Jennie's POV
"Liam!"
I called out as I set the dinner table. Lisa had already left earlier, and honestly, the house felt unbearably boring without that monkey around. Liam had been sulking all day because his dada didn't bring him along.
Just then, my phone rang.
"Kring, kring."
I answered immediately. It was Kai.
Let me tell you a little about him. Back when I first started working at his company, I always tried my best to keep my distance. Sometimes it got so bad I'd take days off or switch desks with a co-worker just so I wouldn't see his face. But avoiding him was impossible—he's my boss.
It's not that I disliked him. On the contrary, he was too sweet... too clingy... and maybe that's why I fell for him.
I had actually known Kai since high school, but I never paid him much attention back then. My heart was already with Lisa. Still, I'll admit it: I never wanted to be just a housewife. I wanted more. I wanted to work, to feel productive. That's why I kept pushing Lisa, telling her I wanted to work instead of staying at home all day with Liam.
(Call)
"Is your wife there, baby?" Kai's deep voice asked.
"No, love. Why?"
"Good. Wait for me outside. I want to see you."
"What? Why? We just saw each other yesterday," I asked, confused.
"Bye. I love you." He hung up before I could say anything else.
I sighed, going over to the sofa where Liam sat with his iPad. He was a smart kid, and I always balanced his screen time with study time—unlike his dada, who was always glued to her phone.
"Baby," I said softly, crouching down to his level. "Mommy's going to have a visitor. Please be nice to him, okay?"
He smiled and nodded, and I kissed his forehead before stepping outside to wait.
8 Minutes Later
"Hi, my beautiful girl," Kai greeted, pressing a kiss to my lips. I couldn't help but smile, noticing the tiredness etched across his face. Even after a long day at work, he still came here.
He started walking toward the trunk of his car, pulling out a large box.
"What's that, love?" I asked curiously.
He only smiled.
When we walked inside, Liam's eyes widened at the sight of the box. He immediately dropped his iPad and ran over.
"Hello! What is that?" he asked eagerly.
"This is for you, little man. Open it. I hope you like it."
Liam tore into the wrapping and gasped. It was a full spider toy set.
"OH! Uncle, thank you so much! I don't like this—I LOVE this! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you, Uncle!"
I chuckled as Liam bounced around in excitement. "Baby, you can play with it later. For now, let's have dinner with Uncle Kai, okay?"
He nodded obediently, running to his chair. Throughout the meal, Liam giggled non-stop at Kai's corny jokes.
"Mommy?" Liam piped up suddenly.
"Yes, baby?"
"Can I call Dada? I hope she's having a nice dinner too... like us."
His words froze me. I didn't know where Lisa was right now, and I didn't want to risk him saying the wrong thing.
"We'll call Dada before you sleep, okay? You can tell her goodnight then. For now, let's finish our meal."
Liam smiled and went back to eating.
"He's a smart kid," Kai said, glancing at me.
"Of course he is. He's my baby boy Love" I said proudly.
But then Liam's innocent voice cut in again.
"Why are you calling Uncle that, Mom?"
My stomach dropped. Oh, shit. I forgot he was sitting with us.
"Oh, sorry, baby," I said quickly. "I thought I was talking to your Dada. I already miss her."
I sneaked a glance at Kai. His face darkened, frustration flickering in his eyes. I whispered, "I'm sorry."
Dinner ended quietly after that. Liam went upstairs to take a bath, while Kai stayed with me in the kitchen, helping with the dishes. Suddenly, he hugged me from behind.
"I love you, baby. Can I stay the night? Lisa won't be coming home, right?"
"I love you more. And yes, you can. Don't worry," I whispered. He smiled into my shoulder.
Just then, Liam shouted from upstairs.
"Mom! I'm done! Can I call Dada now?"
I quickly wiped my hands and went to grab my phone. I tried calling Lisa once—no answer. I tried again, and finally, she picked up.
I carried my phone to Liam's room where he was already lying on his bed, waiting.
Lisa's POV
"Dada, I missed you so much. I wish you were here," Liam said softly into the phone.
"I miss you more, pumpkin. What did you eat? Did you enjoy your dinner?"
"Oh, it would've been more fun if you were here, Dada. Uncle Kai was like a clown, making me laugh with his corny jokes. But I laughed anyway... so I guess I'm corny too, hehe."
Kai? Did I hear that name before?
"Baby, please stay in your room, okay? Don't go anywhere."
"Yes, Dada. Where are you now?"
"I'm at the hotel, baby. About to rest.
Thankfully Mommy called me so I could hear your voice. I'll send you lots of pictures tomorrow. You'll see how handsome your Dada is."
Liam giggled. "If you weren't my Dada, you'd be ugly, Dada."
"Oh, good thing I am your Dada then. Because if I'm ugly, you'd be ugly too—you came from me, remember? By the way, where's Mommy?"
"She's downstairs, washing dishes."
"Alright, then you should sleep now, my love. Dada's really tired from the trip."
"Yes, yes, Dada. Please enjoy there."
I hung up, frowning. Kai? I can't place the name, but something about it gnaws at me. I just hope he won't bring trouble into my family.
Jennie's POV
"Baby," I called softly as we fixed the bedsheets in the room.
"Yes?" Kai looked at me.
"I'm sorry again. I didn't expect Liam to react like that earlier."
"Just like his dad, huh?" he mocked bitterly.
"No, baby. He's just young. He doesn't understand what's happening yet. Please, forgive him."
"It's fine. But teach him respect. Teach him not to meddle in other people's business. That's Lisa's bad habit—since high school."
// Flashback //
"Kai, can you move aside? I can't see the board. You're too tall," I said back in high school.
Kai laughed and shifted slightly.
"Bro, you should sit in the back. You're making it hard for Jennie,"
Lisa chimed in, her tone sharp.
Kai stood, glaring. "What's your problem, man? Why are you always interfering when it comes to Jennie? Mind your own business!"
Lisa stood too, smirking. "What's wrong, Kai? Threatened? I'm just stating the facts."
Kai's fist clenched, ready to swing, but I quickly shouted for them to sit down. Thank God the teacher wasn't around.
// Back to Present //
Kai's POV
As I headed to the bedroom, I paused, hearing Liam talking to Lisa on the phone.
"Oh, my dinner would've been more fun if you were here, Dada. Because Uncle Kai is like a clown—he made me laugh with his corny jokes. But I laughed anyway, so I'm corny too, hehe."
I smirked. Good. Lisa knows my name now.
Let's see how long you can stand me, Lisa.
Because I will take everything you have.