"Mr. Smith, my savior "

Today is my 1st wedding anniversary . But I'm restless as I sit in the first-class cabin on a flight home from Italy. Just before losing cell service, I got an anonymous message that's been weighing heavily in my mind. •Unknown number • «Mrs. McKenzie , your husband James is in the room 1230 at Westbridge Hotel. With a woman.» As I mindlessly flip through a magazine , I overhear two young ladies chatting across the aisle from me. "Did you see the new issue of NB ?" "No, not yet. I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet.

Why ?" I glance briefly at the magazine the woman is holding to see a perfect 10 hot man on the cover. "Check out the cover. This guy is Riley Smith, he is like the most eligible bachelor in the world , right now. He comes from a family with a vast business empire that includes aviation, tourism, hotels , you name it." "Wow, that's impressive !" "Well, what he takes most price in is Luxurious , the women clothing business he founded from scratch, which is what got him the cover of NB !" "But how could this guy still single ? I mean at this age and he's so captivating." The more I look at the person the more he becomes familiar. It seems like he is not just someone from TV. Oh my goodness ! Did he come to my wedding? "Well, there are all these rumors about his exes. Apparently, two ex- girlfriends ended up in comas." "Wait , wait ? Two ? I mean one would be weird enough, but two ?" "I guess that is the price you pay for dating a billionaire like him . It must be difficult to enter into that society life as an outsider." "Yeah, I mean , I thought the worst thing in the world was my ex cheating on me, but ending up in a coma beats that one hands down." I let out a long sigh, taking in their conversation and applying to my own situation. And I'm in that society. After, my parents accidental car crash , I became the sole heir of Memorata Enterprise at 234 billion . Things are happening at an overwhelming pace. During that period, tears stained my face daily . Fortunately , my grandmother has always been by my side. She is the only pillar supported me through those dark times. I carried the responsibility of taking care of my family and managing the company my parents built from scratch. For the past four years, I've been more than diligently running it. It was during this time James became my reliable assistant. As fate would have it, we fell in love. The day I promoted him as my COO, he proposed to me. Our one year marriage was happy overall. However... he remained an indifferent attitude towards me, especially in bed. So here I thought I was going to surprise James at our special day, but now that text. I'm surprised that I actually start to waver because of the message, and I'd been imagining all the ways to bust them in the act. If it's true, I'll kick him out of my company and my life at once. Few hours later... I rush to that hotel right after I got off the plane , ready to see the truth with my own eyes. When I arrive at that room, I find the door slightly ajar, the room . The little light there is alluring. Why wouldn't he close the door ? Unless he just ran down the hall to escape or something. I push the door open and am hit with the heavy scent of fragrant intenses as my gaze sweeps the room. I don't detect any movement, but someone could be in the bathroom. I cross the room and pause outside the open bathroom door . A grand bathtub is filled with water, and delicate rose petals float atop with more scatter around the tub like a romantic invitation. "James, stop playing hide and seek !" No one responds , but I spot an ivory card, folded neatly, with my name scrawled across it in my husband's handwriting : My dear , please enjoy everything I've prepared for you. -J An abundant arrangement of vivid, dew-kissed roses is placed by the side, setting the mood just right. "Oh my gosh ! I let that message get to me, but all he wanted to do was surprise me. He knows how stressed out I've been lately." A waves of excitement sends tingles down my spine, followed by curiosity mixed with anticipation. My gaze continues to roam my surroundings until I spot something that makes my head skip a beat. Several sets of sexy lingerie have been meticulously laid out, as if each piece had been specifically chosen for Me. "Oh my... come to mama." I grab a seductive red one . The fabric skims my body like a whispered promise. "Oh James , it's about time." Without warning , a surge of dizziness washes over me , and my vision blurring as the room spins before I lose consciousness. "What's happen-" I have no idea how much time has passed... until a warm body stirs beside me and soft lips with a hint of scruff gently nuzzle behind my ear. "Mmmm, that's nice." My body feels heavier than normal, and I fight a sleep that threatens to pull me under again. His body carries a potent lily notes, unfamiliar yet immensely comforting. "James ?" I asks. I sense him pause for a moment, as if hesitating, before footsteps recede and the door opens and closes. Early morning sun casts the room in a soft glow. And I'm finally awakened by a sudden rush of quick footsteps outside the door. I rub my eyes, trying to piece where I am. The events of last night slowly come back to me. "Here ! Room 1230." Someone shouts behind the door. I'm startled awake by a loud racket and bolt upright to find my hotel room door open and pack of reporters swarming in. "Why are you here, Linda ? Who were you meeting?" One of the reporters asks. "Is your marriage falling apart ? Why would you betray your husband ?" Another one asks. I stare at them unable to grasp what is happening or even what to say. What the hell is going on here ? And why are they accusing me for silly things ? "I don't even know what is happening right now but my marriage is my business!" I answer. "So, are you saying you are having an affair ?" "I didn't say that. You did ." "As CEO of Memorata Enterprise , don't your shareholders have a right to know ?" "I've said it a thousand times already I don't know why you are here. I'm calling James right now!" I say in a cold voice. As I am looking for my phone, James strides into the room. "Linda !" "Oh , thank God you are here. Please tell them-" But instead of coming to my rescue, he hurls a stack of photos at me. "If I hadn't gotten these photos I wouldn't have realized you were having a secret affair here last night. You liar and cheater !" I gather the photos and stare at them, shocked and confused. What the hell ? This is my room but who's on earth is this man ? "This is crazy ! I have no clue at all about that person. Look, I truly don't understand. How did someone get into my room without me knowing? And where were you?" James turns away from me without answering to face the gaggle of reporters. He appears overly confident as if he has been expecting the arrival of this question. "I was working late at the office last night. Little did I know my wife was having a secret meeting here. On our anniversary !" "Someone told me you were here, and you also wrote me a surprise note ! I can explain, the situation is completely different of what you are picturing." "Quit your acting, Linda ! Did I just mention this is a live TV ? Employees from our company, clients and even your grandma might be watching ." Then I notice James a phone in his hand , displaying a real-time video of me panicked! Countless comments drift across the screen.... Hold on, live - streaming ? How did he accurately predict a man leaving my room and even bring reporters ?

I slowly cool down and realize that things are off. However, James keeps on speaking nonstop in front of the camera.

"I bet you don't have courage to face the camera !"

"Mrs. McKenzie, say something ! "

I bury my face in my hands as panic begins to claw its way up.

"I don't know what is happening but you all need to get out of my room , now !"

I say in tears.

No one moves to leave, but instead more questions are hurled at me over the clicks of cameras firing nonstop.

"What is going on here ? "

My best friend, Ivy pushes the press out of the room and slams the door, locking it behind her.

"Your news is spreading like wildfire ! Reporters have crowded the outside."

"Oh , Ivy ! Thank God , I'm trapped, I-"

"Don't worry ! I'm here. Let's get you out of here. My car is out back. Come on !"

Ivy leads me out of the room, past the screaming press and their clicking cameras shutters to her car, the pack following us.

Before I'm even buckled in, she is flooring it and leaving the reporters behind.

Inside Ivy's car, I anxiously scroll through my phone, fighting back tears.

"These headlines are relentless . Criticizing my company . The stock price is falling by the minute."

"You know headlines get clicks. Ignore them."

"Yeah I know but they are hurting my family's legacy, my company and my reputation."

"You've being over dramatic. I don't think it's that bad."

"Maybe I'm not cut out of being CEO."

"Stop talking nonsense ! Let's change the topic !"

"I wish I could, but I feel like my world is shattering around me."

"It's only feels like that now. Trust me, once you have had some distance from all of this, you'll feel better."

"How ? I mean, yesterday was our anniversary and know James think... Oh God ! I don't even know what he thinks."

"He's James, you both know each other forever. Once, he calms down and you two have a chance to talk, it'll all be okay. As your best friend and James most trusted assistant, nobody knows the two of you better than I do. Here ! Get dressed. You can't wander around in that pyjama."

With appreciation, I slip into her clothes. Ivy is always so thoughtful , taking everything into account. Next to the clothes, there's a thick folder.

"What is that ?"

"It's... it's nothing. I haven't had the chance to finish handling all the company matters. I rushed over as soon as I saw your news."

She stares fixedly ahead, driving and I don't ask any further questions.

"I hope my grandma doesn't see those stories. Her health is already fragile."

I glance down at my phone again, doom scrolling through more bad headlines, and only look up when the car slows and makes sharp turn.

"Wait.... Why are we at the courthouse ? And why is James standing out front ?"

I'm taken out of the car while I'm still in a daze.

I stand blindsided, opposite James and his lawyer , Ivy by my side.

"Linda McKenzie, I officially announce that I'm divorcing you."

"I don't understand what happened any more than you did."

"Maybe the press will buy that, but I'm not a reporter. I'm your husband. Stop lying to me, Linda ! I trust my own eyes."

Tears well up in my eyes as I realize that he is not going to believe me with the photo of that mysterious man out there.

"Look, Linda you need to come to terms with what you have done."

Ivy says.

Shocked, my head whips around and I stare at my best friend , who had promised to talk to James on my behalf less than some minutes ago.

"Ivy ? I thought you were at my side. Wow , we've been closer than sisters !"

"I'm on the side of the truth."

Ivy holds up her phone to show me the screen with the headlines, as if mocking me.

"What about what happened at the hotel ? It's being broadcast everywhere and now your stock is tanking. You don't want it to affect Memorata Enterprise , the company we all built together. I think it is the best option at this point ."

"You want me to divorce James ? How is that going to save the company ?"

"It worked out just fine for Martins Spencer. Better than if he'd stayed married to his wife."

She says.

Then, she pulls a stack of papers from that folder on her car and hands them to me.

"What is that ?"

"Everything you need to end your marriage. Just sign where indicated, and you can put all of this behind you and get on with your life."

I stare at the woman who's been my best friend dumbfounded.

"Stop smearing me with baseless accusations. Never sign unknown original documents, CEO rule number one."

This all seems like a well-planned conspiracy, I can't let this unfold the way they planned. But, I love James so much.

"Please, James you need to believe me. Nothing happened in that hotel room last night. I thought you set up a surprise for me."

"That's the problem. I don't believe you."

My hands shake as I look over the divorce papers , but the words are blurry through my tears.

"I need to have my lawyer look them over first."

"No, you don't. Just sign them damn."

"I may be a fool, but I'm not that much of a fool. My lawyer will look at them and I'll get back to you."

I pull out my phone to call my lawyer as James drives off with Ivy, leaving me stranded.

But before I can even do that, my phone vibrates with an incoming call. The caller ID is a local hospital.

-Hello ?

-Is it Linda ?

-Yes !

-I'm afraid your grandmother has been admitted. She's unresponsive. The doctors are working on her now. You should come now.

I rush into the hospital and am met by Rosy, a long time family friend who once worked for my parents.

"Rosy , what happened ?"

"She was watching the news. And your livestream came on... She started shaking, and then she just went limp. The doctor thinks she might have had a stroke."

Just then , a woman in scrubs approches us with a serious expression.

"Hi, Susan's granddaughter ?"

"I'm, how is she ?"

"It's serious, she needs immediate surgery to relieve that intracranial pressure, we may be able to prevent permanent damage."

"Ok. Do what you need to do, please."

I'm led to walk to the desk in a fog, sign paperwork and pull out my credit card to cover the copayment.

The nurse expertly swipes the card, but she glances up at me with a conflicted look , hesitating to speak.

"I'm sorry the card has been declined."

I run my hands through my hair , trying to figure out what is happening. I know I'm nowhere near my limit.

"There must be an explanation, perhaps your system is malfunctioning. Please run it again."

"Sorry it's still not going through."

"As soon as , we get my grandma's surgery scheduled, my credit card company is going to get an ear full."

I pull up my phone and log into my account and see that my card has been revoked and my bank accounts are empty.

"I don't know what's going on. Can you just start the surgery ? I will figure something out."

"I'm sorry we can't do that."

I let her lead me back to the main lobby. I collapse into a chair and remember I never called my lawyer.

Then my attention is reported on the TV where a reporter is standing in front of my company.

"Memorata Enterprise's largest shareholder now appears to be Linda's husband, James. The board has replaced her with him as CEO."

James stands in front of the cameras with an enormous smile.

"Congratulations to everyone for getting rid of this shameful cheater and liar ! Let's work together to create a plan and set great goals for future !"

They ask him for more comments, but I can't stomach any more.

I seize my phone to call my lawyer.

•Phone call

-I just saw the news. How is this possible ?

-Do you remember the power of attorney you had me draw up six months ago ?

-Of course, that was in case something happened to me so James wouldn't be stuck like I was after my parents died. But, I'm still alive.

-The papers I drew up had that clause in there, but the papers you signed gave him immediate power of attorney. And I'm afraid he's being using it to move all of hour assets into offshore accounts. There's nothing I can do, I'm sorry.

My phone falls from my hand as I realize my husband has been working to sabotage me for at least half a year.

"That bastard !"

What am I going to do ? Does the world has to treat me like that ? My husband, my best friend, my company... now even my only family left, my granny has to leave me ?

Despair slowly gives way to anger, and I realize what I need to do....

If I fall down now, my granny will lose her final ray of hope.

"I'll find a way to get my company back and stop James."

"This is the Linda, your parents would be proud of."

Rosy says.

"I need to go to Memorata Enterprise ."

"Now ?"

"Now , Rosy. I'm about to get back everything that rat bastard stole from me and save granny in the process."

I plan everything that I will say and do while wait for my Uber to arrive.

As my Uber pulls up in front of Memorata Enterprise , big fat drops. begin to fall from the sky. I rush up to the gate and hold my access card up to the reader, but the red light continues to blink instead of turning green.

"You bastard, you already rescinded my access ?"

"Are talking to me , madam ?"

"No just mumbling to my ass of a soon-to -be -ex- husband."

"I am afraid to ask you to leave ."

"How dare you ask me to leave ?"

"I'm just following orders ma'am."

"This is my company."

The staff begin to exit the building to watch what's happening. The people who work for me over years.

"I watched Mrs. Linda got busted for having an affair. On live TV."

"I can't believe she'd tarnish the reputation of the company this way. So selfish."

"Oh come on, you know if she was a man , you'd be high fiving each other ."

"Probably, but that doesn't make it right. It's only damaging Memorata's image. I need this job."

As my former employees gossip about me, James exits the building with a mocking grin.

"Well , well , if it's not the cheating chicken coming home to roost. What are you doing here, Linda ?"

"You know why I'm here . I'm here to take back everything. But this isn't even about me. Susan needs surgery or she'll die."

"Perhaps you can set aside any dignity you have left to save your grandma."

"What are you talking about ?"

"If you publicly admit to your affair, I'll take that into consideration. You should accept responsibility as the one at fault, admit it, and sign the divorce agreement. I can grant you what you want, as long as you cooperate."

He leans close to me , murmuring with a voice that only the two of us can hear.

I can't believe that my humiliation is complete. And he actually wants to tarnish my reputation in front of my employees.

I look at his seemingly virtuous face, finding hard to imagine he has been my husband and loyal assistant for a year.

"I think what is really catching everyone's interest is why my account got wiped out all of a sudden, and how you managed to become the CEO."

"How can you dare talk nonsense ?"

"Where I went wrong was putting too much trust in our relationship. I might not be a perfect wife within our marriage, but that's not a reason you can take so long to break me down. You should consider yourself lucky that I'm still keeping my manners , otherwise, I would have slapped your face hard by now."

"Full of lies !"

James looks at the gossiping employees around him, and he becomes angry and embarrassed. He raises his hand high as if he is about to slap my face in the next moment.

"Wait ! Why did I just arrive and witness Memorata's new CEO wanting to strike an unarmed woman ?"

Amidst the pouring rain , a sleek, black limousine pulls up to the curb.

The door opens and an expensive black dress shoe appears , attached to the leg of the hottest guy I've just saw in the magazine.

"Riley Smith ?"

Riley Smith holds an umbrella out to cover my head , not only protecting me from the rain, but shielding me from the rumors and scorn.

"Sorry, I'm late. I have a very urgent meeting that I can't get away from the whole day. Why are you all wet ? You must be cold. Put on my suit."

Riley takes off his suit and drapes it over my shoulders. He soothingly squeezes my arms, and his gaze oddly familiar yet determined.

"Wh... who... I."

Riley gives me a kind smile as I stammer, searching for words and understanding.

"You might be mistaking someone else , Mr. Smith, she is-"

Riley completely ignores James, staring sternly at the surrounding crowd. Now he looks like a walking Adonis statue.

"I know everyone gathered here has certain assumptions about Linda, but I can assure you every one of them is wrong. Every accusation Linda's facing today, it's all just slander.

"What ?"

"I know this because I'm the man in the picture from last night being splashed all over the media."

He turns his attention to me, but I'm transfixed on Riley's jaw , hinged open in stunned silence .

"I'm happy to explain. I'm so sorry but I entered your room by accident last night. I got in late, and I was exhausted. My room was next door. In my overly tired state, I entered your room by mistake since the door was slightly ajar. I thought the concierge may have left it open for me after turndown service. He does that sometimes when I get in late. What I don't know, though, is why I was caught on camera. I find that most interesting out of all of this."

He directs his next questions to James , who still hasn't recovered.

"Did you have me followed, or was it your wife you were stalking ? It is «perfectly legitimate » for you, the new CEO , to divorce and quickly transfer assets just because of an unclear photograph."

He says in a cold voice.

Now I'm stunned in silence. How could he know all of that ?

"I, ummm, I well , you see. I really need to go !"

Everyone slinks away and soon everyone else, realizes it's raining, seek cover inside the building.

"I don't understand. What... why did you come here to explain ? You could have easily issued a press release."

"I saw you keep your calm. That was impressive. You never do anything wrong ."

"Thanks. That felt good. But I have to ask you, what are you doing here ? You don't even know me."

"Look, you are soaked to the skin . Please get in the car."

He doesn't answer my question. He's only watching me , with a heartbroken look, as if repenting for arriving late.

"I have more important things to do, I'd better leave."

"I know you have a lot of questions. Your grandma's medical expenses have been taken care of."

"What ? By whom ?"

"I'll tell you everything, but -"

Before I can figure out the best way to determine Riley's involvement, my phone vibrates with an incoming call.

"Oh it's the hospital. Hang on a second."

•Phone call

-Linda ?

-Yes it's me ! Is that for Susan's case ?

-Yes. We wanted to let you know that Susan's bill has been paid in full, and a VIP room has been arranged for her.

My gaze travels to Riley for a moment. He smiles at me.

-Thanks for letting me know. Please keep me updated for her prognosis.

-Of course. I'll have the surgeon contact you as soon as she is out of surgery.

After hanging up, I felt an enormous weight lift from my shoulders.

"That was the hospital. I guess I have to thank you for that ?"

"I told everything was taken care of. I'm a lot of things, but a liar isn't one of them."

"Good to know. Because I have a lot of questions and I need honest answers."

"I will tell you everything , but please just get in the car. Because even if you're not cold, I am."

I climb into the limousine. Riley closes the door, then goes around the back and gets in on the other side.

After giving directions to the driver, he hands me a soft cotton towel.

"I'm not sure how much it will help. You are soaked all the way through."

He has a distinct lily scent, and his bath towel shares the same aroma.

I do my best to wipe my face wet, then squeeze as much rain from my hair as I can.

"I'm taking a chance that you are a Frappuccino kind of girl."

I set the towel aside and turn to find Riley offering me a steaming cup of hot Frappuccino made in the limousine very well -stocked bar.

"Thanks. I'm lucky that you have everything I need."

"It's a well-stocked limousine."

"With exactly what you need in any situation ? "

"Yes, Linda."

I take the offered cup with a healthy dose of caution.

"Well, it's not that I don't appreciate all of this, but the people I've been closest to in my life just stabbed me in the back. So trusting a total stranger is a little outside my comfort zone at the moment."

"I'd except nothing less."

I can't rule out that he is a part of James's master plan. All of this is just a little too convenient.

"I promised you , I'd tell you everything and I will, but first..."

Riley presses a button, and a monitor slides down from the ceiling of the limousine. He presses a button on the remote and an image appears.

"You have to watch this."

"What the ..... is that James's office ?"

I lean in toward the screen and watch in a horrified fascination.