Wife for Hire

The embers from the fire were no longer visible from this distance. Yet, ashes fell like snow despite the fact that the summer sun was already vanishing from the tawny sky.

Her blouse that was once neat white was now stained in cinders. Her hair that was once treated a week ago is now as crooked as the burnt tree in front of her house.

Wisdom was now sitting by the corner of the road. Her house was on fire just hours ago. The only thing remains of her were the apparel she was wearing, her second-hand laptop and mobile phone, and her coin purse that has no more than ten coins, as well as her leather wallet that she had since high school that has no more than a hundred dollars. Everything was burnt-including her ten-month-old baby.

Wisdom was well aware that misfortune is her middle name since she was born. But, the fact that her husband just left their infant daughter in their house and went to her best friend's condominium unit to have a bed session is just utterly outrageous...and unlawful.

Richard, her husband, could have at least brought their daughter while he had a bed wrestling with her best friend, Francine. Well, her husband had been an asshole ever since, that's why she wouldn't wonder if ever Richard passed as the dumbest man in the world-because his dumb as shit anyway.

Wisdom couldn't bring herself to weep; not even a tear would come out from her eyes. How could she weep when her only daughter died in fire while her husband was feasting his cobra inside her best friend?

She just arrived from work when she spotted the fire even from a kilometre away while driving her car-the car that was gifted to her during her eighteenth birthday.

She seized her mobile phone and dialled the number of her sister's best friend who was a lawyer. Thank heaven anyway that at least she has a little salvation in her marriage.

To be honest, she could no longer take it-no longer endure it. She will divorce Richard as early as now, even if he is still banging that snake best friend of hers.

Wisdom stared at the still-busy street. Paramedics giving first aid to the affected; several people are still wailing under the now starry sky.

'People are just too overacting. I didn't even cry here that my baby was just burnt and my husband was also burnt...burnt because of sexual pleasure.' She mused as she ate the chocolate that was given to her by her boss, Gerry.

In her relief, the smoke was no longer that black. Unlike hours ago, the smoke was wholly thick and black as charcoal.

Her phone vibrated. She checked her messages and was elated that her sister's friend, the lawyer, was happy to help her. Well, that's what a man gets in drilling different holes-a divorce.

She may be not that rich compared to Francine but at least, she has loyalty; she has a word of honour. Yet, it seems that Richard doesn't deserve her loyalty-not even an inch of her affection.

And Wisdom, as witty as her name, would prefer to live on her own than to reside with an asshole under one roof.

***

Minutes turned to hours, hours turned to days, and days turned to weeks.

Three weeks had passed and Wisdom Weisz was now living in her own walls, in her own roof. Her so-called husband really went and chose her best friend over her.

Her cheap apartment may be simple for an office worker, a secretary, like her. But, she's a plain girl after all. Simplicity is beauty for her; her apartment that's just a few blocks away from her office is already a jackpot for Wisdom.

She grabbed her car keys and locked her apartment door as she got the paper that contained her grocery list. Wisdom was always frugal ever since college; she's much more frugal now, especially since she was living alone and her monthly salary may only last for weeks for a city's daily life.

Wisdom then drove to the nearest grocery store. She inhaled as soon as she arrived. Even though her sorrow still lingers deep in her heart, she must paint a cheerful face. The world doesn't need much drama when each one of our lives already consists of various dramas.

'I hope that the two snakes are not in there...' She prayed.

As she opened her car door, the sight of her ex-best friend's car was caught by her turquoise eyes.

"She's here...or perhaps the two of them."

As brave as ever, she walked briskly towards the store's entrance, disregarding any chance of her and Francine meeting. The store was huge anyway, perhaps there's only gonna be a 50/50 probability of her meeting that bitch. She's here for shopping anyway, and not for having a quarrel with a husband-stealer woman that called herself her best friend.

She was in the meat section when she came across the person that made her gladly sell her soul to the devil as long as she will not meet her again.

Unexpectedly, their eyes met. But, Wisdom was not looking at Francine's eyes. She was looking at her belly. The last time she saw her belly three months ago, it was still flat. Now, it was big and circular as ever, as if she was now carrying a three-month baby.

'Whore....' Wisdom whispered in her mind. She was about to walk away from the meat section when the pregnant snake called her.

"How are you, Wisdom?" It was not a thoughtful question. It was more of a mockery, an insult to let the other shoppers hear their conversation.

"I'm fine," Wisdom answered as bland as ever.

Francine portrayed a so-called sweet face. "That's great. Richard and I just went to the ob-gyn an hour ago. In fact, he's here in the fruits section." She pointed with her hand that was still holding a bag of tenderloin meat.

"That's good." Wisdom answered back, looking wholly uninterested. If only she could sprint away as fast as a cheetah, she had long done it if the bitch didn't spark a hideous conversation.

"I heard you and Gerry are getting together, eh?"

There it is again. Blaming her that she had an affair with her boss so that she will look like a cowering rat that was caught in a rat trap. She could no longer hold her tongue. This bitch deserves what she was about to do.

So, she grabbed one of the meats that was still fresh with blood and threw it on her face-the face that was bombarded with lots of make-up.

"Speak another word, and the next blood that will be splattered here will be coming from your body!" Wisdom shrieked, making the other shoppers jerked their head towards the two women.

Richard, who was carrying peaches and Cortland apples, rushed towards the two women by the meat section.

Francine, as if she was a Hollywood actress, cried and ducked as if a child throwing tantrums. Richard helped her stand and she was mumbling that Wisdom was the first one to attack her, threatening to hurt her. Wisdom just stared at them and crossed her arms. She already knew this was gonna end up in a drama show. Francine is such a bitch that uses crying as a form of self-defense. She's utterly a dumb chicken; definitely a groin-loving whore.

Richard was about to attack her as well when his hand was stopped by a man. The man was wearing a gray tuxedo and was absolutely taller than Richard. A "C.E.O." name plate was situated by his left chest, just above his beating heart.

"I am the C.E.O. of this grocery store. The three of you are making mayhem in the midst of a jolly morning. It's better if you're gonna sort this up or am I gonna be the one to let it sort where the three of you gonna spend the rest of the day in the police station."

The man briefly looked at Wisdom from head to toe. He didn't even glance at Francine, whose white lace dress was now stained in bloody red and was pretending to quiver as if she was the victim-as if she was the one being attacked. Pathetic.

It was Wisdom who spoke this time. "We'll sort this out. Sorry for the chaos caused by these two cheaters."

Well, that was badass. Richard looked at her with disbelief-not anger. Disbelief because, never in her life, Wisdom acted as badass and as merciless as ever. Well, time's changing. Change is the only thing constant in this unrelenting world. The world that, if you're not cruel too, you will definitely not survive even a year.

She looked at Richard back, and then to the snake who was baptized as Francine. She then spoke with such a loud voice that could probably be heard by a whole auditorium.

"Eyes here everyone! You see these two people over here..." Wisdom called the attention of all people and pointed at the two people in front of her with her index finger. "This man is my ex-husband, and this pregnant woman over here is my husband's mistress before we were divorced. The day my house was on fire, which was also the day that burned our ten-month-old daughter to ashes, was the day that he spend her time with his mistress-playing with her abyss and blowing my husband's horn. I am telling you this so that you'll keep an eye on your girlfriends, wives, husbands, and boyfriends that these two will never steal them away from you, as they've done to me. Perhaps if there is an award for the cheaters of the year, these two would probably be worthy of that god-damned price. That's all and thank you for your attention."

Wisdom then walked away straight into the exit door. Richard and Francine were speechless and petrified. The C.E.O. was actually smirking while shaking his head.

The whole store's eyes were not on Wisdom who was walking away like a murderer walking away from a crime scene. No. The people's eyes were on the two cheaters who had probably been nailed on the floor they were standing on.

Wisdom endured the expensive goods on 7/11. She only took the most important and needed right away stuff in order to save a few cash.

It was already an hour ago since the drama of the century happened-she shamed Richard and Francine in front of hundreds of judging eyes. Her heart was still heavily pounding inside her chest. She could hear the loud beats of her pumping heart, to be honest.

Wisdom took one last glance to her basket. "This will do for a week, I guess."

She then decided to go to the cashier. To her surprise, the goods she bought were 95$. She only had 50$ left in her wallet.

"I'll answer it." A familiar voice from behind spoke. From the man's scent, Wisdom already knew who it was.

"Terry Kale!" She exclaimed the name of her high school crush.

"Hello, Wisdom!" Terry said as he handed a 100$ to the cashier with his eyes still on Wisdom's.

"You've grown more beautiful as far as I can remember."

Wisdom should've put makeup on. Her face was obviously stained with red due to that statement from her former crush. Even the cashier noticed that and smiled at her secretly.

She cleared her throat before speaking. "You flatter me, Terry. I mean, you are always hard to please way back then..."

"Past is past, Wisdom. Besides, I heard you just got divorced with your husband a few weeks ago." He said as he received the change from the 100$. It was his turn this time to check out the goods he bought: a hotdog sandwich and a Slurpee.

Wisdom raised her brows. Who could've told him that when he's studying in Paris?

"Who told you?" She asked without a hint of suspicion.

"Francine Cabello. You know, your best friend since high school, remember?"

Of course she remembers. Even a syllable of her full name was forever marked in her memory archive. That bitch who called herself a best friend was just insulting to the honourable title of being a best friend. If only she could turn back the sands of time and take back that title from that adder would be very much satisfying for Wisdom. But reality was always bitter; what's done is done. What has occurred is already irrevocable.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he gestured that they sat by the chairs in the convenience store.

Wisdom nodded. "Yes, I'm fine."

"Great! Would you like a coffee, tea...or me?"

She jerked her head towards him in a blink of an eye. She was wholly flabbergasted by that query, even if it is just a joke for him.

"I'm kidding, Wisdom!" Of course he is.

"I'm fine, Terry." That was a white lie. Wisdom was used to pretending to be fine ever since she's a lass. She never wanted other people to be involved in her personal dilemma.

"I see," Terry countered as he took a bite from his hotdog sandwich.

Wisdom's phone rings. She looked outside through the glass; it was already twilight. She then picked up her phone and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Come to the office tomorrow...at six a.m."

It was her boss, Gerry Grace. He told her to come to the office on Saturday and at six in the morning-she's still snoring at that hour to be frank.

"Sure!" She made it look like she was excited. Well, she was Gerry's pet anyway-his mistress. Richard had long been drilling different women. Apparently, this had been the reason that pushed her to agree as Gerry's woman.

It was her form of revenge to her husband at that time. Usually, he asked her to come to the office on weekends either to hand her a gift or that he needs her "physical services"-or probably both. Then, he will be taking her to a nearby hotel's restaurant. After which they'll continue their primeval dance in one of the hotel's restrooms. What an outstanding place to drill and feast on your mistress...

Wisdom put the phone down and peered at Terry who was enjoying his Slurpee.

He caught her staring at him. "What?"

"Nothing." That was a lie from her again.

To be frank, because of Richard's constant cheating, she had begun to learn the ways of a mistress. Her constant cravings for Gerry had made her a bit crazy on the inside; she ended up pleasuring herself at night instead.

And Wisdom somehow found another prey on the very walls of this convenience store. She found a new friend-with-benefits as she gazed at Terry who was finishing his hotdog sandwich and Slurpee.

***

Her day had not been showered with gifts and sex and kissing.

She was fired by her boss and bed partner, Gerry Grace.

"Are you sure with that Gerry?!" Her sharp shriek reverberated in the walls of his office.

"Just because of a shitty video, you will directly fire me to protect the reputation of a company? How about your image as a manager? Do the board members or even your wife know that you were feasting different women every other night?"

Apparently, someone took a video the moment Wisdom shamed Francine and Richard at the supermarket yesterday...and uploaded it on social media as well.

Gerry's face was oozing with ire, with fury. The unrecognizable wrath on his face reflects on the screen of his MacBook-wholly irritated. If this woman was not very beautiful and had no huge chest, he would probably be dragging her outside his office by now.

"It's the request of the upper management, Wisdom. Besides, there are many aspiring secretary applicants waiting outside this room at this very moment."

Wisdom looked briefly at the door before returning her gaze to the man in front of her.

"So that's why you were firing me like throwing rubbish in the trash bin?" Her eyes radiate unfeigned rage.

"Because you have a new sexy Secretary to serve you? To play with you? To blow the god-damned horn between your legs?" Wisdom could no longer contain her boiling anger. She clenched her fists tightly as if she was ready to punch Gerry's groin.

Gerry couldn't refuse the allegations though. Wisdom's words did resonate verity-resonate truth. To be frank, he had grown tired of Wisdom's presence...and her body. There are a myriad of fresh applicants waiting outside anyway. Just after thirty minutes of job interview with any of the lined-up women outside, he'll have a new toy to play with after a long time spending with the milky crevice between Wisdom's legs.

"You're right, Wisdom. But, ephemeral is the only thing perpetual on this planet, dearest. So, I suggest you apply for another job at another company so that you'll have a daily meal at your table."

He then leaned closer to her, who was sitting placidly on a chair a few inches across his table.

"We can still hook up anyway. Just call me and I'll be there...I'll be there inside you." That was more of a whisper of invitation than a casual reminder.

Wisdom's brows met, painting a scowled face. Without any more words to say, she grabbed the little pink envelope on the table and stood. She went straight to the door without even turning back or bothering to say goodbye to her former boss and former man-in-bed.

He heard the door slam as he turned back to get his coffee from the table near the window.

"I'll take that as a no," Gerry muttered as he took a sip from his Starbucks Frappe.

***

The revelry and clinking of glasses flooded in the ears of Wisdom. The price of this margarita flashed back from her mind. It costs 20$-the only money left in her pocket. She will not also wish that her bank account had more cents left considering the fact that Gerry had ceased sending her money a few hours ago when he fired her-thrown her out was probably more accurate and precise.

She could sense that he had grown tired of her body. Gerry is a type of asshole that always wants to excavate different sizes of women's chests and various tightness of women's abyss. He always wants to enter a new narrow cave every night as if he owns all the women in the world.

Wisdom just shook her head in dismay; in frustration and disappointment. All men in her life were either an asshole, a dickhead, or both-just like her father who left them when she was just nine years old.

She took the last sip in her margarita before ordering another one: a mojito. Luckily, Gerry secretly handed her a hundred dollars on a little pink envelope as soon as she slammed the office door shut.

This hotel happens to be the most expensive and most luxurious in their city. Now she knows why, just by looking at the price of the mojito. Wisdom wished she didn't glance at the price of the cocktail.

She silently consumed the drink while roaming her eyes around. There are some men who were necking their girlfriends-or probably their other girlfriends. There are also some women whose dress is an inch away from being naked; that a little tug of their dress will make their chest wholly visible in the eyes of drinkers and bartenders in this bar room.

'This is truly the room where men take their mistresses and other girlfriends...' Wisdom knows this as this was also the place where Gerry took her the first time they hooked up. This has also been the place where she constantly sees Francine with Richard, along with Francine's other men.

Wisdom finished her mojito. She was about to order another cocktail-a vodka martini-when a man sat beside her.

It was the C.E.O. from the grocery store.

"You probably remembered me?"

Of course she did. His handsome face was registered on Wisdom's mind forever.

The bartender handed him a vodka martini-as well as to her.

"Don't worry. It's my treat."

Wisdom was debating if the drink was somehow drugged or the man just happens to be very friendly, contrary to his strict appearance. He was wearing sage-colored jeans and black polo shirt.

Well, he's handsome anyway despite the simplicity in his apparel. He's one of the men whom Wisdom only dreamt of being in bed with due to his oozing handsomeness.

She waited for him to drink first before taking a sip from her vodka martini.

"Don't worry. It's safe to drink, it is not drugged. If I want a woman in my bed, I'll tell her right away. Drugs don't need to do that if my mouth can just simply ask."

That's so sweet of him-and respectful.

"Speaking of that..."

That line made Wisdom abruptly turn her head towards him. She would have thrown up in the middle of this conversation if her mind didn't remind her that she's talking to a C.E.O.

"I would like to offer you a job-a job that requires you to be in my bed." That was pretty candid and direct.

Silence just fell between them.

"Say something, Wisdom."

"Something." She's being a clown; being funny.

'Wait, how did he know my name?' Wisdom suddenly thought.

The C.E.O. takes one look at her then take another sip from his cocktail.

"I suppose Gerry didn't tell you that I am now the C.E.O. of the company you just resigned..."

Using the term 'resigned' is a bit of salvation to Wisdom's pride. But, the fact that Gerry didn't tell her that there had been a slight change in the upper management was utterly unfair.

Speaking of upper management...

"And I am also the one who requested that you'll be fired, considering the fact that it is also the grocery store that I own the time you made a scene to shame your former husband and former best friend."

Wisdom could no longer think, move, or even speak due to that revelation. God save her tongue.

"What's your name?" Those were the only words that came out from her dry mouth.

The C.E.O. looked at her in confusion. "Hmm?"

"I said what's your name you damned idiot!"

Wisdom has totally gone down in the enraged path. The respectful, sweet, and naïve Wisdom no longer exists. With that revelation, she too had made a new skin of herself and shredded the skin of her past.

Without further ado, she walked out the scene...again; without bothering to say goodbye or asking to walk away. No. She just walks away like a Hollywood actress filming a badass scene.

She is Wisdom Weisz anyway. And walking away is now a part of her glorious name.

***

Wisdom's reflection was very much alluring and statuesque.

'I hope this body will help me on this job application...' She prayed; more like hoping.

With that, the C.E.O. last night flashed again from her mind. His lips, his handsome mien, and his...his offer for a job that includes her being in his bed.

Was that really a job? Is he somehow a pornography executive producer or an adult actor? Either way, she needs a decent job. A job that can benefit her body, her lifestyle, and her wallet. And the job he offered seems to only benefit two out of the three things.

She looked at the clock that was more plain than cheap. It reads 7:45-fifteen minutes before her scheduled interview.

"Relax, Wisdom!" She scolded herself.

Without further ado, she sprinted towards the location of her job application, disregarding her feet due to the pain caused by her red high heels.

***

Luckily, she arrived at the place on time. There is already someone being interviewed inside.

She received a text message from the HR. The assigned woman that was supposed to interview her was on maternity leave, leaving the Head of the HR Department to conduct the interview.

It was two minutes before her interview when she decided to peep at the translucent glass door. It was a young woman who was being interviewed before her. She seems like a fresh graduate and very gorgeous. But, when she caught the sight of the person that they call the Head of the HR Department, she was about to vomit...again.

It was Richard-her sex-loving former husband.

***

When Wisdom turned around to walk away and decide to not attend the interview, she saw Francine Cabello approaching. Her red tube dress was more like a uniform of a professional whore than the title of the branch manager stated on her name plate by her right chest.

But before Francine could even open her mouth, she already walked away even when she heard the door open from the interview room and the voice of Francine calling her name.

Probably Francine was a bit insulted because no matter how simple or formal dress Wisdom wears, she is still beautiful and voluptuous whereas Francine that no matter how she displays her so-called huge chest have still no effect on most men-except to Richard of course.

Well, Francine and Richard are both collectors anyway; both have their own extra "pets". Birds with the same feathers flock together after all.

***

"Wisdom?" Terry's voice became music to her ears.

She touched his lips, frightening Terry Kale.

"Wisdom?" He reiterated her name.

Without hesitation, she kissed him-pressing her lips sweetly to his soft lips.

She was standing by the threshold of her apartment door. The hallway was quiet. It was only the sound of their kissing that echoed in the place.

In a heartbeat, she entered his simple apartment room.

And Terry Kale also entered her.

***

The weather seems to go along with her emotions. The rumbling of the thunder made her cower on the inside. She has hated thunder and lightning since she was a little girl. Not mentioning the fact that it was also during a thunderstorm that her father left her.

The yellow cab taxis are mostly full, making her a bit irritated and vexatious. She looked at her cheap silver watch that was gifted to her during her sweet sixteenth birthday. It reads two in the afternoon. She just recently danced with Terry Kale at his apartment ten minutes away from where she was standing. Wisdom usually releases her anger in bed-in a bed session to be precise. She was oozing with fury and rage. Those two cheaters have conspired again against her. If only she has a genie to grant her a wish, she would ask to have revenge to the two that would sent them directly to the deepest part of hell where cheaters and traitors reside. Yet, fantasy only exists in the phantoms of one's mind. Reality was always bitter, always hard to contend.

Her stomach rumbled along with the feral rumbling of the thunder above. The flash of lightning would have sent her shrieking in the midst of this busy road. She's hungry, tired, frustrated. And most of all, she's angry.

Wisdom's core was swelling due to her lap dance with Terry Kale. She should've known he was wild in bed. She should've told him to slow down a bit if not for her rambling thoughts about the job that the billionaire offered. Those mere thoughts made her allow Terry to just drill her roughly.

"Waiting will do no justice to you, Wisdom."

There he is again. The billionaire's voice reverberated in her eardrums.

"Denver Giordano." He said as he caressed her flawless skin-a lover's touch. The billionaire acts as if he's her lover in the midst of the passing people's eyes.

His gray tuxedo was wet due to the drizzle. Wisdom, too, was drenched in wetness courtesy of the crying sky above.

Denver smelled her, as if a boyfriend just randomly found her girlfriend in the middle of the busy street waiting for a taxi.

"Stop it! Or else-"

"Or else what?"

Their eyes met, debating silently.

"What do you want?" She bravely asked.

"Me? It's you who need help, darling." Denver said as a person passed by in front of them, making the random guy jerked his head towards their direction then returning his focus to where he was going. That gives the notion that they were just a couple having a 'love quarrel' to the public.

"I have a penthouse in the condo across the street. I bet you need a place to rest and think and shelter from the storm."

A lightning flashed again as Denver said it, illuminating his handsome face.

Without any choice, she gave up and went with him. She nodded and Denver led the way, with his right hand caressing her back as if a lover just leading the way.

***

The condo's lobby was perhaps the most lavish thing she had seen in her life. The swaying chandelier above was gilded in golden foliage, not mentioning the fact that the tiles are red marble.

A fish pond was situated by the side, arching its way like the Amazon River towards the little indoor garden with a rose fountain in the center. This is paradise-and this was just the ground floor of the building.

"I was just looking for a wife without love attachment; just physical and all in order to appease my mother. A hundred thousand dollars will be on your bank account as soon as you agree with my terms." Denver finally spoke after five minutes of trekking from across the street towards here.

The C.E.O. offered her his tuxedo suit as her umbrella to refrain her from being wet further. For others, it may be a gentleman's act of kindness. But to her, it was only an altruistic action of a man to a woman he wanted in his bed-to be entered by him as if it was just a normal job.

As a form of gratitude, she just replied that she will think about it. It was the safest answer she could think of, to be honest.

They were waiting by the elevator door when the face of her ex-best friend and her former husband was inside the elevator.

Wisdom Weisz was gaping; flabbergasted. She looked at Denver who acted as if he knew nothing. To Wisdom's surprise, Richard was looking at Denver's hand-it was on her back just a few inches away from Wisdom's well-rounded ass.

Francine, too, was gaping. Not just in surprise that she was in such a luxurious condominium, but the fact that the C.E.O. of Francine's company was beside Wisdom-the last woman she could think to be with Denver Giordano.

Wisdom, on the other hand, will not waste this opportunity for a sweet revenge. So, she said the most unbelievable, indescribable, and unfeigned words that her mind could craft.

"It's glad that you're here Richard, Francine. In that way, I am able to introduce to you my fiancé, Denver Giordano."

The eyes of the three people were as wide as the Pacific Ocean. Denver looked at her with incredulity, with unbelievable eyes. But, Denver just smiled-a sweet smile as if a fiancé's smile to his fiancée.