My Husband had a First Love Who Challenged Me Every Day

Every morning, my first thought was to give myself a pep talk.

After crying myself to sleep over yesterday’s $500 deduction, I woke up today, on my weekend off, feeling like I was back in prehistoric times.

Mason: [Are you there?]

Mason, this better be important!

[Yes, boss, I’m here!]

Mason: [Sending you a file. Get it done and send it back to me in an hour.]

[Boss, it’s my day off...]

Mason: [Want another $500 deduction?]”

[Got it!]

I was not even upset. This was just what I deserved.

So what if I just pulled an unpaid shift and got nothing in return? That’s life with Mason for you.

I spent the entire morning crying while working, but I finally managed to finish the task and clicked “send.”

Not even three minutes later, Mason was calling me on video.

Seriously? Was this necessary?

Should I reject? Can I reject?

Mason texted: [Don’t you dare reject.]

Trembling, I gave in and accepted the call.

“I just wanted to check if your eyes were crusted over with sleep. What’s this half-baked proposal you sent me?”

I was on the verge of a breakdown. What was this? Tears welled up in my eyes despite myself.

“What, are you crying? Is that all the resilience you’ve got?”

Was he fed gunpowder for breakfast? What’s his deal today?

“No.”

“Then keep working on it until it’s right.” With that, he hung up.

I was speechless.

If he calls me again, I swear I’ll start crying for real.

Even though I’m mentally tough, Mason really knew how to test my limits.

I spent the entire afternoon redoing everything. There went my weekend.

Mason, we’re mortal enemies now.

“Ding, ding!”

Another video call? Seriously?

I angrily rubbed my eyes, even forced out a couple of tears for good measure.

When Mason opened the call, I wanted him to see how much I’d “suffered.”

“You got dolled up at home? Looking pretty sharp.”

Excuse me? You blind?

“No, boss.”

“Have you been crying?”

Finally, some delayed awareness.

I stayed quiet, kept my head down, and let my shoulders shake a little. In reality, I was laughing off-camera. Bet you didn’t expect that!

Wait, why’s it so quiet now? Feeling guilty, are we? Wouldn’t be surprised!

“Boss? Boss, are you still there? Boss?”

“You trying to summon my spirit or something?”

“No, no, I didn’t mean it like that! Don’t start with that!”

“Since you’ve been working so hard today, I’ll give you a raise.”

Wait, what? I’ve only been at this new company a few days. Promotion and now a raise? Sure, we’ve known each other for two years, but nobody else here knows that.

“That’s not necessary. People might get the wrong idea.”

People can insult you all they want, but it’s me they’ll actually blame, and I can’t take that.

“What kind of idea?” Was he smirking?

“That I’m, like, your wicked stepmother or something. I can’t handle that reputation!”

At this point, I was full of sass, and my boss seemed to enjoy it.

Finally, he hung up, and I was free.

After an exhausting day, I finally had some time to myself.

But for what, huh? What’s the point?

What could I even do with these few remaining hours?

All I knew was that I was completely frustrated, and pissed.

...

It was 1:30 AM.

I must’ve been sick. No matter how I lay, I couldn’t sleep.

I grabbed a thermometer. Oh great, 102 degrees.

Definitely sick.

Half-conscious, I picked up my phone and sent Mason a message.

“Boss, I’m sick. Requesting time off. Please approve.”

I even snapped a pic of the thermometer for proof and sent it along.

No response. Dead silence.

I must’ve been delirious, because I sent him another message.

“Why aren’t you replying? What, got your arm pinned down or something?”

I didn’t remember much after that, just falling asleep mid-complaint.

I made a mistake.

I was woken up by my phone ringing. When I opened my eyes, I saw 23 missed calls – all from Mason.

I answered, and the voice on the other side was dripping with sarcasm.

“Did a ghost pick up the phone for you, or are your ears just full of cotton? How did you miss all those calls?

“If you’re mad at me, just say it. Don’t go dying at home and leave me to take responsibility!”

I get that you’re stressed, but calm down first.

“Boss, I’m sick and need time off.” I made my voice sound extra weak, hoping to appeal to what little humanity he had left.

Please, I’m a patient right now!

Mason went quiet. His conscience must’ve kicked in.

“Have you gone to the hospital?”

“Not yet.” I was waiting for you to approve my leave.

“Where do you live?”

“I live at… Wow, thanks, boss, you’re even picking me up? I’m so touched. You can just send a driver, that’ll do!”

“...Wait there.”

Mason hung up.

I rolled out of bed immediately and even managed to make myself look a little paler for good measure.

After waiting at the curb for a bit, a Range Rover pulled up.

The window rolled down, and there was Mason’s smug face.

“Get in.”

“Oh, okay!”