Believe Series box set

by L Chapman

  "Oh, this one time, Mark came home from school all excited to tell me what he had learned. They had been to a farm on a trip. He was so happy that he couldn't wait to tell me the animals he had seen, like goats, chickens, horses, all the normal farm animals. He also saw a pig and a cow… 'a pink cow', so he said."

  "He must have been so excited."

  "He went on about it for days. He drew pictures and everything." I can't help but smile.

  The next half an hour seemed to fly by so quickly. Annabella tells me even more stories about Mark, him running around the garden naked and fighting with his brother over who gets the bread crusts. I have so many things I can use now. Annabella is so nice and so easy to talk to. I can see why Mark likes her so much.

  "Megan, remember one thing.” Annabella takes hold of my hand, looking directly at me. “Everything happens for a reason. You must believe in it and trust that it will work out."

  "Thank you, Annabella, I think Mark has gotten lost."

  "Mark normally takes Jessie for a run when he is here. I can’t go as far with her as he can.”

  "We're back." Mark comes into the room with Jessie who flops down in front of the fire.

  "Did you have a nice time with Jessie?" I enquire, looking directly into his eyes.

  "We had a fantastic time! We best be off, Annabella. I need to pop by the office," he says, taking out his phone from his pocket.

  "It was great to meet you, Megan," Annabella says, smiling at me.

  "And you, too. Thank you, Annabella, I hope to see you again."

  We say our goodbyes and head off to the car.

  As we head to the car, Mark points out a greenhouse at the side of the building, a simple little brick building with multiple glass windows. Only the frame is not glass. I can see flowers growing in it.

  "I remember spending numerous hours in there when I was younger. I would go in there to escape."

  "Aww, escape from what?" I ask.

  "I shall tell you at some point. I want to get you back where it is warm." I get into the car, not asking any questions. Maybe I shouldn't ask questions yet.

  "Don't you be planning on using any of what Annabella said against me, Megan!"

  I giggle. "Would I do such a thing?"

  Chapter 10

  I can’t believe I am going home today. I didn’t want to come down to London with Jenny, and I had tried to get out of it, but now I am so pleased that I did. These few days have been amazing. I have not only had some fun shopping with Jenny and getting the last few things for the wedding, but I met Mark. How amazing is he? I cannot quite believe I am having feelings like this, feelings I have never had before. I slowly climb out of bed, trying not to wake Mark, who is lying on his side, facing me with one of his hands under his cheek. I slowly walk along the room into the en-suite bathroom getting myself changed for the day. I will be travelling for roughly four hours, so I choose to wear simple blue jeans and a cream jumper with comfortable shoes. Mark has offered to take Jenny, Rich and me to the train station. I creep back into the main room to see Mark sitting up in bed watching me with his bare chest showing.

  “Are you sneaking around?” Mark enquires with a sleepy smile on his face.

  “Sorry, I didn’t want to wake you. You looked so peaceful.” I return the smile.

  “I am still taking you to the station,” Mark says in a stern tone. “If you still want to go home,” he adds in his normal tone.

  “I need to. I have appointments.” I look down at the floor. He feels like I do. He doesn’t want me to go. I can’t look him in the eye.

  “I am going to miss you, baby.” Mark tips his head down so he can see my eyes. I don’t want to go. I do not want to leave Mark. Nevertheless, it is just a little holiday romance. Something to tell the girls about. They will want all the juicy details that never happened. I am not breaking my rules just for a one-night stand. I can’t sleep with him, not when I have such feelings and then have to walk away from him. From us.

  The journey home will be just short of four hours, from leaving the hotel here to getting home. I will be happy to sit and read on the train back. Maybe I can even listen to my music and keep my mind busy by falling in love with a new book boyfriend. At least you can’t get hurt by that one.

  “Megan, let’s have breakfast. Let me take you to the train station. I am not ready to say bye, even though it is only for a short time,” Mark states as he walks along the room in his black, tight boxers. He takes hold of my hand.

  I nod and look right into his eyes. Mark leans forward, placing a kiss onto my forehead before heading into the bathroom. I walk over to the drawers and place my things together in a pile preparing to leave. I just want to get away before he kisses me. I want him to kiss me, a real kiss. I want him to tell me he does not want me to go without him, and I want him to come with me.

  I suddenly feel his arms wrap around me, pulling me back against his naked chest. I freeze to the spot, unable to move, unable to breath. I don’t want him to let go of me.

  “Hey, baby, don’t rush. You have plenty of time,” he whispers into my ear as he places a little kiss onto my shoulder, so soft, gentle, and oh, so perfect. I wish he did not do that. I so want to turn around and place my lips on his. I am not going to, though, or should I?

  “You mentioned breakfast. Are you cooking, or am I?” I ask, changing the conversation.

  “I’ll cook, baby. It’s my home, my job. You go and relax.” Mark had me to stay at his place last night, and he had Connor to collect my stuff from the hotel. He stated that he had work to do and needed to be at home, but wanted me with him. I agreed to spend the night. Mark’s bed is bigger than the one in the hotel, so I was willing to stay.

  We spent the night in his office; I sat and read while Mark worked. Well, that’s what he thought I was doing. I spent most of the time watching him. Watching every movement he made. He was in such a cheeky mood. He had me shopping online for a gift for Connor. Connor has been working for him for five years next month, and he wanted to get him something special.

  In the end, we agreed on a nice silver watch. He ordered it with an engraving “Connor, thank you for the past five years. M.” A very simple, but meaningful message. He is giving Connor the week off so he can have some time to relax and be alone. Connor had been talking about wanting to take his daughter to a nice holiday resort off the east coast. It will do them both some good. I don’t know much about him. I know he works for Mark and has a daughter, but no mention of a partner or a ring. Yes, I did check if he had a ring.

  I slide out of his hands, head into the kitchen, hearing his footsteps behind me. Every hair on the back of my neck stands up on end. Oh my, do not come any closer. I go around the counters and stand in the lounge part of his open plan kitchen.

  “So, what are you going to cook me?” I question, keeping the distance between us.

  “As you can’t have some things, how about toast, sausage, and bacon? Maybe some beans?” he questions.

  “No beans for me, but perfect otherwise. Thank you. Can I have a glass of water?” I ask as I sit down on the bar chair near the kitchen.

  “Anything for you, baby,” He smiles, spinning around and reaching over to get a glass. What a view! He is still only in his tight boxers, and his bum looks amazing.

  I spend the next half an hour watching Mark walk around the kitchen doing breakfast, being a right little chef. I can’t do anything but smile at him, seeing him so happy and so relaxed. Always smiling, Mark does not seem to stress about anything.

  I reach down into my jeans pocket and pull out my phone.

  Morning Megan, what is the plan for today? Xx

  Hi Jenny, I am at Mark’s. He said he will take us to the station. I’ll message you with the time in a bit. Xx

  Sitting on the bar style chair on the other side of the kitchen island, Mark turns around with two plates of food. “Are you ready to eat?” he enquires.

  “I am. I’m starving,” I say, sitting up strai
ght on the chair.

  “Shall we go sit outside in the sun and eat?” Mark asks as he walks to the French doors and opens them.

  I stand up, taking hold of my glass of water and follow him out into the garden. There is a small glass-topped round table with two matching chairs. Mark places the food onto the table.

  “Give me a minute. I’ll get you a cushion. Don’t sit down,” Mark states as he jogs into the house. Wow! What a beautiful view Mark has to look at in his backyard.

  “Here you go,” Mark says as he places a cushion onto the seat.

  I take a seat. “This looks amazing.”

  The next couple of hours seem to fly. I finish packing my belongings and how I would do it. Connor’s style of packing is not mine. Mark has a shower and does the washing up. It is so nice to see he is a tidy person and doesn’t just expect someone to pick up after him.

  We get into Mark’s people carrier. I am sure I have not seen this car before, but it is outside when we leave. Mark places my bags into the boot as we head off to the hotel to collect Jenny and Rich. As we pull up at the front of the hotel, they are standing there waiting with their bags.

  “Stay there, Megan. I’ll get their bags,” Mark states as he gets out of the car.

  The journey to the station is so quiet that no one really says anything, and Mark points out places Rich should visit when he is next down on business. As we arrive at the station, Rich jumps out to get our bags.

  “Megan, I have your stuff,” Rich says as I stand at the side of the car.

  Mark walks around, gently pushing me against the car. “I don’t want to say goodbye. I know I have to for now, but not forever. I will text you.” He leans down, placing his lips onto mine.

  I finally get the kiss I have wanted all day. I feel a tear roll down my cheek as his lips remain on mine, his hand sliding behind my head pulling me closer, and his tongue invading my very soul.

  “Megan, please, don’t cry,” Mark begs as he takes his lips off mine, pushing my hair from my face.

  “You best stay here,” I tell him while looking down at the floor.

  “I will do, or I’m not going to let you go. Ever.” He places a little kiss onto my forehead, tightly squeezing my hand before letting go. I slowly walk away from the car to Jenny. I don’t turn around. I can’t turn around. I don’t want to leave.

  Chapter 11

  It has been a week since I left Mark, but it feels so much longer than that. I feel like I have lost a part of me. He texts me all the time checking that I am okay. He calls every night after work, and we chat for hours. I miss him; I do not feel right without him around me. I want to feel his arms wrapped around me and holding me tight.

  Tonight I do not have my normal phone call with Mark because he is at a charity event that he has organized. Mark told me that the event would have a lot of press coverage, so I should keep an eye out in the papers. He is a very busy man. I am surprised he has time to talk to me every night. I cannot help but think he is not getting much work done. I am proud of him though because he works hard. He is not a selfish person at all.

  I don’t know if I should feel like this. It’s so weird without him here. He is miles away from me. I have not seen him in a week; I have not spent time around him. How has this man gotten under my skin so quickly and deeply? I just don’t understand. The feelings I had for him while I was there are the same. I find myself checking my phone so much, hoping it’s him every time I hear it chime.

  The event tonight is a charity auction, and there will be many expensive items up for bidding. Mark told me that he had hired a top DJ for after the auction. The DJ is being nice and doing it free of charge. He is the most wanted man in the world of DJ’s, so Mark had been very lucky to get him. He has worked for many big companies and featured on multiple top ten songs. People who are attending the event paid a lot of money for an invite to the auction and dinner. Mark is very excited about the whole thing, and I am so proud of all that he has accomplished.

  Mark plans on coming up next weekend to see me. I don’t know if I want him to. I know I have feelings for him, but I have had too much heartache in my life. I am snapped out of my thoughts by my mobile beeping, and I see that Mark has messaged me.

  Hi baby, how’s your night going? I just got here. The event is very busy. I am missing you though. I wish you were here with me. Hugs and kisses for you and bump. Xx

  Hi Mark, I watched a film, now going to have a long relaxing bath. Have a fun night.

  I am shocked to hear from him this late. I am sure he said the event started at half six. It is seven now. I get up off the sofa, feeling a twinge in my stomach. “Ouch,” I mumble as I sit back down and wait for the pain to subside. Maybe this is one of the Braxton-Hicks. It can’t be. It is excessively early to be feeling these kinds of things. On the other hand, can it be? I choose not to check the internet as it could be anything. I am six months now. It could be wind. I am just so happy I had a holiday to use up before I went on maternity leave because I don’t think I could work now. I seem to have grown a lot and quickly. I had already chosen to go on leave at seven and a half months. I didn’t want to push myself too far. I have been lucky the new holiday allowance just started, so I have a full year’s holiday leave to use and then the year on maternity leave that I plan to take. I cannot leave “Bump” as a baby. I still do not get how some people can leave them from six weeks old.

  I lie there with my hand on “Bump”. I know she and I are going to be okay because I am never going to let anyone hurt her. She is my world, and she is not even here yet. John is not going to hurt her like he hurt me. Jenny will help me if I ever need assistance. She will do anything for me, as I will for her. She is the only person I have told all my secrets.

  I reach for my baby names book to look through the names. Some names are so common these days, and I know so many people who have used most of them. Every page is full of names, but not many jump out at me. I think this is going to be the hardest task I ever have to do. I know people say, as soon as you see the baby, you will know for sure. A few names jump out at me and I do like them, but none of them seem right now.

  Putting the book back down, I slowly get back up and head over to place a film in. There is nothing better than curling up with a blanket watching a chick flick. It will help pass the time I would normally be busy talking to Mark. We can all wish that our lives would turn out like a romantic, chick flick, fairy tale story. Who knows? Mark might be my Prince Charming. I start to giggle as if I would think that.

  The film finishes, I stand up, turn everything off, lock up, and head upstairs for a long soak in the bath. I tend to relax while lying in the bath. Reaching the top of the stairs, I walk into the bathroom, placing the plug into the bath, letting the water start to run, and pouring a little bit of bubble bath in. The fragrance hits me. It’s sweet lavender flowers and will relax me. I leave the water running and go over to my room, grabbing my pyjamas and dressing gown. I walk back into the bathroom, placing my phone on the side with music playing from it. I climb slowly and carefully into the bath for a long, relaxing soak.

  I don’t know how long I have been in the bath, but I must get out. The water has gone cold, and I am all wrinkly like a shrimp. Slowly I get out of the bath, dry myself off, and dress in my warm nightwear. I walk over to my room. I am too awake now to sleep. I am going to curl up on my bed and read for a bit, just a couple of chapters and I should be asleep. Lying in bed, all warm, I can see the time. Remembering Mark’s schedule for the event, I know roughly what he should be doing and where they will be. I just hope it goes really well. He told me it’s the first event his sister Mia will be attending. She sounds like such a nice girl. She is still in college trying to further her education. She wants to own a business like Mark, or have Mark own it, but have her own fashion range. Mark says she is talented at drawing. Her designs are used in art shows. I did have a look at some of them. She is gifted, and her designs are simple and elegant, nothing that makes you w
onder what she was on when she did them. She seems like someone I might get along with, and I wonder if I will ever meet his family. I am not sure I want to. I don’t think having “Bump” will go down so well with them. His parents seem very posh.

  Chapter 12

  I can’t believe it’s three a.m. already. That ‘I’ll just finish this chapter and then I’ll go to sleep’ idea is always a bad one. I always end up finishing the book. I should know that by now. I read so many books. My wish list is so big. I will get to them all at some point. There is always a new book coming out that I want to read, so I get that one instead.

  I sit up in the bed, looking over at my phone. I notice I have a message.

  Hi Megan, the party is all over. Going to bed now baby. I’ll ring you in the morning x

  Hope you had a good night. Talk to you tomorrow. Night Mark

  Night baby, sleep well. X

  I can’t help but smile, he always makes me smile. Real genuine smiles. I cannot remember ever smiling so much before I met Mark. The way he says “baby” makes me smile and makes butterflies start to flutter in my tummy. I need my sleep as I have an appointment with the midwife tomorrow. It’s just a check-up so nothing really to worry about, but after the twinges I felt earlier, I am very happy to see the doctor.

  I hate my alarm. It cannot be seven a.m. yet. Looking over at my alarm that is still going off, I realise it is time to get up. I must have fallen asleep without realising it, as I still have my phone in my hand. I check it to see if Jenny has messaged me.

  Morning babe, let me know how your appointment goes. Luv ya xx

  Morning Jenny, will do. Have a good day at work. Luv ya too. XX

  I like the fact Jenny now works the same shifts every week. It’s not like the old days where we would never see each other or know where we were.

  I am lucky. I have been on a two-week training course for work then gone onto holiday, which leads me straight into my maternity leave. I don’t plan to go to back to work for a year. It is going to be hard financially to be off for the full year, but I want to spend as much time as I can with “Bump”.