Chapter Three

The months have gone by so fast; Now that you have been seeing Marcus for just over a year I have decided it was time for him to meet my dad. I take out my phone and dial his number. "Hey Mishka, what's up." Hey baby can you meet me at Rossi's pub tonight, I want you to meet my dad." Marcus is quiet for a second and then he replies. "I have a meeting at 4 hoping it does not go on for too long I may be a little late." The way he sounded made you feel that he really did not want to meet your father. You try not to think too much into it as you normally do.

When you get to the pub, Rossi and your dad are on the phone as you get closer to them you hear his voice. They talking to Ambrose on speaker. You move in closer to hear what he is saying, but you get there too late just as he is saying goodbye. As you hug your dad and bend over the counter to give Rossi a kiss on the cheek, I sigh as I sit.

"How is Ambrose?" "He is good missing us all," Rossi replies. "Dad. I want you to meet someone that I have been seeing his name is Marcus." Your father listens to you looking at Rossi ever so often as you tell them about Marcus. With a blank look, your dad asks. " How long have you been dating?" I smile as I reply. "A year." "So does this mean its serious?" "Maybe." Still looking at me with a blank stare my dad asks me. "Do you love him, Mish?" "Let's just say I'm not getting married yet, Dad." Frank Mishka's father turns to Rossi and says. "Uhm… I don't know, what do you say Rossi?" Before Rossi can answer my phone rings and I see it is Marcus calling. I answer as I walk away from my dad and Rossi. Frank frowns as he talks to his best friend Rossi. "I wonder why she has waited so long to tell me about this Marcus character if this is serious." "Come on Frank, It must be something if he is meeting us both. You know Mish, she is a smart girl." Frank's face falls when he speak next. "Ya, you are right. I just wish… You know." "Yes, my friend I know. Even Ambrose has been seeing this girl Megan, and when I ask him about her he changes the subject." The shock on his face when he looks at Rossi. "So, who is this girl he is seeing?" "Some rich girl, one of his mother's business partners' daughter." I stand behind my dad my heart feels like it is breaking all over again when I hear Rossi talk about Ambrose seeing a girl in L.A. While I stand there thinking about him being with another woman I hear Marcus." Sorry baby the meeting went on longer than I expected." I turn and kiss him on his cheek. "I am so glad you made it come meet my dad and uncle." Marcus shakes your dad and Rossi's hands as you introduce him to them. "It's an honor to meet you, Sir." After the formalities, Marcus takes your hand in his and says."It's been such a hectic day, you won't mind if I have just one drink and head home." I look at him pissed that he has the nerve to even get out of being here. I take his hand and pull him to the side. "Is there something wrong, Marcus?" "What, no baby I told you it was a hectic day." The night I introduce you to my dad and you want to leave cause you are tired." He smirks and takes your hand. "Come on baby, I will make it up to you." Before you can say anything he walks up to your dad and greets them explaining that he can't stay. I watch my dad as he narrows his eyes at me over Marcus's shoulder as he shales his hand. Once Marcus has left I walk back and sit down on the stool next to my dad. Rossi hands me a glass of wine and I sit back and let out a soft sigh, as my dad looks at me with his one brow lifted. "I don't like him Mishka. He is not right for you my baby." I take my dad's hand and look at him. "Oh dad, you don't like any guy I see." He stands with his defenses up. "Not true" And with that, he walks to the men's room. I look at Rossi, I know he will tell me the truth. That's what I love about him. Uncle Rossi, what do you think?" " I don't know him so I can't really say Mishka, but the way he excused himself to your dad like this meant nothing. Well buttercup for me, that was plain right rude. Even hurtful Mish." Rossi is right, the way he treated this as if we were just friends really did hurt. Looking ion my empty glass deep in thought my dad kisses me on my head. "If it means that much to you I will give him a chance." As I hug my dad and say thank you, I can't stop my mind from the words that Rossi just said.

After the night of finishing three bottles of wine and crying over Marcus and Ambrose. Mishka is woken by someone knocking It's your neighbor Mrs. Hopkins inviting you to another party she is throwing. "If Marcus works late I will come by for a drink." She claps her hands together. "Wonderful, Zack will be there and you can meet him." Mrs. Hopkins has been trying to hook me up with her nephew and even though I have told her that Marcus is my boyfriend she just scoffs. "Who! That guy that shows up only to apologize for something he did wrong. What kind of boyfriend is that." I know she means well and she is right. He only comes passed if we have had a fight or something. After saying goodbye I head to my room to get ready for work.

It's Friday and you have a wonderful day planned for your class. Mandy's boyfriend Will is a firefighter and I know the kids will love him. When I get to school Mrs. Williams is there waiting for me as I enter the staff room. "Ms. Nowak, if you have a minute I need to have a word with you in my office." "Morning Mrs. Williams I have some time before class starts." I follow her to her office and once inside she ushers me to sit. "Mishka you have been a substitute teacher here at Kingsley for over two years now, and after talking to the board they have agreed to take you on permanently. But you won't be teaching we would like you to fill Mr. Watson's position. Watson is the HOD and with the amount of responsibility to the job, there is no time to prep classes never mind teach them. I know this will be a great opportunity for me but do I really want to give up teaching. " I know you love to teach Mishka, but this is a big opportunity for you." " I know and I am really grateful for the opportunity. I just love teaching and I would miss it." "Think about it, and let me know your answer before next semester, for now just keep doing what you do best."

I thank her and walk to my classroom my mind overwhelmed by this opportunity just been offered, Do I want this though. Just then I bump into Will. "Hay Mish." "Hi Will, Thank you for doing this for me, the kids are going to love you." As Will interacts with the class I pull out my phone and send Marcus a message telling him about the opportunity that was offered to you. Shocked that he actually replied immediately. "That's wonderful, what do you say we go out tonight and celebrate?" He tells me to be ready by seven and then says goodbye. When school is finished I call my dad to tell him about the good news. Your dad starts shouting and tells you that you must come and have a drink to celebrate, turning him down I ask for a rain check.

It's eight-o clock and Marcus was supposed to be here half an hour ago. You are about to message him when there is a knock at the door. Marcus stands with a bunch of flowers in his hand. "Hello, beautiful, sorry I am late these are for you." He comes in he kisses you on your lips." You ready to go." "Let me put these in some water first." Missing this man I walk up to him and start kissing him grabbing his ass and pulling him closer. Just then he pulls away and gives me a look. "We going to be late." "A few more minutes won't make any difference Marcus." Feeling rejected you pick up your bag and walk out towards his car.

Marcus does not say a word as you drive to the restaurant. Feeling naughty you take his hand and put it under your skirt smiling at him. He pulls his hand away and scolds you. "What's wrong with you Mish are you crazy, you can cause an accident." Rolling my eyes as my irritation builds up inside. "Come on Marcus it's not like we have never done this before." "There is a time and place for such things Mishka." I scoff as I keep quiet and look out the window. The whole night at the restaurant Marcus seems distracted looking at his phone every few minutes and you question him. "What is wrong Marcus? Are you still angry with me about what happened in the car?" "No Mishka, I'm just a little stressed with work and stuff." The whole time at dinner, he just sits there hardly talking unless I say or ask something. This was supposed to be a celebration and all he does is check his phone. Why did he even agree to this dinner? "Why are you here Marcus because it seems as if you would rather be somewhere else?" Realizing that he has been an ass he puts his phone in his pocket and smiles at you. "Sorry, you're right." "That's not what I asked Marcus, I asked why you are here?" "Don't start Mishka you know how it's been at work and everything." "No Marcus…. I don't know cause you are never around and when you are you are not." I pick up my bag and stand. "Listen Marcus I don't know what is going on with you lately but let me make this easier for you. I start to walk out when Marcus gets up from the table and grabs your hand. "Mishka what are you saying?" "Goodbye Marcus. Maybe one day when you decide what you want you can let me know." With tears in my eyes, I walk out of the restaurant.

Days go by with no word from Marcus and then your phone rings. "Hay Mishka how you been?" "What do you want Marcus?" "I don't blame you for not wanting to talk to me, but I need to see you, baby. I'm sorry. Can I come over tonight I will bring dinner?" Reluctant I agree.

Just as the bell rings and the kids all leave you see a message from Ambrose and your hand starts to shake. "Hay Mish I heard you got that promotion at work I just wanted to congratulate you." You smile and reply. "Hi Ambrose, thank you.

Driving home you clean forget about Marcus until you pull into your driveway and see him standing at your front door. He is dressed very casually which you find to be strange as he is always in a suit or at least a button shirt, He has flowers in his hand and by your experience with Marcus flowers were never just a romantic gesture. "Sorry I'm late Marcus ran late at school." "No worries, babe.". Giving Marcus a kiss on his cheek you take the flowers from him and go into the kitchen to put them in water. Taking out two beers from the fridge you open them, turning to give Marcus his beer you see him on one knee with a small black box in his hand. "Mishka." "What are you doing Marcus" He looks up at you taking your hand in his. Mishka, I know I have not been the best boyfriend and I have made mistakes. That night when you left me at the restaurant. It killed me, Mish. I was stupid to let you walk away, and since then all I have been doing is trying to find a way for you to see that I love you. Will you make me the happiest man and say yes?" "I don't know Marcus, I need to think about it." I can see the disappointment on his face, so I try and reassure him. "Give me a couple of days to think and then I will give you an answer." " Ok baby, that I can do take as long as you need." He lifts me up in his arms and kisses my neck as he walks to my room.

After having sex, I lay next to Marcus feeling happy again having him here its been so long and you really missed this. Marring Marcus is not a bad decision and it's not like we must get married soon. I lay on his chest and run my hand over his cheek. "Yes. Marcus." He looks down into my eyes confused look on his face. "I will marry you, Marcus."

Two months later and Dad is still not happy I said yes to Marcus. I have been avoiding the pub as I am not in the mood of hearing how Marcus is not right for me. Its been a couple of days that I have not seen Marcus due to deadlines and meetings he has had late into the night. Tonight, I have decided to surprise him at his office with the new lingerie I bought just for tonight. It is quiet in the office as everyone must have left already. I walk into the lobby of his building and press the button on the elevator. I enter as the doors open. Smiling to myself at the thought of Marcus's face when he sees what I have for him. The door of the elevator opens and I walk toward his office. The door is ajar and I can hear moaning coming from inside. I push the door open so I can surprise the man that I love. What I see as I open the door was the last thing I wanted to see. I stand there shocked unable to move as the picture I see before me, stains my mind. After a few minutes of just standing there staring at my fiancé fucking his assistant on his desk. I slam the door closed as I walk back to the elevator. I can feel the tears filling up behind my eyes as I walk away. Then I hear the door open and Marcus runs out. Thank God the door to the elevator is open and I step indie and turn to see Marcus running toward me. I just look at him as the doors close not even hearing what he was saying. "Wait, Mish… Baby it's not what it looks like."