148 Leaving

For two weeks, Director He had been utilizing the two assistants to the CEO even for unofficial and personal matters.

Michelle had been stressed out and tired from all of it.

Riley held his sleeping wife after they had arrived home. The two dogs made it difficult for him to climb upstairs with her in his arms. Their paws almost woke her up.

When he had tucked her in bed, he went downstairs so that the dogs will not bother her.

He went to play with them at the yard, tossing frisbees and rope balls.

He did not even noticed that an hour had passed. He missed his dogs and they clearly missed him too. He thought how great it would be for the baby to interact with the dogs as he grows up. Yes, he is hopeful that it would be a boy.

Michelle woke up after few minutes of rest. She went and found her husband happily playing with the dogs.

She went ahead and took the rack of lamb ribs in the fridge. She placed it in the marinator, together with herbs and seasonings. Then she placed them in the oven and started making the homemade barbecue sauce according to her mother's recipe.

When the lamb was ready, the rice also was. She then went to call him for dinner.

Riley sensed her stare even when the dogs tackled him down on the grass. He looked up to meet her eyes.

"You're awake." he said, with a warm smile.

"You're dirty." she snickered. "Quick, take a shower or I'll devour everything before you are done." She had a teasing smile as she walk back into the kitchen to chop the lamb and serve it on a plate with a hefty serving of the sauce.

"So, when are you leaving ZFC?" Riley asked his wife as he sliced his meat.

She was drinking some juice and almost spat it out. She cleared her throat. "I cannot leave when the CEO is away."

"But that Director He is taking advantage of you as an assistant. He is the OIC, but only in the company. You're the CEO's personal assistant. He cannot order you around like that! Plus, the baby..."

"Shhh..." she held a finger over his mouth. "You sound like you have more hormones than I do." she giggled. "Relax, there is not much physical tasks. Most of them were done in a phone call."

"But you're pregnant! I can provide for us. You don't need to work." his voice was full of worry.

"Riles...I can't go when the CEO is away. You know that." She held his hand to console him.

"Where is he anyway?"

"Overseas. No details. I suspect it's about Ms. Midori, but there was no news on your end."

______________________

""Why are you leaving so soon?" Aoi Xiu gave a questioning glare at the new family.

They had just brought the baby home, and her daughter was already leaving for City S.

"Mom, we want to live together as a family. You know that Dan cannot just leave ZFC. Please understand. Even you yourself made this decision when you raised our family."

Aoi Xiu narrowed her eyes. Her daughter had a good point. It might run in the daughters of their family, to leave the family and live with their husbands.

It was a trend since her own mother left the royal family for her father. Igarashi Aoi left home to marry a foreigner. Now, her daughter will come back to City S to be with her husband.

It was like she was required to understand.

Aoi Xiu sighed. "I'm not keeping you from living together, but considering the circumstances, I'm worried about your safety and that of my grandson."

Midori looked down sulking.

Aoi turned to her son-in-law. "If you could ensure their safety, you could go."

Dan's eyes lit up and a smile flashed on his face. "I will, O-okaasan." He was awkward in his address.

Aoi Xiu chuckled. "No need to force yourself. 'Mom' will do. Anyway, will you guys bring Manta?"

Midori looked up again. "Mom, why don't we all go back to City S? I'm sure dad and niisan will be happy if you and Manta could stay in the house again."

"We'll see...but not now."

Dan could see the sadness his mother-in-law hid from Midori's eyes.

Just then, the baby started crying and Midori rushed to check on him.

"Mom..." Dan remained at the sitting room.

"Yes?"

"Are you having problems with Dad?"

Aoi Xiu clenched her teeth beneath the stoic face.