I shuddered as a surge of fear crept into my heart. Wrapping my arms tightly around Michael, I then murmured helplessly, “You’re the only person by my side now. The only one…” I feared that he would treat me just like how my parents did. I was in great fear—fearful of being given up by everyone else, just like my parents.
I could feel Michael’s body tremble upon hearing my words. Instantaneously, he embraced me tightly, sending ripples of warmth that seemed to ease the uneasiness in my heart.
“I will get this matter resolved.” Even if I was not sure what he was referring to, the firmness in his tone managed to calm me down in an instant. Apart from that, my confidence was boosted in a way.
With him beside me, I did not feel like I was abandoned and all alone.
Burying my face in Michael’s chest, I blurted out everything deep down in my heart all this while. “Michael, do you know that I have been leading a hectic life throughout these years? I’m both physically and emotionally exhausted. Apart from working hard every day, there seem to be endless issues at home for me to attend to. Life has been really stressful for me. I’m just yearning for a simple life that is less stressful. Is that considered wishful thinking that I shouldn’t have?”
I only had a simple wish. Apart from the love and care from my parents, I wished to lead a peaceful and happy life with my family. Nevertheless, it was like a dream which was impossible to be fulfilled.
“Anna, pull yourself together!” Michael furrowed his brows as he snapped at me. Besides empathy, there were flickers of rage in his eyes.
“Do you think I still have the right to ask for more?” I smiled bitterly. Even though it was just a simple wish, I could not even assure if it would become a reality. Thus, I always reminded myself not to build castles in the air.
“You’re worthy of something even better!” Michael commented domineeringly as he looked at me firmly.
At that, my heart skipped a beat. I was utterly touched at his words. After all, Natalie used to be the only one by my side all this while whenever I was down.
That night, I never let go of Michael as I cried my heart out to vent my anger and distress. Surprisingly, he was also unusually patient with me and did not push me away in exasperation. As my tears trickled down my cheeks profusely, I drifted off into sleep.
I woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache. Aside from that, I was feeling uncomfortable all over.
Massaging my temples, my mind was a complete blank. When I came to my senses again, I racked my brain, trying to recall what happened the previous night. But because I was probably too drunk, I could hardly remember anything.
“Well, well… You finally woke up. I thought you would sleep till this afternoon.” Michael’s mocking tone sounded abruptly from the side of the window.
I turned in the direction of his voice. To my surprise, he was standing in front of the window, gazing at me. As he had his back to the sunlight, I could not really make out his expression from his silhouette.
“W-Why are you still here? Are you not going to the office?” I looked at him and stammered sheepishly.
“Have you forgotten how drunk you were last night? You hugged me and cried for hours till midnight. As a result, my entire body is aching now. Yet, right now, you still have the heart to urge me to go to work?” He raised his brows and strode toward me.
I hugged him last night and cried for hours? Really?
I tried hard to recall what had actually happened the night before. Hmm… it seems that he’s right…
I can’t believe that I had cried and wailed in front of Michael last night! My disheveled appearance must’ve scared him! Ugh… What an embarrassment!
Meanwhile, Michael fixed his gaze on my face without uttering any words. Pin-drop silence ensued in the room, resulting in a tense atmosphere. Eventually, I mustered up my courage to break the silence and apologize to him awkwardly, “Um… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
“I’ll settle the issue with Emma!” Michael paused and enunciated, “Live your own life! You don’t have to put yourself in a tight spot because of anyone, not even your parents!”
He seldom talked to me about my family, and I understood that he was motivating me in a way. Deep down, I was grateful to him for his great concern.
“Michael, thank you.” I looked into his eyes to express my sincerest gratitude. To me, he had undoubtedly kept me a companion during my loneliest and most helpless moments. I was thankful to him for everything. Even if I knew that I must try to be strong, I really loved the moment when he tried to protect me. That was when I could feel his great concern for me.
Michael looked awkward when I thanked him sincerely. He shifted his gaze away from me as if he was trying to conceal his awkwardness. “Have a good rest today since it’s Saturday. I need to go out to take care of something.” After that, he strode out of the bedroom without hesitation.
I had no idea what Michael was occupied with on a Saturday. Anyway, I did not have any right to question him on that. Since I was still having a hangover headache, I grabbed the opportunity to get some sleep and relax.
By the time I woke up again, it was already in the afternoon. I was awakened by the ringtone of my phone.
I whipped out my phone beneath my pillow instantly. My brows knitted when I noticed that it was a call from my mom. I was pretty sure she was giving me the call to pester me into leaving Michael again.
Without hesitation, I hung up the phone. I had had enough the night before and was not in the mood to hear any of her pestering words.
Nonetheless, she was persistent this round. Not long after I hung up, my phone rang again. To my dismay, it was her again.
I grimaced in frustration as I did not feel like entertaining her. Even so, I was aware that it would only make things worse if I refused to answer her call. She might head straight to my office to confront me later. By then, the relationship between Michael and me would be revealed in broad daylight.
The moment I answered the call, my mom’s bellow of anger sounded from the other end of the line.
“Anna, how dare you hung up my call earlier. Do you still have any respect for me? Are you trying to give me a stroke?”
My temples started to throb because of my mom’s high-pitched tone again. Thus, I had to bring the phone further away from my ear. Even if I could foresee her demeanor toward me after what happened yesterday, I could not resist but feel depressed and frustrated.
“Mom, I’m busy at the moment. If you make this call just to lash out at me, I’ll hang up now.” Still enraged with what happened the night before, I answered coldly and was about to hang up.
“What have you done? The woman named Emma has suddenly changed her mind. Anna, our one million is gone because of you! Damn it!” Before I could hang up, my mom lambasted again in utter exasperation.
I was too dumbfounded to speak. Has Emma really change her mind? Was Michael behind all this?
He was apparently the only person who could let Emma change her mind. Again, I was touched by what the man had done for me. When I was in deep waters, he came to my rescue again and had the issue resolved.
“I didn’t do anything, and I have no idea about it.” I placed the phone back to my ear and answered coldly.
