Love Like Roses, Hurt Like Thorns

I couldn't sleep, so I stirred up some cold noodles and came to Kellan's office. When I opened the door, I caught Kellan biting his lower lip and staring intently on the screen, with a creepy smile. He quickly shut the laptop and turned to me.

"I smell something yummy." He sang. I passed the bowl to him and sat on the couch beside.

We both got a notification at the same time when I checked Zara Lenning's post. I raised an eyebrow.

"I can explain." He spoke before I even opened my mouth.

Before I retired to be a housewife, I was the face of the company. Brand Ambassador. Now the title is held by his new PA.

"No need for an explanation. She's prettier. I got uglier." I said flatly. Kellan glided down to sit in front of my knees.

"That's not true, Astrid. You're still as beautiful as you were. If not, the glow is shining even better now." He tried to coax me. But I nodded my head and left. I knew he was speaking out of obligation.

I had a genetic condition, the only gift given by my deadbeat father: Beta Thalassemia.

Despite my chronic episodes of fatigue, I accepted to be the brand ambassador and rose to fame with Kellan's influence. Now that the title has been changed, social media has exploded with many different comments.

-SOMEONE NEW COULD NEVER REPLACE THE BEAUTY QUEEN ASTRID.

WHAT IS SHE EVEN DOING HERE? NO MASS!

ARE WE TRUSTING PLASTICS TO SELL OUR LANDS AND BUY THEM NOW? I'M QUITTING THIS JOB MAN. -

The last comment had a lot of likes. I secretly chuckled at them. Some supported her while some weren't kind about the change. While the rest remained quiet and opinionless.

However, there was a set of personal dramas going on in the chatroom for the company fan club.

QueenDS: What is your problem? You think she slept with the boss to get it?

FingerLi: That's right! Finally got it in your head!

QueenDS: You're a twisted little cuck

FingerLi: You'll regret what you said one day knowing I'm right.

Then a third person entered the chat...

Greengoo: What if I say...boss Kellan likes change?

The third person singlehandedly silenced the chaotic group chat. I kept staring at the message however.

Is that true? Did Kellan just crave some much needed change and tossed me to the side for that?

Then I looked into the company group chat as I was still admin.

KimD: Boss the change is bad.

HanaJ: I don't know what to say

MillerMay: The situation is well out of hands. There's more negative than encouragement boss

I smirked at the messages. There was a mile long messages more with Kellan and Zara arguing with the media and everyone else.

When I walked out of the room to get some water, I heard Kellan speaking to someone. Not on the phone.

I stopped myself there. The other voice was Zara's. How did she walk in without ringing the doorbell?

"I told you I didn't want to do this! You never listen! Now my sweet wife is being dragged into your mess too." I raised an eyebrow at Kellan's raised voice. People didn't speak bad about me just yet. What are they talking about?

"I know. I'm sorry, okay!? I can't revert and I want what i want! You needed that change! She's grown stale!" It was Zara who spoke. My head was boggled. Were they talking about the relationship or being ambassador?

Anyway, I felt too dizzy to stand up and rushed back to my room. I needed a health shot which I injected on my arm and went to sleep.

The next morning, Kellan was busy on a phone call, barking.

"I told you deliberately not to put it out in the front suddenly. It's all your fault! Didn't you care to make a better headline?" He shouted and I jumped my eyebrows. Kellan is just displacing his anger on others.

Suddenly, I felt dizzy and tried to heave out Kellan's name. Before I could, I fell to the ground and couldn't even utter a word.

"Astrid!" Knowing how high risk of a pregnancy I had, Kellan immediately rushed me to the hospital, barefoot.

We were photographed by paparazzi in front of the hospital. Our news turned big quickly.

HanK GROUP'S LEADER'S WIFE COLLAPSED AND BROUGHT TO CITY CENTRAL HOSPITAL? DID THE NEWS HIT THE PAST BRAND AMBASSADOR THAT HARD? ANOTHER REASON FOR NOT ACCEPTING CHANGE, FOLKS.

I turned to Kellan as the news channel flashed. I woke up three hours later.

"I don't care what they say." Kellan said and looked at his lap, he smiled. I knew I couldn't change his mind. He never listened.

Immediately after I woke up, someone barged in and collected Kellan away from me. It was Zara Lenning.

It was evident where they were going. I had to follow them. Discharging myself moments after they left, I found them walking to a cheap motel, faces hidden.

My stomach churned uncomfortably.

The look in their eyes spoke everything I needed to know.