Chapt. 14 - Penalty

“First, I saved your life from a friend who was going to sell you to a pimp. Second, I avenged you against your boss, who mistreated you. Third, things like that—helping you—will happen often from now on. Isn’t that enough for you to be a little grateful to me?” –Mike–

***

Angie couldn’t forget her boss’s words and Tatiana’s gaze, which seemed to relish her failure. The boss’s decision wasn’t a joke. Angie had packed up all her belongings from her cubicle, which meant she had to find another company willing to hire her so her studies wouldn’t be delayed.

Besides financial issues, her coursework was the reason Angie worked at Fallsette Design, a renowned design firm in Eastonville. Everyone hoped to pass the selection process, and besides Tatiana, Angie was one of the lucky students who got accepted there. However, everything ended tragically, and she didn’t know why.

“This must be because of her marriage to Mike Genosie. According to what I heard, the company’s owner is a rival of the Genosie family,” said one of the employees, whispering, as Angie was packing her things.

Another employee had a different opinion.

“The boss must have been charmed by Tatiana, so he listens to everything she says.”

“Aren’t Tatiana and Angie friends? How is that possible?”

“I don’t know. I heard that Mike married Angie because of Tatiana’s actions.”

“So, Angie doesn’t love Mike? A man as handsome and powerful as Mike? Really?”

... and many more opinions and rumors were circulating. Angie couldn’t even call them rumors because they were spoken right in front of her, making her the topic of conversation.

“Angie, open the door!” Mike’s voice startled Angie, who was lost in thoughts that made her sick. Recalling Tatiana’s face, the friend she once cherished but who had betrayed her, made her hate herself.

Angie remained motionless, ignoring her husband’s repeated calls. She didn’t want to see anyone today. She did not need to get up early; after all, Mike had hired several servants to handle everything. She also didn’t need to dress up beautifully, as she had no obligation to please that man’s eyes.

“Angie! Aren’t you supposed to work today?” the man asked again. When did Mike start caring about her? “You’ll make me late for work if you keep stalling like this.”

“Just go.”

Angie’s brief response made Mike furrow his brows. He didn’t really care, but since they got married, this was the first time his wife wasn’t enthusiastic about going to work, even locking herself in the room and sending him away. Though she had just had a tough day yesterday and might be in a bad mood due to her monthly cycle, it still felt odd for her to act this way.

“Alright, whatever. I don’t want to know why you’re acting like this either,” Mike said, turning to leave. However, not receiving a response from his wife made him hesitate and stop in his tracks. “Damn it! Why should I care about her? Forget it.”

Mike had already started heading to the office, while Angie began to move out of the room to enjoy the breakfast on the table without much appetite. She ate a little, returned to the room, locked the door, and buried herself under the blankets.

She wasn’t the type of woman who cried easily, especially regarding her own problems. Angie was sure that every problem had a solution. Except for her marriage to Mike, she had already accepted that.

[Honey, are you okay?]

Angie’s phone buzzed, and a message appeared at the top of the screen, which she read immediately. Why was her mother-in-law suddenly asking, as if she knew what she was feeling now?

Angie quickly dialed the number, and a warm greeting came from the other end.

“How are you, Ma? I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to visit. Mike and I have been busy with work. Maybe we’ll come this weekend,” Angie said, feeling a bit awkward. She realized that the busyness of the past few days had made her and Mike seem to forget about her in-laws.

She hadn’t even had time to go home to visit her mother and brother.

“It’s okay, dear. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Is there a problem at the office? Mike mentioned it yesterday.”

Ah... so that's how it is? Her mother-in-law asked about the news because of the story she heard from Mike. She didn't know what kind of embellishment he added to it, but it was clear that Vivian was now worried about it.

“It’s just a small issue, Ma. Everything’s fine because Mike came at the right time to help me.” Angie recounted Mike’s heroic act with a matter-of-fact tone, but Vivian felt differently. Hearing her daughter-in-law’s account, her face lit up, and she was sure that Mike truly loved Angie with all his heart.

***

The room felt tense as the man they never expected to return to that place now stood arrogantly, one hand in his pants pocket, while the other held a cigarette he smoked leisurely, unconcerned about the air conditioner running.

One employee asked him to wait, while others pretended to be busy with their work, though their ears actively listened to anything happening there.

Even though it was in the boss’s office, the gossip-loving employees would easily get the scoop from one of them who was most skilled at finding information from reliable sources.

“How long do I have to wait for your boss to come, huh? I want to meet the company owner. Do you hear me? Not that fat guy from yesterday,” the tattooed man said impatiently.

“Pardon me, Sir. Can I ask why you want to meet the company owner?”

“Are you guys so stupid you don’t know my purpose? Of course, it’s for business. Hurry up and bring that guy out, or I’ll tear this place apart!” One threat sent several employees scattering and trying to find their boss, who had deliberately hidden himself, moments after learning of Mike’s arrival.

However, Mike wouldn’t be Mike if he couldn’t find a rat, even in an ant hole. He was even known as the man with the shadow protectors—the invisible guards hiding in every corner, ready at a moment’s notice whenever he needed them, including tracking down a single person anywhere in the world.

Proof of this came shortly afterward when a man dressed all in black arrived with the heavyset man he had met the previous day, handing the man over to Mike. The man immediately bowed down and kissed Mike’s feet.

“Please, Mr. Genosie. Don’t do anything to me. I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said, clinging to Mike’s feet, which he quickly moved away, causing the man to stumble.

“If you didn’t do anything wrong, why are you so afraid?” Mike turned to his subordinate. “Why did you bring him here? I don’t want him. Don’t you understand what I mean?!”

Mike’s subordinate bowed his head in apology.

“A-are you here to terminate our partnership with this company because of yesterday’s incident?” The heavyset man spoke again, unconcerned with Mike and his subordinate’s affairs.

“Hmm... I think you don’t know my character well enough. I’m not the person who mixes personal issues with business.” Mike smirked, especially when he saw the relieved expression on the man’s face. “However... my visit this time is to discuss another issue that I believe is related to you.”

The heavyset man furrowed his brow, not immediately understanding Mike’s words. Some employees stopped what they were doing to listen carefully to what would be discussed this time.

Since Angie no longer worked at the company, Mike’s visit should be limited to the project.

“How about in my office?” The man stood up and gestured for Mike to enter a room, but Mike merely raised his hand, still wearing a blank expression that left no one present able to gauge his current mood.

Mike was a temperamental man, as they all knew.

“Tell me, what punishment do you want for firing my wife?”

Instantly, dozens of eyes widened, including those of the heavyset man and another person listening from a hidden spot. They hadn’t expected the issue with Angie to remain unresolved and would continue until Mike was satisfied. That was certain.

“I-I can bring her back to work here if you want, sir.” The man began to tremble. Sweat was dripping from his forehead, and he wiped it away carelessly.

Mike shook his finger. “No, no... I no longer need that,” he said. “Penalty—that’s what I want. Pay now, or I’ll tell your family about your actions behind their backs, today.”