Chapter 7

Michael

I pushed her slightly and ran my hands on my face.

Only if I knew bringing this woman with me means inviting trouble for myself, then I would have locked her inside the four walls of my room.

“Mike” she softly called out for me.

I turned my back towards her and forced myself to suck in a breath and close my eyes, my breaths soon becoming steady.

I know I have to tackle the situation very calmly.  My anger will only worsen the situation.

“Jenny listen-”

“Mike I-” She cut me off. I looked at her and my eyes widened as she slowly stood up on her feet, taking the support of the slab.

When did she fall? I murmured to myself.

When you pushed her off idiot! My conscience mocked. 

“I swear I am not at fault Mike. He was trying to take advantage of my situation and now he is just defaming me to come out clean. You know I was so scared at that moment. I can’t even express it to you in words how helpless I felt when he manhandled me. I could have never looked at myself the same way, if you wouldn’t have come on time. I would have died out of shame.” She admitted not averting her eyes away from mine and it felt as if someone had stabbed me in the heart.

Jenny

I blurted out everything that was begging to come out. I wasn’t able to hold it back in, not after what happened back there. I had to let it out of my chest.

“Jenny” he whispered. “I-I...” He stopped, sucking in a breath. “I am sorry for all the pain you have to go through in my absence. But you don’t worry! I will take care of the situation now. You just stay by my side and we both will be out of this mess.” He softly caressed my cheek.

I smiled softly at him. “I am always by your side Mike. I know you will take care of the things now.” I said, grabbing onto his hand. He looked down at our joined hands before looking back at me. “We both are going to teach that rascal a lifetime lesson so that men like him also understand that playing with a woman's dignity will not only burn their hands but also turn them into ashes.  We are going to get him punished severely. Promise me Mike that you are not going to leave him at any cost.” I looked at him hopefully.

Mike remained silent for what felt like an hour, staring at our joined hands. I stared at him, waiting for him to say something. After a moment of tense silence, Mike slipped his hand out of mine, making me frown. “I can’t Jenny” He finally let out, shaking his head.

My heart fell to my feet as he let those words hit me. “Why?” I whispered.

“Because...” He avoided my eyes. “I just can’t. They are very powerful people Jenny and messing with them will only demolish our reputation. And didn’t you hear what Erica said? She is going to withdraw every single penny from my dream project if you didn’t apologize.” He said slowly, avoiding my eyes.

“What do you mean by apologizing Mike? I asked, hoping that my voice wouldn’t crack.

Silence.

“Instead of standing out for me, you are going to make me apologize just to satisfy their ego?” I asked him again.

And like the other time, no response.

“So you are just scared of them? Or you trust that dickhead more than your wife? I want an answer Michael. Do you also think of me as a whore who invited him to sleep with me?” I questioned loudly, not able to keep it in.

“Shut up Jenny!” Mike yelled, snapping his head back at me. “I don’t need any fucking idiot to know about my wife character. I trust your loyalty for me above anything.” I breathed in relief.

At least he trusts me.

“But there is one more truth that I need this deal at any cost. I have worked really hard for this project. I can’t afford to lose it for anything. I am ready to do anything for this deal. If that even means making you apologize to them.  Just come out with me, apologize to them, and then we will leave.” He stated, turning his stares away from me. I felt my heart break, feeling myself suffocate from inside.

No Jenny! You are stronger than this.

I closed my eyes, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. Opening my eyes, I met his. “What if I refuse to follow back your words? What if I refuse to apologize to them?” I dared him.

“Then forget that you have a husband named Michael Patterson. We both will be over from this moment, because I don’t need a wife who can’t stand by my side in my needful times.” He stated, shaking his head as he looked me dead in the eye.