Chapter 5: His Jealousy

Stefan was intrigued to meet Iyan Ashdown, a talented young man in the business world. Who had used a varieties of resources to reach him, and he successfully gained his attention. He wanted to also understand who this Ryan guy was the man who seemed to always be around his wife.

Jerry knocked on Stefan's door, his personal assistant. "Sir, I have the information you requested," he said, entering as Stefan gestured for him to come in. Jerry placed the documents in front of him as Stefan began to analyze the data.

"Prepare a meeting with the Mtech Company. I would like to discuss potential business opportunities," Stefan instructed.

"Yes, sir," Jerry replied, surprised by Stefan's choice to engage with Mtech. "Perhaps he wants to get closer to Micah," he mused silently, knowing she worked there.

Meanwhile, Micah received a call from Nestle Bark Laundry one of her small businesses she had started before marrying Stefan. "Boss lady, just a quick update on the new chemicals we made. They were successful," Maggie said excitedly. "Your plan was excellent!"

Micah smiled at the news. "Great!, Offer a discount for customers to try them out. If they like it, they'll keep using them," she advised.

"okay, ma'am! We all miss you here," Maggie responded playfully. Micah chuckled, "I'm just busy, but it's great to know you're managing well."

"focus on your job but don't stress yourself, madam!" Maggie continued.

"Absolutely! Just remind the team not to mess anything up," Micah instructed. "No complaints about the chemicals,our customers need to be satisfied!" "Yes, ma'am. By the way, how is your married life?" Maggie asked, curiosity evident in her tone.

"It's fine," Micah replied tersely, not wanting to dive deeper into her emotions. "I have to go. Talk soon!". "Okay bye take care of yourself she said. And the call disconnects, Micah sighed. She had opened the laundry business five years ago, determined to be financially independent. The name, Nestle Bark Laundry, was quirky but memorable. After countless sleepless nights perfecting the formula for her detergent, she wanted her customers to have the best quality wanting to enhance a lasting and fragrant smell for the customers which she succeded on she was grateful that her hard work had finally paid off and thankful to God for his help.

The next day at the office, the conversation among her colleagues shifted to fashion, designs, and exciting opportunities. "Have you heard? We're collaborating with Blake Company!" Stella said.

Micah's stomach chuned. She couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety. Why was it stephan's company she thought. Ryan received the news with reluctance. While his brother's business opportunity could lead to profits, he was unhappy about the implications it could have on Micah and their interactions, his brother had warned him to not spoil anything since he was using his effort to make new changes.

As days passed, the president of M-Tech Company arrived for a highly anticipated meeting. The atmosphere was charged Stefan, Iyan, and Ryan were magnetic figures, easily drawing attention. The women in the office were keenly aware of their presence and maintained composure.

As Micah entered the conference room, she immediately spotted Stefan but felt invisible since he didn't acknowledge her. "He wants to keep our marriage a secret," she thought, trying to understand.

Iyan began the meeting, drawing the group's attention. While Micah diligently took notes,and Stephan observed she carefully took notes and was really attentive.

As the meeting concluded, Stefan's gaze fell upon Micah as she organized her files. Ryan, however, took the opportunity to approach her. "Shall we grab some coffee?" he asked, flashing her his charming smile.

"Sure," Micah replied, feeling grateful for the brief distraction. The two walked out together, and for a moment, all Micah could think about was how the company treated them with care serving the best coffee.

Meanwhile, Stefan's mood darkened as he observed Ryan's easy camaraderie with his wife. The way Ryan smiled at Micah ignited a simmering jealousy within him. Why was she agreeing to spend time with another man? Was she acting out on past grievances? He thought.

His heart hardening. He didn't want to confront these feelings but couldn't shake his unease.

As Micah and Ryan chatted over their lattes, Stefan's frustration grew. When stephan and iyan were discussing not to far from them and his eyes met with Micah's and he didn't look too happy seeing her with a guy. "Can we go back to the office she stated she didn't want him getting the wrong idea."Sure he said As they walked away Iyan gave Ryan an annoyed look, Ryan didn't care he didn't like the stephan guy. The day wore on,When Micah arrived home, she found Stefan already in the living room. What was he doing there? Was he waiting for her? After ignoring her all day at the office, he didn't even bother contacting her she thought annoyed but she she held her annoyance in she felt odd for him to be home now, Stephan casually perched on the couch with his legs crossed, engrossed in his phone, not acknowledging her presence." How was your day? She asked lighting up the living room with her presence

"Micah," he said, not even looking up from his screen. It felt cold. She wondered what had happened

finally dropping his phone and fixing her with a glare, "you shouldn't have close contact with that guy at work."

Taken aback by his reprimanding tone, Micah felt her annoyance rise. Was this what he waited for her return to say? Instead of asking her about her day or spending quality time together, he chose to scold her? She wouldn't be angry she had to understand.

"Is that understood? His voice cold.

"Sure," she replied tersely, forcing herself to keep her tone neutral. "Anything else?"

He opened his mouth, but paused. "No, that would be all," he said finally, unwilling to provoke a fight. Ryan was a friend she hadHe was funny, smart,and considerate, his presence reminded her of her twin sister who is away. Stefan's unreasonable jealousy seemed vast and frustrating." He was unreasonable, she thought.

After she freshened up, she prayed fervently seeking guidance for her company and clarity regarding Stefan's consuming attitude.

The next day at work, Micah made a conscious effort to keep her distance from Ryan, hyper aware of Stefan's presence. She didn't want to draw attention or give anyone reason she was distancing Ryan. Lunchtime arrived, and though she contemplated skipping it to focus on her work, Ryan's cheerful voice cut through her resolve.

"It's lunch break! Let's go grab something to eat he said, accompanied with Ben, a co-worker he had befriended.

"I don't have the appetite Ryan? I was thinking of getting ahead on some work..." Micah started, but she knew it was fruitless to resist.

"Come on, we need the energy!" Ben countered with enthusiasm, since he loved food and Ryan flashing his trademark smile. She couldn't refuse the camaraderie he offered, and so, against her better judgment, she agreed.

Meanwhile, Stefan was in the corner of the break room, locked in a discussion with Ryan regarding some private business matters. As he caught sight of Micah laughing with Ryan and a guy who had a pear face was with them a flicker of jealousy ignited within him. He clenched his fists, wishing he could shake off the possessive feelings that swelled inside him.

"She didn't adhere to his warning he was betrayed. The warm glances they exchanged felt like a betrayal, fanning the flames of his anger. He couldn't stand the thought of another man gaining access to a side of her that he felt he should own. Micah was his,and his alone.

Iyan didn't notice Stefan's icy expression as he was busy on a call with someone.Stephan left Iyan' office, his mind a mess. Micah was headed to her office after finishing her meal when someone suddenly grabbed her by the hand and pulled her against the wall. Startled, she looked up to see it was Stefan, whose demeanor was cold and domineering.

"Stay away from that guy," Stefan warned, as they were hidden in the dark corner.

"Let me go," she demanded, but he didn't budge.

"Do you hear me? Stay away from him." He spoke softly into her neck, where she smelled intoxicating and delicate.

"Why should I?" she retorted defiantly. "You aren't the boss of me, are you?" she demanded.

Stefan chuckled softly, moving even closer. "You don't want them knowing we're married, do you?" he asked, his breath fanning across her neck.

Micah could hear footsteps approaching. "This is nonsense," she pushed him away, but her shove had little effect against his strong build.

"If you won't agree, then I would gladly show you how affectionate I can be, Mrs. Blake," he said, pressing her against the wall.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed, suddenly alert. "We're in the company!"

His face came nearer, and she could hear the distant footsteps drawing closer. She pushed against him again, but her strength was futile he held her firmly, lowering his lips to her neck, which made her gasp. He claimed her mouth with his as she tried to get away as he kissed her roughly, craving her. Thankfully, Ben walked toward their direction, passing by without noticing them. As someone called out to him, stephan had seen him coming but he knew he wouldn't see them. Micah sighed in relief, quickly she was lucky Ben hadn't seen them, she wiped her lips clean of any traces of their encounter and giving Stefan an annoyed look.

"You almost made us get caught," she scolded.

"And you almost made me lose control," he replied seriously, his demeanor shifting. "This is a warning, Miss Blake. If you try to mess with me, you can expect a more serious one."

With that, he walked away, leaving her wondering "was he jealous?. She thought. Micah emerged from the shadows, pretending as if nothing had happened. Ryan noticed her and Stefan coming out from the dark corner, but they didn't see him, his fist clenched.