7 5.1

5.1

"BRO," Vandros greeted Lux with a smile when he arrived at the law firm's parking lot. He was waiting for his wife, Yana, still smoking, which was why he hadn't gone inside. He had decided to pick her up early since he had received an invitation from his college friends to have dinner. He was the only one invited, and he was supposed to inform Diana about it. Vandros was joining them.

"Here's what you need," Vandros said as he handed Lux a certification from an envelope.

"This belongs to her?" Lux inquired, his eyes narrowing as he smoked and looked at the paper. He nodded after a moment. The lady in question had no lacerations. He smiled to himself, feeling safe. It seemed there were others who had come before him who were not virgins; they had used condoms a couple of times. It cost less that way. However, with his new plaything, he wouldn't use a condom. They hadn't met yet. It all depended on the situation.

"Give me your phone," Vandros instructed, and Lux complied without questioning. Vandros typed something on it, following their usual routine. He saved a number and a name.

"Kapuso," Vandros said, chuckling, making Lux laugh as well. "What's her name… Heart?" He squinted, unsure but remembering that name tag pinned on her left breast.

Ah, crap. He recalled the woman's body. It was enough to cause a sudden twinge of pain in his groin.

"Yes, bro. I should go ahead. Everything's settled."

He nodded, looking at his friend. "See you later."

He glanced at his wristwatch. Diana's staff began to emerge from the main door. The man had a strong physique and a self-absorbed air about him. Lux had picked up that phrase from his grandmother, who had learned it from the flamboyant characters at the salon. He had learned it as well because his grandmother used it with her friends and the household staff.

The man, Diana's employee, glanced at him. He didn't smile. He gave a slight bow, which Lux ignored. Diana soon emerged, and he went to meet her. She simply looked at him. He kissed her on the cheek and took her bag, but she shook her head.

"Why did you come? Aren't you busy with your work?"

"I'll finish it tomorrow."

"You're just making it difficult for yourself. I can drive alone. You don't have to pick me up."

He didn't say anything. A simple thank you would have made his heart swell. Diana wanted them to focus on their respective jobs. She was a workaholic. He tried to balance his time. He made sure he didn't neglect her. Whenever she texted and needed him, he dropped everything to fulfill her requests. He had accepted Diana for who she was, serious about her career and deeply involved with her accounting firm. He couldn't understand why she never got jealous and didn't care if he came home in the early hours of the morning. She gave him so much freedom. She said she wanted to reciprocate the same freedom he granted her. She valued her independence and privacy, which he provided.

Lux walked Diana to the car and opened the door for her. She got in.

"Sweetie, there's a dinner—"

"I'm tired, Lux," she replied with a dull tone. "I have something to finish. You can go if you want. I won't mind."

She smiled at him, and he nodded. "I won't go."

He started the car and drove home.

"No, it's okay. You can go," she said, rummaging in her bag and taking out her phone.

He glanced at her.

She just shook her head and focused on the road. It didn't bother him that he couldn't attend the dinner. They were just his friends and their wives.

When they arrived home, Diana and Lux went upstairs together. He had his smartphone and messaged Vandros that they wouldn't be able to make it to the dinner.

Vandros: What am I expecting from your wife? Lol.

Lux felt his nostrils flare. He was irritated by these kinds of comments about his wife, but there was nothing he could do because it was true. Diana never made friends with his friends.

He put his phone away and merely acknowledged his friend's message. He approached Diana, who was texting with a bored expression. She seemed stressed from work again.

He held her waist while looking at her in the mirror. He embraced her and kissed her shoulder. His body moved involuntarily, pressing her against the mirror.

"I thought you were going out," she said, still chatting and glancing at her phone.

"Nope," he replied softly, kissing her neck and jaw, but Diana suddenly moved away and removed her tube top.

"You better go. I won't be able to attend to you, Lux. I have a lot of work to finish. I have a new contract with Mariano Tours."

He furrowed his brow and bit his lip. He couldn't remember who owned Mariano Tours, but it sounded familiar.

"Enrico Mariano Tours, my ex-suitor, remember?"

He nodded. He remembered. He knew that Enrico had courted Diana and they had broken up when he met someone else. However, according to Enrico and his parents, he was the one who backed out of the relationship.

"I offered him my consulting agency, and he accepted it," she said with a grin. "I'll make so much money from it."

"Of course. Does your work start tonight?"

"Yep," she quickly replied and walked to the bathroom, undressing.

Diana was making him jealous. He could only watch. He couldn't force her to make love to him. He didn't want to be accused of rape.

"I'll just take a shower. Help yourself after and enjoy the dinner," she said with a grin, as if she had struck a great deal.

If he were in her place, he wouldn't have to work. They were wealthy. He had many businesses and money. But working was Diana's passion, and he had no right to stop her from pursuing her dreams. He was just her husband, and he didn't own her like the women he paid for their services, using them to pass the time.

Just like now, when his masculinity was crying out and he needed to satisfy himself.

He looked at his phone and searched his contacts. He typed a message to Heart using his other SIM, which was registered under Vandros.

Lux: I'll be there in an hour. Clean yourself. This is the boss.