Chapter 3 Tension

Michael's POV

I woke up, feeling like I was submerged under water. Forcing my eyes open with a groan, I hissed as the sunlight immediately stabbed them. What the hell had happened? My head was fucking pounding.

Sitting up, I rubbed my temple as the events of the previous night came trickling back to me. The poker room, the drowsiness, the woman... God, the woman.

Maybe she had been an angel sent to me. She couldn't have been anything else. As I remembered the more intimate details of our night, a calming feeling of contentment washed over me.

I needed to find her again.

My gaze was caught by something reflecting the light - a delicate silver bangle, lying forgotten on the carpet, partially hidden under my clothes.

I picked it up, turning it over in my hand. Yes, I remembered this. We had been kissing when I took it off. But why can't I bring her face to mind?

At least I needed to pay her for what she did. She saved my life. Immediately, I picked up a bangle from the floor, stared at it for a while. But then, there was no name written on it. How would I be able to find her?

I picked up my phone from the nightstand and dialed Kieran, my assistant's number. He picked up immediately. "Two things, I want you to do for me."

"Yes sir, " he yawns.

"First, investigate last night. I asked the staff to make sure my drinks weren't tampered with and I don't like it when I don't get what I paid for." My fist clenched around the bangle. If it wasn't for the woman. "Someone drugged me last night; he wanted me out of my wits, and they succeeded. Do you see the problem here, Kieran?"

"Yes sir?"

"The second thing is, I want you to find the angel who saved me last night," I said, knowing fully that I can't picture the lady's face or her name. How would I then find her?

"Sir?" he said, bringing me back from my thoughts. "Sir, where do I see the lady?"

"I don't know," I said, sounding confused.

"Sir, do you have her name or maybe a picture of her?"

"Never mind," I finally said. "Just out who tried to poison me. Understood."

"Yes sir," he said, hanging up.

The moment I hung up, my phone rang again. When I checked the caller ID, I frowned. It was my mum. I already knew what she was going to talk about.

I answered with a sigh. "Hello?"

"Michael," she said softly, like she was afraid I'd hang up again, "your dad wants to speak with you. Can you come home? You haven't been home in two days."

I ran a hand through my hair. "I'm not coming home, Mum. I don't want to talk to him."

There was a short silence, then her voice came again, a little more pleading this time. "Come home, son. Your dad wants to see you."

I could already feel the argument waiting for me like a storm cloud. "I said I'm not coming. This is just like last time."

"Michael-please."

I didn't say another word. I ended the call and tossed the phone on the table.

But the words lingered. "You haven't been home in two days." Like I didn't already know that. Like staying away was an accident and not a choice. They never stopped with the pressure, especially my dad. Marriage this, marriage that.

Still, something in me couldn't shake off her voice. So I gave in.

I finally drove home.

The Miller's mansion.

The door creaked open, and almost instantly, Mum appeared from around the hallway, her face a mixture of relief and worry.

"Go upstairs," she said. "Your father's in his study. He's been waiting."

I didn't say a word as I climbed the stairs. I already knew where this was going.

I knocked once before stepping in. Dad stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, just like he always did when he was preparing to lecture someone.

"You called me?"

He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. "Yes. Sit."

I sat, but I didn't bother pretending I was calm.

"I want you to get married," he said.

I stared at him, trying not to laugh. "So that's why I'm here?"

"You're not a child, Michael. It's time."

"I've told you, I'm not ready. I'm not going to marry someone just because you think I should."

"Don't take that tone with me," he snapped.

"I'm not taking any tone," I said, my voice rising.

"I left this house because you and Mum keep pressuring me into marrying someone I don't even love."

Right then, Mum walked in, eyes wide with concern.

"Michael," she said quietly, "that's not the way to speak to your father."

I turned to her. "How did I speak to him? Tell me."

But Dad was already stepping forward. "If you're not going to settle down and do what's expected, then I'll make it simple. I'll cut you off. No inheritance. No business. No house."

I blinked. "You're serious?"

"I've worked hard for what I have. I won't watch you waste it because you refuse to be responsible."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Then take it. Take it all."

"Good," he said. "Starting now, the company assets are off-limits. The penthouse-hand it over. I'll have the legal team handle it."

"I can't believe you," I muttered. "You think because I'm not getting married on command, I don't deserve any of this?"

"This isn't about emotion. It's about building a legacy."

I started to walk out. But then I stopped.

"Fine," I said. "I'll get married."

They both looked stunned.

"But not to someone you pick for me," I continued. "I haven't found the right woman yet. But I'm searching."

I hesitated for a moment, then added, "Actually, last night... I met someone. I don't know her name. I don't know where she went. But she saved me-from something bad. And at that moment... it felt like everything in my life suddenly made sense."

Andrew raised an eyebrow. "That's none of my business. My concern is that you get married. And soon, we will find a perfect match for you. We are planning on getting one."

Rage boiled in my chest. "You just want control. That's all you've ever wanted."

"Call it what you like," he said. "My conditions are clear."

I didn't respond. I just left the study.

As I walked out of that house, I knew one thing for certain: the girl was the right person for me.

Just then, my mother, Laura Miller, walked in when I finally got to my room.

"Michael, your father never told you about my health. I am dying soon." I could see her fighting the tears in her eyes.

"What?" I yelled.