I want you

6 Episode

Emily was still in a daze when Michael's phone rang, making her recall the scene in the bathroom last night. She turned her head slightly and coughed into her hand.

Michael took his phone out of his pocket and frowned when he saw the caller's name. He apologized to Emily, “Sorry, I need to take this call.”

Emily naturally didn't object and made a gesture indicating he could go ahead.

Only after getting her response did Michael answer the call. He stood up, one hand in his pocket, and walked towards the guest room on the first floor. As he walked, the sound from the phone on speaker mode was faintly audible. Emily couldn't help but hold her breath to listen. A furious middle-aged man's voice could be heard, though it was somewhat muffled, she could barely make out the words.

“You don't reply to messages, don't report to the office. Are you planning to waste your life on such a job? Do you know that what you're doing is a complete waste of time?”

It was obvious that the man who dared to speak to Michael in such a tone was undoubtedly his father. Michael's reaction also confirmed this. He frowned tightly but didn't overreact. He respected the person on the other end of the line, suppressing his objections and only speaking after the other person finished.

Michael spoke in a low voice as he opened the guest room door, “I know, but…” His voice grew quieter and eventually inaudible as the door closed.

Emily stood with her hands folded over her abdomen, thoughtfully gazing at the closed door. She had thought Michael would be on the call for a while, but to her surprise, he came out shortly after, and his phone was no longer visible.

As soon as Michael stepped out, he said to Emily, “Sorry for taking your time.”

He didn't look at her when he spoke, clearly in a bad mood. Emily didn't mind at all and smiled, “It's fine. Are you okay?”

Michael shook his head, lips pressed together, “About the suggestion I made earlier, what do you think?”

Being a nanny? Emily regretfully replied, “My schedule is quite full right now. The cleaning job is just a part-time gig. After this, I have to go work at a department store and then a cake shop at night. I'm afraid I don’t have the time to be your nanny.”

Michael still didn't look at her. He walked up the stairs to the piano in the southeast corner, and leaned against it, one hand in his pocket, and the other idly pressing piano keys. The deep notes accompanied his words as they reached her ears, “You could quit them all. Add up the salaries from these jobs, and I'll pay you the same.”

Emily looked at him in surprise, “But I've already advanced three months' salary from the cake shop to pay for your embalming fee…”

Michael finally looked up, his lazy and distant demeanor reminiscent of a noble black swan, “To pay me for the embalming fee, not to pay my embalming fee. Besides, you can return the money to the store owner. I won't take your money.” He spoke softly, like a breeze stirring the leaves.

“How can that be?” Emily was taken aback.

“Fine,” Michael seemed uncomfortable pressing the issue, “Do as you like. If you change your mind, let me know anytime.” He quickly descended the stairs, this time heading for the door.

Emily, understanding the cue, grabbed her things and headed for the door. After he opened it, she immediately said, “I'll be going now. Goodbye.”

Michael seemed momentarily taken aback. The autumn wind ruffled his hair as he adjusted his glasses, “Goodbye.”

Thus, Emily ended her “eventful” morning. She held the cash in her pocket with some difficulty, originally intended for Michael, but he had said she could keep it and even offered a relatively easy job with the same pay as her current ones. It was quite unbelievable.

Had her streak of bad luck finally turned around after over twenty years?

Regardless, since she hadn't resigned yet and hadn't given Michael a definite answer, she quickly returned to the reception hall, handed in her things, and took the bus to her part-time job at the department store.

The department store opened at 8:50 AM, and the counter staff started at 9 AM. Emily changed into her work uniform once again, the stylish black suit making her look even more beautiful.

She worked in men's fashion sales, and looking good was an advantage in this line of work. Men typically didn't like to haggle, and they were even more straightforward when faced with a pretty woman, so her sales performance was always excellent, and she earned a good amount. This job was her main support for living in this expensive central city. Although her salary wasn't low, it was still early in the pay period, and her rent was almost due.

Emily shared her apartment with a couple who were very inconsiderate, especially the girlfriend, who left sanitary pads everywhere during her period. Emily had cleaned up several times without any thanks, and the girlfriend continued her messy habits. Even after several discussions, the girl complained that Emily was too fussy. Emily didn't want to live with such people anymore, but the place was convenient and cheap, and her financial situation left her no choice.

Sighing in frustration at the counter, Emily made up her mind to accept the nanny job. Michael's place, though a two-story villa, wasn't very dirty as he was a clean person. She guessed he might have OCD and called in cleaners because he couldn’t stand a day without cleaning.

From what she had seen, the previous cleaners for Michael seemed to vary. The last one, Aunt Maya, was older and slower, and Michael probably found her lacking. Emily didn't think he was a harsh person based on her own experience.

However, Emily was too quick to judge. Michael was polite and respectful to most people, especially the deceased. But once someone moved from being an unrelated person or a client to an employee or acquaintance, his perfectionism and pickiness became evident. Otherwise, he wouldn't have a different cleaner each time…

During her lunch break, Emily used the store's phone to call Michael's mobile. It rang for a while before he answered, his voice faint against a noisy background, “Hello.”

Emily, fearing he wouldn't hear her, raised her voice slightly, “Hello, Mr. Po. This is Emily.”

“Oh, hold on a moment.” He seemed to be looking for a quieter place, and after four or five seconds, the background noise reduced significantly, “Alright. What can I do for you?”

Emily hesitated, unsure how to start. After all, she had initially seemed reluctant. Biting her lip, she glanced around to check for customers or supervisors but instead saw Michael walking quickly through the relatively quiet men's section, holding his phone.

He looked as lean as ever, with a new coldness and harshness in his expression that she hadn't seen before. He was very perceptive and soon noticed her staring at him. His initially displeased and hostile look softened into one of surprise as his eyes met hers.