Chapter 4

　　Edna returns to her office very exhausted with every joint in her body crying for a soft bed to lay on.

　　The press conference has just been concluded and she is glad that it has, but she has just gotten news that she will be traveling to Korea with Malik.

　　She is wondering why she was told about this early, but she is used to it already.

　　Her father-in-law makes the decisions for her and she is to bend her head and carry them out without complaining. This time around, she is feeling very different about this one.

　　She picks up her pen and looks at the inscription on the pen. Writing in gold and slated in design.

　　Jackson is what is written on the pen, the name of this mighty empire.

　　She has made great sacrifices for this name, but all it has brought her is pain and regret. Right from the time she was in high school and to endure the hate Keith had for her because she was his key opponent. Such irony that she is now married to the one person that hated her so much.

　　She slams the pen against the table and lets out a long exhale. She needs to speak to her father-in-law.

　　She doesn't want to travel to Korea with Malik. She feels terribly uncomfortable around him. She feels that since his brother hates her so much, he will definitely feel the same way.

　　This is the first time, but she is willing to speak to her father-in-law to change his mind and send someone else.

　　She knows that a lot of the workers are crushing on him so it would be a dream come true for them to travel with him, not her.

　　It's embarrassing that she had a crush on him during their high school days and now she cringes whenever the thought comes to her head. She can't imagine spending weeks with him, she would rather take the risk to beg her father-in-law to change his mind.

　　She pulls closer to her table and picks up the phone and dials her father-in-law's number. It rings a few times and he doesn't pick up.

　　Normally, she would have let him be, but this is a desperate situation. For all she knows he might be ordering booking of hotels, and expensive jewelry are being bought and that would only make it harder for her to drop out of the trip.

　　She redials his number and taps her finger on the table, praying that he picks up soon. He does pick up and for a slight minute, her heart skips a beat.

　　"Edna, I am in a minute. " His deep voice sounds very unimpressed.

　　"I know sir, just wanted to let you know that I need to speak to you about something very quickly. " She explains.

　　He is silent on the other end of the phone for some time. She bites her lip, anticipating his reply. She won't want him to say no.

　　"Okay. " He finally answers. " I think I can give you a few minutes of my time."

　　"Thank you, sir. " She says in relief and he ends the call.

　　She knows that it is too quick to be relieved now. Only when he approves for her to skip the trip, only then will she be truly happy.

　　******

　　"No. " He tells her in finality.

　　Her pedicured nails dig deeper into her palm as she tries not to overreact. She can probably change his mind.

　　He isn't even looking at her, he is looking at the laptop in front of him.

　　Edna swallows a hard gulp and keeps her head up.

　　"Sir. " She hopes her voice is polite. " Please don't send me there. "

　　"Why not?" He asks without looking up. " You work for me and I have the authority to send you anywhere I so desire. "

　　That's right, he reminds her that he owns her and it leaves a huge hole in her heart again. She hates it when he throws it in her face like that, but there is nothing that she can do about it.

　　" Sir, please. " She begs. " I am having my time of the month and I don't function well during times like this. "

　　She bites the soft skin on the inside of her lips. She is lying to him, but she desperately needs him to agree to her staying back.

　　" That's not an excuse and you know it. " He snorts. " Seeing your menstruation isn't an illness and definitely not worth cutting a trip for. "

　　Her heart falls as she hears him say this. He is standing strong on his ground and there is nothing that she can do to change his mind.

　　She wishes there is something else she can tell him that will make him change his mind, but knowing her father-in-law, she knows that this is the end of it.

　　He tears his eyes away from his laptop and sees her misty eyes, but he doesn't care.

　　"An email will be sent to you with details of the trip. " He informs her. " I guess you go back home and have enough rest for tomorrow. You may go. "

　　She stands up and leaves the officer dejected. She doesn't even know what she bothered trying.