here at the condo? Where did you go?" Jinho asked, his voice laced with desperation.
"Why are you asking now? You didn't call me all day...! And now you're asking me where I am?!"
"I... I'm sorry... Where are you? Please come home. I'm worried about you. Please, Wifey... I miss you..."
What Jinho didn't realize was that Cha was actually standing out on the balcony the entire time. As he stood pacing in the living room, she quietly slipped inside through the glass door.
Walking up behind him on tiptoes, she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, resting her cheek against his back.
"Really...?" she whispered softly.
Jinho gasped, startled, and quickly spun around to face her. "You were here the whole time?!"
"Yeah... I was just getting some fresh air on the terrace."
Jinho immediately pulled her into a tight hug, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I'm sorry... Are you mad at me?"
"A little... but I'm okay now."
Jinho gently cupped her face, gazing deeply into her eyes. Cha looked back at him, her pulse quickening. Why is he looking at me like that? It reminds me of the eyes he had when we first met... those captivating eyes.
Leaning down, Jinho pressed his lips softly against hers.
As he kissed her, Cha felt as if she were floating among the clouds. His lips were impossibly soft, tasting sweet and comforting.
When they finally broke apart for air, Cha looked up at him, a shy flush spreading across her cheeks.
"I'm ready," she whispered. "Let's have a baby."
Jinho's eyes widened. "Really...? Are you sure?"
Cha offered a warm smile and gave a firm nod.
Without another word, Jinho scooped her up into his arms, carrying her straight to the bed.
And there, they made love...
Later that night, they lay tangled in the sheets. Jinho held Cha tightly from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Wifey... do you want a boy or a girl first?"
"A boy," Cha murmured softly. "So he can protect me whenever you're not around."
"Is that so?" Jinho smiled into her hair. "What about you?"
"Either is fine with me... as long as it's with you, I'll be happy."
- at the IMG Office -
The following day, Jinho was walking down the executive hallway when he ran straight into Tanya.
"Hi," Tanya said, flashing a bright smile.
Jinho ignored her completely, walking right past her without slowing his stride as he headed into his office.
"Ms. Han, what does my schedule look like today?" he asked as his secretary entered.
"You're scheduled to accompany Miss Tanya to her photoshoot today, Sir."
Jinho sighed deeply.
A short while later, Jinho stepped out of the building and walked toward the company vehicle. Sliding into the backseat, he found Tanya already waiting beside him.
"It's fine that you ignored me earlier," Tanya said with a sly smile. "Looks like we get to spend time together now anyway."
Jinho remained completely silent, pulling out his phone and ignoring her chatter.
When they arrived at the studio, Jinho stepped out immediately without holding the door for Tanya, walking inside on his own.
Unbelievable... he just left me here! Ugh, you're really pushing my buttons, Jinho! Tanya fumed internally.
Throughout the shoot, Jinho sat quietly in the corner, keeping his eyes glued to his phone screen. Meanwhile, the crew members on set began whispering among themselves.
"Is that guy with Miss Tanya her boyfriend?" one staff member whispered.
"I don't think so," another replied. "That's Mr. Lee. He's already married."
"Really...? But Miss Tanya seems so into him. Honestly, they'd make a cute couple if they were together."
When the shoot wrapped up, Tanya walked over to Jinho's corner. "Jinho... let's go"
Finally... it's over, Jinho thought, standing up and following her out to the car.
"You're so quiet today," Tanya remarked as the car started moving. "Did you hear what the staff were saying earlier?"
Jinho didn't bother answering. He pulled out his earphones, plugged them in, and turned his music up.
Furious at being ignored, Tanya reached over, snatched the earphones straight out of his ears, and threw them onto the floor of the car.
"Jinho...!!! What is your problem?! Are you seriously going to ignore me the entire time?!"
"What is your problem?!" Jinho snapped, his patience snapping.
Tanya's face contorted in anger, tears welling up in her eyes. "Why are you acting like this?! I'm still your coworker, and we have history together! Why are you treating me like trash?"
"I don't like the way you've been acting, Tanya. Ever since you came back from the US, you've completely changed."
"Jinho... why can't you ever love me?!" Tanya cried out, unable to hold back her tears any longer. "I'm not your little sister! Why have you always treated me like one?! Why can't you see me as a woman?!"
"I don't know, Tanya... Driver, please pull over. I'm getting out."
"Driver, don't stop!" Tanya commanded.
"Pull over now," Jinho repeated firmly.
"Yes, Sir," the driver complied, pulling up to the curb.
Jinho stepped out immediately and hailed a taxi, arriving back at the office far ahead of Tanya.
"Ms. Han," Jinho said as he walked into his office, his tone sharp. "Please don't ever schedule me to join Tanya's shoots again. Who even authorized that? I have no business being there."
"Miss Tanya requested it directly from the President, Sir. I'm so sorry, Mr. Lee..."
"Fine... whatever," Jinho rubbed his temples, a pounding headache coming on. "I'm heading home early, Ms. Han. I'm not feeling well."
"Of course, Sir. I'll take care of everything here."
- at the Condo -
"Wifey... I'm home," Jinho called out weakly as he opened the door.
Cha rushed out to meet him. "Oh, why are you home so early today?"
"I'm not feeling well... I think I'm coming down with a fever."
"Really?" Cha reached up, pressing her hand against his forehead. "Hubby, you're burning up! Hold on, I'll go buy some medicine down the street. I'll be really fast!"
"Okay..."
Cha quickly ran out to the pharmacy. When she returned, she wiped Jinho down with a damp towel to help bring his temperature down, staying by his side all night until his fever finally broke.
The next morning, Jinho woke up to Cha bringing a tray of breakfast straight to the bed.
"My wifey is so sweet," Jinho smiled weakly, looking at her. "But why do you look so exhausted? Your eyes look so sunken..." He gently caressed her face.
"I'm fine, Hubby. I just didn't get much sleep last night because your fever was so high. I waited until it dropped before I slept..."
Jinho squeezed her hand tightly. "Thank you... I'm sorry, Wifey..."
"Ah... I told you, it's fine. I'll always take care of you," Cha smiled softly, leaning down to press a warm kiss to his forehead.
Looking up at Cha's gentle smile, Jinho felt a sudden wave of resolve wash over him. Tanya needs to stay away from me for good. I'll never let anyone hurt Cha.
__Chapter 10 end__
Author: please dont forget to vote and comment and follow me for more updates of my story.