by Shae Black
A thought occurs to me though, as we pass the front doors, why not marry me? I’m not going anywhere, he knows it, I know it, and it would be a lot easier than all of this legal mumbo jumbo. Yea, I can’t think of one reason for us not to…wait oh yes I can. Evil Marcus, he’s afraid the beast will return and I’ll be married to a monster. My step falters ever so slightly with the thought and he glances sideways at me with question in his eyes before he asks. “Are you alright?” “Yes, of course.” With a squeeze of my hand we enter his office and I’m taken aback by how many people are here. How many lawyers does it fucking take?
“Imani darling this is my legal team, everyone this is my Imani.” “Jefferson, Imani Jefferson.” I correct him and they approach one by one to shake my hand and introduce themselves individually, 11 of them I count. God what am I getting into? We all sit at a long conference table at one end of the room, Marcus at the head and me on his right. I lean back in my seat and cross my legs feeling underdressed in jeans and a black tank top with a long grey cashmere sweater and matching grey boots. These men are all decked out in expensive suits, at least Marcus coordinates with me in my favorite soft faded jeans and a button up Henley, and even casual he outshines all of them. Some men need great clothes to look good, Marcus is considerably easy on the eyes and looks beautiful in just about anything, or nothing as I prefer him.
Blah, blah, blah legal talk and more legal talk, I’ve been involved with more lawyers since meeting Marcus then I have in my entire life. I’ve decided to be in denial about the importance of this transaction. I need to think positive, be optimistic. None of this matters because we are going to be fine, I’ll officially be a millionaire, fuck that’s crazy! No, no, denial is good, just forget about it Imani! I scrawl my signature across dozens of papers and sense we may be nearing the end of this dull meeting.
“Is that all? Do you mind if I step out and check on lunch?” I’m fucking starving and frankly, in desperate need to escape this crowded stuffy room and get a breath of fresh air. “Of course baby, I’ll be right there.” He stands with me and all the men stand too, weird. After a quick kiss on my lips I leave the room and butts hit their seats again. Good lord if I have to deal with any of that in the future I hope somebody shoots me, I won’t though, have to deal with it, because we’re going to be fine. I rest my back against the door when it’s closed and take a deep breath blowing it out with force.
“No fun is it?” Elijah appears seemingly from nowhere and startles me. “Oh!” I squeak and clasp my hand over my heart. “Fucking hell you scared me!” “God, Imani I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to. I just saw you getting up to leave the meeting on the security cameras and thought you might need someone to talk to. I know how those meetings can bore you to near death.” Adrenaline rushes through my veins as a hot flash subsides from being startled.
Elijah is sweet, probably the only person who can relate to my relationship with Marcus, he loves him too it’s plain to see. I’m still unsure of the category of love though. It could be brotherly, familial, best friend or an emotional intimate kind of love. It’s not important to me though because Elijah , more than anyone, can see the changes in Marcus since meeting me. One thing's for sure, Elijah ’s love for Marcus is great enough for him to want Marcus’s happiness over anything, and with me he is happy. “Thank you Elijah , for everything.” We exchange a knowing look and I reach for my newest friends hand and tug him toward the kitchen with me to taste what the master of the estate has cooked up for lunch.
Marcus finds Maria, Elijah and I in the kitchen serving up lunch onto heavy ceramic plates. Maria has joined us as well, she somehow knew to take the food from the oven when it was finished even though it was her day off. I’m giggling at something Elijah said, giving him a little shove he wobbles with the baking dish, and the look on Maria’s face makes me laugh harder, she is so full of expression! It feels so good to relax and joke around with these people who are quickly becoming my family.
When I glance to the entryway of the kitchen I catch sight of Marcus, his jaw is tight and I see a tiny twitch of his eye, he’s alternating looks between Elijah and I. I believe he’s jealous! For shits sake, really? “What have we here?” He moves toward the island and Elijah immediately senses the shift in atmosphere and places the dish on a trivet, protecting the counter he steps away allowing Marcus to take over. “Just serving up your masterpiece. I’m starving and it smells so good, we would have waited for you.” I’m trying to be cheerful and cut the tension. Maria hops to work setting the kitchen table, focused and eyes on what she’s doing it’s obvious she doesn’t want any part of the possible conflict.
“You’re doing it wrong.” Marcus growls at Elijah and I feel bad for him, how can you put food on a dish wrong? I could care less, I just want to eat and Elijah was doing what I asked him to. “I asked him to help.” Marcus slowly looks up from correcting the plates display and the room is quiet, still, even Maria freezes, fork in one hand spoon in the other and looks at Marcus. Many emotions pass across his face and I begin to worry everyone is going to be witness to the return of his other side.
Finally, he goes back to his work without a comment and the tension is broken. Maria returns to setting the table and Elijah makes a smart choice to help her. “You’re being silly.” I lean in close and whisper. “I’m a professional Imani, I know how to dress a plate.” “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” He wipes his hands on a kitchen towel and lays it on the counter, turning to me he tucks a stray curl behind my ear. “You’re mine, I don’t share.” Shaking my head I step into his space and circle his waist with my arms pressing my cheek against his hard pecs. “Like I said, you’re being silly. I only have eyes for you. But I do need friends and Elijah is my friend. You understand that right?”
He returns my embrace kissing me on top of my head. “No. I don’t. I only need you, no one else.” I love that he feels that way but it’s not true, he has to have a guy friend to talk guy stuff with, all men need that. “Elijah is your friend too, every guy has a best friend.” “Elijah works for me, I don’t like the way he looks at you.” I snort. “Yea really? Have you ever seen the way he looks at you?” He holds me at arm’s length frowning at me. “What?” “Come here.” I take his hand and lead him further into the kitchen out of Elijah and Maria’s ear shot. “You’ve seriously never seen how much he adores you, respects you? Maybe even…loves you?”
He is genuinely taken aback. “What do you mean love Imani, you’re being ridiculous, Elijah is my right hand man in business. I trust him with most everything excluding you. I don’t trust anyone not to fall in love with you. A sense of calm and optimism surrounds you, like a mist of fucking fairy dust. You draw people in and melt their hearts just by being you. I’ll forever be on guard protecting what’s mine, don’t try to tell me Elijah is gay and in love with me, you’re the one being ridiculous, if he’s in love with anyone here it’s you.”
My turn to frown. “Nuh uh.” I shake my head back and forth. “Uh huh.” he shakes his up and down and answers uncharacteristically in slang. I look over my shoulder at Elijah and Maria finishing with the table and back to Marcus. “Well it doesn’t matter who he loves or if he loves us both which is what I believe. He knows we are dedicated to each other and there’s nothing to worry about, so cool it with the scowls and pregnant pauses.” Surprise and then joy spreads over his face causing a million megawatt smile. “You’re bossing me, Nurse Imani?” “Yes I am, Mr. Castillo, get used to it.” I spin on my heel dramatically, hair flying in a trail behind me as I go to the table to eat, finally!
After a quiet lunch Elijah helps Maria clear the table while Marcus and I sit, I’m too stuffed to move. “I thought you gave her the day off?” “I did, but I text her during our meeting with the lawyers to take the food from the oven, and now well, she’s here, may as well work.” I tsk at him and he shrugs. “When is your doctor coming?” “His flight landed an hour ago, shouldn’t be long.” Leaning back in his chair his a
rms hang lax at his sides and his eyes travel up and down the length of my body starting and ending with my mouth. “Oh no, he could be here any minute!” I say reading his mind. “He can wait. Elijah, show Dr. Carlson to his room when he arrives and tell him dinner is at 7. I’m taking Imani upstairs.”
When he says he’s taking me upstairs there is no need to add do not disturb, it’s implied heavily. “Yes sir.” Elijah responds and turns to help Maria. I mouth silently “Sir?” at Marcus and he purses his lips shaking his head in dismissal. We walk quietly to the bedroom but as we approach the door the sound of breaking glass jolts me to a dead halt. “Shit!” Marcus swiftly opens the door and I follow with a little hesitance, why is he going in there when he has no idea what’s going on?
When inside he closes the door behind us with a little slam and scans the room, a rustling from under the bed has me backing up and a shattered glass vase on the floor by the dresser confirms my fear. Someone is in here. “I wanted to surprise you damn it.” he curses getting on all fours to lift up the bed skirt and look underneath. “Marcus! Be careful, there’s somebody in here are you nuts?” Ignoring me he drops to his belly and scoots under the bed and I hear him curse again. “Fucking hell! Don’t scratch me damn it!” Out of the corner of my eye I see a white blur shoot across the floor from the walk in closet and under the bed where Marcus is currently fighting with, something.
I think it was, a kitten? I must be imagining things. Mawwwooww…a long drawn out disapproving meow followed by more cursing. It is a kitten! I rush to the end of the bed and throw myself onto my belly as well and scoot under the bed with Marcus. In the dimly lit area I see three sets of eyes, yes, three! Marcus’s wide freaked out set and two tiny green sets crouching together looking very spooked. “Where did they come from?” I say softly trying to calm the little fur babies. “I was going to surprise you but the little demons ruined it!” I roll to my side and giggle uncontrollably. “What?” he asks and I gasp for breath and squeak out “Little…demons…” before beginning in again.
Animals know who’s safe and who isn’t and the little white guy slowly skirts the edge of the bed farthest from Marcus’s reaching hand until he arrives behind my head and crouches there purring madly. “Ah, see they like you.” “Of course they do silly, they know an animal lover when they see one.” As I speak, the second baby bolts to join the other in the protection of my hair. “Awww Marcus, they’re adorable!” I gently tug my hair out from under them and they consequently are moved closer when I roll over. They both approach my face the white one butting his head against my nose for attention.
I take one in each hand and arch my back to scoot out into the light where I sit up and lean against the bed to examine them. One is snow white and the other solid black with bright green eyes that match Marcus’s except for his unique ring of lilac around the pupil. Marcus has come around to watch me snuggle and love on the kitties. “I thought you didn’t share?” Smirk delivered, heart melted, love intensified. “I’m making an exception, just this once. Your father told me how much you wanted a kitten when you were little but your mother was allergic so you couldn’t have one. You, my love, will never be denied another thing for as long as you live.” I tilt my head up to him and see so much tenderness there it’s unimaginable that he was ever feared or hated by anyone. And he’s wrong. I very well may be denied something, the only thing that matters to me… him.
“What are you going to name them?” “I dunno.” I stand carrying the mewing kitties onto the bed with me. “Be careful, don’t step on that glass.” he warns. “I won’t, we’re going to play up here.” Rolling his eyes he leaves me to retrieve a broom and dust pan. “I’m losing you to them already.” he complains picking up the big pieces of glass and placing them onto the dust pan and then using the broom to gently brush the smaller ones into it as well. I flop down and free the little fur balls, watching them jump and rear up on hind legs when they encounter a wiggly strand of hair that they believe is attacking them.
When he’s finished he joins the giggle fest sliding in behind me and wrapping his arm around my waist. “So? Names?” “Why don’t you tell me mind reader?” “I can’t read what hasn’t been thought smart mouth.” He tickles me under my ribs and kisses my neck causing me to shriek and the kittens to pounce us both. “I love hearing you laugh.” I catch my breath and squint my eyes when the white kitty licks my cheek with its rough tongue. “Ok, that’s enough of that.” He gently swats it away. “She’s mine.” “You know they don’t understand you right?” Sarcasm is not my strong suit but I give it a whirl.
“You’re asking for it, Ms. Jefferson.” He hovers his fingers over my ticklish spot and I relent. “Ok, ok, I’ll be nice.” “Names.” “Why are you in such a hurry for me to name them?” “I’m not but every creature needs a name, and these are yours. So, names?” “Yes and No.” I blurt out. “Yes being the white one and No being the black?” “Yes, I mean correct.” “I like that. Yes and No. You hear that little devils? You have names.”
I have no idea where those names came from, they just popped into my head, and those are the best kind though. There’s something to be said about spontaneity. A knock on the door interrupts my fairy tale moment but my heart instantly begins to race, Dr. Carlson might be here! “Come in.” Marcus calls and the door is opened a crack, Mr. Black pokes his bald head in. “Marcus, Dr. Carlson has arrived, he’s been shown to his room and will be down for dinner later.” “Very good.” That’s it, the door clicks shut and I’m, as always, flabbergasted at the absence of the words please and thank you.
“You know if I started using proper manners now they would be suspicious.” he offers. “No, they would be appreciative.” “We’ve had this discussion before, let’s just agree to disagree.” I don’t want to, I believe manners are important, but I decided not to ruin an almost perfect afternoon on this issue. I’m enjoying basking in Marcus’s love and his little gifts of Yes and No. “I should name them please and thank you.” Humph, he huffs. “Nope, too late, they already have names.” He reaches out with his tickling hand to wiggle his fingers at the kitties and they creep slowly to them, sniffing carefully until Yes nudges him for a scratch. “See, they like you too.” “Hmmm, as long as you’re here they do. I told you your aura is lovely Imani.” “All pink and glittery?” I ask. “Well, yes, pink and glittery works.” This is a moment I’ll treasure, a rare glimpse of what could be, if only, I have to stay positive, pink and glittery, for Marcus, for us.
Chapter 30
My bubble of perfection is burst two hours later when we head down to dinner. The four of us napped when Marcus developed a severe headache and if the security cameras can take still photos I want one of that moment. Marcus and I tangled together, Yes curled around the top of my head and No on Marcus’s pillow, close but not touching him.
He says he is feeling better but I sense otherwise, his muscles are tense and when he thinks I’m not looking I see him grimace and blink his eyes as though he were clearing his vision. “Do you smell that?” “No, I don’t smell anything.” I respond sniffing the air a couple of times as we descend the stairs. “Like what?” He looks puzzled. “I don’t know exactly, just, unpleasant. You really don’t smell it?” “Um, nope, nothing.” I shake my head and he sighs.
Entering the living room Dr. Carlson stands from his spot on the couch in front of the fire extending his hand toward both Marcus and I. He looks exactly how I remembered him, tall, lean like a runner, average sandy brown hair and brown eyes that I’ve always thought to be kind but today something else is there. I can’t put my finger on it but it makes me tentative, not the way I wanted to feel toward the man who could potentially have my whole life literally in his hands.
“Dr. Carlson, it’s good to see you again, thank you so much for coming all this way. This is Marcus, Marcus Dr. Carlson.” I do the formal introduction thing, they shake and I know instantly Marcus feels it too, a microscopic squint of one eye from him signals to me that so
mething’s off. I’m really getting better at reading him. “Good to finally meet you Mr. Castillo, Imani has told me about your case. I’ve reviewed your history and previous treatment plans.” Marcus doesn’t speak to the doctor, only nods his head and we all sit down, Marcus on one end of the large L shaped couch with me pulled close and Dr. Carlson on the curve facing the two of us.
We haven’t sat this close before, I swear I’m nearly in his lap with his guidance. Marcus has a protective arm draped around my shoulders, another weird move for him, what’s going on here? “What makes you think you can remove my inoperable tumor Dr. Carlson?” “Brian, please just call me Brian. I’d like to show you some graphics I’ve made up that will explain to you both exactly what I will be doing when I get in there.” “If. If you get in there.” he corrects. “Marcus, you agreed!” I exclaim. “No, no Imani. I understand, this is a big decision. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to imply it was a done deal.” “I’ve researched you as well Dr. Carlson, you have quite a reputation for taking on impossible cases.”
This is a surprise, I didn’t know Marcus knew any more than I had told him about Brian, but I should have, he investigates everyone, even me. “I do. I don’t believe in the terms inoperable or untreatable, I believe there is always something that can be done to improve a person’s life. Sometimes it changes them but more times than not it is for the better.” I turn in Marcus’s arms to see his face and he reads my concern. “That’s what we are worried about, that ten percent of me is a fucking bastard that neither of us wants to deal with again.”