2. An anger

"Hey, no way! If it's true that he used magic, they would surely tell the world about the big day. They won't hide the marriage, you know? In fact, they never looked to be with each other to date. He still works here as a cleaning worker. If he's the son-in-law of this company owner, he won't work from nine to five at the pantry. He would have been sitting in the boss' room enjoying his new position as a manager or direct—"

"How could he possibly occupy that position? What can he do with the job? Meeting, analyzing and decision making… ah, just to be a normal employee like us, he won't be able to. How could he understand how to make a report?" the operational staff interrupted.

Drake was an orphan and needy, had been working for the company for three years. Before the marriage happened, he was only an unconsidered lowly worker and didn't have a close relationship with any of them. He didn't know who and how the news was disclosed at the office. However, he had to keep it on mom's words.

Drake was still holding on, trying to break free. The scars on his palm were becoming more painful and blood was flowing to other areas. No one passed by in that corridor, as it was not an important route.

"Say it!" the HRD staff snapped.

"If you keep quiet, that means you confirm the rumor that you're Diana's husband!" the finance staff added.

Drake was in a dilemma, between to save his life by telling the truth, then new matters awaited in days to come; or being lied to avoid the Johnsons cruel demeanor but the men would never let him go. What should he decide? They seemed like a starved lion and inhumane.

"No, you're all wrong. I'm not their son-in-law," Drake finally spoke, then made a pleading sound. "Ugh… please, let go of my hand!"

Since he married Abraham's daughter, he had a bad life and lived like hell. It was based on a bet and attracted him into drama and troubles.

To preserve her pride after losing a bet to her college's friends, Diana had to meet her promise to marry a man from a poor background.

"How do you make us sure?" the operational staff asked.

"How come a rich girl like her married me? I'm nothing. Trust me," Drake growled.

"Make sense! But, if it's false, why do people talk about you and her?" the HRD officer asked.

Drake shook his head. "I don't know."

***

Three months after getting married, Drake and Diana didn't stay as a husband and wife like any other spouse out there. Diana purposely unpublished her marriage and treated Drake badly.

Drake stayed in that mansion just as a symbol of his mother, and he even slept in a bedroom special for maids and lived like a housekeeper. Drake never thought to be disrespected by the Johnsons, the company owner where he worked for.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'm alright here. Maybe I'm gonna come home for dinner on the weekend."

"Take Diana with you, too. I wanna meet my daughter-in-law."

"Yes, I'll take her if she doesn't have a schedule on that day."

"Is she that busy?"

"Yes, she is, lately. I still wanna talk to you, Mom, but I gotta take a rest. I'll call you again tomorrow, I promise. Goodnight, Mom."

Drake hung up the phone after making a conversation for about ten minutes. He couldn't talk longer, as the ache on his palm greatly increased its pain and bothered him. His palm was torn quite deeply.

This afternoon, Drake only treated it with first aid at the office. At home, he replaced the scars dressing with a better one to prevent infection.

Previously, Drake planned to see a doctor for medication, as the lesion on his palm was throbbing and he definitely wouldn't be able to sleep well. However, his mother called asking how he was doing.

Like it or not, Drake had to make a lie to keep his mother from getting stressed. He asked inside his head, how to meet his mother's request?

At nine in the evening, Drake decided to come to meet Diana in her room. He knocked on the door and Diana opened the door in response to the knock.

Drake caught no expression on her face, which caused him to hesitate to speak.

"I wanna ask something, Miss Diana, can I?"

Diana turned back to her room without closing the door, which shocked Drake as it never happened before.

For the first time, Drake entered her bedroom since being her husband three months ago. He was mesmerized to see her room he had never seen before, when he came in.

Drake studied the large room, assessed, and recorded it in his head. He wondered what the stuff belonging to the rich people looked like.

Drake startled and instantly frowned when Diana uncorked a bottle, poured the wine into a shot glass, then sat on a stool and enjoyed it guilt-free.

"Why do you break Mr. Abraham's rules? You just got to—"

"My father will never know if your mouth doesn't spit!" Diana said with emphasis. “Listen, okay. I want to have fun, so you have to say I'm studying if my parents ask about me! Now tell me what takes you here!"

Drake seemed hesitant to talk about his mother's request.

"I don't wanna hear your speech bla bla bla…"

"No, it's about my mom. She wants to meet you. Will you be av—"

"WHAT? Are you kidding me?" Diana almost choked and then laughed at him out loud. "Why do you poor people wanna meet me?"

She assumed they didn't deserve it to talk to rich people in particular. Between the rich and the poor didn't synchronize to the talking points.

"Traveling and luxurious hotels, priced eating, party, outfit and jewelry would never be reached by you. Thus, what do you talk for?" she added.

Drake held back his breath hearing Diana laughed at his mother. His glare fixed on Diana who sipped her wine with a gusto.

"My mom invites us to dinner."

Diana was surprised to get a dinner invitation from a poor woman.

"Us? Dinner?" she giggled. "Does she forget this knot is a fake? Do I gotta remind you where you're from? You, your mother and all the poor will never belong with us! We're significantly different. Never be the same. So just leave it behind!"

He knew where he was from and they were in different classes of economy but he couldn't let his mother down. That was going to be the first and last time she met her daughter-in-law if her desire came true.

"I ask you for one time cos my mom considers it as a real marriage, so—"

It shocked Diana and she abruptly lifted her right leg to kick his knee. She was enraged at the thing she didn't want at all.

"How dare your mother recognize it for real?" Diana snapped at him while standing up with her fixed stare at him. "Who does she think she is?"

Drake stumbled backwards, which caused him to lose his stability before falling to his knees. His breath caught in his throat as he was shocked to hear Diana ask about his mother.

"She's nothing! She's a housemaid! Don't ever dream of being part of Abraham's family! You're rubbish!"

Drake looked up his head gazing at her unbelievably. He felt his chest tightened and the tears blurred his vision. How could a classy woman behave so badly? Diana insulted his mother.

"Don't ever offend my mother." His voice was so deep and trailed off. He ignored the tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Tell her to stop dreaming of something she can't achieve!" Her eyes glanced at the bandage on his hand, then said, "Get out!"