Chapt. 13 - Fired!

"What is love? I don't know it at all—um, what is love? Is it what I'm feeling right now?" –Mike–

***

Mike looked at the jacket tied around Angie's waist, which was meant to cover her skirt that she said had been stained. Even his gray jacket had turned brown in some places.

Having never experienced such a situation and unsure of what to do, Mike tried to understand that Angie must be uncomfortable, as all eyes would be on her if she continued wearing the jacket stained with blood.

Mike removed his coat, draping it over Angie’s body instead of tying it around her waist. Hanging over Angie’s shoulders, the jacket covered her body down to her thighs, so the focus wasn’t solely on the lower part, avoiding drawing too much attention.

“I don’t know what you need, so we’ll go in together,” Mike said as they arrived at a nearby convenience store near the office. “Take whatever you need to feel comfortable afterward.”

Angie suddenly forgot who she had come with, not caring that Mike had to wait quite a while until she finished “making sure she was comfortable”—as Mike put it—she quickly grabbed several packs of sanitary pads, shower gel, perfume, and underwear.

Meanwhile, Mike, feeling a few pairs of eyes watching him, reluctantly followed Angie’s footsteps, which were like a jet engine to him. She disappeared just as quickly and moved to another row of shelves.

Angie was about to head to the cashier when her steps stopped. A sturdy figure was standing in her way, forcing her to look up to see who was in front of her.

The man looked around for someone who might be accompanying Angie. His gaze fell on the large coat covering her body, from her shoulders to her thighs—he was sure it wasn’t Angie’s.

“Are you here alone?” he asked.

“Jordan? What are you doing here?” Angie asked without answering the man’s question.

“I was looking for you. A marketing department employee said you were in the restroom for a long time. So, I assumed you were dealing with your monthly issues,” Jordan said, causing Angie’s cheeks to flush.

Her heart warmed, as Jordan was still the same—often giving her the attention she never received from other men. It was no wonder she had been drawn to the man who had been her senior since college and now at work.

“Um… that’s it. But I think I’ve gotten everything I need.” Angie lifted the shopping basket in her hand, showing it to the man in front of her.

Jordan nodded in understanding without saying a word. Indeed, Angie had never asked anyone for help, not even him, because they didn’t have a special relationship. However, whether Angie realized it or not, he was always there when she was in trouble.

“Are you done?” Mike asked, interrupting the intense conversation between Angie and Jordan by standing between them. He looked at the man from head to toe.

“Who is this man?” Mike asked again, though he already knew who Jordan was. He just wanted to see his wife’s expression and response.

“He’s one of the senior employees at the company where I work,” Angie answered awkwardly. She knew her cheeks were probably red now. She never felt at ease whenever she was near Jordan. The man, without even trying, always managed to make her feel uneasy.

Even now, Angie’s knees were shaking uncontrollably.

There was something she wanted to ask Jordan about the incident that night at the Glory Club. Unfortunately, Mike’s presence made the plan that had quickly formed in Angie’s mind vanish like smoke.

Mike quickly finished the payment, then took Angie’s hand after glancing at Jordan and flashing a thin smile as a sign of satisfaction over his victory over the man.

Angie didn’t understand why Mike had done what he just did. What mattered to her was that one problem was now resolved.

***

Angie kept scratching her neck awkwardly, as all eyes were on her at that moment. Since returning, everyone in the building seemed to be focusing their attention on her.

She didn't know what had happened while she was in the women's changing room, or perhaps before that—when Mike first arrived there—that had made her the center of attention like a star.

On top of that, there were several paper bags now sitting on the table and filling up her cubicle, making Angie even more confused about where to put all the stuff.

Mike was already insane and getting crazier today. In just half an hour, he had already spent millions of dollars, even more, just to fill Angie's closet in their new house.

The problem was, why was he sending everything to the office? Who was he trying to impress, really?

What a pain!

“I don’t need this, Mike. I only need one outfit. That’s it,” Angie said at the time, refusing when Mike took her to a family-owned clothing store.

“You’re the wife of a billionaire, the wife of the heir to a major organization and company—you shouldn’t be wearing clothes like that. Ripped jeans? Come on, Angie! You’re making all my ancestors ashamed.”

“I became a daughter-in-law just to live longer, Mike, don’t forget that! I’m done with this and I don’t want to accept the poorly made clothes you bought. Give them to your mistress or whoever likes wearing lingerie like that!”

Angie had tried and succeeded in refusing at the location. However, upon returning from the restroom, she was startled by several bodyguards entering the office carrying all the packages along with a disgusting message from the scoundrel who is now her husband.

[All these clothes are perfect for you, dear. Don’t forget to wear one of them on our first night together.

Love you always.

Mike]

“Eww! Disgusting!” Angie muttered angrily, but her cheeks still turned red. She then realized and glanced around the room where pairs of eyes were focused on her, accompanied by whispers that made her furious.

She could imagine Mike now smirking on his handsome face, which made Angie want to tear him apart.

“How dare she ignore Mike. A Mike Genosie submitting to a girl like her? Are you kidding me?” said one of the employees who was overheard by Angie.

“I can’t believe it either. Even hundreds of women who approached him were always rejected by Mike.” Another chimed in. “How could a girl like Angie—? It’s hard to believe.”

Angie stood up and hurried away, unable to bear hearing any more gossip. A few months after her marriage to Mike, everything had become so difficult. Today was the worst of all, and she was starting to lose her patience.

Just a few steps toward the exit of the cubicle room, someone approached her with a smirk that felt like a nightmare to her.

“It’s surprising to see you still working after marrying the crown prince of Genosie,” the woman mocked, folding her arms across her chest.

“This is all your fault, Tatiana. If you hadn’t trapped me–“

“Are you sure I trapped you? You wanted it yourself, didn’t you? You should thank me. This way, you can lighten the burden on your brother and mother. You’re the young lady of Genosie now. The world is at your fingertips.”

Angie could do nothing but clench her fists. If she hadn’t remembered how close she and Tatiana had once been, she might have been fighting with her on the ground right now.

“Oh, I almost forgot. The boss is calling for you. Don’t keep him waiting.”

Not wanting to waste time with a friend who would now become her sworn enemy, Angie hurried off to meet her superior as Tatiana had said.

Upon arriving in the room, Tatiana was already there, sitting not far from the middle-aged, heavyset man. There were many things Angie wanted to ask the girl, but she held back due to her boss’s words.

“I know what happened between you and Mike Genosie, Miss Reviera,” the man said. “I’ve already said there will be no exceptions for any reason.”

“I’m sorry, sir. What do you mean?”

“You’re still asking?” Tatiana interjected with a sarcastic smile on her beautiful face. The stocky man stroked Tatiana’s arm, who gave him a mischievous smile, then turned back to Angie.

“Pack your things and starting tomorrow, you are no longer needed in this company.”