Chapter 16 “What can I do for you, sir?” Michael shifted his gaze back to Fred and asked after he finished apologizing to his wife. “Just remove my shoes,” Fred demanded as he stretched out his legs to him. He sat comfortably on the couch, having his back relaxed on it. Michael was stunned at his audacity. Was removing his shoes that difficult for him to do? He looked at Rose, expecting her to say something but the hatred she had towards him didn't allow her to say a word. She just sat beside Fred with an ‘I don't care attitude.’ But was she going to allow her husband to remove his classmate's shoes in her presence? “I should remove your….” Michael, who felt like he didn't hear what Fred clearly said was about to ask when Fred completed the sentence for him. “My shoes! Get them off my legs! Or is there anything wrong with what I said?” “No, sir.” Michael politely replied and he gently crouched down in pain at Fred's presence. His eyes were set fixed on Rose as he slowl
Chapter 17 Michael got up the stairs and walked past the first room door which belonged to Grandma Isabella and he continued walking. But when he was about to walk past the second room door which belonged to his mother-in-law and father-in-law, he overheard a conversation and it wasn't nice at all. “Fred told me that he will be spending some days with us and you must do everything to make him yours. Once it's done, then you can divorce that thing you called husband.” Maria whispered. Her voice smirks. “Mom, I can't do that to Michael. I know that I despised him a lot but I don't want to break his heart.” “Heart, you say?” Stephen chimed in, his voice still in a whisper but full of contempt. “Does he have a heart? He had broken our hearts already. Do you know how I felt ashamed in front of Cho and his bodyguards earlier, do you? If not for God who brought Fred at the right time, do you know where we all have been?” The conversations within the family were all coming out as whi
Chapter 18He took a walk closer to him. Rose was not there because she was in the bathroom taking her bath.“What are you doing in our room and why on our bed? Don't you know it's our matrimonial bed and no one is allowed to sit on it?” He inquired. But his voice was polite. “And who are you to tell me not to sit on my friend's bed?” Fred shot back and stood on his feet.“Don't you know I'm Rose's husband and you aren't allowed in here especially when I'm not inside? And if you want to talk with Rose then that should be done in the living room and not in here.”He explained but Fred gave him no attention. He knew that Michael had no say in the family since everyone despised him so this worthless man couldn't threaten him.“Get out of my sight, you stinky man.” Fred was about to push Michael to the ground but Michael quickly noticed it and held his hand. He didn't retaliate back because he was his wife's friend and if not for that, he was a visitor in the house so he probably wouldn
Chapter 19 He didn't complete what he wanted to say when Rose out of anger gave him a resounding slap on the cheek. “Just shut up.” She yelled and slapped him on the right cheek which turned his face backward because of how forceful it came. “I can't believe you're like this, Michael.” A hint of disappointment ran through her face after she believed Fred's bunch of lies. “I only thought you were poor and kind-hearted, never did I know you're such a cold-hearted man. If someone had told me that you're like this I would have probably defended you but today you have shown me your true color. Just get out, I don't want to see you, you're a green snake in green grasses.” She hit him on the chest, pushing him away. “Rose! You're overreacting, you should hear from him also before concluding. He also has something to say. Allow us to hear from him.” Grandma Isabella said interrupted and defensively, not believing any single word that Fred had said. She knew Michael could never s
Chapter 20She flashed out of the room in anger before Michael fell onto his knees in front of Fred and he apologized humbly. “I'm sorry, sir. Please, forgive me, I promise this won't repeat itself.” He didn't mind whether he was the one at fault or not.Fred glanced down at him and smiled. “You're forgiven.” He then extended his hand to help Michael get up so he should be addressed as a kind person. But Michael declined, however, he gave him his hand and he got up.“Fred, I never knew you were so kind-hearted.” Stephen was convinced by the fake attitude that he had put on.“I'm not cold-hearted like some people.” He giggled and looked at Michael who immediately understood what he was implying. “I thank God for that and also for making Rose find someone like you. I wished she had met you earlier before she got married.” Their tones were filled with sarcasm that left a piercing knife through Michael's heart. They were indirectly talking to him with every single word of theirs which
Chapter 21Quickly, he began to serve each portion into bowls. He specially filled Rose's bowl into the topmost rim and kept it on one side specifically for her.He cared for her and had always wanted her to feel special. With a last smile on his face, he carried the tray of bowls and headed to the dining hall. He got there with the tray of bowls in his hand and walked straight to the dining hall then placed it on the table. With that, he turned around and looked at everyone who seemed to be busy with their stuff. His father-in-law was busy reading his favorite newspaper, ‘The USA TODAY’, which he normally never fails to buy while returning from work.His eyes also quickly moved to where Rose and his mother-in-law were. They were busy sorting out beautiful designs that Rose would take to the nightclub to present to the CEO.“Mom, I think this design looks pretty ok.” Rose praised the efforts she had put into making the fashion-designing clothes. “Yes, my dear. It does and I believ
Chapter 22 Rose quickly tasted it and she was the first person. “Wow, this is delicious.” She admitted and took more spoons. Everyone had shocking expressions on their faces except for Grandma Isabella and Ella. Grandma Isabella had been aware that Michael had always been sorting out possible means to get Rose to reciprocate his love. But all his efforts to do that were always regarded as nothing. Instead of reciprocating his love, her heart hardened more toward him. “Michael is such an amazing cook.” Grandma Isabella immediately announced without wasting any time as she tasted it. And her words broke no argument because it was the truth. No one of them could even say a thing as they ate. Both Stephen, Joseph and Maria couldn't talk. They silently enjoyed the meal and wondered within themselves how Michael was able to cook such a delicious meal. “Grandma, do you mean Michael was the one who prepared this?” Ella took a glimpse at her and asked. She didn't fail to stop eating
Chapter 23He nodded while Ella and Grandma Isabella took a glance of pity at him.He was going when Rose remembered something and shouted at him. “Go inside the room and get my gown ironed.” He let out a deep sigh before leaving, obeying the last command of his wife. He didn't have a say.Not long after he left, the whole family finished eating and each person left to their various ways, leaving the dirty dishes on the table for Michael. Ella and Rose engaged in a long conversation as they went into the bedroom she and Michael had together.“Rose! Don't tell me you still haven't fallen in love with him?” Ella called out to her and asked.“Fall in love with that low-life man? Never!” She spat. Not looking at her as she led the way.They were climbing up the stairs so they moved cautiously while they talked. Ella let out a deep sigh. “Have you forgotten the saying that NO ONE KNOWS TOMORROW? He might be poor today but things may turn out well tomorrow and he might…”“He'll never am