Behind The Mask

Chapter 51

Michael's POV

There has been a month of dubious calm in my life. Why do I call it dubious? Because shit always happens in my life. If nothing weird happens, it just means that someone is bidding his time, just waiting to hit me where it hurts the most. That's why the peace and quiet in my career and personal life is not really welcome. I am diligently working on my new album and I am also planning to make a serious change of image. I'm done with the military jackets. Every inept TV host makes fun of me with a fedora and a military jacket. When everyone starts doing the same, it's time to make a change. It's the moment to take everyone by surprise. It's time to let the more mature side of me take control and show through in my public appearances.

It's late now and I am back home. Nooki left me a post-it note on the fridge. We're starting to look like every couple down the street. We leave each other messages on the fridge. We bicker over whose turn it is to empty the laundry hamper. She claims I take up more than half of the bed. I complain that her books and notebooks from the university have invaded my desk, reading desk and bedside table.

But we are happy. I can vouch for my own happiness. And as for Nooki, all I can say is that she is like a bright sunshine, with that huge grin always on her face and a twinkle in her blue eyes.

Right now, I'm back from a long recording session and my throat is sore from so much singing. I'm sipping on warm chamomile tea with honey. I close my eyes and feel so tired. But before the pincushion in my throat goes away, I can't go to sleep.

"Hey there! You look so tired, baby!"

I hear Nooki's voice and I feel her fingers on my shoulders, gently massaging my tense muscles.

"Mmmmmhhhh, God that feels so good!"

"Drink your tea and come to bed. I'll give you a proper massage."

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I did. I actually fell asleep at 7. It was a gruesome day in class. So, I've been sleeping for over five hours now."

"Tell me about your day, Nooki."

"Well, funny enough we had a case study similar to what happens with your foundations...the things you're worrying about. We have person X with full authority, swindling money in a very smart and untraceable manner. We had to come up with a solution to catch Mr. X red handed."

"And?"

"And I said that you need to strengthen the internal controls. Make Mr. X accountable to two more persons. So, by a process of triangulation, you can check up on all transactions, because they need 3 signatures for approval. And guess what?"

"What, baby?"

"The professor said that my idea is the best from all the others."

"I had no doubt about that. You're a smart girl. So, when is your MBA over so you can triangulate those crooks out of my foundation?"

She laughed lightly. It sounded like silver bells to me.

"I still have one more year to study."

"One year???? That long? In fact...time flies so fast. Can you believe that this time last year I fixed that restaurant dinner to get to talk to you?"

"It was on this exact day?"

"Mhm."

"Michael, that was not one of the brilliant moments in your life. What you did is called entrapment."

"What? Taking a beautiful woman to dinner?"

"Luring her there under false pretence."

I start laughing this time as I open our bedroom door. I let her step inside and whisper in her ear.