C8 A Payback for The Pain

Shienna looked at Ray as he stepped out of her penthouse with a sad look. Shienna was unwilling to let go of a bodyguard as reliable as Ray, who had made her feel safe wherever she was.

However, one thing she emphasized to Ray was that he should keep her updated on his situation, and if he ever needed help, she would be able to help him. Plus, there is a promise that Shienna will use his services again when her business with Bryan ends.

This time, it was Jennifer's turn to sit not far from Shienna's place, who seemed hesitant to start the conversation.

"Shie, are you sure you'll agree with your husband's decision? Are you going to dismiss me? Is this the end of our friendship?"

"Tsk! Of course not, idiot! I don't want to make trouble with that psycho guy. Didn't you hear what he said last night? Your presence here is just as a friend, not my assistant anymore. That means you can stay here for the rest of your life."

Jennifer rolled her eyes as she heard Shienna's explanation. That wasn't bothering her now, but how her best friend would live with a sociopathic man who she couldn't guess what else he would do in the future.

"There's no way I'm staying with my married best friend. What if you need privacy later, hm?"

"Don't talk nonsense, J! Bryan and I didn't get married out of love, so there's no way he and I will have sex like a normal husband and wife. That means I'll be living here alone."

Jennifer took a sip of the drink in her hand, then returned her attention to Shienna. "She, I don't want you to be confined like this. Maybe for the first few days, you'll be fine, but what about the next few years."

"I won't stay with him that long. Only until this baby is born."

"Then you'll give up your baby to him? Are you sure?"

At such a question, Shienna suddenly froze. Her gaze was blank, as if she was imagining and asking herself if she was sure of her stupid decision.

"Think about it again. I don't mind not working with you. After all, there is still Jonathan, who will use my services as his assistant like before. The problem is you. What about you?"

Shienna shook her head weakly and sighed. "I don't know either, J. I don't know what I've done. If I could turn back the time, I wish I didn't have to come to Palmerston to meet and sleep with Bryan. Now it's too late, and I can only go on, even though so many things make me wonder about him."

"What are they?"

"Did you see his demeanor? It's so cold and as if he has no feelings for me. I thought Bryan still had a grudge and hated me. But why did he defend my good name in front of the reporters? Why not just let me bear it all myself?"

"Probably because he doesn't want your bad name to affect his business. After all, Bryan can use your fame for his gain. So be careful."

Shienna nodded, trusting the words of Jennifer, who had been her best friend since they were both still wearing diapers. Jennifer was like a big sister to Shienna, especially after she and Zanara, her twin sister, got into trouble that led to misunderstandings and made Zanara leave home—Shienna no longer has anyone to share her life with other than Jennifer.

"Oh, yes. I've packed the instruments and everything you need to practice so you don't get bored. Maybe they will come tomorrow. I just wanted to ensure you were comfortable with your new life not being the same as before." Jennifer rubbed Shienna's sad-looking arm. "If you had agreed to accept Jonathan's love, it might not have turned out this way."

"Oh, stop it, J! Let me live with this. One thing's for sure: I don't want to trouble you anymore. And please, come visit more often."

***

Shienna had just finished her shower when she found Bryan already in her penthouse, sitting on the couch watching television. It was only five o'clock, and Bryan should still be busy with work, as she had always seen in the news that this man was a workaholic. But why was he already relaxing and wearing casual clothes?

"What are you doing here? You're not working?" asked Shienna, pouring some juice into a glass and taking a sip.

"I deliberately finished early because this afternoon, the maid and personal bodyguard I hired will arrive."

"Are you serious about this?"

"Of course. You've also dismissed those bodyguards with your assistance, right? So, we have to hire a new one so you will be safe in this house."

"Urgh! Those things again? You should remember, I told you that I—"

DING DONG!

Bryan scrambled to his feet at the sound of the door. He invited the three women in and sat down in the chairs he had set up just as an employer would with a prospective employee applying for a job.

Seeing that, Shienna just watched from where she was with her arms crossed. She wanted to know how Bryan recruited employees to work at his place. In this case, to serve Shienna, his beloved wife.

Shienna knew Bryan wasn't doing this because he loved her and wanted the best for her. The best things, maybe. But love? She doesn't think so.

"How long have you been working in security?" Bryan asked one of the women, who was sturdy and taller than the others.

Shienna guessed that she would be her bodyguard.

'How clever this bastard is. He hires a female bodyguard when he works with hundreds of women and a few as his assistants in the office. What a psycho!' Shienna muttered to herself. She then snorted sarcastically.

"Approximately five years, sir. Before that, I worked in the defense field as a bodyguard for several officials."

"Very well. I'll see how your probationary period goes. One month, is that enough?"

She nodded, and Bryan handed her a letter to sign. Next, it was the turn of two other women who would also be on probation to be cooks, and one would be an assistant to Shienna.

"Because of the cleaning, we already have a dedicated employee, so you'll be handling the food for Shienna, my wife. You must know her very well. She has a special taste, so you must follow what she likes."

'What does he mean by saying that? Although it's true, I like special things, but he doesn't need to say all that in front of prospective employees!' Shienna muttered again.

"And you, you will be her assistant. Everything she wants, you must provide. You have to arrive before my wife wakes up because you have to prepare vitamins and make sure the food served is always healthy. Then, the clothes she will wear, you have to make sure they are neat and make her comfortable and confident. For sure, everything related to her, you will take care of."

The other two women nodded and signed the contract in front of them.

"I have reserved a room for you outside the penthouse. You must know the room next to the elevator. That's your place."

'Hah! That's great! He has even set aside a special place for the servants. Is he always that nice? It must be just an image! You bastard!'

"In that case, good luck. You can start work tomorrow morning. Please go and get your belongings and start organizing everything in your new place."

The three women finally left the penthouse, leaving only Shienna and Bryan in the room. Shienna rolled her eyes at the man who had become her husband and was about to leave.

"Problem solved. From now on, you are safe and have everything. Don't even consider returning to showbiz as long as you're my wife. I can fulfill anything you want without you having to work hard."

Shienna turned and took a step to erase the distance between herself and Bryan. She stared intently at the pair of his gray irises.

"Do you think you can impress me with that attitude? Not at all, Bryan Sanders. I'm sick of it because you've made me lose everything I love! There's no way I will put up with your power-mad behavior. So that you know, I've prepared everything because I'm sure I won't be willing to put up with you after the baby is born."

Bryan grinned wryly as he listened to Shienna's sentence after sentence, which sounded like a bedtime story. He grabbed her, held her wrists, and pinned her against the wall so she couldn't move and resist or break free.

"Really? I wonder, are you going to leave me when that time comes? Or is it the other way around, hoping that I won't leave you—as payback for the pain you gave me back then? We'll see."