Instinctively, I backed away until I was cornered against the wall. He planted his arms on either side of my head.
Michael leaned down, his breath warm against my face.
"And those rumors about us... they've been quite interesting lately," he said, each word bringing him closer until I had nowhere left to retreat.
"Mr. Shaw, should I... clear things up?" I asked, my head down, ears burning with embarrassment.
"No need," he murmured. "As long as you aren't troubled by them, Ms. White."
He brushed a strand of my hair aside and gently sniffed it. "I really like today's perfume."
I forcefully pushed his leaning body away. "Mr. Shaw, please respect yourself."
Michael laughed heartily. "Alright, alright. Clear my schedule for all of next Wednesday."
I quickly make a calculation—It would be April 15th next Wednesday. Valerie had said it was the day he disappears every year.
"Sure, Mr. Shaw. Anything specific you need me to arrange?"
"You don't need to know. Now get out."
Michael's mood was always unpredictable.
I stepped back and decided to follow him that day to see what was going on.
Contrary to what Valerie had said about it being impossible, I easily followed Michael to his destination: Endeavor Middle School.
It was the Middle school mentioned in his file and it was my Middle school too.
Michael just sat there on the playground, not moving for the entire day.
The school's principal and teachers took turns bringing him food and drinks, but he just smiled to decline them while remained quietly seated.
As night fell, he still showed no intention of leaving.
When I got bored and ready to head home, I suddenly received a message from Michael: [Since you've waited this long, let's have dinner together.]
At a shabby restaurant next to the school, the usually aloof Michael seemed surprisingly at ease.
He deftly poured wine and picked out dishes for me. When I didn't move, he looked at me leisurely, set down his chopsticks and asked, "What do you want to know?"
"Why did you come here? You canceled a big deal with the Fulton Corporation today," I asked, watching Michael with a keen eye.
He responded with a smile, taking a sip of his wine rather than offering an explanation.
Michael and Valerie's relationship was a business marriage. Despite Valerie's suspicions of his infidelity, she lacked concrete proof.