Meeting The Lockwoods

Arthur Kent Point of view

"What did you do?" he thought she would be grateful but she seemed taken aback and somewhat scared.

"I didn't do anything, oh my God Mace! you're worried about him, even after everything he's done to you!" It was unbelievable that she was more worried about her ex than what he was doing to her.

"You know what? I don't even want to hear anything more, eat, your assistant didn't confirm if you've had lunch since you didn't call her after you left. So eat."

"I'm not hun," but the churning from her stomach proved her wrong. Her cheeks turned pink and he moved away.

"Eat."

A wave of warmth washed over her, not just from the aroma, but from a secret anticipation. This wasn't just any cheese; it was a prelude to a perfect evening.

"I see I caught you at the perfect time," she raised her head towards Arthur who had the glass she had taken out earlier.

"Pour me a glass will you?" she said and settled down on the stool, she didn't seem bothered that he caught her drinking. He did as she requested and leaned back to watch her eat.

Even in her messy bun and bare face, she looked at ease. The eye bags underneath her eyes betrayed her sleeping patterns but it also reminded him that Macy Lockwood was far from the perfect life.

She noticed his stare and paused. Her eyes bored into his and for a moment he wanted to dive deep to unlock all the closed doors but she turned away to grab a slice of pizza.

"Want some?" she asked and he shrugged. "I have to make sure that if it's poisoned, I don't die alone," she added and he laughed.

The sound echoed around them and he was sure he had seen her smile, it was short noticed and the need to eat was more important.

"Glad you find me humorous not to threaten me," he chewed on the slice in his hand. What did she mean by that? He waited for details but she only reached for the glass and took another sip.

"You know, if someone told me that I'll be eating pizza you brought me, I would've called them crazy." she said licking her lower lip to savour the taste of the wine but Arthur was interested in how they felt.

"I guess that we can't always picture life how we want." he added and she nodded slowly. "Ma-" the sound of her phone ringing cut him off. She stared at the screen, unable to make out who it was she ignored it and grabbed another slice of pizza.

"You awfully have a lot of unknown calls when I'm around you, is it a silly coincidence?" she stared at him upward through her lashes, a haze he didn't think to see soon. He cleared his throat and adjusted his collar but it didn't help with the disruption inside of him.

"Don't hold yourself in such high esteem Kent," she stood up from the stool and walked towards the large windows when her phone buzzed again.

"Its Angie," he replied and answered the call without waiting for her.

"Hi Angie!" Macy rushed towards him with wide eyes but he raised the phone above her and set it on speaker. he stared down at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Arthur? Is that you? Hi- is Macy there?" Angie's tone wasnt as soft as usual and Macy noticed it. She jabbed Arthur's side and pulled his hands closer to her.

"Angie? Is everything okay?"

"Macy, did you get into any fights with David?" Arthur frowned at the name. "It doesn't matter but I overheard uncle Ben talking over the phone about replacing you on the board1"

"What?!"

"I know, and he mentioned something about a ball and getting the grid on their side." the grid- Arthur was familiar with the term and what it meant. "Macy, David is planning something and I don't like it. I just thought to let you know- and Arthur please don't let her do anything alone."

"I won't." Angie ended the call leaving Arthur with a questioning gaze on Macy.

"Do you mind telling me what the prick said now?" his tone was firm and Macy closed her eyes in delaying frustration.

"Fine." she told him. She told him what David had said to her back at the office and it took a lot for him not to leave for David's.

"You're handling this better than I thought you would." she admitted and he fazed out as he tried to keep his anger at bay.

She tucked another strand of loose hair and rubbed her palms together. "Look, I don't want you to get involved."

"If you're involved, I'm involved and if he thinks it's fun to want to kick you out by turning everyone against you, then he's messed with the wrong people." he turned to her. "Macy, right now I'm not your enemy. Please, just don't forget it, please."

She nodded slowly and rubbed her hand on her robe. "Okay."

"Great, so trust me on this."

.............

Weekend came soon and Arthur was anticipating the progress report from Busayo. It was currently a minute after four meaning he had twenty-nine more minutes to pick Macy.

He was on his way out when he branched by the flower shop to get something, it was out of the blue but he didn't want to go empty handed.

When he arrived in front of her apartment she was closing the door behind her. She had stayed true to being casual this time but in her black outfit.

The black pants and black t-shirt paired with a black and white Converse was all she opted for. Her hair was packed behind her head and as she spotted him she waved with a small smile.

"Someones quite excited," he said as she sat inside the car.

"And you brought a different car, why?" she tilted her head to the side to stare at him. Somehow they were both wearing the same colour and pattern of outfits. Arthur had drove the sleekier black audi just because he could.

"Just felt like it." his drove off while Macy typed on her phone.

"Want to play something from your playlist?" she stopped and stared at him as if she didn't hear his question at all.

"Sorry?"

"Want to play something from your playlist?" he repeated momentarily staring at her before returning his attention to the road.

"You want me to okay something from your playlist?" she asked again and he nodded making her laugh.

He wasn't expecting her to laugh at his request but it was a good sign.

"I'm sorry but I'm not falling for that trap and since you waited for me to ask, what are those flowers for?"

"Its a gift for your cousin, you know. Heard she likes lilies." Macy stared at him, she was impressed but it wasn't enough to ease the tension in her chest.

"What's on your mind?" he waited for some form of resistance but she replied.

"Incase you're not aware, there's a high chance that my extended family will be there." she admitted.

"You don't seem to fancy your extended family a lot, why?"

"No prying Arthur, I don't like them and I don't want to talk about them."

Reaching the cafe, he saw at least three cars parked, a couple more people just arriving. He pulled into the farthest spot, a futile attempt at anonymity as several pairs of eyes turned their way.

"Anyone I should be particularly wary of?" he asked, stepping out cautiously.

She offered a tight smile, devoid of the earlier playfulness. "The woman in the blue shirt dress, the one in the mustard yellow, and oh, the one currently giving us the evil eye – I think you'll manage."

Arthur watched as Angie welcomed Macy with a warm hug and a large smile, she didn't hold back with him and when she saw the flowers her eyes lit up even more.

"Thank you, Arthur, this is very thoughtful of you," she said and her husband greeted him with a firm handshake.

"You must be Arthur, Angie tells me about how much you take care of Macy. Thank you." The ladies were up ahead walking towards the entrance to greet the others.

"She's that woman, although she can be quite stubborn." Angie's husband laughed and tapped him on the shoulder.

"It's a thing for Lockwood women, these two are the most precious things. Especially, with everything that happened to Macy, Angie somewhat feels as though she didn't do enough to protect her. I'm glad she'll have some more support."