Age is just a number

Coming out of the airport, I spread my arms wide and threw my head back. " Finally, I'm free!!" People coming and going gave me weird looks, but I didn't care!

I couldn't believe I was finally freed from that demon in human skin, my ex-husband! A man who made me regret jumping into marriage too quickly!

I married him believing love could be born. Maybe I was naïve, or perhaps I clung to that romantic idea that time, dedication, and patience could soften any heart, even one as cold as his.

Timothy Owen was powerful, rich, and elegant, just like how I imagined my future husband should be! And I was the ideal wife in his eyes.

Beautiful, well-educated, discreet. Everything fit. At first, he was distant but polite. Dinners were quiet yet respectful.

He often traveled while I stayed behind, waiting for him. Whenever I was bored, I read.

Each month, I thought maybe this would be the month something changed that he would look at me differently, that he would come closer. But the only time he touched me was in bed, with the sole intention of conceiving. Sex, then back to his room. No kisses, no caresses, not even eye contact.

I called my cunning father and told him what was going on, but he didn't care. Timothy's mother had insisted I marry him because they were best friends and wanted to keep me close! I understood he was forced to marry me... but couldn't he see how much I loved him?!

" Give him more time, he will change," his mother assured me one day. But many months passed. Twelve. Eighteen. Twenty-four. And the silence of my womb became a curse. Confused, I started undergoing tests. At first, I went to the hospital alone, in secret, wondering what was happening to me!! Timothy was my first, for goodness' sake!

Later, I went with him, under his pressure. In the end, the results were definitive, infertility!!

My heart shattered. I couldn't give him a child, yet he didn't even flinch, as if my pain meant nothing. It made me sad... useless as a wife.

Until one day, a classmate sent me a message mocking me.

" You liar! I thought you said Timothy was your husband, but it turns out he's your sister's husband! You're very shameless!!" She even sent pictures!! Timothy and Rebecca holding hands in public.

What did my stepsister have that I didn't? I was the campus belle, invited by several fashion brands to model, but to please him, I rejected the offers and focused only on him.

Days dragged by in silence, and I was sinking. He became colder than ever!

What was I doing in his house? I overlooked his strange behavior and comforted myself with movies, games, anything. There was nothing to do about it! he didn't love me. But I wouldn't divorce him. I would wait until he did. I have my reason.

And one day, he finally approached me with a paper envelope in his hand and threw it at me.

" What is this?" I pretended not to know.

" I want a divorce."

" Ohh, I see?" I nodded and immediately reached for my bag for a pen.

" Since you can't get pregnant, sign these divorce papers."

" Hmmm... you're right. Wasting your time on a woman like this wasn't worth it anyway." I smiled coldly and signed the papers, making him wonder why I was happy instead of rolling on the floor begging him!

Humph!! In his dreams!!

" I'm glad you understand. We don't need to keep pretending with each other!"

" Pretending?" My brows furrowed.

" What else has this been if not a failed investment?" His words sliced my heart like knives.

" Is that what I was to you? An investment?" I asked in disbelief. Seriously?

" Do you want me to lie now? All I ever wanted was an heir. A child with my name, my features, my blood. If you can't give me that, then it's over."

" Ohhh... I get it," I nodded.

" Don't worry, I've already arranged everything. You'll get a generous settlement."

" How long have you been planning this?" I needed to know!!

" Since you started crying at night, thinking I couldn't hear you. I'm not stupid."

" Is there someone else?" I asked. He didn't answer. The way he adjusted his tie and turned away said everything.

" I hope you find whatever life you're looking for. I'm done with you, Lisa." And he left.

He really left. He left me alone with the papers. So it was true. He loved my stepsister. But why? Why waste so much of my time? We'd been married almost three years... I didn't deserve this.

Many days passed. Alone in his house, I researched The Diamonds, my dream company, and started planning my journey to New York! I sold all the gifts his parents gave me, including the one he was forced to buy, very expensive! just to secure my flight fee. At least that was good; it was a long journey.

While waiting for my visa, I saw his photo in a magazine. He wasn't alone. Just as I'd heard, my stepsister stood beside him, smiling sweetly, her hand on her big stomach. Pregnant. He'd probably planned it long before throwing those papers at me. But I didn't care anymore. I was the one blinded by love and I didn't blame him for my inability to give him a child!!

He never saw me as a partner. Only as a means to an end... a tool, a vessel. And when I no longer served him, I became trash.

Good one, Timothy Owen! Just you wait!!

Well... why waste my energy on him? I would chase my dream first!!

.......

Relocating wasn't easy. I didn't plan well! I slept on the streets like a homeless person....well yeah, I was a homeless person! Until I met Sofia, my savior!! I was chasing a man who stole my peace, and she helped me catch and deal with him.

After hearing my story, out of pity, she took me to her house.

.....

" What did you mean by failing my interview?" I asked Sofia in confusion. I had been rejected for the third time by The Diamonds, the company I had always dreamed of working for. Who knew I would fall for Timothy and abandon my dream just to marry him!!

Sofia sighed. " All the documents and interviews were professional. I don't know why they rejected you."

I sighed and ruffled my hair. " Don't think too much, bebès. Maybe they don't even need a secretary."

" But I need this money! How am I supposed to feed myself?!"

" You won't stay at home, I promise. And guess what?"

I rolled my eyes. " Not interested. Today is already a bad day..."

" The Donovans accepted your request to teach their only son extra lessons!" Sofia giggled as she brought out a file.

I looked at her in disbelief. " This isn't a prank, right?"

" What kind of prank will make me print these expensive files, huh?"

I went through the files and saw Mrs Donovan's signature. " Yes!! Yes!!" I had been eyeing this contract ever since I came to this country. Being new and broke, getting a job as a homeroom teacher for the most powerful family in business and politics was actually a big deal. I didn't think much of it when I applied, since it was very competitive!

Their salary was 30% higher than some companies' secretaries', almost matching the salary of the company I wanted to apply for.

" You were chosen out of two hundred people, congratulations!"

" Two hundred people?" I asked in disbelief. " What's so special about the boy?" I frowned.

" Eh? You mean Kelvin?" Sofia chuckled. " I won't be surprised if you don't last up to a week. But you'll still get paid even if you fail to tame him. The Donovan family is special, that's why so many teachers want the job."

" You said I won't last a week? Why?"

" You're new here, that's why. He's just nineteen but has the temper of a twenty-five-year-old man."

" Are you serious?" I gasped. I was glad I met Sofia when I first came here, or who else would be giving me all these updates?

" I'm telling you," she giggled. " He used to skip classes in school, and he's the only heir to their company. That's why they want someone to teach him business properly."

" But don't you think he's too young for that? At his age, I was eating, sleeping..." Then I blushed, because I was crushing on Timothy too! I spent half of my youth loving him!

Sofia shrugged. " It's your own fault for thinking your crush would love you back just because he was nice to you. I'm glad it's not too late for you to come back to your senses. Things are different for rich people. He even has a younger sister, Greatness. She's just fifteen and already studying abroad. She's collected six awards at her age! So tell me, how many awards did you have?"

I blinked. " One."

Then she burst into laughter. " One award at twenty-five?!"

" Hey, don't mock me! If not for my ex, I would've gone far in my studies!"

" Well, just be patient with Kelvin. Don't go there acting like his elder sister."

I frowned and pointed at myself. " So am I not old enough to be his elder sister? Is a six-year gap a joke to you?"

" Ah, relax. That's not what I mean. I'm saying don't act bossy just because you're older. He's very arrogant and rude, I'm telling you."

" So how do you want me to act?" I crossed my arms. Why can't I spank his butt if I want to?

" Like a friend. I've seen him once, and I can tell he needs a therapist."

" Hahaha!"

Sofia sighed. " It's not funny. He's unserious too. Maybe he's just lonely."

" If he's lonely, why the fvck does he keep chasing teachers away? Shouldn't he be happy his parents are hiring people to help him?" Rich people are very difficult to understand and it's annoying how commoners keep trying to understand them!

Sofia ignored my question and pushed a file toward me. " These are the rules you must follow. You'll start on Monday."

" That's just the day after tomorrow, too fast," I sighed. I didn't even plan for that! " Well, I have no choice!" I said, scanning the rules. " No short skirts? No revealing clothes? Is he a bad boy or what?"

" I think those rules are for the 20–22-year-old female teachers. You're not exactly in that category since you're older, but still follow them to avoid problems."

" I'll wear my suit. I just want to teach him for six months to save up money. I'm not even interested in this job."

Only God knew how much effort she put into getting this for me. I looked at her and smiled faintly. " I should thank you, Sofia. You let me stay in your house even when you barely knew me. Thank you so much. Don't worry, I'll pay you back."

She stood up and cleared her throat. " After your poem, go wash the dishes."

" I won't spare you when I finally make it!" I snorted.

" Stop daydreaming about using the Donovans' money, baby girl. You might not even last a day before he fires you."

" Then I'll surprise you!" I grinned and stared at the contract happily.

" Ah, that would be better. There's a big prize for anyone who lasts a month," Sofia chuckled as she walked out.

I stared at the file in a daze. Why would he be that scary? Grabbing a pen, I sighed. I needed to make these six months work. I needed that money to stand on my own.

It's not like I lacked teaching experience. I graduated from a top university as a first-class student. Teaching a high school graduate shouldn't be a problem, especially in business studies.

After signing everything, I sighed in relief. Being chosen out of two hundred people was one success, but keeping the job was another battle.

Her phone suddenly rang. She checked the caller ID and frowned. I stayed quiet, waiting.

Then mocking laughter came through. " Embarrassed to talk?"

" What do you want, Rebecca?"

" Oh, you don't have to scare me with your anger. Don't worry, I'll take care of your husband... we successfully got married today, thanks to you."

" Oh wow, congratulations." I intentionally waited. If she said something strange, my phone was already on record and would catch it as evidence for the future!

" Yeah, yeah. Don't worry, I'll take care of him so well. I want to invite you to our wedding..."

" I'm busy. Let me give you quick advice as an elder sister. Marriage isn't about dick and pussy. Focus and make sure you achieve something with your husband, and don't think playing smart will last long." Then I hung up.

I didn't even know where the advice came from, but I would never show her weakness.

My mom once told me the most important thing in a relationship isn't sex or even love, it's happiness!

Once a couple is happy, they can overcome anything together. Love alone isn't enough. If one person isn't happy because of in-laws, cheating, or family pressure then even love won't save them.

Timothy wasted three good years of my life! No happiness, talk less of love!! Thinking about how he looked down on me, how he disgraced me, made me wonder how stupid we become when we love someone. I shouldn't have loved him more than myself. This was my lesson.

" Okay, okay, stop crying. You've got a golden job starting on Monday and today is just Saturday."

The next day.

Sofia and I went to a famous bookshop to buy stationery. Then Sofia picked up a red pen. " I don't think I'll need that," I rejected, shaking my head. " You will. Won't you mark his work?"

I rolled my eyes and took the red pen. " Anyway, I should have it, just in case."

After shopping for stationery, Sofia dragged me to a boutique.

" You need sexy clothes, Lisa."

" No! Don't you read the rules?!"

She laughed. " That's not what I mean. Not even for them, I mean for Andrew." She giggled.

" The motherf**ker?" Ahh, that man!! Not even up to a month since I came here and he already started disturbing me to date him, but he wasn't the serious type. I once wanted to give him a chance just to get over Timothy, but when I visited his house, I saw a lot of sex toys everywhere. That turned me off immediately.

I didn't even like the man from the beginning, but since everyone kept rejecting me because I'm divorced, I started feeling something was wrong with the way I dressed. I began paying attention to myself, then the attention increased, but still, no serious man. They all just wanted sex!

I just want Timothy to know I'm fine without him! Since they aren't ready to play along, so be it. " It seems most of the poor dudes have the same mentality," I said.

Sofia chuckled. " That's why I like rich men."

" My ex is rich, remember?"

" Oops!" she dramatically raised her hands while we both burst into laughter. " You see, whether they're rich or poor, there'll always be motherf**kers among them."

" But what will you do about your relationship status?" she asked. " It's been almost four months since you came here, Lisa. I think the problem is that you're hard to understand. Not every man is like your ex. You don't have to lock your heart."

" Exactly!" I pointed at a plain suit behind her. " I love this."

" You need to start opening yourself up to men again!"

I put the suit against my body and checked the mirror. " What do you think of this suit?"

Sofia rolled her eyes in annoyance. " Ugly! I said you need a serious relationship! You're twenty-five, for Christ's sake! Just because you have a beautiful face and a good body doesn't mean you're okay!"

I sighed and looked at her.

" I heard you. But let me make money first. Maybe if I'm rich, I'll attract rich, serious men. I'm tired of hearing, 'If you submit yourself to me, I'll spoil you with all my money.' I broke up with my ex not even a year ago."

" Hahaha!!!" Sofia roared with laughter, scaring everyone in the boutique. People gave us weird looks; some even shook their heads.

" Sofia, you're embarrassing me. Look, people are watching."

" Who cares? I trust my fiancé, he won't dare mess with me."

" Because you're both rich." I chose the black suit and prepared to wear it the next day. I looked at my reflection and sighed. I wanted to make a little money and some connections, to be able to stand on my own. My phone rang. I picked it up and sighed.

" How is it, Jeff?"

" It's true, Lisa. Your stepsister was the one who leaked the pictures of her and Timothy to the group chat. She also claimed she's been dating him since high school, before you snatched him. And the fools believed her anyway."

I clenched my fists. " I knew it! That bastard is intentionally trying to make me look bad in front of everyone!"

" You should know your stepmother and sister have always had their eyes on Timothy's money and properties. Your marrying him was like standing in their way. I don't even think Timothy ever loved you. Whenever he saw me, he didn't even ask about you."

" Ahhh... that's nothing," I said calmly. " His new wife will soon give birth anyway. Good for him."

Hatred forced my eyes wide open! Thinking of how I worked so hard to please him and even helped him in his company made my chest burn. If not for me, he was nothing! " What will you do about it?" Jeff warned. " He's not simple. Be careful. He has good connections."

" Thank you, Jeff." I hung up and ruffled my hair. I couldn't believe I was played by the person I loved!

" Maybe it's time to accept reality..." Jeff was my childhood friend. Even if the whole world turned against me, Jeff was always there. I once thought he had feelings for me, but I was disappointed when he introduced his girlfriend.

My first crush was Jeff. After confirming he had no feelings for me, I moved on and tried relationships. I used to envy ladies in serious relationships, especially during high school reunions. Each of them had boyfriends picking them up with love and care, while I went alone.

" Sofia, do you know? The last time I went to a reunion was when I was dating a waiter from a restaurant. He really came to pick me up, but he embarrassed me badly," I laughed.

Sofia chuckled and shook her head. " Silly girl."

" I'm telling you, he dressed so strangely. Everyone laughed at me. Gosh, I've really suffered at the hands of men."

" Hmmm, same here, dear."

" I thought dating Thomas would change everything. Not even up to a month, I rushed into marriage, thinking I had finally found my man. Who knew he was more poisonous than a snake!"

" Hmmm, I'm glad you're brave now."

" Maybe I'm not meant to have a serious boyfriend or husband," I sighed. " Not that I can even give them what they want..."

" That will never happen!" Sofia frowned. " You're still young and beautiful. Don't give up. Try again."

" Until my life gets completely ruined?"

She rolled her eyes.

" That's not what I'm saying. Give a serious man time to woo you, if he's truly serious. You'll know."

" The type of man I want only exists in novels and movies. Timothy tried in those areas, but he never loved me, so I gave up."

" As long as he's caring and loves you, that's all you need, Lisa." I nodded. " I'll think about all that after I make money first. The most important thing now is how to deal with that Donovan little devil!" I laughed.

I grabbed my laptop and searched 'How to tame a dragon in human form!'

Sofia peeked at my screen without me noticing and froze. " How to tame a dragon in human form?" Then she burst into laughter, startling me.

" Jeezzz! You scared me!" I glared at her and quickly closed the laptop, watching her laugh.

" It's not funny! You said he has a bad temper, just like a dragon! They breathe fire before thinking!"

" Google won't help you, darling. Talk to the head maid. She's old and experienced. I heard she nursed him since childhood. Don't think too much about him, okay?"

" I just need this money, Sofia..."

" Yes, you do. Now go get ready for tomorrow. You'll be facing the dragon and spending four good hours with him, what a time!!"

" Hey! Stop scaring me. Let tomorrow come!"