Chapter 17 HIS WIFE, HIS OBSESSION
Chapter 17 HIS WIFE, HIS OBSESSION
Jayden Garcias sat at the head of the long, polished conference table, his face a mask of cold indifference as he listened to his clients discuss their latest business proposals. The atmosphere in the meeting room was thick with tension, a silent acknowledgment that they were in the presence of a man who did not tolerate nonsense.
The sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a glow over the room, but it did little to soften the sharp edges of Jayden’s expression. His fingers drummed against the table, a subtle sign of impatience. His black suit was perfectly tailored to his lean, muscular frame, exuding both power and control.
Then, his phone rang.
The sharp vibration disrupted the air of seriousness. Every eye in the room flickered toward the source of the sound, yet Jayden didn’t react. He didn’t even glance at the screen. Whoever it was, they would wait.
But then, it rang again.
A second time.
Now, that was unusual.
His brows knitted together in irritation as he reached for the device, intending to silence it. But the moment his gaze landed on the caller ID, something unexpected happened as his expression shifted. The cold indifference melted into something warmer. Something softer.
He smiled.
The room stilled.
The thousand-year-old iceberg… had just smiled?
The clients exchanged glances, stunned into silence. Jayden Garcias, the man known for his ruthless efficiency, his chillingly calm demeanor, had just curled his lips into a genuine, fond smile.
What kind of sorcery was this?
Ignoring their reactions, Jayden pressed the phone to his ear, his voice smooth, low, and undeniably intimate.
"Hello, baby."
If the clients were shocked before, they were absolutely floored now.
Esmery’s voice, soft and teasing, reached his ears. "Jayden… I was wondering if I could come to your company after my photoshoot?"
Jayden’s smirk deepened. "Of course, you are my wife. You can come anytime you want, baby."
The room collectively held its breath.
His wife?!
The realization hit them like a thunderbolt. Their cold and distant boss, the man who barely acknowledged anyone outside of business, had a wife and he spoke to her in a tone dripping with affection?
"Okay," Esmery murmured, her voice carrying a hint of shyness.
Jayden imagined her blushing on the other end, her lips slightly parted, her fingers likely toying with something her dress, her hair. The mental image sent a slow heat crawling up his spine.
Before he could tease her further, she whispered a soft goodbye and hung up.
Jayden set the phone down and returned his gaze to his clients, his face instantly reverting to its usual iciness.
"As you were saying," he stated flatly.
The clients swallowed thickly, barely recovering from what they had just witnessed.
At the photoshoot venue, Esmery stood in front of the camera, her heartbeat steady, her confidence soaring.
Gone was the girl who used to shrink into the shadows.
She had shed that version of herself like a second skin.
The photographer adjusted his camera, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Alright, Esmery, let’s see what you’ve got."
She exhaled slowly, letting her body relax into the moment.
She wore a black lace bodysuit with sheer panels that teased more than they revealed, hugging her figure like a lover’s embrace. A silk robe hung off her shoulders, slipping down to reveal smooth, bare skin. The heels on her feet made her legs look endless, her curves accentuated by the delicate arch of her posture.
The first click of the camera came just as she tilted her head, eyes heavy-lidded, lips slightly parted. She lifted her arms, running her fingers through her cascading waves, the movement exposing the delicate line of her throat.
The camera loved her.
She shifted, turning slightly, her hands gliding over her waist, drawing attention to the curve of her hips. Then, she turned fully to the side, arching her back just enough to create an irresistible silhouette.
The next set of shots was even bolder.
She perched on the edge of a sleek black couch, one leg crossed over the other, her fingers trailing up her thigh. The photographer gasped in appreciation, the click-click-click of the camera filling the air.
By the time the final shots were taken, Esmery’s confidence was unshakable.
She had never felt this powerful before.
After the shoot, Esmery didn’t dare walk into Jayden’s company dressed like that.
So, she changed.
She slipped into oversized hoodies, covered her legs with loose sweatpants, and pulled a mask over her face. With her hair tucked beneath the hood, she looked more like a stalker than a model who had just dominated a photoshoot.
Sliding into her car, she drove straight to Jayden’s company.
When she entered the front lobby, all conversations around her seemed to pause.
She walked up to the front desk, her voice calm but firm. "I’m here to see Jayden Garcias."
The receptionist, a woman in her late twenties with perfectly styled hair, looked her up and down with disdain. "Do you have an appointment?"
Esmery’s brows lifted slightly. "No."
The receptionist’s lips curled into a sneer. "Then you can’t just barge in to see the CEO."
A murmur spread through the lobby.
"Who does she think she is?"
"Probably one of his desperate flings."
"Look at her, all covered up. She must be hiding her face for a reason."
"Maybe she’s a gold digger."
The words struck her, but she didn’t react. Instead, she folded her arms and tilted her head, amusement dancing in her gaze.
Just then, silence filled the air as the atmosphere became more colder.
Everyone’s eyes widened as a tall, imposing figure stepped into the room.
Caspar.
Jayden’s personal bodyguard.
He strode toward Esmery with his usual unreadable expression and said in a firm voice, "Madam, Sir is waiting for you."
A wave of shock crashed over the employees.
M-Madam?!
Esmery smiled behind her mask, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she gestured for Caspar to lead the way.
As they entered the private elevator, she didn’t look back.
She didn’t need to.
The employees were trembling in fear.
They had insulted someone important to Jayden Garcias.
Now, they were all silently praying that their boss wouldn’t hear about it.
Because if he did…
They were as good as fired.