Chapter 485 A Jealous Michael
“Anna, I didn’t realize before, that you’re so considerate of Nicholas. Now, you are speaking up for him.” Michael continued pursuing the matter, keeping up with my footsteps and speaking in a jealous tone.
I halted my steps and frowned at him with displeasure. “Michael, today is our child’s birthday. Are you trying to pick a fight with me?” From the moment Nicholas showed up, Michael started acting weird spewing words filled with jealousy.
Although I could feel that he cared about me, to be honest, I found his persistence rather annoying. The reason was that we had so many guests and I had much to attend to.
“You are the one trying to pick a fight with me over Nicholas. Just now when you saw him arriving, you were so enthusiastic.”
Michael towered over me as he glared into my eyes. There was annoyance burning in his eyes and I could see that he was really angry.
He was apparently a very possessive man. I sighed, not knowing how to explain it to him. I was only being polite to Nicholas, so there was no reason for him to get so upset. There was nothing going on between us.
“I’ve already explained to you that I was just being polite. I had not expected him to come. Will you please stop harping on that? If you go on being so unreasonable, I’m really going to get angry.”
With displeasure, I gazed at Michael as I noticed many of the guests looking in our direction. Even Nicholas was giving us a strange look.
I believe Nicholas had already guessed that his showing up today would annoy Michael and he had come intentionally to upset him.
I wanted to give Michael a severe ticking-off but not in public. It would not be nice if rumors went around that we were having marital problems. Furthermore, Nicholas had his own agenda for turning up today, so it was necessary for Michael and I to appear lovey-dovey.
“Just watch out! I’ll take care of you tonight!”
Michael was smarter than me. He would have known whatever I know. He glared at me and then secretly pinched me on the waist.
By all appearances, our mannerisms were those of a very loving couple. I saw clearly, a look of disappointment flash across Nicholas’ face while Michael threw at him a triumphant glance.
I knew that Michael was deliberately showing off in front of Nicholas and I was dumbfounded. He always presented himself as a mature and stable man, so that childish behavior was quite a surprise to me. Nevertheless, I liked it when he acted so jealous.
The birthday party was very grand, but it was also very boring. Most of the guests were partners in the business world who wanted to get along well with the Shaw family. Although I did not want my child’s birthday party to be a business venture, among the wealthy, an event like that was considered normal, so I had no complaints.
The banquet lasted for a long time, and when it was over, my face was numb from all the smiles. All the time, I had to deal with all kinds of people as well.
As most of the guests had left, I stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, preparing to leave. Just then, a Mercedes-Benz stopped right in front of me and the windscreen lowered slowly, revealing Nicholas’ handsome face.
“Anna, the party ended. Let’s talk.” Nicholas’ gaze rested on my face and he spoke plainly.
Our relationship was something that I felt uncomfortable about, so I felt rather resentful and did not like to have too much to do with him. Besides, we were no longer colleagues, one taking orders from the other.
The most important reason was that Michael was a suspicious character and if he knew that Nicholas and I were together, he would feel jealous.
“I’m exhausted. Besides, I don’t think we have anything to talk about. After all, I’m just a stay-at-home housewife.”
The only topic that I could discuss with Nicholas was business. Now that I was jobless, naturally, there was nothing to talk about. Moreover, he and Michael were in a competitive relationship in the business arena. If he wanted to get some useful information from me to have a competitive edge, I would not help him.
By right, since Michael was my husband, I should be taking his side. At that point, by not taking sides, I was already being kind to Nicholas.
“We have known each other for a long time. Can’t we talk about something else other than work? Don’t you consider me as a friend?”
When he heard what I had to say, a look of sadness crept across Nicholas’ handsome face and he gazed at me with disappointment in his eyes.
I did not know why but I felt sad for him. To be truthful, throughout this whole year, he had been very kind to me. He was a fine man but there was no chemistry between us, and so I did not contact him much.
My eyes met with his and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. At that instant, I felt a hand on my waist. Michael was right behind me.
“Mr. Cadman, after attending my son’s birthday gathering, you still want to spend time alone with my woman. Don’t you think you should ask for my opinion?”
Nicholas was gazing at me with hope in his eyes but when he saw Michael, his countenance fell.
Every time they encountered one another, inadvertently their hackles were raised. I had, by now, became accustomed to their present condition. What they say about rivals was indeed true.
Today was Amaury’s birthday so I didn’t want anything unpleasant to happen. On days like that, I really want to feel happier than usual.
“Mr. Shaw, Anna and I are friends, to say the least. Is it wrong for friends to catch up? Don’t you think you are being unreasonable?”
Nicholas responded stiffly to Michael’s remark. He glared back at Michael without backing down.
“I have always been unreasonable and my woman does not need to have a friend like you. I am man enough for her needs!”
Michael snorted and put his arms around me a little tighter. His body was stiff, and I could feel his anger.
