Behind The Mask

Chapter 47

Michael's POV

The honeymoon of our relationship is officially over. I'm caught in meetings with Sony execs, who push me for a new album. I'm also recording a lot. I usually leave Nooki on the doorsteps, waving after my car and find her, late at night, trying to be still awake in bed, reading a book. But most of the times, I gently take the book from her hand, kiss her lips gently and then spoon her as she sleeps peacefully. But it's still enough for me – knowing she's here, warm and loving in my arms. I sleep like baby just as soon as our breathings get in sync.

Sometimes she's really awake and I'm tired as hell – but horny. She grins at my honest embarrassment and seductively gets under the sheets, giving me the most satisfying release, never expecting me to reciprocate. If I'm not really tired like a zombie, I get her off quickly with my fingers. But otherwise, our sex life is on hold for a while. We're both adjusting to being busy and soon enough we'll find time for us.

Nooki is a student now. She's doing an MBA at the University of California at San Jose. I asked her why not LA, but she dismissed it with a few words of choice - "full of pompous jerks".

She's got herself a car. A second hand 1994 Cadillac Camaro. There was a hue and cry over the car which really needed my mother to step in and put an end to it. I wanted to give Nooki a car. A brand new Benz. She said no, she didn't need it. A few days later, the Camaro appeared in the parking, right beside my van. I puzzled over whose it could be – the staff has a separate parking area. And here comes my Nooki, ready to go to classes, and puts a key in the car door!

Naturally, I got upset and I tried to get mother on my side. When it comes to car safety, I do not accept anything but the best, the most recent and technologically advanced. But Nooki is still cruising around in that death trap, and my own mother agrees with her that the car looks serviceable and well maintained, so I should stop complaining.

As I prepare to leave for yet another meeting, I throw a disgusted look at the eye sore sitting parked next to the Escalade.

"Wayne, could you do something to that car so it doesn't work anymore and I can get Anouk a proper car?"

"Boss, that's called sabotage. If Anouk finds out about it, I'm a dead man. She seems to care about the car. I can understand that. The Camaro is a cult car."

"A what?"

"Paul Newman had one. And Peter Fonda had one, too."

"I don't care who had one, I don't want my girlfriend driving it!"

"Sorry, boss, but it seems you'll have to learn and accept this car."

"So you won't help me..."

"Sorry, boss, but Anouk..."

"Anouk won't be a problem."

"Respectfully, I beg to differ. I am not such a brave man to contemplate her wrath with calm and composure."

I throw back my head and laugh hard.

"Wayne, you're soon gonna be her stepfather."

"That does not change the fact that I'd rather stay on the sunny side of her temper."

I nod and give it up.

"You're right, Wayne. You ain't seen the dark side of Anouk."

"Seen, not. But heard, I did."

"Oh....oh, yeah...you were on the other side of the door when I got back to the hotel trying to win her back. Damn, Wayne, this girl caught me in her spell so completely!"