Chapt. 15 - Aquiver

“What’s happening to me? Before, even though I was weak, I was never this helpless. In front of you, I become so longing.” –Jiji–

***

Mike was about to get the compensation he wanted for the actions of the man who was known to be the director of the company. However, another man came and ruined Mike’s dream of victory—for himself, of course, not for Angie.

“What’s going on here?” asked a young man who looked a lot like Mike—tall, muscular, with tattoos hidden under his long-sleeved shirt. “Is there a serious problem, that all the employees are focusing their attention on the two of you?”

Mike turned his head lazily. A cynical smirk curled at the corner of his lips as he realized who had foiled the one-sided transaction he was attempting—coercion, more accurately.

“You again. Will you also show up if Angie gets into trouble, heh?” Mike sneered, his mocking gaze clearly directed at the man who seemed to be the center of the universe in Angelica Reviera’s world.

“I don’t understand what you mean, Man. Just say it clearly. Don’t involve someone who isn’t here.”

“Yes, of course she’s not here, because this man fired her.”

The man’s expression changed instantly. However, Mike couldn’t quite grasp what he was thinking upon hearing that Angie had been dismissed in such a disrespectful manner. Did he know that one of Angie’s colleagues was also involved in the incident?

Unfortunately, Mike hadn’t yet found out about the bastard who had instigated the fat man. After this, he would make sure to settle the score with that woman.

“What does this mean, Mr. Genosie?” the young man asked, turning to the fat man. “Mr. Anderson? Can you explain it to me?”

The overweight man trembled instantly as the young man in front of him focused his attention, hoping for an immediate answer. He was just an ordinary employee, as everyone knew, but why did the overweight man seem to be under him, as if submitting to the man?

“If you don’t answer, I’ll contact Mr. Fall and report everything to him,” the young man threatened, causing the stocky man to kneel once again. Mike looked at him with disgust. How many times had that man pulled the same stunt?

“Jordan, please don’t say anything to him. I still want to work here. You know, my son has just started college, and I need a lot of money.”

“Tell that to the woman who’s been your mistress, Mr. Director. Or should I call you the fake director? You must be paid handsomely to replace the real director of this company who’s in hiding, even though no one knows why he’s doing that.” Mike smirked again and turned to Jordan, who merely adjusted his glasses. “Alright. I think this is getting boring. Send the compensation I requested to my company account, and I won’t make any more issues.”

He turned and walked away without paying attention to the two people who then entered a room.

Mike got into the car and ordered the driver to start the vehicle, while the bodyguard who had been waiting in the front seat handed him a file.

“This is information about the woman who has been the fake director’s mistress and incited him to fire Miss Angie, Sir.”

Mike raised his hand as the bodyguard was about to explain further. He needed time and calm to review the information for himself.

His eyes narrowed as a photo appeared, and his memory returned to the night he first met Angie.

“That woman... of course. Why didn’t I suspect it at all? But what was her purpose in doing that, and what benefit did she gain by getting rid of Angie?”

***

Mike arrived at the apartment and found no one in the main room, only emptiness that made him feel no different from when he was still alone.

What exactly was he expecting? Was it a house filled with Angie’s cheerful laughter, which he had already made clear was nothing more than a means to an end for him? Did he expect Angie to greet him with a sweet kiss that would lead to the bedroom, followed by a romantic dinner together like any typical newlywed couple?

Just a dream, Mike knew that. He didn’t want such a disgusting fantasy, which was actually a nightmare for him.

He walked toward Angie’s room. The light was still off—from morning until evening. It seemed she had been inside the whole time. Really!?

Mike started to get impatient and knocked hard on Angie's bedroom door to forced her out.

“Angie, open the door! How long are you going to lock yourself in?” Mike snapped, having knocked and even banged on the door repeatedly to get Angie to get out of bed and let him in. But an hour had passed, and nothing had happened.

He began to think the worst. If his wife had done something reckless and killed herself, then he wouldn't get anything he had planned for. It was actually easy to find another woman, but Angie was a very good weapon to soften her parents' hearts for now.

She must not die.

BRAKK!!!

Mike burst through the door and saw Angie looking terrifying with smudged mascara on her face, along with the lipstick she was wearing, and don’t forget her long, wavy hair that seemed to be puffing out, making Mike almost jump because he thought she was a ghost or something.

“Jeez! What happened to you?” Mike approached the bed slowly where Angie remained motionless, ignoring his presence. “Hey! Are you okay? Don’t go crazy yet, because our mission hasn’t succeeded.”

Mike rock Angie’s body, but still no reaction.

“Come on, don’t scare me. What’s really going on with you? Is it because of work? Or because you can’t stand being my wife anymore?” Mike burst into laughter echoing throughout the room, causing Angie to glance at him silently, sending chills down his spine. “Don’t look at me like that. You look like a ghost, you know?”

Angie stared at Mike with tearful eyes. Soon, she began to sob, followed by a loud cry that pierced Mike’s ears.

She didn’t look like the one he’d known over the past few weeks—or months; he couldn’t remember exactly, as time had flown by without them noticing. He’d never seen Angie cry like this before, like a child who’d lost her favorite doll.

What should Mike do now? Should he hug her?

BIG NO!

Mike had never been so attentive, caring, or even affectionate toward any woman, let alone this whiny girl, who was completely unattractive to him. So what should he do?

Would threatening her with a gun make her stop?

“How long are you going to keep this up?” Mike pulled Angie to her feet and led her to the vanity so she could look at herself in the mirror. “Look at your face. What do you think it looks like?”

Angie didn’t respond but continued to vent the emotions she had been holding back since yesterday. She didn’t understand why Mike’s presence made her feel so weak. She turned around and faced the man staring skeptically at her. Spontaneously, Angie rested her forehead against Mike’s chest.

Just the tip of her forehead, and she continued to sob without uttering a single word. However, it succeeded in shaking Mike’s deepest emotions, which had always rebelled whenever he was near a woman—why were his heart and feelings so cheap this time? He easily melted, submitted, and obeyed someone like Angie.

Don’t forget, this wasn’t the first time his heart had fallen, humbled, and surrendered to that girl. It had happened countless times before, and still, Mike couldn’t resist every time it happened again.

Stupid! He was truly stupid! He was crazy, and no matter how many times he cursed himself, the truth was clear.

Mike must be crazy!