Nightmare Revenge

The next day, early morning. "Ugh," Dean groaned as he woke up. He turned to find Laura gone from his side. He bit his lip and slapped both cheeks, then got out of bed and got ready for work. After he was ready, he walked to Laila's room and opened it. He stared at the empty bed, filled with silent, unmoving dolls with wide, seemingly sad eyes staring back at him. "Click," Dean closed the door and walked out slowly, heading for the exit.

When he arrived at the office, Dean's head felt heavy and his mind was blank. He ignored the employees who greeted him with "good morning" and continued toward his office. As he entered, he saw a handsome man in a suit that perfectly fit his face and posture, sitting casually with his legs crossed in front of Dean's desk. The man turned to look at Dean, who was standing at the door, having heard it open.

"Morning, Dean. Why do you look so messed up?" the man asked casually.

"What do you need, Alex? It's unusual for you to be here this early," Dean replied, walking behind his desk and sitting in his chair.

Dean looked at the man in front of him. His name was Alex Morgan. He was two years younger than Dean, held the position of deputy director, and was the son of the company owner, competing with Dean for the director position. However, despite his high title, he mostly just wandered around the office and often flirted with the female employees. He usually came in late, which was why Dean was a bit surprised that he was here so early, even earlier than Dean himself, and waiting in the office.

"Listen, Dean, I need you to sign this," Alex said, handing a document to Dean.

Dean took the document and read it. He saw that it was a reimbursement form to withdraw funds from accounting to redeem and pay for project expenses that had already been paid. Dean read the details, but he was shocked by the amount.

"Huh, that much? Does this project really need this much money? Have you checked, Alex?" Dean asked.

"Of course I have. I've given you the details, too, right? That's why I'm here, to get your signature so the money can be disbursed, because there's still a lot that needs to be paid," Alex said.

"But many of these amounts seem inflated," Dean said, pointing to several items on the list.

"Yeah, I was confused at first too, but I've checked with the site and talked to the PIC in charge. The problem is a sudden price increase from the overseas factory. We've already imported it, and they've made a bill that's almost double the original price," Alex explained.

"Haaah, unbelievable. Fine," Dean sighed, trusting Alex at the time, especially with his chaotic emotional state from Laura and Laila leaving him.

After it was signed, Alex immediately looked pleased and stood up. He turned directly and walked toward the exit.

"Thanks, Dean. My work's all sorted now. Say hi to your wife and kid for me," Alex said, opening the door.

"Yeah, sure," Dean replied, still feeling messed up and sensing that Alex was subtly mocking him.

From the window, he saw Alex stop at Silvia's desk and lean close to her ear. Then Silvia chuckled and raised her hand, whispering something to Alex.

"They're close, huh?" Dean muttered.

Suddenly, Dean remembered something. He immediately pulled something from inside his jacket, an envelope, and took out the crumpled letter. He opened it, his eyes immediately going to the debt amount listed at the bottom.

"Hmm... the amount is the same as the project funds just now? Ah, maybe it's just my imagination," Dean thought, his mind still blank and his heart still a mess.

He stood up and walked to the door. He opened it. Alex, who was still in front of Silvia's desk, immediately left while sweet-talking Silvia, who seemed happy to receive Alex's flirtation. Dean walked over to Silvia and handed her the letter.

"Please send this back to the police station," Dean said.

"Alright, sir," Silvia replied, taking the letter.

"Are you close with Alex, Sil?" Dean asked.

"Ah, not really, sir. Sometimes he just likes to chat with me," Silvia answered.

"Oh, I see. Well, the meeting today is canceled. I want to go home early today, I don't feel well," Dean said.

"Oh, okay, sir. Get well soon," Silvia said.

"Yeah, thanks, Sil," Dean replied.

After that, he went back into his office and sat in his chair. He spun his chair around and took his smartphone from his pocket. He saw "My Wife Laura" on the screen and pressed the button. "The number you are trying to reach cannot be connected. Please try again later."

Dean's fingers danced across his smartphone screen, sending a message to his wife. He apologized repeatedly and begged his wife to at least send a picture of their daughter. After typing to his heart's content and getting no reply, "Clatter!" he threw his smartphone onto the desk. His fingers immediately massaged his forehead, then dropped to his eyes, feeling utterly exhausted.

*****

Two days later, Dean, who had taken leave, went to his in-laws' house to pick up his wife and daughter and bring them home, as well as to apologize to his in-laws for causing them trouble. When he arrived and got out of the car, Dean saw a large, luxurious car parked in his in-laws' driveway.

"Whose car is that?" Dean wondered to himself.

But as his hand almost touched his in-laws' gate, "Hey!" someone shouted from inside. Dean turned and saw a man, roughly 36 or 37 years old, with a potbelly, a mustache, and several blue tattoos on his arm, standing at the door. The man was Laura's older brother, who sometimes borrowed money from Dean and had a bad temper.

"Mark?" Dean asked.

"What do you want here, Dean?" Mark shouted.

"I want to pick up Laura and apologize to her. May I come in, brother?" Dean asked politely.

"Laura and your kid Laila aren't here. They're at the villa with my mom and dad. You better go home, Laura doesn't want to see you," Mark replied.

"Villa? Whose, brother?" Dean asked.

"It's mine, of course," Mark snapped.

"Roughly when will they be back, brother?" Dean asked.

"No idea, don't ask me. Looks like Laura plans to stay at the villa. Just go, you'd better leave," Mark retorted.

"Okay, brother. Whose car is this, by the way?" Dean asked, pointing to the luxury car in the driveway.

"It's my car, why? You think I can't buy a car like that, huh? Don't act all high and mighty just because you're a director and put down a jobless guy like me, I got lucky yesterday. I can buy whatever I want with the money," Mark said angrily.

"Sorry, brother, I was just asking. I'll take my leave now," Dean said, starting to feel annoyed.

"Yeah, get lost and don't come back."

"Slam!" Mark went inside, slamming the door hard. Dean clenched his fists, enraged, but he couldn't do anything because, despite his behavior, Mark was still his brother-in-law. With sluggish steps, he walked back to his car and drove away from Laura's parents' residence.

"First time I've heard of an unemployed guy buying a luxury car like that. Lucky break? More like robbed someone. He can't even pay his water bill and usually acts arrogant. I'm genuinely curious whose car that is," Dean thought to himself.

Despite his curiosity, Dean still tried to think positively. Maybe it was true that Mark had hit the jackpot and could afford a car like that. Dean sighed, his heart aching. He really wanted to see his daughter, Laila. That night, when he arrived in his neighborhood, his heart still hoped someone would be home, but when he reached his house, it was pitch black. Dean leaned his forehead against the steering wheel.

"When are you coming home, Laila, my baby?" Dean whispered softly.