Tiger Temptation ~ An Urban Dark Fantasy Romance Genetic Engineering

9

The Saturday morning sun had barely reached nine o'clock when the taxi carrying Angelina and Paul pulled up in front of their two-story house. She paid the cab driver as her husband sat beside her. After settling the fare, they both exited the vehicle.

The neighborhood was as tranquil as ever, with only one or two teenagers leisurely riding their bikes. The light blue sedan drove off after the passenger closed the door from the outside.

Paul appeared to struggle with the front door as his right hand was still injured, so Angelina approached her husband and gently took the key from him. "Here, let me do it."

Paul didn't resist and allowed his wife to open the door before stepping inside before her.

—-

While Angelina's bedroom at Genma was cluttered, the house appeared neat and clean. She hadn't even bothered to fold the blanket, and two plastic plates remained in the sink, untouched by dish soap.

"Paul, who cleaned the house?" Angelina asked, her brow furrowing. Not a speck of dust was visible on their dining table.

There's no way Paul did it. He can't even open a door.

"A maid," Paul replied while locking the door from the inside. His movements were so awkward that Angelina approached her husband again to help. "She comes every morning from six to nine. I have to leave for work later."

"The maid is a girl? What does she look like?" Angelina asked quickly, her heart suddenly throbbing uncomfortably. "Did you take her picture?"

Maybe that person is also a spy from Genma.

"Hmm, why do I sense a jealous aura from my Angel?" Paul grinned, showing his dimples.

Eh?! Angelina was stunned. She even looked at her husband in confusion. Jealous?

Angelina tried to find the warmth that had always tingled her cheeks, but there was only one feeling she managed to realize.

Empty.

She felt nothing for the man who was still her husband.

What's wrong with me?

"Angel?" Paul's lips slowly flattened as he noticed his wife's stiff reaction. "Are you still feeling sick? Dizzy? Nauseous?"

"Uh, no," Angelina denied, glancing at the ceiling. If the maid was a Genma spy, she could have set up a surveillance camera there.

"Angel, just order delivery for lunch," Paul said as he walked towards the stairs to the bedroom. "I worked late last night. I want to catch up on sleep."

"What's the job?" asked Angelina as she followed in slow motion. She continued scanning every corner of the room, looking for foreign objects.

"I have a client from another island. I'll probably be out of town for a few days next week." Paul's voice grew fainter as he entered the room.

Angelina stopped in front of the downstairs bathroom door. She remembered Nixon's message about repaying the debt.

Angelina looked up and couldn't see her husband anymore. She decided to enter the bathroom and make a financial transaction through mobile banking on her cell phone.

*****

It was only seven in the evening when Angelina sat dreamily on the bed, staring blankly at the television screen. The antics of twelve Persian cats, which usually made the audience laugh, failed to lift her spirits.

Perhaps, on Monday, the other golden kittens won't be in their cage anymore. Overcast clouds hung over Angelina's thoughts.

However, Paul didn't seem to notice her condition. He lay casually next to his wife and changed the channel when the show they were watching became tedious.

"You're lucky to have that job," Paul suddenly remarked, catching her attention. Angelina turned to her husband with a questioning look.

"Multiple salaries compared to before, luxurious facilities. I'm jealous of you," Paul explained, leering at his wife.

Angelina's breath caught for an instant, her lips trembling as she tried to hold back a scream.

No, Paul. I'm not lucky! They eat cat meat! They kill animals for pleasure! They even lock up people!

They're a bunch of lunatics!

Paul, however, did not notice the change in his wife's expression. He returned his gaze to the screen while continuing his rant.

"If I could, I'd like to work there too. It would be nice to work at the same place."

"As what?" Angelina reflexively asked. As a kidnapper? Assassin?

"They don't accept just anyone," the woman continued grimly. Only lunatics or people with bad luck qualify.

"Angel, I'm just kidding."

Paul suddenly turned off the screen, placed the television remote on the nightstand, and drew their faces closer together. "Today, I haven't even gotten a kiss from my Angel."

Angelina blinked, falling silent as their lips touched.

*****

Angelina let her husband unbutton her pajamas. She complied as Paul pushed her body down under him.

Paul kissed Angelina's skin until the woman moaned softly. Paul closed the distance between them. His lips traveled down his wife's body.

Angelina squirmed as she responded to her husband's touch. However, the image of Ramaik suddenly flashed.

Her heart raced as she recalled when Ramaik had seized the opportunity to nuzzle his head against Angelina's palm while she was shaving the creature's beard.

"Paul, no."

Angelina pushed Paul's body away. The woman's breath came in ragged gasps as she sat up.

"Angel?" asked Paul in puzzlement.

"I-I'm..." Angelina swallowed nervously. "S-sorry, I-I'm..."

Ramaik's long purr seemed to enter Angelina's hearing, making her heartbeat even harder. "I-I'm..."

Angelina squeezed the front of her pajamas to cover her naked body. "I-I..."

Paul was silent as he observed Angelina's reaction. However, the man eventually let out a long sigh before lightly patting his wife's head.

"It's late. Let's go to bed."

Angelina looked down, not daring to return her husband's gaze. The woman bit her trembling lips. A feeling of guilt filled her.

The dim light that had been illuminating their room was extinguished when Paul decided to press the light switch. He laid down to his left, his back to Angelina, to protect his still injured hand.

"Good night, Angel."

Angelina didn't answer. The woman's feelings were chaotic. She buttoned her clothes and laid down with her back to her husband.

Angelina's mind pictures Ramaik's faintly curved lips. She pulled and clutched the blanket to wrap her body as she whispered inwardly.

Sorry, Paul. I'm sorry.

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