The Unattractive Wife

The office buzzed with the usual chatter. Then our manager, Mrs. Taylor, walked in with a rather plain-looking girl.

Listen up, ladies, this is Jane Smith. Shell be joining your team, taking over for Tom, whos just been promoted. I think youll work well together, Mrs. Taylor said before leaving the room.

Jane sat down at Toms old desk, placed a stylish mug on the table, and set out a small framed photo of a man. Without hesitation, she got stuck into her work as if shed been at our firm for years.

As soon as the lunch bell went, everyone stood up almost in unison and headed off for the business lunch, except for Caroline, who was burning with curiosity about the man in Jane’s photo.

From the frame, a handsome man with a dazzling smile and a perfect set of teeth gazed back at her.

I wonder who that is? Caroline thought. A model, perhaps? Or a singer? She quickly took a sly photo on her phone and joined the others for lunch. The girls sat at one table, all ears for the new arrival.

We met three years ago, under the strangest circumstances. You wont believe it, Jane began.

Go on, tell us more! the girls pressed eagerly.

Her mind traveled back three years. At the time, she was working for a big company either the driver or she had made a mistake, and the wrong goods had been sent to her future husbands firm. Jane was sent to sort the mess out.

Jane was clever and an experienced negotiator, though her plain looks and lack of makeup fooled people. A proper grey mouse, as some might say. But once the meeting began, she transformed. She wrapped people around her finger gentle but unyielding, always achieving her aim.

Her manager knew this and sent her along. At the reception, the girl there said, Room 312 Mr. James Carter.

Jane went in without knocking and introduced herself. Hello, Im Jane. The delivery went wrong, our logistics messed up.

She explained the situation calmly. James listened, his eyes wide, struggling to believe it.

Shes the one! he thought, recalling her from a dream ages ago.

Her auburn hair shimmered faintly, and her green eyes met his honestly and openly as she talked. Her voice was steady and even.

Jane braced herself for the usual negotiation, but James suddenly said, Lets not file a complaint. I trust this wont happen again.

She stood and thanked him. Two days later, as she left work late, James was waiting outside.

Jane! he called, waving. We met the other day.

Good evening, James, of course I remember, she replied coolly.

Ive got two tickets to the theatre tonight. Would you keep me company? My mother isnt well, he fibbed.

All right, she smiled. Whens the show?

In two hours theres plenty of time if you want to change. I can give you a lift.

Crafty move, Jane thought, but she agreed.

He waited by her block of flats. When she appeared, he almost didnt recognize her Jane in a sleek black dress, heels showing off her figure, subtle evening makeup.

He sat beside her at the theatre, sneaking glances, realising she knew her stuff and had clearly read the play before.

Afterwards, he invited her for dinner, but Jane declined politely, saying she had tough negotiations tomorrow. James drove her home and said goodnight. By the end of the week, they were meeting up properly.

Two months on, James waited for her outside after work as usual.

Mum would love to meet you would you mind?

Ive been looking forward to it, Jane replied.

His mother welcomed them warmly. They drank tea with crab-apple jam and apricot pie, and Jane chatted easily with Mrs. Carter, sharing her grandmothers jam recipe, her fathers story hed died during an experiment and about her mother who taught history at school.

James drove Jane home.

Mum really liked you; Im so pleased.

From then, they started seeing each other near daily. A year later, they got married.

Jane paused. None of us spoke. We all envied her, even if we wouldnt admit it. Caroline couldnt help but wonder, What did he see in her, that drab little thing? Im beautiful, long-legged, the life of the party, and all I get are men who chase me for a week and turn out married.

The afternoon bell sounded. We all headed back to the office. Caroline whispered to Emma, Look, thats her husband! Dyou believe it? Shes making it all up. Someone like him wouldnt be interested in her.

That evening, when we were leaving work, Jane walked out and a car beeped. A man got out.

Jane, Im over here, he called.

It was the same man from the photo.

Can it really be him? Caroline wondered. Why not me? After all, Im prettier.

We all watched them drive away, lost in our own thoughts.

You watch couples like that and always ask yourself: what did he find in her? Perhaps he found exactly what he was searching for. Not every man is drawn by beauty alone. Sure, they flirt and all that, but when it comes to choosing a wife, they look elsewhere. Why is that? Perhaps thats something only they can answer.

Im left thinking theres more to love than meets the eye, and sometimes, character and warmth matter more than looks.