21. Paranoid

"Are you leaving already?" Irene woke up to the movement of her husband.

Danni was wearing a flannel shirt in front of the mirror. Even Irene tried to open her still-tight eyes to look at the digital clock, which was still showing five in the morning.

"It's still dark, honey," Irene complained.

Danni smiled and approached his wife. He sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed Irene's head. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I work two jobs now."

"What?" Irene's one eye narrowed.

"I'm now working part-time at Genie Market."

Irene widened her eyes. "Wow! Did you get in there?"

Danni nodded. "Yes. I work in the warehouse."

"Thank goodness. That's good."

"Yes. So I have to work early to get to the office and carry out the planning." Then Danni looked at the watch on her wrist. "I'll be working at Genie Market at eight."

Irene directed her hand to touch Danni's cheek. She made a gentle stroke. "That must be exhausting for you."

"Yeah. But it's work." Danni touched Irene's hand. "My job is like the Avengers."

Irene laughed at the joke. "So, do I have a Captain America or Iron Man husband?"

"I'm Your Man."

Irene couldn't stop laughing. "You are My Man. That's right. Shall I make you breakfast?"

"No, it's okay. It's still too dark."

"So?"

"I don't want to disturb you. It should still be your bedtime, Irene."

"I can't let you save the earth without breakfast." Irene rose from her seat.

"No, dear." Danni held her back. "I just need to eat some fruit. Then the office will take care of us. It's the office's responsibility."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Irene then guessed something. "You work at Genie Market alone?"

"Of course not. I had to uncover the possibility of drugs, there's no way I could have done it alone."

"Well, I feel relieved. Even so, I'll be ready to help if you need me."

Danni responded with a warm hug. She buried her head in Irene's neck, sniffing the distinctive bergamot scent.

"You don't have to, Honey," Danni whispered.

"But I'm always available if you're having trouble," Irene said. "Danni, you've even done a lot in my life. I want to do it for you, too."

Danni pulled away from the hug. Her heart sank at the sincerity. She looked at Irene with love and emotion. They gazed at each other in silent moments wrapped in an atmosphere of intimacy.

"It's been four years of marriage," Danni said. "I want us to take care of each other." He kissed Irene's back hand.

"So?"

"Even so, I want to protect you more," Danni continued.

"But I also want to do it." Irene grasped her husband's hand tightly.

"Irene, let me walk first. You just have to sit tight. But if I can't do it well, then I'll need you."

The twinkle on Irene's face was full of happiness.

"It was a tough decision because I want to be completely relied on by you. But my wife is a superwoman. She's different from other women," Danni said softly. "You remember, once you start to make peace with that psychometry, you want to use it wisely, right?"

Irene nodded. Her eyes looked watery, holding back tears of joy that her husband was so kind.

"Then... you just need to support me. I'll maximize my efforts first. It would be best if my wife wasn't involved."

"Alright, I understand."

Danni touched both of Irene's cheeks. "Since I'll be home less often, you should continue your normal life. You might get lonely, but I'll keep in touch."

Irene nodded.

Then Danni gave her wife a sweet peck on the forehead.

+++

Alex Matthew's arrival was greeted by a waiter who opened the giant golden doors to a private restaurant. The dramatic high ceilings filled with crystal chandeliers that at first glance look like butterflies are the main scenery that illustrates the luxury of the room.

"Have you come?"

An older woman was seen gracefully enjoying an appetizer. She was wearing a black balloon-sleeved dress that further exuded an elegant aura.

"Have you been waiting long?" asked Alex sitting across from his aunt.

"Not bad." Aunt Sarah put down her cutlery, cleaning her mouth with a special wipe. "Where's Steve?"

"I think he'll be here soon. He's taking care of the competition preparations," Alex replied in her usual flat tone.

"You guys have been working hard." Aunt Sarah gave Alex a thumbs up.

"We've always been like that."

Then, the waiter came over with a pushcart filled with all sorts of sumptuous dishes. They set it on the table and bowed before leaving.

"You guys have been great. So when did I hear you were dating?" asked Aunt Sarah as she took a sip of the wine the waiter had poured.

"I knew you would ask that."

"Of course. You should get married soon to continue the family.

"Even though offspring can be obtained without marriage

Aunt Sarah choked up. That sentence was too shocking for her. Even though Alex said it with the weightlessness of a heartless person, he was very perceptive in pouring mineral water into another glass for his aunt before the waiter.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked to make sure her aunt was okay.

Auntie cleared her throat. "Yeah. I'm okay."

Alex looked at her aunt to make sure she was okay. Then she let out her breath softly. "Then why didn't you ever ask me this question when I was with Celine?"

Auntie didn't respond immediately. She stared at her nephew for a while longer to read his demeanor. But the words of Irene, the tarot reader she trusted, convinced her that she should not spoil her niece. Now and then Alex had to be affirmed.

"I don't like it."

Alex put his cutlery down on his plate. "Why?"

"You also know that she's not our equal. I've also said this many times."

"I want to be angry. But I don't know if my anger is a good choice while Celine is leaving me even though I'm sure there won't be any problems when a woman like her joins our family."

Aunt Sarah chuckled. "That would be a boomerang for us. You are so stupid when you are with the woman you love. You don't even care how smelly her farts are."

"A woman like Celine can also be dangerous because she knows your secrets, the company's secrets!" the aunt continued.

Alex was stunned, digesting the whole sentence well. Now, the man was also better able to manage his emotions. Maybe it was because he was too tired.

"I'm not compatible with Davina anyway," Alex added.

"I know."

"Did your tarot reader tell you that?"