The Unknown

Unauthorized purchase

Mike's pov

The past two weeks were pretty rough and they've definitely taken their toll on me. The majority of the time was spent working my fingers to the bone in less than ideal conditions in Africa and upon my return, the remainder of the time was spent helping Shane come to terms with his father's terminal illness. I'm both emotionally and physically drained.

I sigh and rub my eyes, fighting to stay awake, when I hear a notification chime on my phone as I'm working in my office at the Foundation. Checking the email from my credit card company, I become worried about a suspicious charge recently flagged on my card, knowing it's not a purchase I made.

I dial the customer service number and inquire for a more detailed explanation of the charge. Based on the information they provide, I have a damn good idea who used my card without my authorization. The charge was made online for a steampunk computer game download. No doubt it's one of the games Julie and her friends have been talking about for the past month.

When Julie first asked me if I would buy her the game, I said no so she quickly switched gears asking me to purchase it as an early birthday gift instead. Very early, considering her birthday is in seven months. I then reminded her that her second ear piercing was already an early birthday gift. Well, now she can rest assured I'm going to take every cent of that $49.99 charge out of her hide.

I phoned Julie but of course it went straight to voicemail so I texted her instead.

GET OFFLINE ASAP OMW 2 DISCUSS UR UNAUTHORIZED PURCHASE

I didn't bother waiting for her response. I know she'll receive the text and when I arrive, she'll quickly get the message.

Julie's pov

I ignored Mike's phone call but his text definitely got my attention. Son of a bitch, I thought. How the Hell am I gonna get out of this one? Luckily, Mike isn't too computer savvy so I can probably convince him that I can't uninstall the game but even if he doesn't believe me, he'll never know I can still get to my saved game on the cloud.

Mike knocked on our door, entering with fire in his eyes and fury in his voice.

Pointing to me and motioning with his hand, he growled, "You, come with me."

"WHAT IN THE WORLD WERE YOU THINKING, STEALING MY CREDIT CARD LIKE THAT?" he yelled, as soon as we were out in the hall.

"I don't know," I replied. "I'm sorry. I'll pay you back, I promise." I threw a hail Mary pass into the end zone.

Mike continued to glare at me, so furious steam may as well have been shooting out of his ears.

"YOU WANT TO GO SHOPPING WITH MY CREDIT CARD SO BADLY, JULIE? FINE, LET'S GO SHOPPING!" he shouted angrily. Mike grabbed me by the arm. "You have no idea how furious I am with you right now." He harshly slapped my bottom then practically dragged me out to the parking lot. He not so gently guided me into his front passenger seat and we quickly left the lot.

After riding in silence for twenty minutes and inspite of the waves of fury emanating from my guardian, I finally mustered up the courage to timidly ask, "Mike, where are we going?"

"We're going to the leather store, Julie, as I'm in the market for a new belt," Mike said sternly. He never took his eyes off the road as he tightly gripped the steering wheel.

Hearing where Mike was taking me, I gulped, having a pretty good idea why he was suddenly in need of this new clothing accessory.

"And you're going to help me pick it out," Mike finished his train of thought in a foreboding tone.