Chapt. 12 - Nightmare

"Stop now, or you'll have me stuck to you like chewing gum. I should be your nightmare, Ji. Not the other way around." –Mike–

***

With obvious irritation on his stern face, Mike quickly walked toward Angie's office. Without saying much, a man in a neat suit approached him, accompanied by the stares of others directed at the tall, sturdy man.

“What brings you here, Mr. Genosie?” he asked, almost stuttering, but clearly trying not to look afraid. After all, he was the boss there. It was unbecoming of him to appear weak and afraid in front of a subordinate like Mike.

Of course, a subordinate—Mike hadn’t become a leader anywhere yet. Even though he was the crown prince who would one day have everything—even the heads of the business owners who had collaborated with The Black Venom.

“Where is my wife?” Mike answered the chubby man’s question with a counterquestion.

“Wife?”

Hearing the portly man turn the question back on him, Mike gave him a sarcastic glance. “Don’t tell me you don’t know the Genosie family’s daughter-in-law. Angelica Reviera. Where is she?”

“May I ask what the problem is?”

Mike grabbed the man’s jacket collar impatiently. “Do you have to ask?”

Yes, for some people. They knew dealing with the young master Genosie was never pleasant. So, in his opinion, Angie might be hiding because a few days after the wedding, she started feeling like she was in hell.

Unfortunately, the man’s attempt to be a hero to protect Angie ended up causing problems for himself.

The screams of other employees filled the cubicle-filled room as Mike pulled out his favorite weapon and pointed it at the man still in his grip.

“Tell me where she is, or–” The ringing of a phone from his coat pocket successfully made Mike stop. He released the man and immediately answered the call, which he believed must be important, though he eventually regretted that thought.

“Are you causing trouble? Why didn’t you call me if you’d already arrived?” a girl’s voice grumbled from the other end.

“Where are you?”

“You should’ve asked that earlier instead of scaring all the office staff. Do you realize your behavior could get me fired?” she scolded again, making Mike’s face grow even more sour.

“You don't need to work here. How much penalty would you have to pay if you terminated the contract? Staying at home would be safer for you,” Mike replied, glancing around the room, staring at every face there. He then sneered when he saw the sycophantic expressions on every face he encountered. “Where are you now, Angie? Don’t waste my time, because every minute you’ve wasted is worth thousands of dollars.”

“I’m in the bathroom,” Angie replied with a smirk.

“The bathroom? I thought you were in trouble. Tsk!”

“I am in trouble. You should come here. I don’t feel comfortable talking on the phone. Hurry up!”

Angie ended the call abruptly without saying goodbye. Mike sighed irritably, then hurried off as his wife had requested—a task far more troublesome than dealing with his clients.

Meanwhile, Mike’s departure left the others speechless. This was the first time they had seen Mike Genosie in person, the man who was always the talk of the town. He was charming, dominant, the kind of man who could make women willing to cross their legs at his hips.

However, there was something else that made the employees’ gaze toward Mike feel odd. It was Angie, an ordinary girl who didn’t even stand out among the other employees, who had managed to fluster the heir to the Genosie business empire. Clearly, this would be an interesting topic of conversation for them during their breaktime later.

***

“What are you doing in there? Let me in.” Mike had been banging on the bathroom door repeatedly, but Angie, who was inside, was at a loss for words on how to explain the problem she was facing this time.

For her, it felt awkward to ask a man for help with something like this.

“Mike... um... I don’t know how to say this. But don’t get mad, okay? I don’t know who else to ask for help. I think you’re the right person, so I really hope you can help me.”

Hearing Angie, who seemed so dependent on him, a faint smile appeared on Mike’s face. Yes, to him, he was indeed amazing. All this time, everyone had looked up to him—a skilled fighter in the arena, a shooting champion since high school, mastering martial arts, and a woman’s idol, even though he always acted indifferent toward them.

Nevertheless, despite having everything, he had felt empty for so long. That was why he always acted cold toward women.

Unexpectedly, the emptiness he had felt all this time had a reason. Angie was the one who made him realize it today—he didn’t need a strong woman like his mother, but someone who was always spoiled and constantly relied on him until he felt valuable in someone’s eyes.

“You’ve been wasting my time since earlier. Hurry up and say it now, or I’ll break down the door and force you to come home, rather than bothering me like this!”

Mike didn’t hear an answer but footsteps approaching the door.

Ah, screw the embarrassment! Angie thought to herself. After all, even though they’d never had physical contact, they were already husband and wife now.

“Mike... I didn’t know why I felt unwell earlier, but after checking, it turns out...” Mike waited for Angie to finish her sentence. However, Angie kept shifting her stance, feeling uncomfortable.

“Mike, you won’t get angry if I ask for your help with this, will you?” Angie asked again, to make sure the man wouldn’t throw her into the sea or shoot her head if she asked for such embarrassing help.

“Angie, do you know I’ve been waiting since earlier? Why are you constantly testing my patience? Get out now, or I’ll force my way in, even if you’re naked!” Mike clenched his jaw, feeling annoyed, frustrated, and confused, wondering why he had become so unlucky after marrying Angie. Stupidly, he had unconsciously responded to every one of the girl’s antics act with patience, just like this time.

When he got home, he would visit the Genosie family’s personal doctor to check his blood pressure, making sure he was still healthy despite marrying a woman who tested his patience like Angie.

“Mike, but if you object, you can just leave. I’ll ask for help from–“

BRAKK!!!

The door burst open—the hinges snapped at the top—while Mike, with an expression that defied description, stood staring blankly at his fully clothed wife, but with a jacket tied around her waist.

“You’ve pushed me to the limit. Let’s go home now!” Mike grabbed Angie’s wrist, but the girl remained still, resisting Mike’s more forceful invitation.

“Mike, Mike, wait, please. I’m embarrassed to go out like this, Mike. Please, stop for a moment!”

They had reached the threshold of the bathroom door, and Mike stopped, turning to look at Angie’s pale face. However, he was certain she wasn’t scared or hungry. The food provided by the staff was more than enough, and she had already eaten a large portion this morning.

Struggling to contain the emotions nearly bursting through his skull, Mike took a deep breath and exhaled roughly, then put on the calmest expression possible so his little wife wouldn’t be scared anymore and would finally say what had been occupying her mind all this time.

“Mike, I’m on my period and need your help to buy something I need. My skirt is stained, as are my underwear. Everything. I also need to take a shower because if I don’t–“

“Goodness! Is that all? Ask your boss for permission, then come with me. Stat!”