Chapter 2 The Difficulty of Enduring Longing

Jasmine had just finished showering, and she smiled at the large picture on the wall. It was a portrait of when she and Sean got married. Both Sean and Jasmine were smiling broadly.

Jasmine remembers their time together as children. Sean was the son of one of her mother's friends. He was five years older than Jasmine. They were neighbors back then, and they often played together. Sean often taught her many things. Even when she didn't want to go to lessons, Sean eagerly taught her and gave her private lessons. She did not expect that the man she had adored and liked for so long would become her husband today. Her home life is quite happy, even though Sean always leaves her because of his work as a pilot.

"You've only been gone for a day; I already miss you. How could I wait for two months?" Jasmine murmured.

Tring tring

At the sound of her cell phone ringing, Jasmine quickly picked up her phone and smiled widely at the video call from the man she had just been thinking about.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"What are you doing? Why are you still wearing a towel?" Sean exclaimed. "You want to tease me, hm?"

"I just finished showering. It's still early here; there's only a few hours difference between us," Jasmine said. "You just got home?"

"Yes, I just got to the guesthouse. It was quite a tiring flight this time. The weather was pretty bad."

"But no problems on the flight?" asked Jasmine, taking a seat on the side of the bed.

"That's for sure. Nothing is difficult for Captain Sean," Sean exclaimed confidently, making Jasmine chuckle.

"Mine is a great husband," said Jasmine in a spoiled tone, making Sean chuckle.

"Have you had breakfast?" asked Sean.

"Hmm, not yet. I've been thinking about you," said Jasmine.

"Why did you miss me?" said Sean.

"No!" replied Jasmine, turning her face red.

"Tsk, you can't lie. I know you miss me a lot already," Sean exclaimed.

"Then do you miss me too?" asked Jasmine.

"Of course I did. There is nothing noisy and bothering me here," Sean exclaimed.

"Tsk, that's not missing. You feel at peace without me," Jasmine exclaimed.

"You got it."

"Sean!"

Sean laughed at Jasmine's adorable pouting face. His wife, despite being a CEO, was firm in front of others. In fact, Jasmine was known to be a cold and stern woman. But only to Sean was she spoiled and still very childish.

"Yes, I miss you a lot, mine."

"Really?" exclaimed Mine, trying to show a relaxed expression, but Sean could see the red tinge on her face. He was always amused by the various expressions his wife showed.

"Alright, I've seen you. Now I want to take a shower and rest." Sean exclaimed.

"Okay. I'll get ready to go to the office," Mine said.

"Don't forget breakfast."

"Okay. Have a good rest."

"I love you," Jasmine said, and Sean just smiled at her.

The call ended. Jasmine was silent for a moment. Every time she said love, Sean just smiled and didn't say anything back. Sometimes Jasmine wondered if he loved her or not. But Sean's behavior seemed to show that he cared about her too.

"What the hell am I thinking? Obviously Sean loves me too," Jasmine muttered as she got up from her seat.

***

Sean came out of the guesthouse wearing his t-shirt and jeans. He walked to find something to eat. The streets were crowded and full.

He walked into a restaurant and ordered a meal there while ordering coffee to relax for a while. Sean played with his cell phone. He has a business without Jasmine knowing. He initially participated in the stock inversion program. Actually, Jasmine had given shares to him, but Sean refused. He wanted to find success by himself without anyone's help, especially his wife. Sean's family was not as rich as Jasmine's.

Sean examined the stocks, which were getting higher and higher in value. And he already had 45% of the shares of a large company. At first, he only invested a little, and over time, as the value of the stock rose, the profit he got was even greater. And now he was quite satisfied with his achievement.

"Ah!" someone shrieked, turning Sean's focus, who was staring at his cell phone screen, to the source of the sound. Outside the restaurant was a woman who was being forcibly pulled by three men.

"Let go of me!" the woman screamed.

Sean's conscience could not allow violence to happen in front of his eyes. He got up from his seat and left the restaurant.

Sean followed the men who took the woman. They turned into a small alley.

"You think you can get away from us, huh? Take her to the boss!" one of them exclaimed.

"Please don't," the woman sobbed fearfully. Her face was bruised.

"Beg the boss," laughed the men.

"Let her go!" Sean exclaimed, making them all turn towards Sean.

"Don't interfere. It's none of your business!" one of them exclaimed.

"You can't force him like that," Sean exclaimed.

"Please, help me!" the woman sobbed. "They want to sell me. Please!" the woman sobbed.

"Shut up, you b*tch!"

just as one of the men was about to hit the woman. Sean immediately launched his kicks and fought against the three men.

He finally managed to knock all three of them down.

"Are you all right, Miss?" asked Sean as he approached the woman, who was sitting against the wall in fear.

"Te-thank you," she mumbled and fell unconscious.

"Miss-?"

***

Sean took the woman to a nearby hospital. The woman was dehydrated as well as starving. There were several bruises on her body, both new and old.

Sean was empathetic enough to see the condition of the woman, who was still lying on the gurney.

The sound of the phone ringing awakened Sean, who was focused on seeing the woman lying on the gurney.

"Hello."

"...."

"I'm out-" Sean walked out of the room and spoke to someone on the other side of the phone.

The woman blinked her eyes when she heard the sound of the door closing. She opened her eyes slowly and looked around the room.

"Where am I?" she muttered.

She looked around the room and stared at her IV hand.

"It looks like I'm in the hospital," she muttered.

"Are you awake, Miss?" The exclamation made her turn to the source of the voice, and she remembered it was the man who helped her earlier.

"Thank you for helping me," the woman exclaimed.

"No problem. You just need to rest," Sean said.

"Would you like to contact your family?" asked Sean, and the woman shook her head.

"I have no family. I'm a loner," she exclaimed.

"What exactly happened? How did you end up dealing with those thugs?" asked Sean.

"It was," the woman struggled to say.

"There's no need to answer that if you can't say it. Now get some rest," Sean said.

"Thank you very much, Mr.?"

"My name is Sean."

"Mr. Sean. I don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't helped me," the woman cried.

"It doesn't matter. What is your name?"

"My name is Narmia. You can call me Mia," Mia exclaimed, making Sean nod his head.

"I'll call the doctor to check on your condition," Sean said as he left Mia.

***