Chapt. 11 - A Troublesome

"I told you, you'll have a hard time because of me. But you'll miss the times we spent together when I'm gone." –Jiji–

***

The exhausting photo shoot was over, and while in the brightly lit room, Mike kept frowning and didn't hesitate to sigh in annoyance or raise his voice when things didn't go his way.

Angie’s entire body felt limp, hoping that all of this would end soon and she could live her life as a normal human being without any anxiety or fear due to the influence of this family.

Over time, her presence had become merely an accessory, and Mike still felt as though he were alone in the apartment, just as he had during his college days—free and unrestrained. However, everything felt different every time Angie left the room, and just hearing her footsteps made Mike’s heart feel like it had stopped beating.

What was wrong with him? He had never been this tense around a woman. But why did he feel so unsettled in his sanity for this girl, whom he found unattractive?

What should he do every time he crossed paths with her?

Angie always started the conversation, which Mike found unimportant to respond to. Still, slowly it became like a new color for him, someone who had never been much of a talker or communicator, especially with the opposite sex.

No one must know about the changes that happened to him, or else his authority would crumble, and everyone would eventually question his true self from before, before he made that chatty girl his wife.

Mike shook his head vigorously, trying to push away the thoughts of Angie that were beginning to bother him, covering his head with a pillow and trying to sleep, but he couldn’t, because the sun had risen, and a loud knock was heard at the door.

“Will you take me to work?” Angie asked, receiving no response from inside. “Alright. I’ll go on my own. If anyone asks, I’ll say the crown prince of the Genosie family is lazy. He’ll sleep until noon and only inherit his parents’ wealth without any initiative to work.”

Mike hurriedly got up, opened the door, and blocked Angie’s path with a fierce glare that seemed ready to devour the girl whole.

Angie didn’t flinch. In her hand, she still held a glass, which she would smash into the man’s head as self-defense if Mike dared to do anything.

Mike sighed heavily, glaring at Angie, who was smiling annoyingly. He grabbed the glass from her hand and took a sip.

“Wait here. I’ll get ready, and don’t dare spread any rumors about me. Do you hear me?”

Angie nodded obediently and smiled even wider as she watched Mike’s back with the corner of her eye until he disappeared behind the door, which soon reappeared with him dressed neatly and ready to take her wherever she wanted.

***

Vivian smiled contentedly at the large frame in the main room. One family photo that was so beautiful to her made her tears fall. However, her face immediately scowled when she saw another photo where Angie and Mike were posing alone together.

“You naughty child! What’s so hard about following your mother’s request? You are always testing my patience.” Vivian snorted, then displayed the photo where Angie and Mike hugged and looked into each other’s eyes.

"The photo has been sent, apparently," commented a middle-aged man who immediately hugged Vivian's waist and kissed her head.

"Um... they finished it quickly at my request. I've been putting off this moment too long because of what happened to you." Vivian turned her head and stroked the man's stomach.

“Don’t be too hard on Mike in front of Angie. I noticed the girl’s face turns pale whenever she’s around you. She’s just a gentle girl who chose the wrong husband,” the man said, staring at the large photo before him.

Both of them laughed.

“I’m just being firm with Mike. Not scolding Angie. But you’re right. She is so scared that I feel sorry for her. I think I need to do something to lighten the mood. We don’t want our daughter-in-law to misunderstand us.”

“You’re right. So, what’s your plan for them?”

“Them? Oh, no, honey. I have no business with your troublesome son. My business is only with our beautiful and petite daughter-in-law. How about we take her on a vacation? Oh, or shopping? Women love shopping, right?”

“No need to do that! I’ll take her shopping,” a young man interjected. He appeared at the doorway and hugged his father. How are you, Dad? Are you feeling much better?”

The father said he felt much better, and that was partly because of Angie’s presence in their family. Mike just gave a lazy expression. He started to feel jealous because his parents were starting to love that chatty girl.

“Where’s your wife?” Not seeing Angie with Mike, Zack asked. He was worried that Mike had left Angie alone in the apartment while he went out to have fun.

“She’s at work. I just dropped her off and stopped by briefly to check on you guys before heading to the office.” Mike’s eyes immediately fell on a photo hanging on the wall.

There he was, holding Angie’s waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They were gazing at each other.

Mike's eyes widened. He didn't remember ever looking at Angie that intimately. It felt like never before. However, the picture made his blood rush.

"Take that photo down, Mom. I don't like it!" he said, trying to remove the frame from the wall, which drew criticism from his mother.

“If you dare to take it down, I’ll make sure your hands come off your body. I’m serious, Mike! Don’t you dare ruin my happiness!”

His mother’s threat stopped Mike’s intentions, and he stepped back. His father merely gestured for him to give in and let his mother do as she pleased.

Meanwhile, his phone rang just a few minutes after Mike’s resistance. He answered immediately, and Angie’s voice came through.

“Mike, it’s urgent! Can you come here right now?”

“What’s wrong now?” Mike replied, sounding bored.

“I can’t say it here! Just come quickly. I’ll wait, and don’t be late, or the whole office will be covered in blood!”

“What? What do you mean? Hey, Angie!” There was no response because Angie had hung up abruptly, leaving Mike panicking and rushing out without saying goodbye.

He couldn’t believe it—why had marrying Angie become such a hassle for him?