The Day I Stopped Being the Nice Wife - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Taking a deep breath, Jane sank into the plush car seat as Caleb slid in beside her. The engine hadn't even started yet when he noticed her fidgeting.
"You okay? You look tense," Caleb observed, but Jane just stared at her lap.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," she stammered, avoiding eye contact.
"Relax. We just need to sell the married couple act and stick to the plan."
"About that..." Jane hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I don't want to be introduced as your wife."
Caleb blinked. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah, I just... I don't want special treatment," she said, wiping her sweaty palms on her purple jumpsuit.
"Why?"
"It's just..." She nibbled her lower lip. "I want to stand on my own first. For people to know me as Jane, not just 'the boss's wife.'"
Caleb nodded, already scrolling through his tablet. "Fair enough. We'll take it slow." The conversation ended there as Jane turned to the window, her thoughts drifting to her ex-husband.
The sleek car pulled up to the towering skyscraper. Security swarmed the vehicle before it fully stopped, three guards opening doors, another whisking away Caleb's tablet as a chorus of "Mr. Lockwood" greetings filled the air. Caleb barely acknowledged them, straightening his suit as he marched toward the entrance.
Jane gaped as twelve stone-faced men in identical black suits and sunglasses formed a human corridor for Caleb. Nobody even glanced her way until she had to jog to catch up. The entourage halted at the private elevator, where the sudden silence between her and Caleb felt heavier than the descending car.
She studied his profile, the sharp jawline, the way he stared straight ahead like a statue. How did one man command this much power?
"Shall we?" His voice startled her as the doors opened.
"Mr. Lockwood!" His assistant Emily practically bowed while relieving him of his briefcase. They passed through what looked like a luxury apartment masquerading as an office suite.
"Coffee, sir?" Emily asked.
"Not today," Caleb said, already buried in paperwork.
Jane marveled at the panoramic city views while Emily listed off schedules and contracts needing signatures. The assistant turned to leave when Caleb dropped the bomb:
"Emily, this is Jane Roberts. She'll be my new assistant starting today. Train her thoroughly. Dismissed."
Emily froze. Three years of loyal service, replaced without warning? Her glare could've melted steel as it swung toward Jane.
"Anything else?" Caleb's cool tone snapped her back.
"N-no, Mr. Lockwood," Emily choked out.
"I said dismissed. Start her training now."
"Miss Roberts," Emily spat, "let's begin with the tour."
The elevator ride was torture, just the hum of machinery and Emily's stony silence. Jane cleared her throat.
"Hi, I'm Jane Rob—"
"I know who you are," Emily snapped. The doors opened to the software development floor, and Jane nearly tripped trying to match Emily's furious pace.
For hours, Emily rattled off departments and protocols like a malfunctioning robot. When Jane dared ask a question:
"Good, now to research." Emily spun on her heel.
"Slow down!" Jane's voice echoed through the hallway. "I can't walk in these heels!"
Emily stalked back, towering over her. "Maybe you should've considered that before sleeping your way into my job."
Jane's mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"
"Spare me the act, Jessica—"
"It's Jane!"
"—we all know nobody this clueless gets hired without bending over the CEO's desk."
Jane's face burned as nearby employees whispered. Emily finally "ended" the training with: "His cappuccino's at 9 AM sharp. Try not to forget that between orgasms."
Left stranded, Jane wished the floor would swallow her whole.
"Need help?" A guy with emerald-green eyes offered his hand. "Brian Lawson."
"Jane Roberts," she said, shaking it. "And yes, I'm completely lost."
Brian chuckled until noticing Emily's death stare. "Whoa. What'd you do to upset the dragon?"
"I... kinda took her job?"
His eyebrows shot up. "You're Caleb Lockwood's new assistant?" After a skeptical once-over, he shrugged. "Well, she's been here forever. Can't blame her for being salty."
When Jane admitted she couldn't find her way back, Brian winked. "Then you've got yourself a guide."
Her first genuine smile vanished when Xavier Lockwood materialized like a nightmare.
Brian instantly transformed into a terrified statue. "G-good day, Mr. Lockwood!"
Xavier's gaze flicked between them. "And what exactly is happening here?"
"He's giving me a tour," Jane said brightly, oblivious to Brian sweating bullets.
Xavier's lips twitched. "How... cozy." His lingering presence made Brian nearly jump out of his skin when they resumed walking.
Meanwhile, Xavier strolled into Caleb's office like he owned it. "Lovely decor."
Caleb barely glanced up from the files he'd just scrambled to cover. "Make an appointment next time."
"Enjoying playing CEO?" Xavier mused, watching Caleb's forehead glisten with sweat. When met with silence, he continued: "Interesting that Jane's just another employee now. Not the wifely treatment I expected."
"Her choice," Caleb clipped.
Xavier paused at the door. "Funny thing... I don't think your wife is who you believe she is."
Caleb's pen froze. "Explain."
"Another time, nephew." Xavier smirked. "You seem... busy."