a/n: As promised... slightly longer chapter lol
Chapter 9
Waldorf Astoria
Conference Room
"I never got a note…"
"I left you a note, you were asleep and I had to get to my place to pack and sober up. We got drunk, really drunk and passed out." He explained and shook my head.
"No, you're lying." I said my head was reeling because I remember waking up and Mark…
Did he find the note?
Shit how would he have known? No Mark wouldn't… he would've said something.
"I have no reason to lie to you, it was on your end table you had a purple journal sitting on it."
Six Years Ago
Two Days After.
Mark's POV
I shouldn't have left, I shouldn't let Harmony talk me into doing what I did. Mercedes was the most supportive woman and I have always known that.
I parked a few feet away from our place and walked up before stopping.
What the fuck was he doing here?
It was the same man from the bar a month ago.
Was he leaving our place? She was fucking him?
Is that why he acted that way when he caught me and Harmony?
I waited until he left before going inside, I looked around and saw an empty wine bottle, popcorn, half eaten take out and clothes…
More specifically a dress and a pair of yellow lace panties.
A pair I'd never seen but could tell they were ripped off because they split in half.
She'd slept with another man in my fucking bed!
I walked upstairs to our bedroom and saw her sprawled out in the bed.
Fuck she was beautiful.
And up until then I was the only person that got to see her like this, she slept like a wild animal but I loved it.
Even if she would put her cold feet on me in the mornings.
I looked around and noticed something sitting on top of her journal.
It was a note.
M,
I had to run but I want to finish what we started, there willl be a ticket waiting for you at the airport. I'm sorry I had to go without explaining but I'll be in London for work. I know we just met but-
Blah gone for a year, blah blah, phone number, blah, blah. Call me, blah. I hope blah, blah.
"Yeah that's not happening." I said to myself before bawling up the note and shoving it in my pocket.
I needed a plan, I needed to do something to get her back on my side. I could forgive her for sleeping with another man as long as she didn't do it again.
I looked her over once more before deciding what I would do. I went back downstairs and called her best friend, I knew for fact she hadn't told him about the break and I was about to use it to my advantage.
"Mark?"
"Hey man, I need a favor. I want to treat Cedes… think you could get a few things picked out so we can get away?"
"Ah… yeah, I can have something sent over in an hour? Hot or cold?"
"Warm climate." I replied looking at my watch figuring how much time I had before she woke up.
"Sure thing." He answered before hanging up.
I made another call to her favorite flower shop and ordered an assortment of flowers to be delivered in the next fifteen minutes and not stop for a whole hour.
I looked around once more before making sure I wasn't seen leaving. I needed to get my things and give her a chance to clean this mess up.
…
"You can't be fucking serious! You're going back to her!"
"I should have never cheated on her!" I replied putting my things from her home into the trunk of my car.
"So you're just going to forget the amazing month we had because of her?"
I sighed before looking at her. "You were never going to be number one when it came to her, what we had was fun but it's over and I want Mercedes."
"We'll see how much she wants you once I tell her what we've been doing for the past year!" She spat and I froze.
I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back inside. "Listen and listen good, if you even come near Mercedes I will end you. I let you fuck up my relationship but I won't let you do it again." I said, trying to maintain my anger.
She looked at me freightenly.
Good.
"Get out." She whimpered.
"Not until you say you understand." I countered.
"I FUCKING UNDERSTAND! NOW GET OUT!"
I backed away from her and nodded, I could tell she understood and wouldn't try anything so I started to walk out before stopping and looking back at her.
"My job better remain intact and this better not mess up my promotion, I plan on buying a house with the bonus and I expect it to be sizable. Understand?"
She nodded and I left.
I hadn't planned on asking her to marry me just yet but I figured getting a ring would at least put me on track. I went to a local jeweler and looked at several rings before landing on one that definitely set the tone.
Twenty-five thousand dollars.
I shook my head because it was a good investment, it wasn't like she didn't have a good job or had an inheritance waiting on her.
A hefty inheritance to exact.
I wasn't a greedy man but I deserved the best and Mercedes was the best of the best. She was sexy, smart and my first love and I'd be damned if I let someone else have her.
She was mine.
Mercedes POV
"Ugh." I groaned before rolling over and looking at the clock.
12:45 P.M.
I sat up and rubbed my head, it was pounding or at least it sounded like there was pounding.
It was both. There was someone at the door, I got up and almost fell immediately.
My legs felt like noodles.
What the hell did I do last night?
BANG!
"I'm coming!" I shouted grabbing the first baggy shirt I saw and threw it before going downstairs to open the door.
What in the hell? Did me and B do something last night?
I opened the door and was greeted by a large bouquet of flowers.
My favorite flowers to be exact.
"Mercedes Jones?"
"Yes." I replied feeling groggy and confused.
"These are for you." The delivery guy said with a smile. "Oh you might want to get comfortable." He added moving aside to show me why.
There was a line of delivery people standing with various types of bouquets. I gave him a nervous smile and shook my head.
"Who… I didn't order these." I said and he just laughed.
"Well someone really cares about you." He replied before walking away right as another stepped up hold more flowers.
ONE HOUR!
That's how long I kept getting flowers delivered to me before the final one came and this time there was a note.
Cedes,
I know these flowers won't make up for what I did but I hope it can be a start. If last night was any indication we still have a lot of love for each other. Can I take you away for the week?
-Mark
I read the note three times then looked at the mess and it clicked. I must've been with Mark last night…
"Knock, knock… hey- what the hell happened here?" Blaine asked as he came in and saw all the flowers everywhere.
I looked at him before shrugging. "Mark happened…"
"I see, well I come bearing gifts of clothes.," He said, holding up several garment bags. "Also from Mark."
"He… he called you?" I asked, shocked because they'd never even held a full conversation.
"Mhm, it seems he is trying to make up for something." He answered with a smirk.
"Seems so." I muttered as Blaine opened the bags and showed me the things he'd picked out for me. "Those are beautiful… did he tell you anything?"
He just shook his head.
What was he up to?
"You look awful, go shower and I'll get this place cleaned up." Blaine instructed and I didn't have the energy to fight.
I walked upstairs and did just as he told me. I showered along with taking two ibuprofen and washing my hair to feel somewhat human while wondering what the hell Mark was up to.
"Merce, why are panties ripped into two? What exactly happened last night?" I heard Blaine ask.
"I don't remember… but I think me and Mark got drunk and things must've gotten crazy. I don't really remember the past two days." I admitted before the shower door swung open.
"You got drunk! Cedes, you can't handle your liquor, you barely remember what happened on your twenty-first birthday and it was recorded!"
I groaned. I really hated whenever he'd bring that up because in my defense I didn't know I couldn't handle alcohol until after I'd already gotten drunk.
"Are you going to join me or can I close the door?" I asked and Blaine scrunched up his face.
"Eh, not thanks." He replied closing the door and I couldn't help giggling.
"So Mark didn't say anything as to why he's doing this?" I asked again.
"Nope, just accept the gift and tell me all about it later! I have to run but I love you and I'll call you for details."
"Okay bye B!"
Waldorf Astoria
Conference Room
"I… wait… something's not adding up." I said looking at him.
His expression was unreadable.
"If you knew where I lived, why not come back and tell me?" I asked and he started to say something. "That would mean that Mark got there right after you left and he knew… he knew alcohol messes me up." I rambled.
"I-"
"Which would mean that he got the note before I woke up and…"
RAGE!
"It wasn't a damn dream!" I said, bawling up my fist.
"THAT WHOLE DAMN DAY, THE FLOWERS AND THAT FUCKING TRIP!" I shouted.
I can't breathe.
I tried taking deep breaths but the more I thought about it, the angrier I became. Mark used my lack of memory to…
To what?
I looked up at Sam and narrowed my eyes at him.
"How'd you find me?" I asked.
He sighed and pulled out his wallet before grabbing a grey card out and handed it to me.
I recognized it because I had helped make them. It was weighted and rounded with raised lettering.
Blaine Anderson
Image & Fashion Consultant
What the actual hell fire.
"Blaine? How do you know him? Have you been following me this whole time?" I questioned.
"No, I don't have to stalk you nor do I have the energy to do that." He answered calmly.
"Then what does this mean?" I asked, holding up Blaine's business card.
"A friend of mine referred me to him six months ago. I needed some help last minute because of all the press my business was getting." He explained.
My watch chimed, then it chimed again and once more.
It was Mark.
I reluctantly checked it.
Why are you at the Waldorf?
Son of bitch was tracking me?
Six Years Ago
"And you are certain of this?"
I shifted before nodding. "You have to pick."
I wasn't entirely sure he'd come back after what happened earlier but I needed to talk to him because he seemed so unhinged . He'd never gotten so angry with me before and now he was acting… crazy.
He scuffed and shook his head. "No I don't because there won't be anything to choose from in a few weeks."
I looked at him like he was crazy before stepping away from him.
"I won't do it."
"You will and this is the last you'll speak to me about this… matter."
"MARK YOU CAN NOT THREATEN ME!" I shouted and he only smirked.
"It was never a threat, Harmony. Take care of it or I will." He replied. "The only person I will ever allow to bear my child is Mercedes."
Waldorf Astoria
Conference Room
I shook my head, my head was reeling because this was too much information… all of this was happening too fast.
"Mercedes." I heard but didn't completely register just how closely he was standing to me now or that he'd even moved closer.
"No, this still isn't making sense." I muttered. "Mark wouldn't do this to me…"
Sam looked at me and took a step back.
"Maybe you should go home and discuss things with him." He said checking his own watch.
All business again, seriously what was up with this man.
"So you do all this to what? What was the reason behind it all?" I questioned.
"There's just some things I can not tell you right now but I can tell you're not ready to accept the whole truth." He replied, grabbing his jacket and my files before handing them to me.
"Wait, what aren't you telling me?" I asked and he stopped before looking down at me.
He caressed my cheek before smirking.
"You don't remember everything that happened those two nights or you would know why I left that ticket for you." He said before kissing me and my knees buckled.
Why did he leave me that ticket?
Sooooo... this was A LOT! I MEAN A LOT! Bombs were dropped left and right and we still don't know what all happened that night lol yet ;)
In other new... MATE IS RETURNING ;)
