Chapter 45 Forty - five

Chapter 45 Forty - five
I intentionally remain quiet even after she speaks.

"Hello? Who is this, please?" she asks again eagerly.

When I don't answer the second time, she pulls the telephone away from her ear to check if the call is still connected. When she confirms I'm still on, she places it back and presses curtly,

"Please, can you speak up?" I hear the frustration in her tone even though she's desperately trying to sound as polite as she can.

"Hello?" she warns casually. "Okay, I'm going to hang up now since you clearly have nothing to say."

She's really about to end the call when I abruptly stop her.

"That's no way to speak to a client, mi esposa."

From where I'm watching her, I notice how she freezes instantly upon hearing my voice. She casts a subtle glance in my direction, and when our eyes clash, she quickly looks away.

She's terrified, if not traumatized. I can tell.

Her stuttering response gives it away. "I- I...," she clears her throat, "I didn't know it was you."

I hear her swallow, and I smirk sinisterly.

"What does it matter whether you knew who it was or not?" I counter, my tone stern. "That's still no way to speak to a client. You sounded unprofessional and in a hurry to hang up just now."

"I- I'm..."

I interrupt her defense. "Is that what Miss Cross was teaching you just now?"

I hear her swallow again. She can't be subtle about this if her life depended on it. All her reactions light sparks of amusement within me. I don't know how I'm still holding it together and not laughing at her right now.

She's amusing.

Think this is beyond fun.

"Answer my question when I ask," I press when silence lingers on the other end. "Was that what Miss Cross was teaching you just now?" I rephrase.

I watch her nibble her lip, fear and frustration emanating from her.

She draws in a breath. "No, it wasn't. I'm sorry."

I growl a response. "I guess you haven't been told, have you? I don't accept apologies for mistakes, Liora. You should learn to be professional at all times. I don't overlook errors, and I'm not making any exception for you because you're my wife. Is that understood?"

"Y- Yes..."

"Where is the 'Sir'?" I chide. "You do realize I'm now your boss, don't you? While I can address you as my wife anytime and anywhere I like, you can't be so informal with me at work. Is that understood?"

I wait for it.

I perceive her reluctance and annoyance through the phone. But ultimately, having no choice, she clears her throat and answers.

"Y- Yes, Sir. Understood."

I smirk. "Good girl."

I watch her rub a hand against her neck nervously.

Totally enjoying this—enjoying provoking her and watching her lose her composure—I continue in a husky voice, "Errors attract punishment, baby. You don't want to get punished by me, do you?"

"N- No... Sir."

Her obsequious response has me on the edge of laughing, but I hold it in so I don't blow my cover. I reply, "Good. That means we're going to retake this."

"I don't understand... Sir."

My grin widens, but my tone remains serious. "I'll call you again, and I want you to speak to me the way you'd speak to a client. Polite and professional. Is that so hard?"

"No... Sir."

"Good. Now, let's see it."

I hang up, seizing the opportunity to let out a small laugh once the call ends.

She has no idea how funny she is. I haven't been this entertained by my employees in months.

I knew hiring her would be a fun idea. I'm glad I was right.

However, knowing I have to keep up the act I already started, I clear my throat, allowing my smile to fade as I keep my gaze on her.

Even though Liora never looks my way once, I can tell she's fuming with annoyance and probably thinking of ways to murder me in my sleep. It wouldn't be the first time she's had such thoughts. I keep doing everything to get a rise out of her.

You can't blame me though—my wife is an amusing show to watch.

Redialing her, I heave a heavy sigh, awaiting her response.

She finally picks up after a heavy sigh of her own. Putting on a fake smile, her tone sounds sharp yet friendly.

"Hello, Sir. Secretary to the CEO of LS Investment and Enterprises. How may I help you today?"

Wow.

A small smile forms on my lips because I'm impressed, but I don't show it.

Instead, I counter her effort, sounding unimpressed. "Sir? How could you possibly know it's a man? It could be a woman calling, mi esposa. And what then? You've addressed her wrongly. She could get upset and decide not to seek our services anymore, don't you think?"

She looks up at the ceiling and exhales, licking her lips. Liora is probably cursing the day I was born right now.

I suppress the urge to laugh, even though I'm on the brink of bursting.

Once again, she lowers her gaze and apologizes, keeping her tone soft. "I'm very sorry, Sir. Please, let me redo it. I'll be sure to be more careful this time."

"Hmm...," I consider her plea for a few seconds, "This is your last chance. After this, no more."

"I understand... Sir."

"Okay then. Show me you've learned your lesson."

I hang up again and laugh to myself, shaking my head as a wave of amusement washes over me.

She is too funny.

And watching her try to please me when I know she hates my guts is the most entertaining thing ever.

I'm looking forward to doing more of this. I think I just found my new favorite form of entertainment.

The third time I call Liora, she is completely prepared. Her swift response surprises me.

"Hi, good morning. Thank you for calling LS Investments and Enterprises. Secretary to the CEO speaking. How may I assist you today?"

Yeah, this is perfect. I can't counter this one.

I'm impressed she's quick-witted and smart enough to pick it up easily.

My chest swells with admiration as I study her briefly. She's eagerly anticipating my verdict, anxiety emanating from her.

I think she's fed up with frustration, but she can't voice it.

At last, choosing to end her misery, I clear my throat.

"Much better, mi esposa. Keep it up."

The sigh on her end is heavy and filled with relief. She closes her eyes. "Thank you, Sir."

"That's how you should speak to a client."

"Noted, Sir."

"Ensure to keep it up," I add.

"Will do, Sir."

I think she's about to overuse this title 'Sir'.

I frown at the realization. When I told her to always address me formally at work, I didn't mean she should address me as 'Sir' all the time. But she keeps doing that. It's starting to grate on my nerves.

She might even be doing this deliberately to annoy me. But I can't call her out because I'm the one who asked her to address me that way.

Fuck.

"Anything else I can help you with... Sir?" she emphasizes. Now the mock in her words is crystal clear.

She's totally doing this to piss me off.

My fists clench tighter and I reply through gritted teeth, annoyance coursing through me. "Nothing else."

I hang up quickly before she can say anything else Sir-related. I don't know how much of her taunts I can endure.

Cursing under my breath, I return to work.