Chapter 9: The Game Starts
1431 Words
"Is there a bed in the bathroom?"
"Are you joking? Is there a bed in your bathroom? I’m asking you to sleep on the bathroom floor."
"Why?"
"Look at yourself. What if you molest me in the middle of the night? You have to sleep in the bathroom, and I will unlock it at dawn."
“So, you are making me, your husband, sleep on the bathroom floor like a dog?” Joe asked angrily.
Nicole narrowed her eyes, “Are you stupid? Didn’t I just say this? Do you think I am joking?”
"You cannot do this! This is insulting. I’m going to tell Chairman Joseph!" Joe replied. What the f**k was this? Being homeless and picking up trash would have been better than this.
"Oh, go ahead if you want. If Grandpa finds out I am unhappy in my marriage, he will definitely support my divorce."
Joe was stunned when he heard Nicole’s logic. She was right. He could not throw away everything in just one night. He had to try to win over Nicole.
"Fine, you win."
Nicole smiled triumphantly. At this moment, Joe was just a toy in her eyes, and she could do whatever she wanted to him.
"Good."
"Then I will go to bed first."
"No one is stopping you."
"Good night, Dear. See you tomorrow."
A plastic hanger was thrown in his direction which hit him square in the chest. "Say that again."
"...Good night, Miss Nicole. See you tomorrow."
"Good. Goodnight dog.”
When Joe entered the bathroom, he looked around miserably; he would much rather be sleeping on the king-sized bed rather than in here. Joe shook himself out of his misery and tried to reassure himself. Although he was sleeping on the floor, it was the floor of a big villa and there was a beautiful woman outside. It was way better than the stinking overpass he slept underneath.
Joe was really tempered by the sufferings in his past. Others would have stayed awake all night in such an environment, but he fell asleep within three minutes after lying down on the cold marble floor.
Nicole tiptoed to the bathroom door and leaned against it to listen for a while. She found nothing unusual. Then she locked the door, went back to her bed and took out her mobile phone to start chatting with her friends.
Ten minutes later, she glanced towards the direction of the bathroom with a smirk.
"Loser, the game has just started. See you f*****g tomorrow."
The next morning, Joe had a sore back and his muscles ached. Nicole had let him out without saying a word, so he showered and got dressed to go downstairs. He wondered how she would treat him in front of her grandfather.
As soon as he entered the dining table, Nicole, who was sitting at the table with Chairman Joseph, stood up.
“Grandpa, I have an appointment with my friends to go shopping today.”
Joseph nodded as he kissed her goodbye. Nicole then turned towards Joe who was watching Nicole intently. Knowing her grandfather’s eyes were on her, Nicole walked over and hugged Joe intimately and whispered, “I will be back in the evening, love.” With a quick peck on the cheek, Nicole trotted off.
Joe had no choice but to have breakfast with the Chairman alone.
Joseph was satisfied at seeing the young couple’s interaction. Joe looked exhausted; he thought the two young lovebirds must have exerted themselves too much last night.
"Well, it seems that you two are getting along very well."
Joe was crying inside. Very well? It had been f*****g too well. He wanted to cry when he thought about Nicole’s treatment of him.
"Yes, we are..." Joe replied thinking about Nicole’s words from last night.
"Nicole is just a bit stubborn, especially after her parents passed. She has been very insecure, so sometimes she can be quite rebellious. But she is very kind-hearted. As her husband, I hope you will tolerate and love her."
"I will," Joe nodded as he helped himself to the variety of breakfast items on the table. At least Nicole would not stop him from eating, he thought.
"Enjoy your breakfast. I should go. There is a very important meeting today. Let's have dinner together tonight."
"See you tonight, Chairman," Joe replied and stood up as Joseph walked out of the room.
After Joseph left, Joe let out a long sigh; being alone, he was finally at ease but not for long. After ten minutes of solitude, Barret walked inside the room. He did not speak but stood respectfully by Joe’s side.
"Barret, what are you doing? Sit down and eat."
"Well, no, thanks, Master."
"Barret, are you kidding? I'm not a master."
"No, you are a real master in the Andrew family now."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"No. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you."
"Don't. I know it’s all out of the blue...To be honest, I haven't come to my senses yet. I think this must be a dream."
"Master, it is God's will. Welcome home."
Joe sorted, God’s will? Yeah, God always had a will for Joe. "Barret, if you really respect me, please just call me by my name from now on."
"I'm sorry but I can't do that."
"Well, suit yourself,” Joe shook his head. Barret was just as stubborn as the Chairman! “I'm full. Is there anything I need to do?"
"You can do whatever you want."
Joe thought to himself, Barret, really? I want to fulfill my marital obligations with my wife so I cannot do whatever I want in this f*****g house!
"Why don’t you show me around?" Joe asked.
"Sure."
Barret started from the garage, and Joe was immediately dumbfounded when they walked inside. Almost ten luxury cars were lined up in a row, representing all colors on the spectrum. He whistled lowly as he eyed each car.
"Master, which one shall we drive?"
"Uh... how about the Acura NSX?"
He chose this car because it was a brand he knew, and he thought it was the most expensive one.
"Master, you are so low-key. You chose the cheapest one. But I guess this will do."
Joe smiled awkwardly. "Yes, one has to keep a low profile."
After getting in the car and out of the manor, the two drove around aimlessly.
Sitting in the NSX and watching the envious glances cast by pedestrians, Joe was thrilled. The happiness of being rich was really a different feeling, one he was immensely enjoying.
"Master, you are not getting along well with the young lady, are you?" Barret asked quietly.
"Oh, no. We are getting along with each other very well."
"Well, you have managed to keep it from my Lord, but you can't hide it from me. If I am not mistaken, Miss Nicole didn't let you sleep on the bed last night."
"You are wrong. Last night, we... you know, spent a lot of time together. I was going to go shopping with her today, but she thought I was too tired and asked me to have a good rest at home."
"Don’t worry, Master, I won’t tell my Lord. Miss Nicole grew up with me around, so I know her well. I’m telling you this because if you have any grievances that you don’t want to tell my Lord, you can talk to me and you will feel much better."
Seeing Barret's sincerity, Joe immediately confessed everything.
"Oh, well, you are right. She didn't want to marry me at all. Barret, tell me the truth, is she suffering from a terminal illness? Time is running out, so she just wants to find a husband because she won’t die alone?"
Barret burst out into laughter. "Master, you are so imaginative. How is this possible?"
"Then what did your Lord see in me? Just because I found that necklace?"
"Yes, this is fate."
"Come on, do you believe that ridiculous story?"
"Of course, I do, so does my Lord. That is why he asked the young lady to marry you. Master doesn't think too much about it but you and Miss Nicole are destined to marry each other. She is upset now, but she will come around soon enough."
"What if she never comes around?"
"She will. I promise."
- Writer
