Michael Takes Rose to Work

Chapter 3

“Why? Rose, isn't he your husband? Why can't he dine with us?” Isabella queried, looking disappointed.

“He's not my husband and can never be until he's capable of doing what other men are doing for their wives and family.” Rose retorted with a sharp tone.

“Period!” Everyone supported, which made Michael bow his head in shame as he stood speechless.

Not wanting to prolong the conversation which seemed unfavorable to her, Isabella sighed deeply and quietly opened her bowl to eat. The rest of the family also opened theirs.

While Michael turned to go back to the kitchen. Just as he moved, Rose's angry voice caused him to halt in his steps again as he turned.

“What the hell is this? Why Ma Po Tofu? Why did you prepare it? Didn't I tell you to prepare Black Pudding?” She angrily slammed her hand on the table, standing on her feet.

“Yes, you did. But I don't know how to prepare Black Pudding.” Michael admitted calmly, walking closer and standing beside his father-in-law. “I didn't want you to go to work on an empty stomach, that's why I chose to prepare Ma Po Tofu.”

“As a caring husband or what?” Stephen interjected, looking furious.

“Not like that, father-in-law. I was…..” Michael didn't finish his sentence when his father-in-law gave him a tight slap which left a red handprint on his cheek that kept his face burning.

“Next time, do whatever she tells you to do even if you don't know how to do it. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir.” Michael nodded, as he held onto where he had been slapped hoping to soothe the pain.

Angrily, Stephen slumped on his chair while Rose stood in anger, still not satisfied with what her father had done.

“Why do you have to slap him that way, Stephen? Did he commit anything wrong that made you hit him that way?” Isabella shook her head and asked. Her words are pitiful. “And besides, the meal he made is delicious.”

“Yes, grandma. He did everything wrong and Dad should have hit him more than that. And whether the meal is delicious or not I don't care.” Rose stubbornly said, grabbing her office bag to leave.

“And you? Why are you still beside me? Take this key and drive her off to the office.” Stephen pointed at Michael, throwing his Camry's key car to him and he quickly caught it in the air.

“Rose, my darling daughter,” Maria called to her, as she stood up on her feet with a worried face and look. “You know this small company of ours is what your Dad has struggled to establish and we can't bear to lose it and our house for anything. Please put in your best.” She held her hand.

“Yes, Rose. Your mom is right. Remember, we owe some loans which we need to pay back. Or we'll lose everything, both our house, company, I mean everything. Try your best since your good-for-nothing husband can't do anything. Instead, he's living off our little wealth.”

Michael felt a burning blush on his face hearing his father-in-law say that. He couldn't help but shed secret tears which he quickly wiped off.

“Mom, Dad, we're not going to lose anything. I promise to do my best and make sure to pay back the loans and also see to it that our company gets to a greater level. I promise you that.” Rose assured.

Stephen and his friend had started a Fashion Company some years back and when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, they had to borrow $4,000 from the Yonggi Cho family, one of the wealthiest families, in the town of Maple, to keep it going.

Since then, they have been unable to pay back the loans, they have been threatened by Yonggi Cho that they were going to take their company and their properties which was the total amount of money.

“You have all our trust.” They echoed with a smile of relief.

“Alright, I have to go now. Bye, Dad, Mom, Grandma, and Joseph.” She waved with her bag hung around her shoulder.

They all nodded. “Have a nice day.” Immediately, she moved and Michael trailed behind her in his regular cheap clothes with the car key in his right hand.

Michael was the first to get outside and he quickly ran and opened the front door behind the driver's seat, giving Rose a queenly treatment. But when Rose got there, she didn't even look at him but she quietly opened the back door and sat down.

With a disappointed sigh, Michael quickly closed the door and stormed into the car, taking his place in the driver's seat. He roared the engine to life, spun the wheels, and sped out of the compound.

As he drove, there were minutes of calmness in the car. He could notice Rose's countenance through the front mirror hung at the top of the driver's position which made him feel uneasy. So he was the first to speak.

“Rose! What's the matter? You don't look happy. Why?” He asked worriedly. However, Rose didn't answer him a word.

He kept quiet and concentrated on driving. He then turned once more and cast a worried look on her again. “I heard all that your parents were saying. Please what do they mean by they didn't want to lose the company and the house and how much are they owing?”

“Michael, just let me be. We're owing $4,000.” She shouted.

“What? $4,000?” Michael was stunned.

“Yes, you heard me clear and the lender said they're going to take everything that belongs to us since we're unable to pay back.” She added.

“That's not going to happen.”

“Then give me the money to pay them back.” She stretched out her hand to Michael.