232: Chapter 232

Chapter 232

Mai's body tensed immediately. She was shocked by the request because she never expected that they had to kiss when they were on the mission.  2

But she was far too deep into this that she couldn't just back down, not when Mrs. Woods' request was on the line. She could feel the pressure coming from that bitter middle-aged man waiting for her to kiss Michael.

She wanted to curse Michael for making her kiss him, not because she didn't want it.

She just thought a kiss should be a private thing, not in a public place like this, and definitely not while being stared at by a bitter middle-aged man. 

"Love? Can you kiss me now? I will talk to him after that," Michael said.

Mai clenched her fist. She tried her best to act natural and then tiptoed to kiss the corner of his lips.

Michael's heart was about to explode out of joy. He was also trying his best not to scream out his excitement. 

"Thank you, Love. Your lips are soft as always," Michael said before he shifted his gaze back to the bitter man. "Sir, I don't mind if you want to stay here, but we will keep kissing like this unless you leave."

"Tsk, these fucking freaks are ruining my lunch!" The man got up and stomped his way out. Mai and Michael kept their intimacy until the man left the cafe, and after they made sure he was out of sight, Mai quickly pushed him away with all of her strength. 

Michael felt that his heart had been washed with a bucket of cold water. He thought Mai genuinely kissed him out of her free will for a moment because that kiss electrified his entire body. 

Michael released Mai and apologized, "I'm sorry, Miss Ishikawa. I just want him to leave without having to use my hand. I will compensate if you don't like kissing me."

Mai rubbed her lips and lowered her head, "Not at all, Sir. I—I don't mind kissing you, but it should be a private thing rather than doing it in public."

Mai's voice got lower and lower until it was barely audible to Michael, but this cafe area wasn't as crowded, and thus he could hear every single word coming out of her mouth. 

Ba-dump.

Michael felt that his heartbeat raced once more, and this time, he didn't feel any hesitation. 

Because the fact she didn't hate the kiss was an assurance that Michael still had a chance to be with her, he just needed to be more tactful in his approach. 

'Maybe I've been too eager and somewhat creepy in my approach,' Michael thought. 'I keep following Henry's idea because he always gets any woman he wants, including Kate. But it seems that I don't need to listen to any of his advice anymore.'

'I will just be me.'

They sat in the seat intended for Mrs. Woods and her soon-to-be ex-husband. 

"You should text her in case she needs to move away," Michael said. 

Mai nodded and texted Mrs. Woods that they had booked the seat intended for her and her husband.

There was no reply from Mrs. Woods, but Mai got a call instead.

—

"Y—Yes, Ma'am, I'm already in Lombard Cafe, and we are sitting in the seat that you want to use," Mai replied to her boss while glancing at Michael.

"Good, I'm about to reach the Lombard Cafe. Have you seen an unshaven man with a fat belly in his 30s, wearing a dirty gray jacket and washed-out jeans inside the cafe?" Kate asked.

Mai stood up and looked around, and they found none of the customers matched her description, "Nobody is looking like a hobo in here, Ma'am. It's filled with nearby office workers having lunch with their friends and colleagues here."

"Good. Make sure to keep an eye in case he comes before me."

Beep.

—

Mai frowned when Mrs. Woods hung up the call. She looked at Michael and asked, "Sir, do you know why Mrs. Woods described a hobo-like person when talking about her husband. Surely she won't marry a hobo, right?"

Michael's lips thinned. He didn't want to talk too much about it because it was privacy for Kate.

But they would see that deadbeat man in person soon anyway, so there was no point in hiding it.

So Michael replied, "Because he is a hobo right now."

"Huh? You mean… Mrs. Woods actually married a hobo?!" Mai's eyes widened. "But she is very smart and elegant, how could she marry a homeless man?"

"Not exactly a hobo. He is a man without a job. He aspired to be an actor, but he is not good-looking enough to land a main role without a good acting skill," Michael replied. "He refused to find another job after his failed acting career, so he has been leeching on Mrs. Woods for the past five years."

"So, Mrs. Woods is the sole breadwinner of the family?" 

"Yes, she is," Michael nodded. "In fact, she is the sole breadwinner for two big families. Based on my investigation, she has been giving her money to her mother and bitch of a sister, Erin. And she's also forced to give her ungrateful mother-in-law a monthly allowance."

Michael had a bitter smile as he listened to all the stories from Henry, who was so angry at Kate's family. 

"She gives them everything, yet they keep taking advantage of her. They are blackmailing, pressuring, and insulting her for many things."

Mai was attacked from one shocking information to another.

She always saw Mrs. Woods as a strong woman that wouldn't allow any man to stomp on her dignity. She idolized Mrs. Woods so much because Mai aspired to be just like her.

Michael sighed, "I'm sorry you must know this, Mai. But you should know that Mrs. Woods is trying her best to get out of this shitty and sticky situation."

"Alright, you two, enough gossiping about me."

Michael and Mai turned their heads simultaneously when they heard a familiar voice.

They saw Kate with her not-so-dignified look, wearing a jacket and long skirt. She looked like a regular woman instead of the dignified Chief Editor that Mai usually saw.

pqdm.com