Meanwhile, back at the penthouse, later that evening, Alexis was still hopefully waiting for her husband.
"Just sitting around, waiting aimlessly won't do anything. Should I go to the police station?" She contemplated.
Before she could make up her mind, her phone rang and she jumped up, thinking it was Mikel.
She heaved a sigh in disappointment as she realized it was her friend.
"Hey!" She muttered into the phone as she accepted the call reluctantly.
"So, what is this news you said you have for me?" Alexis asked curiously as her friend had already texted her earlier.
"Alexis, I just got back home. I texted you when I was outside and witnessing the most shocking event of my life. See, I don't know how to say this…" Mirabelle began hesitantly, from the other end.
"Listen, there is something you need to see—"
The sound of the front door unlocking interrupted their conversation.
Alexis glanced toward the door and her eyes lit up in joy.
"Mikel is home. I will call you back," she said hurriedly, ending the call before Mirabelle could say more.
Mikel stepped in, looking tired but composed. Alexis immediately rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"Thank God, you are back!" She exclaimed.
"I have been so worried. What happened? You have never been gone for days without telling me." She inquired curiously.
Mikel pulled away gently, setting his briefcase on the table.
"You should have known I had to travel for an urgent business trip. It was last-minute. I didn't have time to inform you." He replied calmly.
Alexis nodded quickly, her worry easing.
"You are right. I should have known… You are not the type to disappear like that." She said.
Then, he managed to give her a small smile, pulling her back into a brief hug.
"I heard you fell sick. I was already on the plane when I found out. I almost canceled the trip, but I knew even you would be upset if I did." He said, his tone softening.
Alexis leaned back, looking up at him with admiration.
"I'm glad you didn't cancel. What happened to me wasn't serious… just fatigue." She said dismissively.
At the announcement, anger erupted from Mikel's mind. His expression shifted and he furrowed his brows.
"Of course, I have known it. She is too weak. I'm glad I didn't neglect the woman carrying my child just to run over." He stated inwardly and scoffed.
"Fatigue? Why are you getting stressed, Alexis? I'm not putting any pressure on you." He almost snapped at her.
Alexis saw his concern and smiled, interpreting his words as care.
"It is nothing. Really, I'm okay now." She assured him.
Mikel wanted to say more in anger but he caught himself and just sighed, shaking his head.
"You need to take better care of yourself."
"I will." Alexis promised softly.
Mikel gave a brief nod and headed toward the bedroom to freshen up.
As soon as he disappeared down the hallway, Alexis sat down and picked up her phone. A notification caught her attention—It was a message from Mirabelle.
Her heart skipped a beat as she opened it.
It was a picture.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"What the heck?"
The image showed Mikel sitting in a restaurant, a woman leaned in close to him, lips just inches from his cheek.
Alexis blinked rapidly, her mind racing to process what she was seeing.
"Who… Who is this?" She whispered, staring at the image.
For a moment, she thought of different possibilities.
"Is that a business partner?"
"It must be. It has to be..."
"But the woman's posture, the intimate closeness—it didn't look formal?"
Alexis shook her head, trying to push the doubt aside.
"Maybe it is just how they greet each other… a cultural thing." She murmured, forcing a laugh.
"Yes, that is it. It was just taken at an awkward moment."
She put the phone down and stood up, steadying herself.
"There is no need to overthink." She told herself.
With a deep breath, she walked toward the bedroom where Mikel was.
~~~~~~~~
Mikel was standing by the dresser, unbuttoning his shirt.
Alexis approached him slowly, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind.
Her hands slid up his chest as she rested her head against his back.
"I missed you." She whispered softly, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.
Mikel tensed slightly but didn't move.
"I missed you too." He replied flatly.
Alexis frowned but ignored it. She turned him around to face her, her hands resting on his chest.
"I want us to make up for lost time." She said, leaning in for a kiss.
But Mikel pulled back, gently pushing her away.
Alexis stared at him, stunned.
"What… what is wrong? Why are you pushing me away?" She asked, her voice laced with confusion.
Mikel avoided her gaze.
"I'm tired, Alexis. It was a long trip." He told her.
Her eyes widened further.
"Tired?" She repeated in disbelief.
"You have never said no to me before… never." She mumbled more to herself.
Mikel ran a hand through his hair, visibly frustrated.
"Things change, aren't you smart enough to understand that?" He asked, through gritted teeth.
Alexis took a step closer, staring at his face intently as if she was reading some letters on them.
"Since when? You have never rejected me, no matter how tired you may be. What is going on?" She asked.
Mikel tightened his jaw, and his eyes went to her face briefly before looking away.
"Maybe… maybe we should ask ourselves what is the point." He blurted out.
"The point? What do you mean by that?" Alexis asked, her voice slightly shaky.
Mikel's gaze hardened as he finally met her eyes.
"What is the point of being… intimate… when it has never led to anything? Not once." He finally snapped at her.
Alexis felt her heart drop. It was as if the world was spinning above her.
"What?" She whispered in utter shock.