Plot: Marcus Pike heads a highly efficient task force for many years now and his career is going up and up. She on the other hand is trying to organize her life from a trying ordeal when an unexpected event put her life on a spin again.
Character: Marcus Pike
AN: Marcus Pike was a guest character in the show The Mentalist. If you don't like the character, okay. I get you. Don't read the story. No one asked you to come here. This is MY story and you don't have the right to tell me that it doesn't belong here.
MUSIC: Good Friends by Yasper (Chillhop Essentials - Summer 2019)
CHAPTER 10
Believe I will fight to keep you safe.
You will feel my love.
I shall be your last lover.
~Shooty's Scribble Spot
Tessa looks at the brightly lit entrance from across the road. "It's been a long time since I've attended an opening like this." Tessa turns back to her table companion. "I feel kinda anxious and excited."
"I wanted to send you invites but …..'" The man turns his head away where the smoke would not drift to Tessa.
"I have a different job now, you know. It's not easy to request a half day leave!"
The well-dressed man gave his friend a sassy eye roll, "I know someone who needs your skills. They also pay well. Very well." He winked at Tessa. "You also get a small commission for every sale."
"Sounds great."
"'Sounds great' she says." The friend looks at Tessa with a skeptical eye. "I don't want you to become like a…a…"
"A what?"
"A teacher." He made a theatrical heaving sound as if to vomit between his legs.
"Shut up! Well, I am a teacher now so barf all you want."
"You're wasted there." The man shrugs, "Shall I send them your resume?"
"I'll think about it." Tessa looks away. She took out her compact from the black satin evening bag and checks her make up.
"I'll send them your resume. I'll also introduce you to them tonight."
"Whatever." Tessa rolled her eyes at the man seated with her.
"I was angry at you." Mel, Tessa's friend of many years watches his friend; the first time he's seen Tessa after that a-hole of a BF of hers went back to his old girlfriend. He looks away, "You went turtle, you hid from the world. Somewhere. No call. No text. Incommunicado. You blasted bitch!"
Tessa lays her head on his shoulder and she smiles when he casually puts his arm behind her. He had forgiven her and she's happy. She affectionately holds the hand on her shoulder. "I know. I'm sorry. You understand me, right?"
"Neh!" Mel huffs at Tessa's smirk. To anyone passing by they look like an affectionate couple. They look good, they look happy. Well, technically Mel is more of a 'girl' than Tessa although Mel doesn't look the part. In public he looks like a regular guy…uh, that's not right. Mel is very fashionable, handsome, with a lean physique. He has abs from being a gym rat. His hair is always perfect and no one is allowed to just casually touch it. Not even his bestie Tessa. "Are you still hung up on that asshole? Move on woman!" he took another drag of his cigarette.
Tessa made a face as she looks up at Mel. "I'm not. What makes you say that?"
"Yeah, actually you look…kinda glowing…" Mel made a sudden sound, his eyes like an eagle on his friend, studying her. "Fuck me!" he whispers after a moment, "Oh my fucking God! This bitch is in love!"
"I don't know what you're saying." With a soft click Tessa closes the evening purse after returning her compact in it.
"This is new. It's someone new, right? Right?" Mel did a weird happy dance in his seat. There, this is the only time Mel acts 'girly' is when he's with Tessa or their other friends.
"No." Tessa frowns and took a sip of her iced Americano, red lips pursed.
"Who is he?"
"I'm not in love." She insists.
"Don't lie to me. Who is he?"
"He's no one."
"Tell me he's not local." He begs her.
"I'm not telling you."
"I knew it!" Mel burst into that knowing smile.
"Shut up!"
"Is he handsome? Did you fuck already?"
Aghast, Tessa looks around if anyone had heard it. "No!"
"What?" Mel looks like he's gonna barf. "He's not handsome?!"
"He is!" Tessa hit him on the thigh when she realized what he did. "Oh, I hate you!"
"Do you have his picture? Show me." Mel put his cigar between his lips as he snatches her purse.
"Give it back!' Mel keeps Tessa at bay with his other hand as he got her phone. "Mel! No!"
"Woman, you still have the same lock on your fucking phone!" Despite her protest Mel got and opened it. He's fast and deft; swiping the screen with sure movements of his thumb. Then suddenly his face went into shock. "Fuck shit!" Mel faced the device to Tessa, eyes and mouth wide. "This is him?"
"Mel!" Tessa slaps Mel's thigh again. "Give it back!" but Mel moved the phone away.
He enlarged the slightly grainy shot. "Shit, girl. He's yummy! Why haven't you fucked him?"
"I'm not into…"
"Ha-llo! Are you from the fucking Victorian era? It's about time you change that, woman." Mel taps the phone, his nail clicking on the screen. "Who's he?" He squints at the screen. The guy is standing outside a black car. Judging from his height on the car's hood, maybe an SUV, he's quite tall. Nice body….light brown hair, nice body…. Mel grins at his thoughts.
"My boss."
"BOSS?!" Mel looks at the photo again. "How?"
"I house-sit for him…"
"Bitch, you should sit on him!"
"Shh!" Tessa starts giggling as she looks around; embarrassed. Thank goodness they were at the left side of the coffee shop where it has a garden for smokers. They sit close together under one of the pergola and a little far away from people because Mel is scandalous.
"Why isn't he your lover?"
"I might kill him…you know, rough sex and everything." Then she giggled and fanned herself. Only Mel could bring out the fun side of Tessa.
"You do that ASAP!" Mel laughs and wagged a finger at Tessa. "You need to get laid, gurl."
She shakes her head, "Mel, I wish I could be like you. Do you know what? I never felt anything like this with…with Derek." Tessa waited with held breath for a strong emotion like sadness or grief to follow the mention of her ex's name. She felt relief.
Mel pats Tessa's leg. "Be honest to yourself, gurl."
"Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite. Yeah, I want Marcus. I want him."
Mel sighs when Tessa tears up. "Go after him." Mel seriously nods at the picture in Tessa's phone. "I think he could be a good lay." He whispers. "Does he like you?"
Tessa shrugs as she dabs her eyes, careful not to smudge her makeup. It took her an hour to apply the damn things; she's a little out of practice. "It's complicated."
"Shit. Married?"
"No."
"You sure?"
"Yes. His friends attest to it. They were the ones who really hired me."
"Ok." Mel snorts. "But?"
Tessa lightly lean on the table, wisps of her hair softly dance in the light breeze. "He saw his old girlfriend recently."
"He still wants her?"
All she could do is shrug, lips pursed. "She has a son."
"His?" He frowns when she shakes her head. "So what's the issue?" Mel swore under his breath and breathed the smoke deep after he exchanged knowing looks with Tessa. "I see. You really wanna?"
"Yes."
"There are ways around that, girl. Or, you can adopt me!"
"You never change! Shut up and give me back my fucking phone! I hate you." She closes the device and returns it in her evening bag. She cranes her neck at the building across the boulevard. More cars are arriving and a lot more people have gathered at the entrance. This event is turning out to be quite a big one judging at the line of cars arriving and waiting on the side of the road. "Should we go? I think its beginning."
"As if you didn't know the first part's always the boring part. Speeches. Yada-yada!" Mel lit another cigar, dropping the slim silver lighter in his tux . "Want another?" he nods to her coffee.
"I'm fine."
"We'll go after this." He holds up his stick. "So, is that where you've been hiding? At this dude's house?"
"Just recently."
"Since when?"
"Just short of a month…"
"Where were you holed up before that?"
"At another friend's house. She died." Tessa absentmindedly smoothed her dress. The dark gold lame' sleeveless with a fine black lace skirt evening gown was Mel's gift as well as the satin clutch evening bag, the black leather strap heels, the jeweled gold hair comb and the gold filigree drop earrings. She feels great, she had to admit.
Mel shakes his head. "Fuck, girl. You could've crashed at the parents' house. They kept bugging me, asking for you." Mel carefully flicks the ash off of his stick taking care not to get any ash on his own tuxedo or leather shoes.
In the university Mel was doing his first semester and miserable with his major because it was his parent's idea. Like any parents in their country Mel's were ambitious for their son and they think that this major will help his future. That and the fact that he has an influential uncle in the government would not hurt.
In one of their serious discussions Mel shared that he would have shifted courses had Tessa not transferred from another school. The feeling was mutual because Tessa was also thinking that she might be miserable in this new school but they found each other. It was made even better because when Mel introduced Tessa to his parents they loved his friend instantly.
People who do not know them often mistake them for a couple because of their closeness. Mel almost bit the person's head off to straighten them out then did a lot of theatrical dry heaving.
"Aww. I miss your parents. They're so awesome."
"They love you. You're their adopted daughter."
"I'll drop by one weekend. Bring the dessert they like."
"I got a better idea, if you're done playing house-sitter you can stay with us. Indefinitely."
Tessa reached out and gave Mel a hug around the waist. "I just might."
"Wouldn't you miss Mr. Handsome?"
"That's the thing; I haven't seen him in a while."
"He left?"
"He's on a job. He's an analyst for some offshore tech company."
"Damn! He's fly and smart."
"Yeah, a real catch." She eye rolled.
"Look, gurl. Yeah I know you're not into casual sex but he's a good candidate if ever you're looking for one. He's into you, you're into him. Fuck the guy first thing you get the chance, I tell you. Stop making things so complicated. Enough overthinking!"
-o0o-
Mel looks up as the door of the office opens. Tessa came out first followed by the museum director. With a smile Mel got up and went to Tessa's side
"I will give you a week to think about it, Tessa, but I hope you'll accept."
"I will sir." Tessa shakes the hand of the museum director. "I'll give you a call as soon as I have decided."
"And now go and enjoy the exhibit, the food and the entertainment." The director gestures about the museum with a smile then smiles wider. "Oh hey! Look who's here!" Mel and Tessa turn as a young man embraces the director. "Let me introduce you to my son, James. This is Tessa and of course you know Mel already. Tessa is, I hope, going to be our new curator."
"Nice to meet you." Tessa smiles when the man took her hand in his.
"That's good news! And yes, that's sad news about aunt Agnes." James exchange a glance with his father.
"Aunt Agnes?" Tessa tilts her head.
"The curator. We're all like a family here. I grew up here and I shadowed aunt Agnes everywhere she goes in the museum. Sadly she has cancer."
"I'm sorry about that."
"She was a great lady. We didn't want to let her go but…"
"I understand."
"Hey kids, we have a big event outside and let's not make it awkward for our new friend, James."
"It's nice to meet you, Tessa. See you at the party?"
She nods in agreement. "See you at the party."
Tessa and Mel waited until the door closed before they leave the office. "You better get that job, gurl." Mel follows Tessa back to the center of the party at the ground floor. They took scenic path via the stairs admiring the painting and objet d'art along the hallway at every floor.
Tessa turns to her friend with a slight frown. "I need to think about it. This is a major move, Mel."
"Let me guess; you're gonna run it through the boss first, right?" Mel put the stress on 'the boss'.
"Mel, it's not about him but Mike and Ashley. They trusted me with the house. They believe that I will keep it safe and secure."
"That's bullshit. How could you 'keep it safe and secure?' You're one person and you're all alone there all the time. You're the one that's in an unsafe position, didn't you realize that? Why didn't they get a security guard?"
"Marcus doesn't like strangers…"
"You're a stranger." He points out
"The Davis's and I have a mutual friend that's why they chose me."
"Whatever. I still think you're not getting the best of the deal."
"For now this deal is the best I can find."
"That," Mel points to the director's door upstairs, "is the best deal, right there. Tessa, what the hell are you thinking?"
"Can we not talk about this right now?"
"Fine. Let's hope that guy makes an appearance before your deadline comes up." Mel is sullen and sarcastic when he knows he's right.
"I need to go to the ladies." Tessa leans to Mel. They stand before a mural created by a national artist. It was not up for auction in the fundraiser gala but the national artist's family had allowed one of his famous works to grace the event.
"I'll move around and see if some people I know are here. When you come back we'll have a talk with them, okay?"
"Okay." Tessa nods and smiles at Mel when he gave her a peck on the cheek.
"We'll grab dinner and drinks after." Tessa gave Mel an affectionate squeeze on the arm before she walks towards the discrete sign that says 'Ladies'. Arriving there was slow going; there were many people walking and talking in groups as well as the servers and staff.
When she steps aside to let a guest pass Tessa did a double take, heart thumps. For a moment there she thought….far in the crowd a man stands that looks familiar…a throng of people passed by and the man was gone when the crowd thinned. "Excuse me," She took a deep breath and squeezed behind two people who moved forward to let her pass. "Thanks." A scent made her pause and turn to follow the trail of perfume but there were too many people and suddenly it vanished. Tessa shakes her head in bewilderment. Weird. Whatever.
Ladies room!
After carefully weaving around the thick crowd Tessa finally arrived at her target. After taking a number from the door she sits down to wait until her number shows on the small counter monitor. It was a relief that there are cushy benches where the ladies can sit while waiting their turn. There are also wide mirrors that were well lit to fix their make up.
There were at least ten people before her number. While waiting for her turn she took out her compact and checked her gloss and her lashes if they're still attached at all. It's been a long time since she'd done full make up like this.
When she's teaching she applies a light dusting of foundation, some pale gloss, a simple eyeliner and blush. It's the approved make up for teachers like her. It's a good transition from her old job where she had to be made up almost every single day.
Eight people away. She got out her phone from her evening purse to check her messages.
There's a text from Jun who wrote something about a surprise and didn't elaborate any further. Typical kid, she smiles. He knows his aunt hates cliffhangers. Her online school sent another one of their notification about various updates on the teaching apps for download and upcoming activities on site.
Before Tessa transitioned from office work to home-based work the company likes having a lot of office activities and even parties. She kinda misses her group because they had a lot of fun. Tessa still gets in touch with them from time to time but online teachers have a strict schedule to follow and being on time is important. Maybe she'll attend the Christmas party this year and see her old buddies from work.
There were also messages from the online shop on the update about the book she ordered and another online shop where she bought some undergarments gave her the date of her delivery.
She skipped the text she and Mel had exchanged a few days before. Her friend was able to track her down through social media by strong arming their other friends. He begged her to meet him because he has this ultra exciting party that he wants to take her to and he dangled a bait about meeting some interesting artists there. Mel never brings his boyfriends to these soirees because he didn't want to be encumbered if he ever finds someone interesting. Tessa understands her friend and she didn't mind if he finds her a taxi to take her home before going off with his conquest for the night. Of course Mel has to pay for taxi. That's their agreement.
She deleted a notice from her local bank about phishing as well as a job invitation from a call center.
Tessa sighs, what company does Marcus work for? She never got to find out.
The day Marcus got sick all she did was divide her time between caring for him and managing her classes. That was hard. She allowed him to stay at her room rather than go back and forth to his room just to check up on him. She made a bed at Jake's room. Ill or not she doesn't want to share a bed with Marcus. She wouldn't be able to sleep a wink knowing he's just a few inches away from her.
Thank goodness he kept his word and behaved like a boy scout like he said he would. Well, he couldn't do much but at least he retained some sort of adorableness…
"Tessa, can you give me a copy of that music I liked?"
"What music?" She wrung the small towel in the basin of cold water. She placed the cold cloth on Marcus's forehead.
"The one I said was hot."
She snorted out loud and gave him an eye roll. "Sure."
"What?" he chuckles, his voice unsteady with the fever.
"I never thought that music was hot until you pointed it out."
"Yeah, right." They smirk.
-o0o-
They refrained from talking what happened 'that day' especially what happened that night. But there are times she felt as if he wanted to tell her something. He would look at her, eyes troubled as if there's a struggle in him. Tessa tries not to show her concern because she doesn't want to make him worked up while he's sick.
Then Marcus just vanished one day; he sneaked out while she was taking a bath. Tessa remembers it was a Thursday.
Tessa was lucky her schedule freed her up for about three hours. She hurriedly closed the schedule before any student could take it by clicking the time and saved it until the slot turned white. She left him in bed slightly awake and told him she'll just take a bath. He gave her a sleepy 'okay' so Tessa gathered all she needed. She was desperate for a shower because she didn't have the energy the night before since all her students were present. That means she had to write everyone's evaluation. She didn't finish all of it due to exhaustion.
Marcus wasn't in her bed when she got out of the bathroom. He was not in his room or his bathroom. He wasn't in the kitchen. A sudden thought made her go out the garage.
She was worried when she realized that the SUV is gone. He's not supposed to drive in his condition but there's no way for her to contact him. She asked Ashley for his email address but even her email to him went unanswered. Ashley assured her Marcus will be okay.
"Who is number 1011?" The powder room attendant asks.
"Oh! That's me!" Tessa stands up and froze again, her head turning this way and that. Looking, sniffling lightly. There's that scent again! It could be from any of the women in the powder room. Three women exited. Never mind, she shakes her head. She might encounter that perfume again when she goes back to the party. She'll do some hunting to find out what's the name of that ladies perfume that was on Marcus's jacket.
-o0o-
"I thought you were never coming out of that powder room, woman!" Mel was waiting for her right outside the ladies room.
"There were many people in there, duh!"
"Come, there's something interesting going on in the ballroom."
Mel looks excited and it got Tessa interested. "What is it?"
"It's the auction!"
"They're auctioning the artworks already?"
"Yeah! They're already more than halfway! Let's go!"
"Oh, this is exciting! I've never been in an auction before!"
"First time for everything!" They followed other people who were going in the same direction. "Let's find our viewing spot now or we might not see anything." The two friends hurried inside the ballroom and they decided to stand beside the bar where there are tall tables lit by a candle.
"What's that?" Tessa whispers pointing at a device that some people carry.
"I think that's the high tech version of the auction paddle." They observe the proceedings of the auction.
"Impressive!" Tessa raises her brows as the participants get their credentials verified at a desk at the ballroom entrance then they were given the 'paddle' which looks like a tablet. Only bidders can access the items for sale that have been downloaded on it with complete description and information. "There's so many people."
"It's always like this. They wait for the main event of the evening." Mel winks.
"Main event? What's that?"
"Quiet now please…thank you. I told you it would be fun!" The emcee winked when audience applauded and chuckled in the background. "So are you excited for the Main Event?" The emcee extended the mike to the people. "I didn't hear you!" The audience shouted 'Yes!' "Yes! That's what I wanted to hear! So….are you excited for our first candidate?" Another shouted 'Yes!' "We'll begin the Main Event with a young lady…oh, the guys are stirring and interested! This'll be great! Are you all excited to bid on her? Yes? Yes! Drum roll please! Our…candidate for auction is… Miss….Tessa Salvador!"
Tessa froze. "That's my…why…" she looks confused.
"You're up, girl! I entered your name!" Mel grabs Tessa's arms and kisses her on the cheek.
"What?!" Tessa glares at Mel. "This is not funny, Mel!"
"It's for a good cause, Tessa!" Mel pulls his friend and gave her hug. "Just enjoy it!"
"Fuck you!" she glares at her friend as she shoves him away.
"She's here!" Mel raises his hand. Suddenly a bright beam of light focuses on their corner. Tessa squints against the harsh light.
"Miss Salvador? There she is! Guys, let's give Miss Salvador a big round of applause!"
"I'll kill you for this, Mel!" Tessa removes her hand from his.
"Payback for ghosting me! Go!" Mel turns Tessa around and escorts her to the stage. He took her cold hand and gave it to the male emcee to help her up the stage. "Yeah!" Mel claps harder as Tessa climbs the steps to the stage. "Go Tessa! Whoo-hoo!"
"The lovely Miss Tessa Salvador everybody!" The emcee shuffles his card while the audience shouts and claps enthusiastically. "Okay. Settle down now and let's get to know Ms. Salvador, shall we? She was born and raised right here in this city…she graduated in International Law with top honors. Wow! Not only beautiful but smart! Dangerous combination! Her first job was in government... Impressive! Gentlemen you'll be happy to know…Ms. Salvador is single!"
She glares at Mel as she listens to the emcee read about her life Tessa felt as if she is being flayed alive. She had been betrayed. Mel couldn't even look at her straight in the eye. "Look at this! A sea of green light! Amazing! You are so popular, Ms. Salvador! Let's not keep them waiting! Auctioneer, let's begin the bidding war!"
The auctioneer opened the bidding at twenty thousand which made people gasp because judging from the sea of green colors many from the men and even some women wanted to win Tessa.
She looks back at Mel with a worried expression, she momentarily had forgotten how pissed she is at her friend. Mel stands by the stage to her left leaning on it observing the proceedings. The dratted guy just gave her a knowing smirk as if he knows this is gonna happen.
Tessa tuned out a lot of the sound and noise. Her ear would twitch every time she hears a new amount being called out.
20...30…50…100,000…110,000…125,000…150,000….!
People gasp louder at the jump of amount. They start to chatter and whisper…the numbers continue to rise….
175,000….180,000…185,000…250,000!
…280,000…350,000!
Someone is obviously trying to outbid everyone else making it hard for others but the need to outdo the competition is like a race. Tessa swallows her apprehension. Whoever is doing this is really serious. Tessa took a deep breath and looks back at Mel but he's gone.
360,000…500,000! Now the audience begins to go quiet because this is the kind of battle that had drawn blood.
My God, Tessa felt her legs starting to tremble. She grips the hard case evening bag a little tight. Her throat had suddenly felt so dry. Shit! Now the persistent bidder who seemed to have a deep pocket is pushing the incremental amount up to two hundred thousand. Tessa and the audience could see many bidders had fallen back; the number is a little too high. It's not yet over. They are still waging war. The battle is still not over. The Bidder has turned up the notch up to three hundred fifty thousand for every other bid. He or She is really serious! Who the hell could it be? Tessa looks around. The bright light focused on her makes it hard to see people's faces. She held up a slightly trembling hand over her eyes…
1,000,000 against 750,000!
The emcee noted Tessa's worried and anxious face. The host felt pity on the poor girl and took her hand to cheer her up; he gave her a small smile. The girl looked terrified. He looks around and bade one of the waiters to bring a chair. One of the musicians stood up and carried his own seat forward to the center of the stage.
"Come darling, take a seat. The fight's not over." The emcee guided Tessa to the chair.
"Thank you." Tessa could only whisper her gratitude to the musician and relief as she took a seat; her feet's killing her. Then a goblet of cold water appeared from nowhere brought by one of the waiters.
'Aww…!' The audience reacted to the scene happening at the stage with huge smiles and soft applause.
The current amount so far is 1.5 million.
"One million five hundred thousand! Any other bid?" The auctioneer called out to the bidders. A few are still holding on and keeping the numbers climbing but as soon as they move The Bidder strikes back with an even higher number.
1.8 million! The auctioneer's voice rang in the hall. "One million eight hundred thousand, ladies and gentlemen…oh! Yes! Another bid…"
This is ridiculous! That bidder must have a lot of money to throw away.
"The last amount is two million, ladies and gentlemen! Do we have another bid? None? Going once! Going twice! Sold to the bidder for two million!" The auctioneer's gavel slams on his desk.
"Congratulations to the winner! Thank you for bidding! Please come forward to claim your purchase." For a moment nothing happened. People look around them expectantly, turning to each other and whispering. "Is the bidder here?" the emcee calls out.
"He's here."
Tessa's head jerks up toward the voice. She carefully scans faces. Tessa though she heard … She looks around, forehead furrowed.
"Please allow the gentleman to pass to claim his prize. Thank you!" As the wall of people parts, another ray of brightness focused on the man coming out of the crowd. The man raised the auction tablet it glows with a red light in the middle of the screen.
The word 'WINNER' was written in red.
"Welcome sir! Please come up the stage!" The emcee gasped when he saw the winner. "Oh my! Oh my heart...! I think we need to auction you off too!" A round of applause and laughter expressed the audience's approval. "I will be the first to bid!"
Tessa felt like her body had turned to ice. Suddenly, everything turned surreal and she kind of felt lightheaded. The man spares her a glance before he took the short steps up to the stage. His eyes rake her from her feet up.
The light dances on the rich dark velvet on the man's broad shoulders. The white shirt under the dark blue jacket seems paler and the silk bow tie of the same color looks stark against it. His hair is well-combed, parted to the side. The sheen from the hair gel makes his hair darker and it shines against the spotlight. His hair is a little shorter and well-cut than when she saw him the last time, when she curled her fingers in their thickness while his hands and lips almost drove her insane from pleasure.
"May I have the name of our bidder?" The emcee points the mike to the man.
"Marcus Pike."
-o0o-
A/N:
Paddle- An object displaying the number assigned to a bidder when he or she registers at the auction. To place a bid, simply raise your paddle until the auctioneer acknowledges you. If you win the auction, your paddle number is recorded alongside your bid. To pay for your purchase, you will need to bring your paddle to the Payments counter.