His Perfect Wife Strikes Back

186 Another Problem

As I let go of Frade's hand, he asked puzzledly, "Aren't we going home now?"

"Give me two minutes," I said, and walked straight to Mia.

Mia looked at Margaret, who was so angry that she blushed. She couldn't help showing the winner's smile. My heart tightened. She probably didn't know how much trouble she was in.

"Mia, I need to talk to you."

"Just say it here."Mia raised her champagne glass and took a sip of the orange liquid. "You have three minutes."

"Did you do it?" I lowered my voice. "Those pictures of Margaret at the club."

"How could I have been so stupid to do such a thing?" Mia said with a smile. "Besides, I have been in the USA all the time, and those photos were obviously taken while she was in Germany."

"Even if you don't tell the truth, I still have a way to find out the truth."

"Go ahead and check it out," Mia said nonchalantly. "I don't have time for you. I have to find dad. He needs a capable daughter by his side."

She walked straight past me to Mickle, who had taken Margaret away with her mother. Looking at the guests whispering in the ballroom, I had a bad feeling that the air was suddenly cloudy and I felt short of breath.

"What's the matter, dear?" Frade came to me. "Let's go home now," he said gently.

I nodded and left the ballroom with Frade. As we got into the car, there was a knock on the glass.

"Eva, do you remember me?"

I rolled down the window and saw a familiar face. As I began to remember who she was, the woman told me her name.

"I'm Joan," said the woman. "You helped me get the job."

"It's you," I remembered. She was the mother who had taken her boy to the food bank.

"I remember when you asked me to get her a job," Frade said next to me. "Now she's like a Union Rep."

He put his head in front of me and said to Joan, "Get in the car and talk!"

The driver unlocked the door. Joan hesitated for two seconds before opening the door and getting into the car. Frade leaned to the other side, leaving more room for Joan and me.

"Are you in trouble again?" I asked Joan.

"No..." Joan wanted to speak but stopped. Now she is not as depressed as when we first met, but she had a heavy look on her face.

"Actually, I need your help." Joan looked at me and said, "No, it's us."

"What else can I help you with?"

Joan peeked at Frade next to her, and he instantly understood what she meant, so Frade said, "It's okay, you can talk. I'll pretend to hear nothing."

As he spoke, he put on his headphones, and Joan was relieved to speak out.

"Eva, I'm here on behalf of the Union," said Joan. "It's about your father."

"You mean, Mickle?" I'm not used to letting people call him my father yet.

"Yes, our people have learned that your father and the Democrats have some private plans, including a war in the Middle East."

"Again?" I don't understand why every new president has to start a war. Is it a show of presidential strength?

"Where did you get this information?" I looked at her suspiciously. "Can you be sure of the authenticity of the news?"

Joan was silent for a moment. "We have our way."

"What do you want me to do for you?"

"I know you're Mickle's daughter, and we were hoping you could help us arrange an interview with your father." Joan looked at me expectantly, "Starting a war would affect the economy, and our factory does business in the Middle East. If we cut off business with the Middle East, there is a high risk that many workers will lose their jobs. We don't want that to happen. So please help us."

"I can only take your message to Mickle, but I'm not sure he'll meet you," I said honestly.

"Thank you," said Joan, squeezing my hand.

"Where do you live? We can take you home," I asked.

"Please drop me off at the intersection ahead," said Joan. "I can take the subway home."

When the car reached the intersection, Joan stood on the side of the road and waved goodbye. As the car drove on, I watched through the glass windows as her face faded from my view and disappeared.

"Will you help her?" Frade asked, taking off her headphones.

"Did you hear everything we just talked about?" I looked at him suspiciously. "Aren't you wearing headphones?"

"But there's no music in my headphones." Frade smiles slyly. "And I know you don't mind if I eavesdrop, do you?"

He said, holding me in his arms. "If what Joan said is true, you can't change Mickle's mind."

"But I promised Joan I'd help her," I sighed. "At least I'll get her message to Mickle."

"I'm sorry I haven't had time for you this whole time," Frade whispered, "I had to take care of things at the company. Now the matter is almost done, I think it's time for us to think about leaving."

"Is this true?" I looked up into his eyes.

"Yes." Frade stared at me. "We'll be out of here soon."

"Where to?"

"Where do you want to go?" Frade kissed me on the forehead. "How about Venice?"

"I thought you were going to say Sicily."

"You're the boss." He smiled. "Sicily is nice, too. You see women in bikinis almost every day."

"And topless men." I provoked him.

"If any man dares to go topless in front of you, I promise to shoot him in the head," Frade said.

I smiled. He looked so cute when he was jealous.

The car suddenly came to a screeching halt, and I nearly hit the seat back in front of me with an unstable centre of gravity. Luckily, Frade caught me in time.

"Hans, what the hell are you doing?" Frade roared.

"Sorry, boss," the driver said helplessly. "Someone fell off the roof."

"Did someone jump?" Frade frowned.

"I think so," Hans said. "The road ahead is blocked."

"God, we should get out and have a look." I pushed the door open and Frade caught me just in time.

"You stay in the car. Let me go."

Frade and Hans got out of the car together, and I looked over my shoulder as they made their way to the middle of the road. Frade crouched down to check on that person, then he took out his cell phone to make a call.

When he got back to the car, he looked at me sullenly. "The woman who jumped was Margaret!"

Oh, my God. How could it be her?