Forced by fate – Destined to be his Wife

“Baby? Have you seen the file I had last night?” YuZhi was wandering around the Livingroom, pulling up couch cushions and kneeling down to check under furniture, trying hard to remember what he did with it. Frustrated with himself for losing something so important in one night and clock watching because he was already running late. He was tired, head already buzzing with so many details about today and agitated with this delay.

“Try the bedroom. You came in with it, I think, when I was falling asleep.” TangShi was in the bathroom tying her hair up into a high ponytail for a day at school, checking the time while YuZhi seemed unusually scatterbrained. His normal CEO composure out the window today. He had been like this since he jumped out of bed with his alarm and seemed to be out of whack. Losing things, his schedule upside down and he had even showered without eating breakfast today.

“God dammit. It’s the proposal for this morning’s meeting and I altered it last minute. I need it or else this is screwed. I’ll have to change the meeting time without it or I won’t be able to get ZhengLi to draft the new version in time.” He huffed, yanking up the edge of the rug in the off chance it had somehow slid under and zoning out on her advice to check their room. Seemingly still so in his own head her words didn’t register, and she knew it was a sign he was exhausted. Taking pity on him because it had been a hellish week of not seeing him much unless he had papers glued to his face. She lost count of how many times this week he fell asleep mid task. Even through lovemaking two nights ago.

TangShi put down her brush, walked into the bedroom and it was the first thing she saw on his side of the bed. Discarded with notes and post its sticking out the side as he had fallen asleep with it propped on his face before she reached over to lay it down. Probably why he had no recollection of putting it anywhere.

“Here.” She waved it in the air as she carried it back through and laughed at his posture, on hands and knees as he peered under the low TV unit. Somehow being in a designer blue three piece suit and grey tie didn’t look right while crawling around the floor like a child playing horse. Seeing the black folder from his crouched level he stood up fast and came to her for it, sighing with relief as she spotted his crooked loose tie and disheveled appearance.

“What’s wrong with you today? Normally you’re Mr. In control and unrattled. Not so sharp this morning, Mr. Leng.” She giggled at him and reached up to fix his tie, pulling it straight and tightening it as she neatened his collar. His hair was styled in it’s usual flicked back way, but a single strand had worked it’s way out across his forehead and she tugged him down to fix it too. Smoothing it back and running her fingers through it to bring it all back to obedient neatness. Still enamored every time she gazed at him at just how handsome YuZhi was.

“A million projects all coming to a head at once. Not enough sleep or hours of the day, and last-minute details that are frying my brain. You look pretty though, as always, Miss. Lei.” He stopped mid ramble to lean down and peck her on the lips, standing obediently still for her to fix him up before he ran a hand over her hair and tugged her in for a forehead kiss, lingering to inhale her as a way of self-calming. Never able to control his urge to touch or snuggle up with her when she got close. It made TangShi melt inside as she lifted her thumb to smooth the hint of a serious frown at the point between his eyebrows with a smile. Stroking away the stress with the softest of touches.

“I’ll be late home so don’t cook for me, and don’t wait up. I have a dinner with clients and then a cocktail bar with another. We might be past midnight given this particular associates drinking habits. Promise I won’t be too drunk, and I’ll try not to wake you.” He lifted his hand and made a scouts honor gesture, admiring her for a moment before snapping himself back into work mode. Knowing that despite needing a day off to curl up at home with her, neither had that luxury today.

“Make sure you eat lunch. Rest when you can. And if you wake me up you might get a proper welcome home.” TangShi winked naughtily and got a grin in response, worried about his hectic work routine and needing him to know she appreciated him. Long hours, rarely a day off, or home at a normal time lately, and he carried so much stress from having so many balls up in the air. Her life compared to his seemed like a long vacation and she wanted for nothing. The least she could do was wake up to his drunken antics and let him have his way with her. She liked drunk YuZhi anyway, as he was usually a little rougher and wilder in bed.

“Likewise. What days are the late nights for this show? I could pick you up if it matches up with my schedule.” YuZhi turned to pick up his briefcase and slid his documents into it, glancing around for any other papers he may have brought home yesterday. One part of his head on getting ready and the other trying to make plans to see her while he knew another week ahead was busy as hell. She was always his priority, always thinking of her and yet always feeling like he was neglecting her too.

“The end of next week. Probably the Thursday and Friday night. The show closes Sunday noon so we can pack up early that day.” TangShi wandered to the table and sat down to check through her backpack, pulling out her lip balm to touch it up. All ready to go and satisfied that she wasn’t the one slowing him down.

“Shoot, babe. I have to fly out Saturday morning and won’t be home until Monday early. I can catch your show before I leave though, early Saturday. I can pick you up late the other two days and we can come home together.” He stopped, heavy guilt hitting him in the stomach over the clash in schedules, but TangShi smiled his way with a shake of her head. Truly not upset over this, as despite forgetting, he already had prepared her for this.

“You already told me you had to leave. I’m fine. It’s not like I’m switching out the paintings over the three days. Saturday before you go is more than I hoped for.”

YuZhi leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, squatting behind her for a second so his knees were at either side of her body, and she was cocooned in his body heat, even though he knew they had to leave. All his late mornings this past couple of weeks had been because of his inability to separate from her without a lot of pawing and hugging first. Somehow needing her more everyday even though he could maul her to his heart’s content.

“I’ll miss you, our first time apart since you told me you loved me.” He nudged her with his thigh against hers, sliding his arms around her waist and nestled her against him. Resting his chin on her shoulder and watching her zip her bag up. Exhaling heavily in a mix if fatigue and contentment because touching her and being this way was the feeling of home for him.

“I’ll miss you too. Although, I might get a good night’s sleep seeing as you’re against it.” She jested, stretching her hand back and patting his cheek with adoration. They were still in the first throes of passion and the honeymoon phase and YuZhi had yet to go one day without the need to get her naked. She wasn’t complaining as it made her feel cherished and desirable and she had gotten used to how good sex could be when you had a gentle and attentive lover. She woke every feeling content and aglow with his attentions. Her heart always bursting to overflowing with the happy emotions always cradling her. Her past life seemed like a distant bad memory that wasn’t real at all.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“You better rest well, because when I get home …” He warned, nibbling her neck and pulling a squeal out of her as he wrestled her in and almost knocked them both onto their asses, before being cut off by his phone ringing. Saving her from being mauled all over and the possibility of an even later start to their day.

YuZhi glanced at the screen, frowned at ZhengLi’s name knowing he would only call if it was important at this time of the day and got up to take it. Wandering off into the bathroom for last minute checks of his hair and suit. Wrinkled, and rumpled and he started fixing it all once again, mentally scolding himself for messing with Tang when dressed for work.

TangShi got up and went to the door, pulling on her trainers under her denim dungarees she had bought to wear to school. She went casually dressed nowadays since she settled in and was enjoying not having to glam up and look fashion show worthy in the mornings. Without make up and expensive clothes most people on the street didn’t recognize her as YuZhi Leng’s fiancée. So she still had a modicum of anonymity while walking around Shanghai. Unlike YuZhi who was recognized wherever he went and going on dates with him recently had shown her so. She didn’t envy his fame, although she understood it was a necessary part of his life.

“Babe?” YuZhi came back from the bathroom sliding his phone into his inside pocket, deflated in mood and tone, and spotted her getting ready by the main door. Coming to slide his own shoes on and eyeing her with a remorseful frown. Cute boy face firing on all cylinders and she immediately knew something was wrong.

“I need to drop you off fast and get to the office. ZhengLi has problems. I may have to cancel tonight’s meetings and fly early to Hong Kong instead of this weekend. I might be gone all week.”

TangShi’s heart dropped, and her eyes widened in disappointment, already not looking forward to him going away as it was but now he might be gone for days. Sometimes things like this happened but this was a first where it was more than a day or two.

“I know, don’t look at me like that. If you didn’t have school and this show I’d be taking you with me.” YuZhi was upset about it too. Feeling like they had only been together five minutes and work was pulling him away from her at every opportunity. Fitting in dates and quality time had become a juggling act. “If I have to go, I won’t get to see your show, I’m sorry. Don’t be mad.” He pulled her into his arms and gave her a bear hug, squeezing her tight to somehow make up for it. Hating himself for letting her down and distraught at her saddened expression.