Marie awakened to the sound of frantic knocks on her door. She felt so sure that if she tried to stand up, she’d keel over right there at the foot of her bed.Was it the alcohol? The tension with Alden? What exactly had triggered this aggressive bout of pain and fever that now ravaged her body?She had tried to call Sandra but so far her best friend hadn't called back or shown up. The frantic knocking was not letting up and Marie was curious to see who it was. Was it Sandra? But Sandra knocking made no sense as her best friend had her own key. “Marie!”A voice that sounded very familiar called out from her doorstep. But it couldn't possibly be. What would Steven King be doing here on a Sunday? Was he here to pick up his car?“Marie!”Willing herself to stand up, Marie dragged herself, blankets and all and walked to the front door. Steven was at her doorstep and he wasn't alone. Had he discovered that she had been at Alden’s place last night? It was only after she had climbed into bed
“Wow.”Steven rolled his eyes and pretended not to hear James as he pulled out of Marie's driveway.“I don't know this area very well. I hope we find a Deli close by. I doubt she’s had anything to eat.” He said.“Wow, City Boy. I’m not letting you off that easily. No way. You never told me about this fake wife of yours.”Feeling prickly at the way James was looking at him, Steven started at the road and said nothing.“You never told me she was such a hottie, and so beautiful.”He shot James a side eye as he made a turning to his left and parked in the parking lot of a place called True Deliciousness Deli. Hoping they lived up to their name, he took out his card and alighted from the car without a word. James, alighted and walked beside him into the Deli. Grabbing a menu, he joined the short line and waited his turn. James stood behind him, chuckling and pressing his finger into Steven's shoulder as he did so.“What?” Steven asked, knowing that James wouldn't let up until he shared wha
Steven sat in Marie’s living room with James, hoping she was getting the food into her body somehow. Whipping his phone from his back pocket, he composed a short Email informing the Kazuko Inc. staff of their situation and updating them that they would be coming in on Wednesday. He was just about to keep his phone away when he received an Email from Zed about the Cheggo Foods meeting. “Everything alright?” James asked, muting the volume on the TV.“Yeah, work problems. One of my executives has offered to take a meeting I was supposed to sit in on. It’s quite clear I can’t make it now but I keep having this feeling I have to be in it.”“You can join in virtually, can’t you?” James asked, raising his eyebrows.“I should be able to but it’ll rub the key stakeholders the wrong way. They’ve been trying to get me in the room for quite a while but with the craziness of the past few months, it hasn't happened yet.”“Well, do you trust this Exec to handle the meeting?”“I do but I wanted to b
“Marie, are you okay?”“Yes.” She responded, wiping the tears off her face with the back of her palm. Clearing her throat, she reached for the glass of water by her side and took a gulp. Why would Sandra return her things in a box like mementos from a bad relationship she wished to forget?“Can I come in?” Steven asked from outside the door. Why was he still here?“Yes.” She answered. She hadn't felt this exhausted in years. “How are you feeling?” Steven asked, hovering at the foot of her bed, with deep furrows in his eyebrows and forehead.“I'm okay.” She said, cradling the box in her hands and looking away as she didn't trust herself not to start crying again. Steven had seen enough for today. She had taken out her illness on him all day and he had been surprisingly patient with her. “You're crying, Marie. You have been, all day.”“I’m fine.” She replied, her tone sounding more gruff than she had intended. Unperturbed, Steven plunked on the bed beside her. Hugging her knees to her
Wiping the sheen of perspiration wetting her eyebrows, Marie willed herself not to turn to look at the man whose jutting hip was now touching hers. Why did every little contact light up a fire inside her? They had met the day before to conclude on the details of their love story and he had taken her shopping, stating that cardigans and pants wouldn't do for the getaway, and she had been embarrassed by the warmth that had spread through her when he touched her.It was a six hour drive from Albany to Kingston, Maine where the retreat center was located. She knew the only reason Steven had opted to make this a car trip was because of her deathly fear of flying. Peering at him from the corner of her eyes, Marie felt a rush of emotions. A hand was draped across the seat, while the other was typing something into his cell. She watched the way his curls bounced against his eyes and had to stifle the urge to lock her fingers in them. How she could be feeling so stimulated by his nearness an
Steven cursed under his breath as he thought about the words he had said to Marie. She didn't deserve those words even though her repulsion at sharing a bed with him had stung. Why had it stung so much?Taking deep breaths to ease the tightening in his chest, Steven dragged the bags that belonged to him and Marie to the center of the room. When he had arrived at her house to pick her up this morning, his eyes had widened in surprise at how beautiful she looked in the sundress she was wearing. Her perfect black hair had fallen to her shoulders and for someone who had been terribly sick two days ago, she had looked and smelled like heaven. Shaking his head to dispel the unwanted thoughts, Steven took his laptop out of his bag. Even with his OOO Email, he was sure that countless Emails had been pouring in since he last checked, such was the life of a CEO of an Advertising agency, especially one as big as Alden Kings Inc.Glancing at his watch, he saw that the time was almost 2PM. Picki
“What is it?” A worried Marie asked, the concern ringing in her voice as she sat up in bed.“We’ve been invited to Karaoke.” Steven replied, his tone deadpan.That was the reason the man was looking like he had swallowed a snake? Because he had to sing in front of people? Not that she had ever heard him since once in the ten years they had known each other. Maybe he was terrified that he wouldn't be able to carry a tune.“Steven, if it's just Karaoke, why do you look like someone's died?“Whose idea is it to make us do all these activities? How exactly is this supposed to trigger or ‘Zing’?” He asked.Marie climbed down from the bed, shaking her head side to side while she came to stand beside him. “Ooh great, we’re number two. Low chance of someone stealing our song.”“Marie, we aren't doing this.”Placing her hands on her hips, Marie turned to glare at him.“Steven, weren’t you giving me a lecture this morning about putting in our best? Are you going to let a little singing stop y
Steven had no idea what Marie was planning as he followed her onto the stage. Grabbing a chair as she went along, she climbed on the stage and motioned for him to sit on it. Confused but trying not to show it, Steven sat on the chair and clutched his mic in his hand. Marie stood in front of him, blocking his view of the rest of the room. Covering his mic with her hand so she couldn't be heard, she leaned down and whispered into his ears,“We’re going to give them a show. Just trust me. Now smile at me like I'm the most beautiful woman in this room.” Steven couldn't see the faces of anyone else but was sure this raven-haired beauty with sparkling green eyes was indeed the most beautiful woman in this room to him.“I can show you the world, shining, shimmering, splendid…” She began singing in a voice so sonorous that Steven's lips parted in surprise.Was this why she had been so excited about Karaoke? The girl could sing! As she sang, she ran her hand over his shoulder, neck and bent o