Michael Becomes the CEO

Chapter 6

John took Michael around the entire building and after everything was concluded, soon Michael signed all the crucial documents making him the new CEO.

He was filled with joy because his Uncle whom he had once looked down on was the same person making him move from a nobody to somebody.

“Thank you, Uncle, I'll have to go back home now. I know they might have been waiting for me.”

“Alright, but don't forget to resume your office tomorrow.” Michael nodded and left and headed for home.

“Rose, how is everything going? What are your plans to settle the loans we borrowed? You know we can't afford to lose everything because we have nowhere to go.” Stephen and Maria were curious to ask as soon as Rose returned.

“Mom, I don't know what to do right now. I received a letter from Yonggi Cho's family today back in my office and they're threatening to throw us out of the house and even take our properties including the company if we fail to refund their money.”

“We're in a big mess. What are we going to do?”

“Don't worry Mom, Dad, everything will be fine. Just have faith. Besides, I submitted a proposal to Golden Group of Companies today and I hope and pray they accept it. You know what that means, our company will go higher and we'll get to pay the loans.”

“How on earth did you think that is going to happen? There are so many proposals from other bigger companies already under their custody and they haven't looked into them yet so how do you think they'll look into ours that is a small company?”

“Just relax and have faith, Mom.” Her eyes darted inside the living room. “That reminds me, where's Michael?”

Maria sighed annoyedly. “That good-for-nothing man hasn't come back yet.”

“Since morning?” Rose was stunned. Ever since she got married to him, she had never experienced such a character in him.

“I think that fool is busy parading with my car in the town. I'll teach him a lesson when he comes back.”

Vroom!”

Michael drove into the courtyard just after his father-in-law's words dropped. He walked into the living room and his eyes met the sinister looks from the whole family except for Grandma Isabella, who shook her head pitifully knowing what would be done to him.

“Go…Good evening father-in-law, mother-in-law.” Michael greeted, his voice trembling in fear. Rose let her eyes linger on him for a moment, she opened her mouth but Stephen was too angry to interrupt.

“Just hold your greetings, you worthless man. Where have you been?” He yelled, tapping his wristwatch. “This is half past 6 pm and you left here early sharp at 7 am. So why are you coming back by this time?”

“I was….” Michael couldn't finish his sentence when Maria, who seemed to notice his pocket swollen up, walked to him and asked. “What's that in your pocket?”

Before Michael could open his mouth to speak, Maria was so quick that she dipped her hand into his pocket and brought huge bundles of money.

It was $100 in total, consisting of $1 per note.

“Where did you get them from?” Rose was perplexed, taking the money from her mother's name. “Mom, Dad, this is $100.” She beamed in joy as soon as she counted it.

A beam of happiness flashed through Michael's face seeing Rose happy for the first time since they got married.

“Why do you seem happy?” Maria asked, looking furious.

“Why shouldn't I be? At least he brought something home for the first time.”

“His mates are bringing $1,000 upwards and here he is with $100.” She sighed annoyedly. “And you, why are you still standing here? Go to the kitchen and prepare lunch.” She turned to Michael and yelled out.

Michael nodded and left. None of them even bother to know how he came about the money.

“Mom, what do you think? Because I'd think he's becoming a little bit useful.”

Maria let her eyes scan the room carefully, making sure Michael wasn't hearing them before admitting. “I think so, but it's still not enough.”

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Michael was busy carefully preparing lunch when Rose walked in. He was wearing a black boxer and also with his a shirtless chest.

“How're you doing, Michael?” She asked, standing at the doorway of the kitchen. Michael had noticed her presence the moment she entered so he wasn't startled.

Rather, he glared at her for a while. Rose had never spoken so softly to him that way which made him look at her perplexedly.

“Are you talking to me?”

“Yes. It's you I'm talking to.” Rose became furious, hearing Michael ask her that. “Or isn't your name no longer Michael?”

“Yeah. It's just…….’

“Just keep quiet. I know where you are going.” Rose was so sharp that she cut short his words. “Don't think I'm beginning to love you just because you brought just $100 back home today. I'm just here to say thank you. At least you did what a man should have done for his family.”

“Oh, I see… I'm happy that you liked it.”

“Hmm. I think that's enough for now. Now, get back to your cooking and please be fast because I'm tired and I need some rest.”

“Alright.” He replied calmly and she strode out of the kitchen without saying any more words to him.

Half an hour later, Michael was through with the lunch because Rose had told him that she was hungry and needed some rest so he was fast. He set the dining table and invited every one of the family while he went to the kitchen to have his.

*****

In the room, Rose finished bathing, oiled her entire body, and put on her usual white. As she walked to lay on her bed, Michael who noticed her countenance didn't hesitate to ask.

“Rose. Hope everything is okay with you?” He asked, his voice filled with concern.

Rose took her place on her bed and looked at him. She knew that he was so useless that even if she told him the matter, he still wasn't going to do anything but this time, she chose to answer him instead.

“Nothing is okay. Everything just keeps getting worse minute after minute.”

“Do you mind sharing it with me?”

“Michael, the thing is that very soon, the entire family including you and I will soon be thrown into the street.”

“That's not going to happen.”

“It's going to happen because earlier today I received a threatening letter from Yonggi Cho's family that they are going to drive us out of the house in two days from now if we fail to refund their money.”

“What? That's too close. Where on earth are we going to get such a huge amount of money to pay them back in such a short period?”

“I don't know.” Rose expanded her hands recklessly onto the bed.

“So don't you have any plans?”

A hint of disappointment flashed through her face immediately after he asked her that.

“I'm supposed to be the one asking you that and here you are….” She hesitated for a moment.

“Anyways, I have submitted a collaboration proposal to the wealthiest company in town named Golden Group of Companies but I'm afraid they won't even look into it because our company is a small one.”

“Why won't they? They certainly will. Just have faith.”

“But…”

“Rose! Don't be afraid. Have faith like I said.”

“Okay.” That was the last word he heard from her before she fell flat on the bed, pulling the blanket tighter around her.

Michael stared at her, hesitated but then called out to her.

She got up, and a bit of frown made its way to her face. “What is it, Michael? I thought we were done with our discussion?”

“Yes, and I'm sorry for disturbing you. But can I sleep with you on the bed today? I could sense how cold the ground was. I'll appreciate it if you allow me to share the bed with you and I promise that I won't roll over to your side.”

Rose glared at her and her frown suddenly turned into fury. “No, you can't.” She retorted. “I'm meant to sleep on it all alone.”

“What about the sofa in the hall then?”

“I said no, Michael. Don't make me angry. Just because I had a conversation with you a few minutes ago doesn't mean I have any feelings for you. Just sleep on the mat and let me be.” She daggered and closed her eyes, pulling the blanket over herself again.

Michael sighed deeply as his eyes glared at the mat on top of the wardrobe. This had been his usual sleeping routine over the years and it was no big deal for him.

He quietly walked to the wardrobe, retrieving the mat. With a heavy heart, he spread it on the floor and squeezed himself into a suitable position as best as he could. Soon, he slept off.