DON'T PUSH ME

MIRANDA

I turned my attention to where the DJ was and realized that he had no intention of playing a song for me, so I turned to the next best thing; my voice.

I began to sing one of my favorite songs offkey while swaying my hips to the right and left. It was embarrassing, I knew that....anything to get Mr. Grumpy to send me back to the people I loved, right?

Some in the audience began to laugh while the others stared in surprise, just like Hazel. The emcee realized at this point that I had lied to him, and he had made a big mistake by giving me the mic.

He sought to correct his mistake and tried to take the mic from me but I evaded him and ran off the stage. I continued to sing while moving around different tables and dancing as well. At this time, some in the audience could not contain their laughter anymore.

I turned my focus to Hazel again and noticed he had gotten over his shock. He was whispering to two men and I quickly recognized them as part of security.

They made their way toward me after Hazel spoke to them but when they got close, I climbed onto one of the tables and jumped to the other side. Fortunately, the heels of my sandals were low so moving wasn't a chore.

I kept singing and dancing until I was standing in front of Hazel. His anger was palpable and from the way he fisted his hands, I suspected that he would have punched me if there weren't so many people present.

I smiled at him and sang even louder as I shook my waist seductively. His gaze remained on me but he said nothing to me. The security men suddenly caught me from the back of my arms and the mic fell off my hand.

As they began to drag me outside, I bellowed, "My jacket, I need my black jacket."

However, the men did not stop dragging me until they got to the door. Just as I was pushed outside, I turned to ask them to give me my jacket but it was thrown at my face right at that instant. Apparently, someone had picked it up while I was being dragged outside.

"Get lost," one of the men yelled at me.

I rolled my eyes, put on my jacket, and began to walk away. Fortunately, Mel couldn't see me from where the car was parked, otherwise, it would have been troublesome if I had to explain to her what I'd been up to.

When I got to the car, she was surprised to see me.

"So soon?" She inquired. "I thought you'd be there for a few more hours."

I smiled, "What would I be doing there? It's a boring party filled with old people. Hazel just introduced me to everyone as his wife. Afterward, I got bored out of my wits and asked him if it was okay for me to go. He said I could leave since I had been introduced to all the important people. He would have dropped me off but you are here so it wasn't a big deal."

She smiled, "I'm so happy things are going so well between you and your husband, and I know that his mom would be very happy too when she finds out."

"His mom?" I asked.

She nodded, "Yes. She came to my agency a few days ago, and after I was assigned to work for her, she gave me a little orientation. One of the things she told me was that your husband could be very difficult and mean sometimes but he wasn't a bad person. She wanted me to look out for you and never let him hurt you in any way. But she was worried about nothing because your husband seems to have fallen for your charms."

"Hurt me?" I was surprised that his mom cared so much. Was she really such a nice woman? How would a nice woman separate a young girl from her loved ones because they are financially indebted to her? She was just a snake pretending to be a saint before Mel.

I couldn't care much about her fake love. I thoroughly embarrassed Hazel before his important guests and that was what mattered. No right-thinking man would still keep as his wife, someone who did what I had just done.

From the look of things, I would be returning home the next morning, since it was already very late. I didn't even need to take anything with me because all my belongings were back home. I thought about Collins and sighed.

It hadn't been up to forty-eight hours but I felt as though I had been separated from him for a year. Once I arrived back home tomorrow, he would be the first person I would visit. I would explain everything to him and we would make love afterward. I could not wait for tomorrow to come."

"A penny for your thoughts?" Mel asked interrupting my daydream.

I stared at her as she added, "You were silent all of a sudden and smiling too. Whatever is on your mind must be making you happy."

I smiled, "Well, I was just thinking about Hazel's mother and could not help smiling. I mean, how many girls are lucky to get such a kind woman as their mother-in-law?"

Mel nodded with a smile. I asked her to join me for dinner when we got back home. She hesitated at first but when I made a sad face, she gave in.

After eating, I asked if she had gotten any message from Hazel about me but she said, "No, why would he send me a message concerning you when he can just talk to you? Besides, I doubt that he has my number. You know what? I'll get you a phone first thing tomorrow, that way you can give Hazel your number and you guys can communicate whenever you want."

I forced a smile, "Thank you very much."

I didn't want to get a new phone because I wanted to go back home and get my phone from my mom. I was still upset that she had not sent it, but I guess if I had a new phone, I could call and text Collins when I wanted.

I was leaving the next day, anyway, so there was no need.

I said good night to Mel when the clock struck ten and went into my bedroom. After locking myself inside, I went into the bathroom to bathe.

I had never thought I would enjoy a cubicle bath in my lifetime because I knew how expensive it was to install one. At the very least, I got to enjoy a little luxury during my involuntary stay at my so called Husband's house.

After bathing, I changed into a robe and sat on the bed. I had thought Hazel would return to create a ruckus but he disappointed me that night. Nevertheless, I was patient, just like he was. I would wait for him to do it in the morning.

Right at that moment, I heard a knock on my door. Did Mel want to spend the night with me? I wondered about it and opened the door, thinking she was the one.

Instead of Mel, I saw a tall, angry man in a tux, he had taken off his bow tie though. I guess he wasn't so patient after all.

I was just about to smile when he suddenly kicked the door, causing me to take a few steps back.

He walked into my room, closed the door, and gripped my shoulders painfully as he pushed me to the wall and hit my back against it.

I endured the pain I felt and just stared at him as he seethed, "Who the hell are you?"

"I am Miranda Hazel Duke, your wife," I replied softly.

"Did an enemy plant you in my life to destroy me?" He thundered. "If that is the case, Miranda or whatever your name is, I will destroy you first. I will crush you like an ant and bury you forever."

I smiled, "Stop making useless threats, Hazel. If you do not want me in your life, I will not beg you to keep me. You can end this sham of a marriage and send me away, and that would be completely fine by me."

An expression of surprise flashed across his face briefly and it made me wonder, "Did he not want to let me go? How much exactly did my parents owe this evil man that made him still want to keep me? I had to make him change his mind."

"I do not make threats, Miranda," he said. "This is a warning; do not try to get in my way or embarrass me ever again. I have given you no rights as my wife. Live your days quietly here but away from my sight.

I am not opposed to striking a woman, nor am I incapable of murder. Do not push me."

"I'd like to see you try," I replied boldly.

He finally let go of my shoulders, "What did you say?"

I folded my arms, "I said if you do not want me as your wife, send me away. Otherwise, get lost."

"How dare you?" He angrily lifted his hand to slap me and I closed my eyes as I braced myself for the pain.