The Long Weekend
Sam
Thursday Night
"Is this a hotel?" Sam asked the man taking his luggage, shaking his head, his instructions to Rachel; his PA, was seclusion
"Yes Sir, I'm Mike, your Porter, you're checked in already, I'll take your bags straight through so you can go at your own pace Sir"
"Thank you" he stood looking around at the plush seating, beyond the reception desk the picturesque beach with shading looked inviting and the cool cocktail coming towards him was nothing but welcoming "Thank you" he took the drink and went up to the reception desk "Could I get my key please, Mr Evans"
"Mr Evan's welcome" the face smiled at him "I'm Kurt Sir, and I'll be at the desk tonight, just call down for anything you need and I'll make sure you get it"
"Just my key for now"
"All the hotel details are in your room Sir, there is nightly entertainment on the compound, you'll need to get the hotel transport to get to it, it leaves when you need it to Sir" he smiled at Sam "And your privacy is our highest priority so please use the cards on the door at your leisure, thank you Sir" he handed him his key
Sam walked past the well-stocked bar surrounded by comfortable chairs, down the wide, airy corridor and through some double doors, to find two doors facing each other, and stopped in front of his door numbered 2, he put his card in the door and pushed it open, awakening lighting and air conditioning. He looked around the suite, smiling at the grey marble floor, a gleaming glass dining table with black art décor seating and fresh flowers sat in the middle of it, a couch big enough to be a bed if he wanted it to be. The mini kitchen, come bar, with hot drinks making facilities and snacks, the bedroom spacious with en-suite shower and Jacuzzi tub looked inviting with it's towel swan in the centre of it and of course the private pool, visible from the indoor seating. He pushed the patio doors open and stepped out onto the ceramic tiling with smart grass grouting, the tree swaying calmly near the patio doors and the water feature supporting it's task, made it the perfect place to relax and think of nothing or everything.
"Fantastic" he looked up at the dark blue sky, there was definitely something to be said about a change of scenery. There were lots of things he needed to do, but the only thing he wanted to do was get into relax mode and to do that he needed to eat and sleep. He ordered his evening meal, ate by his pool, swam for a short while before grabbing a shower, a nightcap, and sat on his bed thinking about the events that had got him here.
He smiled, it had literally only been just hours since he'd let go of his 6 year old marriage, at the ripe old age of 35 he'd just about decided shit wasn't straight in his life, he was happy to be getting out of it. Business was buzzing, and for the last year, or so, that had been his priority, he was in the real estate business; selling and buying businesses, it had made him a wealthy life. It was too long a story to start at the beginning, but Quinn and he had met in college and been a item for a few months before they'd moved on, back then he'd hardly found time for relationships, his wing man Ryder and he had too much going on to be tied down
Six years after college ended, he'd met back up with Quinn, they'd randomly bumped into each other in New York, she was focused, working as an assistant in a law firm. They haphazardly fell into each other, and the next thing he knew, just over a year later, they were getting married, brought a house, just before his father died, leaving him enough to inject into his venture, his business spiralled into existence, and she became a kept woman. Inevitably the divorce had taken less than two months from beginning to end, it was amicable enough, she was going to be well looked after by her new man, she'd made sure of that, he was so relieved about getting off alimony free, he agreed to attend the rushed ceremony ironically as their best man. Before he knew it the end of the week was on him, he'd passed everything over he needed to Ryder, confident he'd have everything in hand, he was packed and ready to go
Mercy
Mercy sat on her bed refusing to cry, this wasn't the end for her it was a new beginning, her parents would come around at some point and see things her way. She looked down at her once white dress, ripped at the tail and red on the sleeve from the lipstick she'd rubbed off her face, there was a lot for her to learn about life, but she'd made the right choice for her, in not allowing that to be learned from Mr Puckerman "Who the fuck wants to be Mrs fucking Puckerman anyway?" she asked herself looking across the room into the mirror. Her parents were set on a planned marriage so it was no surprise when she brought her first boyfriend home that her parents went ballistic about it, threw him out the house and banned her from all social media or going anywhere for nearly a month, then suddenly a wedding was eminent, her fate sealed.
Next thing she knew 8 hours later she was standing in the reception of the retreat Tina had booked for her, one suitcase in hand with her dirty wedding dress on listening to some man forcibly moving her as shock shot through her at the realisation of her actions
"Come this way Ms" Kurt took over the sorry sight "Quickly" he called Mike to grab her bag "We'll take you straight to your room to freshen up, room 1" he told Mike
"I just need to be alone" Mercy took the card off him and opened the door
"That's fine Ms Jones, the phone will get you any help you might need" he quickly closed the door and left her to it
She's spent the best part of three hours wallowing, fell asleep and woke up crying, how the hell did her life get to this, she was held up secretly hiding from her parents, and her to have been, fake husband, no doubt a total disgrace "What next?" she sat looking at the mess on her face, she needed to clean up, eat and make a plan. She looked around the spacious grey space with bar and tea making facilities, glass table with black chairs splashes of red around the room reminding her of the lipstick on her arm, finally getting off the couch she looked out at the pool and small garden exclusively hers for the weekend and smiled at least she could think, she quickly got in the Jacuzzi for some relax time eventually ordering something to eat before falling asleep under the stars taking in the total silence.
Friday
The morning was crisp, the air warm, Sam sat eating breakfast, looking out across at the sea, he hadn't married for love, but he'd tried to grow into it, although everything he'd ever learned about love told him it had never truly grown into it after marriage, he fell asleep trying to get his old life out of his head. When he woke up early afternoon, his room had been tended to, fresh towels sat on his bed, more fresh flowers and coffee percolating, he took a cup, "That's good coffee" he topped his cup up before walking back to the patio
Mercy woke up smiling, ordered breakfast and afforded think time, she'd made the right decision, and to add to it she was going to throw away her false self and bring out the incredible Mercy Jones, there was nothing wrong with her. She took the time to remove all her make up undo her weave and treat her own hair, she was good enough. When she woke up early afternoon, her room had been tended to, fresh towels sat on her bed, fresh flowers she didn't know if they were from yesterday or fresh today, and the smell of fresh coffee filled the room, inviting her to drink it "That's good" she raised an eyebrow at the taste, making sure to top up before she returned to her seat at the pool
Sam
"I can't do this anymore" he sat up having fell asleep again "I need to sort my shit out" he sat talking himself into action. He'd had nearly a full morning of not thinking and not thinking meant he wasn't looking to his personal future, or focusing on his plans for the business "I need to stimulate my damn brain" he jumped in the shower again, grabbed his shorts and a string vest out his case and made for the diner, the least he could do was people watch.
The space was made for solitude, there were tables set for two in the centre of the room, with ample spacing between them, everything in an earthy, sand colour with hints of green and brown cushions dotted on chairs and net draping. There were booths with tables set for one, running all along the glass fronted beach view, which right now was just his thing, he grabbed one quickly.
"Mr Evans" the small voice walked towards him as he shut the door, handing him a menu "My name is Rory, I'm your waiter for this afternoon, anything you need just hold your flag up and I'll get that for you" he smiled "Would you like total privacy or should I bring your meal in?" he pointed to the hatch
"Oh" Sam smiled "Bring it in" he looked at the small hatch "I'm not scared of people"
"Yes Sir, no Sir" Rory smiled "Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Yes, Scotch on the rocks, and just keep them coming" he laughed
"Yes Sir" he walked off
The view was beautiful, the sea the deepest blue, the sand even and golden in most places, with seashells sticking out of it, a boat tied to the small pier and small huts with sun loungers positioned under them dotted around the beach, everything looked picturesque. His eye caught someone standing at the waters edge throwing something at the sea, their actions looked angry or maybe determined, he sat watching for a while wondering what could make anyone that angry in a place like this, his thoughts interrupted by Rory's voice
"Scotch Sir" he put the glass on the table in front of him "On the rocks"
"Thank you" he smiled before going back to watching the person on the sand. It must have been around ten minutes before he realised he wasn't getting served and looked around trying to get Rory's attention, realising when he saw someone else do it, that he had to raise his flag "Rory" he smiled when the man finally came to his aid "I forgot" he held the flag up laughing "Could I get a seafood platter please, with double lobster"
"Yes Sir" he took the menu and left to get the order. Sam sat for a while thinking about his failed marriage, wondering if he was in any way to blame "Your meal Sir" Rory came into the room interrupting his thoughts again
"Thank you" he smiled at the feast laid before him "It looks amazing"
"Everything is freshly caught today Sir"
His meal soon came to an end, he smiled sitting back in the chair wondering what more any man could need, he was at one with himself "I don't think I need a dessert just now" he told Rory "Maybe later" he tapped his tummy
"Will Sir be going to the entertainment tonight, there's dancing and a few artists on stage doing some cabaret?"
"Not thought about tonight" Sam laughed "I'm not that social"
"Of course Sir" Rory backed out with the used plates "Have a good evening Sir"
"Thank you" he smiled watching Rory leave, he was itching to get back to his room to check his phone, just to make sure everything was alright, but that was one thing he'd promised himself no work, he decided to take a walk, he found himself at the beach, throwing pebbles into the sea; three specifically. The first one of course was his life with Quinn, he was never going back to forge any relationship like that again, anything after that would have to be hit you in the chest hard, love, the second was his business there was a shake up to come, he'd known that for a while, there was dead wood he'd been carrying for a while now and something needed to be done, so that was to letting go of dead wood. The third and final pebble was his heart, he'd never again give it to someone that wasn't worthy of it, and that was by his standards no one else, she'd need to be genuine, real and not into him for his money. He looked at the pebble, ready to throw it before he decided to keep it, it was his heart after all, if he ever found anyone to give it to, it was his to give, so now he'd thrown the old life into the sea, he was ready to start rebuilding Sam as he wanted him to be, not how he felt everyone else needed him to be.
Mercy
Mercy had decided to maybe venture out for lunch later, depending on her mood, sorting through her case she found the phone she'd forgotten she'd asked Tina to get her, she plugged it in and called Tina
"Mercedes" Tina's voice a pitch higher than usual
"Hi" she chocked, holding tears back "So what happened, after I left I mean?"
"Jake insisted everyone go to the reception" she told her "After his Dad and your Dad nearly came to blows" she added" But Jake stopped them" she rolled her eyes "Your Mom rushed back home to talk you into it, obviously you weren't there"
Mercy sat listening to how her Dad had reacted badly, Jake's Dad started calling her all the names under the sun, how amazingly Jake just fronted up and told them she didn't turn up because she'd seen him with a girl at the club a few weeks back. The atmosphere had sort of changed after that, her parents accepted that she was in the right and now they're just worried about where she was
"So when are you coming back?" Tina asked "Where are you?"
"I should be back on Monday morning" she giggled "Anyway, I'm starving, I'm about to go get something to eat, I'll speak to you on Monday, when I get back"
"So you're alright?" Tina asked concerned
"Now I know Mom and Dad are not that mad at me yes, oh, thanks for everything by the way"
"You're happy that's thanks enough" Tina smiled "Bye"
Mercy jumped in the shower got dressed and ventured outside the hotel room, she hadn't taken much notice of anything on her way in, she was too upset but now she walked into the grand reception, got to the desk and looked towards the beach she couldn't catch her breath "That's beautiful" she held her chest, feeling like she could break into tears at the picturesque scene
"Miss Jones" Kurt smiled at her "Nice to see you up and about"
"Thank you" she smiled "I was hoping to get some lunch"
"Just follow the crowd" he smiled pointing her in the direction
"Thank you" she nodded
"And your privacy is our highest priority so please use the cards on the door at your leisure, thank you"
"Thank you again" she smiled walking off towards the restaurant
The beach looked so inviting she visited there first, picking up pebbles as she neared the calm, gushing waves until the water was hitting her feet. She threw the first stone with some gusto, the gasp of relief that left her mouth shocking her, then another, following quickly by another, breaking the flood banks, she flopped on the sand and cried with relief. "You're going to take control of your own damn heart Mercy Jones" she looked out across the glistening water, rubbed the last stone clean, and put it in her pocket getting up to make her way to the dining room
She grabbed a single table and waited to be served, ordered her meal and sat eating it, looking out across the beach at the sun getting ready to burn. Her eye catching a man throwing pebbles into the sea, she smiled, obviously she wasn't the only one there to get rid of old habits, make resolutions and find herself "That lobster was amazing" she looked up at Rory, her waiter, "I'm really glad I got a double serving"
"I'll pass your compliments on to the chef Mam"
Friday Evening
Sam
Sam had exhausted everything there was to keep him entertained in his room, slept, swam, showered, bathed, took in the sun and thought about his next move, he'd craved for his own company, to have time for himself but now he had it, maybe in future he'd cherish those moments he did get, a weekend was much too long to be alone with just the staff to talk to. Music hadn't really been on his radar since college, he wasn't a follower of artist, didn't even keep up with the latest moves, but maybe tonight company was what he needed.
He'd made a decision and he thought he deserved a treat, so after dinner, depending on how he felt he would give himself a once in a lifetime experience by attending a trashy hotel disco, if nothing else he could drink himself silly and behave appallingly. His green shorts and string vest had been replaced by some casual black slacks and white shirt, with black slip on soft leather shoes, his hair washed and slicked back, before he stepped out the door to find lobster for dinner
Mercy
It was Friday night, and as much as Mercy was enjoying her solitude, she wanted to hear some noise, shake her booty, be loud, she didn't have her girl with her, but what the hell she didn't know anyone anyway, she could make a fool of herself, and call it her coming alive party. Having made peace with her parents, she had nothing to fear going home, she maybe needed to find herself a job, she couldn't be expecting to live free forever and as a matter of fact, she wasn't even sure she wanted to live at home anymore, everything was up for change
She spent time soaking in the bath, Tina had packed her low necked, high legged, party dress, revealing, but she was going to wear it, she didn't have a choice, if she was going out, that was it. She sat at the dresser applying just lipstick, she'd decided to use that shady rustic orange, Tina had brought her for her last birthday, she'd never thought it was her colour, but tonight with that dress, rustic orange was her colour
Her hair was another animal, it had been wet and dried so many times over the past 24 hours, she decided to go with the natural look that had created. Scraping it all up into a ball at the top of her head, she combed up the sides and left the ball of tight curls to form their own natural ball, looking like a crown placed neatly on the top of her head, satisfied with the look she stepped out to find more lobster for dinner
Dinner
"Miss Jones" Rory smiled at her approaching the restaurant "Lovely to see you, please" his hand leading her to a vacant table
"It's very crowded tonight" she looked around noticing there weren't very many empty tables
"Special night of entertainment tonight Miss Jones" he smiled "We have a special guest singing at the club" he guided her to one of the three empty booths
"Oh, sounds exciting" she smiled, happy she'd chosen tonight to venture out
"Lobster?" he asked
"You know my order" she laughed "It's so fresh, it's beautiful
"Drink?"
"Glass of your best sweet white please Rory" she sat looking out at the sea turning into a shiny dark mirror
"Mr Evans" Rory almost bumped into him as he passed with a glass of wine for his customer "I'll be with you in a second" he rushed off "Table for one?" he came back seconds later asking
"In a booth if you can Rory"
"I think you can get this last one Sir" he walked him towards the vacant booth
"It's kind of crowded tonight" Sam followed him, weaving through the tables to the side of the dining room
"There's a singer at the club tonight, everyone wants the good seats" he pulled his chair out "Lobster Sir?"
"Yes please, and a glass of your best sweet white"
"Coming up Sir" he walked away to get the order, Sam sat looking out at the sea, it looked very romantic in the night sky, his attention drawn by a noise he could only associate with sex, he looked across at the neighbouring booth and smiled at the woman sat with her eyes closed, her head looking up at the heavens while her mouth took in whatever it was she was eating, tasting, enjoying at the connection with her taste buds. Suddenly her eyes opened and she looked around aware of her surroundings, Sam looked away quickly, he didn't want her to feel embarrassed for enjoying her food
A few minutes later it was his turn to get lost in the food, the lobster was cooked to perfection, he'd go as far as to profess it was the best he'd ever tasted, he couldn't hold back the sound that came out of his mouth as the succulent sweet meaty morsels crumbled in his mouth "Sorry" he looked across to see the woman in the next booth watching him
"Lobster?" she mouthed, watching him nod with his mouth still full, she smiled and carried on eating
Their meals finished, Mercy inquired about the venue, grabbed the waiting horse drawn cart and made the fifteen minute journey along the sandy beach to the hut like venue, the pumping music exciting her as they neared "Enjoy you evening Mam" the driver smiled, moving off. There was disappointment as soon as she walked in, there was hardly anyone there, the music was playing to just five people, she'd seen a small pier on her way in and decided to take the short walk across, she stood watching the darkness for a while, it was nice to think about nothing.
Sam had gone back for a sweater, he'd felt the sea breeze hit his chest through his thin shirt and opted to be safe, he got back to reception and took the first available cart to the venue "Enjoy your evening Sir" the driver smiled moving off. The music pumping made him think again, it had been a while since he'd actually been to a club and maybe longer since he'd listened to music, he tended to listen to Quinn's stuff. He walked in to see people sat at tables nodding their heads in time with the beat coming from the speakers, the song was alien to him, his eyes searched the room to find the bar, before he made his way to it "Whisky Sour please" he ordered
"Find yourself a seat Sir, I'll have it brought to you"
"Thanks" he smiled zoning in on a table in the middle of the room with a good view, the place was filling up fast, he sat looking around for a while before laughing at himself for becoming one of the foot tapping, head shakers he'd laughed at when he walked in
Mercy finally decided to go back to the venue, she could see the crowd forming from where she stood, she got to the door as the crowd settled, peeping through the crowd to see what the seating was like "Shit" she hissed at seeing her favoured spot taken by an elderly couple, she got in, checked the room and zoned in on the bar, heading that way "Yes Mam" the barman smiled
"Whisky sour please" she smiled
"If you hurry you'll be able to find a seat Mam" he smiled "I'll get this brought over" he held the empty glass up
"Thanks" she walked around looking for a seat "Is this seat taken?" she asked the man sitting alone with an empty chair opposite him
"No" he smiled
"Would you mind if I.."
"Not at all, take it"
"I was sort of hoping for half the table too" she smiled
"Sorry" he laughed "Of course, please" he pointed at the chair
"Thank you" she sat down "Great seats" she looked at him before her drink arriving caught her eye "Thank you"
"Could I get another one of those please?" he asked the waitress, she nodded and walked away "Sam" he smiled offering his hand
"Mercy" she smiled, shaking his hand "So hyped about tonight"
"I'm not sure what to expect" he laughed "We've got...10 minutes till we find out" he looked at his watch, his drink came, they both sat trying not to impose on each others privacy, looking around the room "Do you mind if I order another one for you?" he looked at her near empty glass
"Thank you" she smiled watching him waving for the waitress
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome" the compare's voice bellowed across the hall "We're hoping you'll make use of the dancefloor this evening as the beautiful Aramide sings some just got to rock songs for us" he laughed "Without further ado, please welcome the talented Aramide to the stage" everyone was up and clapping, Sam and Mercy looked at each other, they had no clue who she was. Their eyes watching as the first few beats of 'I Don't Mind' by Aramide had people rushing for the dancefloor, it was clear none of them was into jazz or whatever the hell this was
"Come on young man, ask the lady" an old man walked past nudging him in the back as they made their way to the dancefloor
"I'm game if you are" Mercy smiled at him "I haven't got a clue but I can move to a beat" she laughed grabbing his hand to drag him with her
"Be warned" he laughed "No clue and definitely no beat"
Mercy spent most of the song learning him a few steps and by the end of it he was at least doing the basic, two step shuffle, and laughing about it "We can't stop now" she told him when the song finished "You've just learned the damn steps" she laughed grabbing his hand when the second song 'Love Me' by Aramide & Adekunde Gold started, she was doing funny little twists in the movement and he was mimicking them, both laughing at his efforts until they were tired "Oh our drinks" she wondered off back to their table
"I enjoyed that" he sat down grabbing his drink "Thirsty work though"
"Anything worth having is worth working for, you definitely need that rhythm" she laughed
"I don't know where these old people get the damn energy from" he looked at people still on the dancefloor
"They do say the originals are the best" she held her hand up to attract the waitress "Do you mind if I order you a drink?"
"Not at all" he sat watching her order their drinks "Come on this one sounds like fun" he turned the tables on her, grabbed her hand and went back to the dancefloor. The song 'Me and You Time' by Aramide wasn't as fast as he'd expected and they ended up dancing closely at times, Mercy led on most the dance, spinning in and out, teaching him some swing moves and giggling at their attempts "Do you think we should people watch for the rest of the night?" he laughed at not getting the complicated shuffle
"No way, where's the fun in that" she laughed "If at first and all that" they walked back to their seat
"You don't mind me invading your space to you?" he asked unsure
"I think I invaded yours, and no"
Between the cocktails, dancing, talking and people watching they managed to enjoy the night, Aramide left the stage after two solid hours of singing and the disco went back into play. This time the songs were much tamer, Mercy was even singing along to some of those old R&B reruns, as they sat drinking, talking and people watching
"How long are you here for?" Sam finally asked the first personal question of the night
"I'm leaving Sunday after dinner"
"Me too 21:00 to NYC"
"20:35 to DC" she smiled
"I think that's it for me, that's all I've got" he looked around "I'm not used to these late nights"
"The music's getting a bit old for me too" she laughed "Can we share a ride?"
"Yeah" he laughed, searching his mind for where the hell that thought came from
"I mean a ride home" she looked at him
"I know what you mean" he laughed "I was just thinking, I thought this was going to be a crap night" he frowned "I haven't had fun like this for, gosh I don't know how long" he stood up looking at her "Ready?"
"Yeah" she got up to join him, they jumped into a waiting cart to start the journey back
"So Mercy" he laughed nervously "Now we have quiet, maybe we can hear some conversation"
"Maybe" she laughed "I notice we share a hobby" she looked at him "How often do you people watch?"
"Honestly I really didn't know I did it that much until I came here" he laughed "But I guess reading people is part of my job, I'm in real estate"
"Get it" she laughed "I work in the family business, or I did"
"Career change?"
"Forced" she looked at him "I'm not ready to talk about it"
"Sorry" he looked ahead of them "So tell me something you're determined to do?"
"Be my own woman, I'm thinking of doing something with people, that's as far forward as I've thought to date"
"It's the start of a plan"
"So tonight I found out you're not into Jazz what moves you?"
"I like R&B and stuff, but I haven't been into music for a while"
"I challenge you to listen to a song of my choice when you get in, and tell me you weren't rocking to it by the end" she laughed
"I challenge you to listen to a song of my choice, and do the same"
"You're on" they high fived "Attach your life to a movie, what is it" she laughed
"Infidelity in Suburbia, maybe"
"Cheating wife?" she looked at him
"You?" he changed the subject
"Runaway bride maybe" she giggled nervously
"I'm not asking that question" he smiled "How do you like to start your day?"
"Oh, with a kiss from someone I love, after they've told me I'm their world of course" she giggled
"We really do think alike" he laughed "Here's a thought provoking one" he smiled "How different was your life a year ago?"
"It was complicated, I mean really complicated and unhappy"
"Mine was depressing and unhappy too"
"But today we're both smiling so what's made life so good now?" she asked
"Getting rid of the pressure, lies, making some long awaited decision and this" he took a stone out of his pocket "Taking charge of this, my heart"
"That's where I keep mine too" she took the stone out her pocket "To remind me to take control of it"
"This is getting heavy" he smiled "Friends" he laughed "Who's your most interesting one?"
"Oh, Tina she's just an absolute straight up, tell it like it is kind of person and sometimes you need someone like that around you, she has my back"
"I have one friend too, Ryder's a Manager in my business, but we've been friends from college, and I sort of poached him" he laughed "But I trust him with my life, business everything, and he can trust me, we've always been close, I don't make friends easily"
"Neither do I actually" she looked at him
"So" Sam asked as the hotel came into view "What's the hardest lesson you've had to learn?"
"Gosh, trust myself I guess, what I feel matters and don't let anyone tell me different" she looked at him "You?"
"That love is a feeling, not an after thought, and to be wise enough to know the difference"
"Sir, Mam" the driver was standing at the door waiting for them to alight
"Thank you" Sam jumped out and held his hand out to help Mercy out, they walked across the beach and towards the hotel "Thank you for a lovely evening" he smiled as they got inside
"No thank you" she smiled "And don't forget our challenge"
"I don't know which one to listen to" he laughed
"Here" she got a pen from reception, wrote the name of a song on a napkin and gave it to him "Just a song that's in my head right this minute" she giggled
"Here" he wrote one for her "In my head, Goodnight"
"Goodnight" she stepped off to get to her room "Where are you going?" she asked at him following her
"To my room" he laughed still walking "Honest" he giggled "I'm going to my room"
"Okay" she looked at him suspiciously, looking again when he followed her down the corridor
"Look" he showed her his card "Room 2"
"Room 1" she giggled
They got to their doors opening them before turning to look at each other "Goodnight" came out at the same time, Mercy giggled at the scene, he stood mesmerised at her giggle, a grin on his face
"Goodnight" he rolled his eyes and forced himself into his room
"Goodnight" she rolled across the door and into her room
Sam
Sam stood at his door wondering what the hell was happening between them, something had clicked while they were dancing in the club, it had made him grab hold of her for a dance, get her a drink, talk all the way home and then given him impure thoughts just then. He lifted himself off the door he was hell of a tired, but he had this one challenge to get done before he could close his eyes, he jumped in the shower and grabbed himself a hot drink before settling on his bed to listen to her song "ha" he laughed approvingly. He put his earphones in, plugged his phone in and lay listening to the song "You want to know all my secrets?" he smiled at seeing the reason the song was in her head right now, the smooth sound turning to her moan as his mind wondered off into the possibilities
Mercy
Mercy closed the door still giggling, she'd had an amazing time, she really hadn't expected it, he wasn't just a handsome guy he was a gentlemen too, he'd got some of the qualities she wanted in a man, the main one being he listened. She didn't know it until it happened but she liked a man that made her think about something before she answered, who wasn't afraid to share something about himself, gave her time when she said she needed it. She sat on the couch looking at the napkin giggling excitedly at the fact they'd chose the same song, she was nowhere near sleep right now. She was sat in the bath listening to the song on repeat, "Thinking about me?" she laughed, life that could be so different with a man like him in it, all she could hear was that moan he made at tasting the lobster
Saturday Morning
They woke up thinking different, feeling lighter, something had changed, their world was making sense, they were excited about it, Sam picked up his phone and pulled out the earphones, Mercy grabbed for her phone on the bedside cabinet, they needed to talk
"Are you able to talk?" Mercy asked
"What's up?" Ryder fired back
"It's kind of personal" Sam laughed rubbing his stone "I met this woman last night" he rolled his eyes giggled
"Mercy you can not be freaking serious, think about this, you ran away two days ago, on your wedding day for crying out loud" Tina hissed
"But he's different" Mercy replied
"They're all different Sam, I remember you telling me a while ago, Quinn was the one" Ryder hissed at him
"Yeah, but I feel something this time, honest I do" Sam told his friend
"You've never felt anything Mercy, that's always been your problem, this has to be all that sea, sand and the damn cocktails clouding your brain" Tina told her
"But we share a song" Mercy told her friend, rubbing her stone
"Dude, listen to me" Ryder got his attention "You don't have a song, you have a wife you were glad to walk away from, a fix the fuck up business and mush for a damn brain"
"I..." they stopped, deciding it was a wrong move to call
"Stop with the crap and come home" Tina and Ryder shouted down the phone before it went dead
"It's my life" Sam hissed, throwing his phone down, opting for breakfast
"It's my life" Mercy threw her phone down, unhappy with her friend "Food" she walked to the door
"Hi" they smiled at each other, opening their doors at the same time
"I enjoyed your song" Sam smiled, stood in his white shorts and string vest
"And I yours" she giggled "Breakfast?" she nodded up the corridor
"Yes" he let the door lock and followed her, checking out her red bikini swimsuit under her sarong "Are you going to ask what I got out of our song?"
"No" she giggled "Because I'm not about to share with you, what I got out of it"
"Was it good?"
"Very" "Table for two please Rory" she turned to the waiter ordering, following him across the room to a private booth "Thank you" she smiled watching Sam pull her chair out for her "Thanks" she sat down
"Two full breakfast, English, pancakes, continental the lot please Rory" Sam ordered "Oh and coffee, lots of coffee" he turned his attention to Mercy "So after last night, I feel I know every inch of your body" he smiled
"What?" she giggled
"We connected" he laughed "I can't lie, I want to get to know you, I know the dynamics, I'm not asking for anything to change, I just enjoy your company" he held his hands up at the look on her face "I was married for 6 years to Quinn, we didn't marry for love, but I was hoping it would grow, and at one point I thought it had, when we decided to start our family" he linked his finger "But then she had problems conceiving, I found out she knew about those problems way before we got married" he laughed "And that put a dampener on our relationship, then one day I walk into the bedroom and she's got a baby bump" he laughed "We hadn't slept together for well over 8 months so it wasn't mine" he laughed "She didn't lie about it, she'd had an affair and fallen in love with Biff, I wasn't invested by that time, we got a quick divorce and I was best man at their wedding minutes after our divorce came through" he looked at the food coming towards them
"Shit" she gasped, they sat in silence as Rory placed the food on the table "Thank you Rory" she smiled at him, both watching him walk away before carrying on their conversation "Talk about not holding a grudge" she giggled "Sorry" she held her hand up for the disrespect she'd just shown
"It's fine, it's laughable" he smiled, picking a roll up to put some spread on it
"Coffee?" she asked pouring them both a cup, trying to stop the bubble of truth from coming out her mouth
"Don't feel pressured to tell your story" he sensed her anxiety
"No it's not that" she smiled picking up some toast "It's just... I feel too at ease with you, I'm trying to work out if this is a good or a bad thing"
"Conversation is always a good thing, isn't it?"
"I guess" she spread butter on her toast "I'm the classic runaway bride, my parents wanted me to get married to this two timing snake, they think I'm missing the boat, but I want to marry for love you know?" she took a bite of her toast and chewed until it was gone "I got all the way to the church on this one, ready to marry Mr Jake Puckerman, got out the car with my Dad, he nipped off to the men's room, and I ran" she laughed
"Pucker what?" he laughed
"Don't" she giggled
"Where did you get your clothes from?"
"Tina, I'd planned it all the day before, even got me a mobile"
"So what's going to happen when you get back?"
"He owned up to everything, I just hope my parents stop trying to hook me up"
"So do I" he smiled at her
"Are you flirting with me?"
"I'm being my natural self, but I hope some of that's in there too" he laughed
"Honesty" she laughed "I like it" she looked at him "I had fun in my bath last night listening to our song" she admitted
"So you know my body well too?"
"I'm not beating around the bush here Sam, we're both grown, I really don't think this" she pointed at him and back at herself "Is all about the sex" she grabbed her full English breakfast "I've never had these kind of feelings about anyone, and truth, it scares the shit out of me, because I don't know how to control it" she huffed "I came here, made a decision to take control of my heart and then you come into it and I'm a freaking wreck"
"You think you're the only one" Sam laughed "I lay awake half the night thinking about you, and all I really had to go on was that you wanted control of your heart, and if that wasn't bad enough, all I wanted to do was give you my damn stone" he took it out his pocket "I came here to protect this, I've never given it to anyone, I swore I never would and then you come into my life and I'm a wreck" he laughed
"My friend warned me against you" she laughed
"So did mine" he laughed "Told me to stop with.."
"The crap and come home" they both laughed
"But here we are" he looked into her eyes
"With our coffee, breakfast and song" she laughed pouring more coffee
"So you're leaving me hanging?" he smiled "Okay" he nodded finding more food to eat, excited for the chase
"Fancy sunbathing after breakfast?"
"Sure" they sat in silence, eating, drinking and stealing glances at each other, giggling when they got caught as they ate their way through the delights they'd ordered "I'm stuffed" he finally sat back rubbing his tummy "I need to work some of this off, ready?"
"Yeah" she got up and followed him out of the restaurant and down the hall onto the beach, he turned and looked at her smiling when she slipped her hand in his, the tingle in his fingers alerting him to the fact that this was foreplay. They sat on the beach people watching, laughing at things they found funny, listening to the quiet when it came and holding hands, playing with fingers and sharing looks as the afternoon heat came to rest "This is too hot" Mercy got up
"Do you want to go in the sea?" he looked up at her shading his eyes from the sun
"I'll go in your pool"
"Fine" he got up, grabbed her hand and made his way through the hotel to his room "You know where the pool is" he walked off to get some drinks and joined her in the pool
"You know" she watched him walking into the water to meet her "They say you generally know within the first fifteen minutes if your compatible with someone" she looked at him "I've been with you last night, this morning, we've shared, sat in silence, touched, stared" she took the drink from him "And with every minute we spend together, shit gets more intense for me" she smiled "Tell me you feel this too?"
"I feel it" he moved towards her "I want to kiss you so bad, I.." her lips moved towards his, their eyes connected, closed, heads tilted and their lips connected, his hand pulled her head into him as the kiss got deeper "Are you sure about this?" he pulled away to ask
"Yes" she gasped pulling him back to her, they stood kissing, lips, necks, breasts for a while before he pushed her up against the side of the pool wall, opened her up and took what he never knew he needed so badly, her feet left the bottom of the pool and clasped his waist as he pushed her up the side until her arms were holding her up out the water, his body slamming into hers as hard as she was giving it back. Her orgasmic scream finally letting something in him burst, he held onto her hips and spilled inside her "Fuck" she collapsed back onto him and hugged him for a second before finding his mouth again, kissing until they were back to talking
"I literally dreamt that last night" he laughed
"Well I for one, don't want to go home tomorrow" she frowned "I want to see where this goes"
"Me too" he wrapped his arm around her waist and walked with her on his chest back across the pool "We need to talk"
"Shit" she rolled her eyes and slapped the water "The dreaded four words"
"Listen" he let her get on her feet "Come sit down, it's not all gloom" he laughed watching her get up the steps and to the lounger before he spoke again "My names Sam Evans"
"Yeah" she looked at him blankly
"Evans Enterprise?"
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" she asked
"Does it mean something to you?"
"That you're Sam Evans of Evans Enterprise" she looked at him puzzled "Sorry, real estate's just never been my thing"
"Google it" he gave her his phone
"Sam Evans" she tapped the phone, smiling as Evans Enterprise came up "That's you right?" she held the phone up for him to look
"Read it" he stood naked on the patio telling her "Please" the look on her face, reminding him, she didn't want to be controlled
"Hold..." she sat reading "You're a freaking billionaire?" she looked up at him asking
"I really don't broadcast it because I don't want to attract any more Quinn's"
"Maybe fifteen minutes ago would have been a better time to drop this damn bomb Sam" she pointed at the pool "I'm sorry I've got to go" she grabbed her sarong, card and left. It was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do, but he let her go, he wasn't even going to try and keep her by using his money or his position. He got washed and dressed and went in search of solace
"Kurt" he smile walking up to the reception desk "Mercy, I don't even know her surname, in room 1" he smiled "How's she paying her bill?"
"We haven't actually discussed that yet Mr Evans, the situation wasn't right" Kurt told him
"Well don't discuss it with her, whatever it is, put it all on my tab, and will you send her two dozen roses please, those beautiful purple one's down by the rocks"
"A card with that Sir?"
"Yeah, to Queen Naija from Luh Kel" he walked away, he needed to think, he'd just found what he thought might be love for the first time in his life, the feelings were so intense he wanted to cry and something as stupid as a bit of money throws her off, right now he wished he could throw the damn money off, he had to at least come up with a happy medium before dinner
"Tina" Mercy shouted down her phone when she answered "He's fucking rich" she yelled
"What?"
"This guy" she huffed "He's someone called Sam Evans, he told me to google him, I did and he's a fucking billionaire"
"And what?"
"And nothing, I ran"
"Why, was he trying to buy you?"
"No" she giggled "He was, we were, we were about to go to the next level and he said I needed to know"
"So what's the problem?"
"Well now he'll think I'm a freaking gold digger"
"This morning you were more or less in love with the damn man"
Mercy sat looking at the phone, that was it, that was what scared her "Tina I got to go" she threw the phone down, got washed and changed, the door knocking just as she was about to leave
"For you Miss Jones" a mountain of purple roses with white cores hit her face
"Wow" she smiled, taking the card out "Luh Kel" she grinned "Put them on the table please" she stepped past to go find Sam. She found him wondering along the beach his head watching the sand and his hands in his pocket, obviously thinking "I got some things that's on my mind, baby, you need to know, you promise you will hold me close and you won't let me go" she sang sneaking up behind him, wrapping her arms around him, he turned smiling "I'm sorry, call it shock or something, it's not every day a girl meets a billionaire" his arm went up to wrap around her "The flowers are beautiful, thank you"
"Like you" he kissed her forehead "I wasn't trying to scare you off" he laughed "I was being honest"
"So long as we're both clear, this isn't about money"
"It's not about money for me either" he looked into her eyes "Let me take you home"
"What?"
"If we left in an hour we could get there in time for dinner"
"I don't know that I can change my ticket"
"Would you leave that to me?" he asked "Please?"
"If you forgive me"
"I forgive you" he laughed
An hour later they'd checked out and were on their way to the airport, Mercy felt like she was living in a dream when they stepped into his private plane, equip with all the luxury you'd expect from a billionaire. They had lunch as soon as the seat belts were off, then he introduced her to the bedroom, they were woken by the chime informing them they were landing soon
Washington DC
"These people are not a reflection of me" she laughed nervously, approaching her home
"If they ask me to leave I will, I'll just come back tomorrow" he laughed
"Don't leave, just say we're getting married or something, shut them up" she grabbed his hand begging "I'm leaving anyway"
"Would you do that?"
"I told you, I am leaving"
"No I mean marry me?
"I don't know, you've never asked" she giggled "You've begged for a few things these past 12 hours, but marriage, I think I'd have remember that"
"What I get from being with you is past marriage" he leaned in kissing her "Come on" he pulled her to him watching the front door open at the surprise visit, he got out and smiled at the wondering faces
"It's me" Mercy waved at her parents, happy to see them "Mom, Dad this is Sam" she walked up to them introducing the man who's hand she was holding
"Mr & Mrs ..." he looked at Mercy realising he still didn't know her name
"Jones" she told him laughing "He's nervous"
"Mr & Mrs Jones, pleased to meet you" he held his hand out again, smiling when her Dad grabbed it
"Come in please"
Her parents were already impressed with the car, he was charming as well as handsome and he seemed to like their daughter "We actually met yesterday" he replied to one of their many questions. He sat listening to their hopes for their daughter to find a good man, get married, and give them grandchildren, they weren't mincing their words on what they were looking for, Mercy sat embarrassed
"Well that was part of the reason I asked your daughter if I could make this visit" Sam sat forward on the couch "We've known each other for about 24 hours" he looked at his watch "But a wise person told me once, if someone's right for you, you know within the first fifteen minutes" he smiled at her "We've had the conversation, but I'd really like your blessing to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage"
"What?" Her Dad jumped up
"Dad" Mercy hissed through her teeth "I've already said yes, he's just being a gentleman"
"You said yes?" Sam asked shocked
"I'm saying yes" she giggled, he forgot himself, he jumped up and pulled her to him, kissing her, not too intrusively, but enough
"I want to do it today" he told her
"Can we get it done today?" Mercy asked her parents
"Not tonight but the morning should be good, say 11?" her Dad asked Sam
"Good for me" he replied taking his phone out "Excuse me" he walked across the room "Ryder" he smiled
"His friend" Mercy told her parents, after dinner Mercy called Tina to tell her the news, she didn't wait she came straight over, to vet this new man of hers "Hi" Mercy hugged her as she came through to the garden "This is Sam, Sam Tina"
"Hi" he held his hand out "We meet at last"
"At last, you've known each other a damn day" Tina told him
"You're right" he laughed "But we talked about you in our first fifteen minute conversation if that's any consolation"
"Cute and smart" Tina smiled, they sat getting to know each other, Mercy wrapped in his arms, unwilling to move, as they talked and drank champagne. Her parents inside trying to sort out as much as they could for the event in the morning
"We're not having much Luck" her Mom came out telling them
"I'll get some help, is it alright to share your contact?" Sam asked getting up with his phone "Rachel" he smiled at Mercy turning his back to them as he gave his orders "Red yeah?" he turned to ask Mercy
"Yeah"
"Size?"
"Just get a 6 in everything" she told him, he gave Rachel the details and contact number, then closed the call and took his spot back. They talked well into the night before Mercy walked him to his room, took her time saying goodnight and joined her friend who had decided to stay the night
"Okay" Tina rolled her eyes when got to her bedroom "He's cute, and genuine" Tina held her finger up at her "I'm happy for you both"
"Thank you" she smiled flopping onto the bed, she'd had a long day "I'm ready for sleep, it's been a day"
"Don't be such a lightweight" Tina laughed, giving her another glass of bubbly
Sunday
If Sam was to tell anyone he'd got any sleep he'd be lying, those demons had been playing with his head all night, he'd woken up in a cold sweat wondering what the hell he was doing. He'd just swore to himself on Saturday never again, gone all the way to a retreat to get Quinn out of his head and was going home with a new bride "Rachel" he answered his ringing phone "Please tell me what the fuck I'm doing?
"You're getting married in three hours Sir" she giggled "There's only one honest question to ask yourself"
"Which is?"
"Do you love her?"
"Yes, I do" he laughed "I don't think I've ever told her that, not outside of bed anyway"
"Too much information Sir"
"Bye" he closed the call laughing, to call his bride to be "Mercy" he smiled at her name leaving his lips "Morning"
"Morning" she cooed back
"I just realised, I might have shown you, you might have felt it even, but we're getting married in a few hours and I've never..."
"Sam you're on speaker" she told him
"It doesn't matter" he laughed "I love you, with all my heart" he picked his stone up and rubbed it
"I love you with all mine too" she giggled
Ryder arrived with Rachel making up Sam's family, Tina and Mercy's parents attending in support of her "I need the bathroom" her Dad smiled at her "You are going to be here when I get back?" he asked
"Yes" she laughed "This time it's my choice"
The fact that there were only six people at the church made no difference Sam surprised her by getting the music specially for them, Mercy smiling as she walked down the isle to the traditional wedding march till she was stood at the fountain of red roses at the alter. Instead of rings they exchanged their stones laughing as their guest stood by wondering what was going on, giving no explanations, they had their meal, cut and shared cake, threw the bouquet and had their first dance to their song 'Want You' by Luh Kel & Queen Naija before they went back to Mercy's house, grabbed a few bags, said their goodbyes and jumped in the waiting cars to make their way to New York, promising to invite everyone over before the end of the month
"Everything done?" he asked Rachel before he stepped into the car
"You know me better than that" she laughed, stepping into the second car to depart
"Can you believe we did this?" Mercy whispered in his ear, as they settled in
"It's the only thing I believe right now" he kissed her "And I believe it will work because we love each other"
"All of that" she smiled "But it's still scary" she grabbed his hand "Will I fit in?"
"Whatever it is needs to fit around you" he laughed "Don't stress, you're the lady of the manor" the engine hum drumming those words into her
New York
The short journey gave them time to stop and think about the whirlwind weekend they were having "I want this to work, and I'll do anything I have to for that to happen" she told him cuddled in his arms "Oh" she smiled "I didn't expect this" she sat up smiling
"What did you expect some gated mansion in the sticks somewhere?"
"No" she laughed looking up at the house "But I didn't expect a brownstone"
"It's close to the office, so we live here during the week" he laughed "But our house is in the sticks, and it is gated"
"So what are we doing here?"
"I have a important meeting first thing in the morning, and to meet the staff"
"Are you joking?" she walked up the stairs as the door opened, gasping as she walked in, this was no ordinary brownstone, it was like something you see in those old English films with stone flooring, bright white carpets up the winding stairs, polished doors to left and right "Mrs Evans, Mr Evans" a woman stepped into view followed by two men
"Mercy, this is Carol our housekeeper, Blaine's head of security and Brittany's your personal body guard, they work at both houses" he told her
"I need a bodyguard?"
"Not tonight but when people find out, yes" he laughed, he could see all this was alien to her "We'll be alright for tonight" he told the staff watching them leave "So Mrs Evans" he giggled "I think we already did everything we should be excited about right now but we could..."
"Oh no we haven't" she pulled him into the nearest room, laughing at finding themselves in a cupboard "It's a start" she giggled, making use of their night
Monday
"How do I look?" she turned asking him, her black suit screaming business, the high heels telling him exactly what business she had in mind, he was in trouble today
"Fine as hell" he laughed "Come on, I like to be first in"
"Not quite the first but definitely the last" she giggled
"Come on" he giggled, watching her walk across the bedroom and out the door, proud she was all his. They were first into the open planned office "Grab a seat" he pointed at the couch in his large glass fronted office "I've just got to prepare for this meeting" she sat watching him turn on professional mode, that look on him was sexy too. He had a different air about him, if she'd have met him just now she'd have known he was money, his crisp suit, starched collared shirt, highly polished shoes and his magnificently large wooden desk, dead giveaways.
She was impressed that he knew the names of the near thirty members of staff that walked through the door and passed by to say morning, it seemed like a nice place to work, then Ryder appeared at the door, "Morning" he smiled "I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but Quinn's on her way up" he told them
Sam looked at Mercy with panic on his face "I... she's not a reflection of me" he laughed, walking towards his wife, both looking when the door bursting open
"Why haven't you had your damn phone on all weekend?" Quinn hissed at him, walking in
"Has something happened?" Mercy got up asking
"Excuse me?" Quinn looked at her "I was talking to My..."
"Ex- husband, I know" Mercy smiled at her
"And you are?" she looked her up and down
"Mercy" she held her hand out, watching Quinn extend her hand "Mrs Mercy Evans, Sam's wife" she shook her hand sternly
"You got married?" Quinn asked Sam, her voice as if she was talking to a child
"As opposed to you got pregnant?" Mercy asked, huffing at the stunned woman, almost giggling at Sam's shocked face "So how can we help?" she broke the silence
"I'm going in to be started off today, and I wondered if you'd sit with Biff" she looked at him
"I'm sorry, we have a meeting this morning, and this afternoon he'll be busy with me" Mercy told her
"You've had a busy weekend" Quinn commented looking at Sam
"It's about to get busier" he smiled "Sorry" he grabbed Mercy's hand "We're busy" he smiled, watching Quinn turn sharply and walk out
"Oh" Mercy stopped her walking "Good luck with the birth" she smirked at Quinn cutting her eye at her "Where were we?" she asked Sam, quickly pecking his lips
"I believe I was about to order blinds for the office, get some privacy" he laughed "Did we talk about babies?"
"I don't want to talk about babies" she grabbed his face, "I want to make them, hurry up with this meeting"
The End