She took out the platinum box that had Trust Bank’s logo on it and handed it over to Steven. He unwrapped a shiny, black and golden card and tossed it to her.What was happening?“What's going on?”“Look at it, will you?”She picked up the card and observed it. Her name was written on the card.“Marie, I've wanted to give you that for ages. The last time I tried to give you a card, you argued with me. You have no idea how glad I am to find out you're beginning to feel comfortable enough to ask me for this.”“You had a card made for me?” She asked in an incredulous tone.“Yes.”“Why? What do you mean why?”“Why do you have a card made for me?”“ Because I wanted you to have one.”“Doesn't that feel somewhat permanent to you?” She asked, unable to look him in the face. The truth was deep down she wanted him to bring up the contract they had signed and to tell her that he was working on another that meant they would be married forever, without conditions.“And you don't want it to be per
“Okay Marie, baby girl. Calm down, take a deep breath, and tell me what happened.” James said.“It's all ruined, all our efforts. I've just found out he’s going to be out of town for the entire weekend. I don't know what to do. Can I move it? I’d need to get a new venue, not to mention get the guests to RSVP again. Oh my God!”“Hold on, why do you have to reschedule?” James asked“Aren't you listening to anything I have been saying?” Marie snapped, rubbing her eyes with her fingers.“Okay, Baby girl. From what I gather, you think you’ll have to cancel or reschedule the party because Steven is traveling?”“Yes. The thing is I checked his calendar over and over, moved meetings, and made sure he didn't have to work that Saturday, and now this happens. I have no idea what to do, James.”“Listen to me sweetheart. Don't cancel anything, and don't fret. He’s not going anywhere, Baby girl and the party will happen as planned. Just breathe and let me handle it.”“Okay, James. Thank you.”“Anyt
“Hmmmmm. I missed you so much.” Steven said, inhaling Marie's fruity lavender scent.“Steven! I thought something was wrong.” She said, playfully swatting his back.“But something was. You made these elusive dinner plans and left me to fend for myself. I’ve been here for the past four hours, floundering around, lonely and unable to think straight.”“You flounder? Oh please.” She said, pushing his chest back with her palms.“Were the texts not a clear sign?” Steven asked.“By the way, James called me and was yapping about me not traveling on the 16th and I know only you knew that. Why does he know about my travel plans, Marie?”Her eyes lowered to the floor as her shoulders drooped. Had he said something wrong?“Are you alright?” He asked, tipping her chin so he could like into her eyes. He didn't really care that she had told James. He had just thought it would be fun to tease her about it.“I'm sorry. But I don't think it's fair that you have to work on your birthday. I just wanted t
Steven’s fingers dialed the number Cadence had just called him with but it rang out. He tried again and again, heart racing as the dial operator informed him yet again that the number couldn't be reached. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead as he paced. He let out a string of unsavory curses till his eyes locked on Marie's worried ones.“Babe, what's happening?”“It's Cadence. She called to say she thinks we’ve made a big mistake and then the line went dead. I'm worried about her.” He said.“I’m sure she's fine. She's a PI, Steven. I think she knows how to handle herself in dangerous situations. She probably hung up because it was unsafe to talk.”“I hope you're right. So what do you think? We should wait it out and see if she shows up tomorrow?”“I believe so. I think she’ll know how to protect herself. Just relax.” Marie said with a confidence that didn't seem so certain to him.“Okay. Look Love, I'm terribly sorry but I doubt I'd be able to relax enough to see a movie.” He mu
“So, you called and he was out of town?” Marie asked“Yep. I tried calling back to find out where exactly he was, to give him the benefit of the doubt but it rang out.” He replied, glancing out the car window and frowning at the gridlock that was forming.“Wow. This is getting scarier by the moment, Steven. I'm beginning to have doubts about his innocence too.” Marie said.“Appearances can be deceiving, Marie. You have no idea what people are capable of hiding.” Steven said.“Hmmm. I guess you're right. I’d still like for us to be proven wrong though. I desperately hope that we are.” She said, massaging her temple with her left palm.“Me too, Marie. Me too.” He responded before staring out the window.“I can't believe how terrible traffic is, it's barely 5PM.”“We face this same traffic everyday, Steven. Don't worry, Zed is fine. Sandra and I have been texting back and forth and she said he's stable although still in quite some pain.”“ I don't even understand how this happened, Marie
The rest of the week passed rather eventfully from Marie as she tried to stay on top of the many details that flooded her left, right, and center. Somehow, James had gotten her not to cancel the party even though he hadn't been able to stop Steven from traveling. According to James, he would do everything in his power to make sure that both he and Steven made it to the party in time. He has also gotten James to abandon flying commercially and use his private jet. Marie wasn't positive that this would work but there was nothing she could do. Zed on the other hand had spent a few days in the hospital and was due to resume work today, Friday, for which she was glad. Sandra had been hounding her for days to get ready for a skin care routine to “open up and then tighten her pores” or something like that. Steven had also complained about how distracted she was several times this week already. Right now, she was surviving on coffee, adrenaline and greasy food.“Marie, have you sent me the n
At midnight, Steven King texted Marie to say he was alright and was on his way home. He said he would explain everything once he got home in an hour. Relieved, she thanked Alden and headed home. She headed to her room, changed out of her work clothes into night ones and climbed into bed.She didn't realize she had drifted into sleep until someone's arms wrapped her firmly in their grasp.“Hey Baby.” He mumbled, kissing her neck, before burying his face in her hair.“You have a lot of explaining to do.” She said, trying to wiggle out of his grasp. He held her firmly in place while still mumbling into her hair.“I know, Love. I’m sorry. I didn't want you to discourage me from doing what I wanted to do or to insist on tagging along.”“You didn't think about how worried I would have been? I nearly went out of my mind with worry.”“I'm sorry.”“Well, I don't care. She said sharply, hoping her voice conveyed how hurt she felt. She couldn't imagine that he had disregarded her feelings so eas
“Is this safe?” Steven asked as Marie placed a black mask over his face.“Shhhhhh. Stop talking. What are you so scared of?” Marie asked, amused by his constant questions about facial care routine.“This is supposed to be relaxing, you know?”“Are you punishing me for yesterday? Because I'd like to say a few words in my defense.”“Oh hush.” She said, as she laid beside him.“So how long do we wait?” He asked“I have no idea.”“Okay, what's next?” He asked in a way that made Marie aware of the fact that he hoped this was all.“Next, we pummel our faces with burning stones to kill dead cells.”“Burning stones? Why does this sound more like an initiation rite or an interrogation technique?”Marie bursted out laughing.“I'm kidding. We wash this stuff off and I give you a lovely head massage.”“Ah. After the pain, comes the pleasure.”“What pain? Do you know how many people would kill for my facial treatment? Maybe I'd better take my loving hands to some other guy who would appreciate it.