I don't know how it happened.
One second I was just trying to open the company calendar app, standing awkwardly beside by white boss Andrew's towering frame as he scrolled through something on the big touchscreen. The next second--bam--my chubby Asian fingers slipped, and my phone screen lit up bright and full, for both of us to see.
A photo. The photo. It filled the screen with color and warmth--my favorite vacation memory, taken on a sun-drenched beach in Phuket last spring. My wife, Yujin, stood barefoot in the sand, her petite frame wrapped in a soft pink bikini that clung sweetly to her curves, her long silky hair tossed slightly by the sea breeze. Her delicate smile, shy yet radiant, was everything I loved about her. Beside her, her younger sister Suri flashed a bolder grin, her electric blue string bikini more daring, her pose more teasing--one leg bent slightly, one hand on her hip, sunglasses propped up in her long black hair. Together they looked like something out of a music video: effortless, feminine, stunning.
I scrambled to lock my phone, cheeks flushing hot. But Andrew had already seen.
He let out a low whistle, crossing his thick arms over his chest. "Damn," he muttered, the corners of his lips curling into a cocky smirk. "That your wife on the left?"
I nodded slowly, dreading the turn this was taking. He leaned down slightly, eyes still on the image as if savoring it.
"She's gorgeous, man. And that little sister of hers? They look just like some slutty Asian pornstars haha!" He let out a short laugh. "Whew. How'd a nerdy guy like you end up with someone like that?"
I swallowed hard, managing a nervous chuckle. "Uh, we met in college. She... she liked how I made her laugh."
Andrew nodded thoughtfully, still eyeing me sideways, like he was trying to figure me out. Then he asked it, just loud enough to make me wish the floor would open beneath me.
"So... what's the passion like, huh?" He nudged me playfully with his elbow. "That girl looks like she could burn a guy alive with those eyes. She probably takes lots of strength to please in bed."
I froze. Then I said it.
"I--I mean, she's great. Just... y'know, we've always been close, but not in that way. Not really. Even our wedding night was... quiet."
He blinked. "Wait, nothing happened?"
I shook my head, biting my lip. There was a pause.
Andrew grinned wide. "Man, you really are something else," he said, with that annoying alpha drawl of his. "A girl like that, and no fire? Not even once? I guess it is true what they say that Asian guys always finish last."
I looked away. My ears were burning. He slapped my back like we were old friends. "You should bring her by sometime. I'd love to meet the sexy Yujin alone in person."
And with that, he turned back to the screen like it was nothing. But I knew the conversation wasn't over. Not really.
I was still trying to act like nothing happened, fumbling with my phone, when I noticed Andrew's eyes flicker--like he'd just had a revelation. His smirk deepened, and before I could even guess what he was thinking, he reached out and took my phone right out of my hands.
"Hey--" I started, but his look silenced me. That lazy grin. That confidence. That weird, charming arrogance. He didn't ask. He just started swiping on my phone!
"Cute wife," he said casually, scrolling through my gallery like it was his own. "Cute sister, too. What are their names again?"
I mumbled them. My palms were sweating now.
Then he did something I never saw coming. He flicked to my contacts and opened her name--my wife's. I watched in slow motion as his thumbs started flying over the screen. Messaging her. Pretending to be me.
"Hey babe. Boss Andrew just told me about this amazing BnB cabin deep in the woods. He and I are gonna check it out first and then send a taxi to pick you up. Bring your sister too--it'll be fun. I think it'll be good for us. I also gave your number to Andrew. Be nice, yeah? He's super cool. I'm hoping this might help with a promotion 😅 Love you ❤️"
He pressed send. I was frozen. Then he looked at me, tossed the phone back like it was a joke between bros, and chuckled. I smiled nervously, watching Andrew laugh at his own joke -- one I barely understood. He clapped me on the back like an old friend.
"You trust me, right?" he said, his voice low, friendly.
"Of course," I said quickly. "You're... kind of like a mentor."
He grinned wider. "Then don't worry about a thing."
And I didn't. Not when he asked to borrow my phone. Not when he sent the taxi. I thought he was helping us reconnect.
"Relax," he said, his voice low but amused. "You said it yourself--no passion, right? This'll help her get that back. Trust me, man. I'm your boss. I know what I'm doing."
He winked.I sat there, my stomach twisted into a knot, unsure whether to scream, cry... or say thank you.
The message from my husband popped up just as I was folding laundry.
"Hey babe. Boss Andrew just told me about this amazing BnB cabin deep in the woods..."
I read it twice, then again. I tilted my head, squinting at the part about Andrew. He had found the cabin? He was sending a taxi? And my husband had given him my number? I bit my lip.
I remembered Andrew from the last time I visited the office--when I brought that homemade bento box and the boys all laughed at how "cute and oriental" it was. But Andrew didn't laugh. He just looked at me. That look--kind of like a predator, kind of slow, like he was imagining things I didn't quite wanted to dare to dream about.
Tall. Broad shoulders. His shirt too tight for those muscles. And his voice--deep, confident, a little too relaxed. I always had a thing for white guys with blue eyes. I didn't forget him. I smiled to myself, fingers hovering over my phone.
"Oh... this is unexpected," Yujin thought, reading the message.
Her sister peeked over her shoulder.
"Looks like your husband and his boss have something special planned," Suri teased.
Yujin bit her lip. "He never plans things like this... but if his boss helped him, maybe it's a nice surprise?"
Yujin: "This sounds... interesting 😳 That cabin idea is kind of romantic. Your boss seems like fun. You two already there?"
Husband: "We will go there soon." She stared at the screen. She felt flattered. Confused. Excited.
And she replied, politely: "Okay! I will bring my sister. Thank you, honey!"
Not even two minutes later, another message came--this time from a number I didn't recognize. No profile picture. Then the name popped up: Andrew.
Andrew: "Hey Yujin. Just wanted to let you know I've prepared a little surprise for your husband. A delivery is on the way to you--couple of outfits I picked out myself. Hope you don't mind daring. Wear something wild when the taxi picks you up 😉 See you at the cabin."
My heart jumped. I didn't reply. I just stared at the screen. Daring outfits? Picked by Andrew? Before I could overthink it, I switched over to my sister's chat. She always knew what to say.
Yujin: "Hey. This is going to sound crazy but... hubby's boss wants us to go to some BnB in the woods. He's already there with him. And he sent clothes for us to wear. Like... sexy clothes. What even is this??"
Suri's reply came instantly.
Suri: "OMG finally your life is getting interesting 😍 And this is the hot boss you told me about? Girl. Say YES. Tell him we'll come and tell him we're bringing some Chinese liquor. You need this. We need this. I've got heels that'll melt the snow."
I sighed. But I was smiling now. She added another message with a gif of two girls popping champagne in slow motion.
Suri: "Seriously. Let's party. Your hubby wants to impress his boss and wants to use you? Let's make him see what we really are 😏"
I glanced at the clock. Three hours, huh? I stood up, heartbeat quickening, and walked to the door--just as the buzzer rang. The package had arrived.
The Chinese husband:
I should've known something was off when the car dropped us at the edge of a frozen lake and Andrew clapped a heavy hand on my back.
"Alright, rice worker. You get the kitchen hut," he said cheerfully, nodding toward a tiny wooden structure across the narrow lake. "We'll take the main cabin. It's better this way--more space, more privacy. You're gonna make us food tonight, dimsum chef."
He was already grinning before I could speak. I nodded like I understood. My bag was still slung awkwardly over one shoulder, but he didn't wait. Just turned and walked toward the large, modern cabin nestled between tall pine trees, the windows glowing golden in the fading light.
So, I did what I was told. The hut was... rustic. More like a toolshed with a stove. No insulation. One bed, barely wide enough for me, and a bunch of cast iron pans. Andrew had delivered groceries on the counter--steaks, scallops, fresh greens, expensive wine.
"Cook something impressive," the note read. I rolled up my sleeves.
An hour passed. Then two. Smoke clung to my sweater. My forehead was slick. My back ached. But I was almost done--food on large platters set, wine breathing, last scallop sizzling--when I heard the crunch of tires on gravel outside. I stepped out into the cold and froze. The taxi door opened, and there she was.