| "Melia, wake up." Mark smiled down at me as he caressed my cheek. "Hmmm... oh hi, hun." I smiled back as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. "Here, I brought you breakfast in bed." He said as he placed a silver platter full of food in front of me. I propped myself up on the pillows. "Thank you, Mark." I answered kindly, but I noticed he wasn't looking at me. "Mark?" I asked. "Oh, um, hmmm, yea. No prob, Mei." He said quickly as he got up. I looked at him and asked for a quick kiss, he did so and then started walking out the door. I followed his figure confused by his departure. At the door he turned around "Mei your um... top." He mumbled as his cheeks grew a bright red, as he rushed out the door.'My top?' I asked myself. I looked down to see what he meant... what could be wrong with my pajamas? "Oh shoot!" I said as I saw what I was wearing... my lacy black, see-through bra. 'Why am I like this?' I asked myself and tried as hard as I could to recall the previous day's events. My mind was at a complete blank. It was true his family was out of town, we had dinner out on the porch, candles and all, and that I spent the night but I secretly wondered if eat dinner was all we did. I shook the thought from my mind, "Stop being so sick, Mei!" I scolded myself. I pushed back the fluffy comforter and got out of bed letting my feet touch the soft carpet. I reached for a large T-shirt and threw it on. I looked at the floor... my clothes was scatter everywhere... another thing to add to my list. I smiled at the thought and hopped back into bed. "Maaaaaark!" I called not letting the true intention of my call come through. "What? Oh good you're dressed." He said blushing slightly. "Come here." I smiled sweetly as I patted towards the spot besides me. "So what is this about?" he asked nervously. "Funny I was just about to ask you the same question." I snapped back. "What do you mean? If this is about the breakfast well its a thank you for..." "The splendid night I gave you last night?" I filled in. "Yea, well sort of. I mean, dinner was really nice and..." "So was what we did after dinner?" I interrupted. "What are you talking about?" Mark asked puzzled. "What do you think I'm talking about, hott stuff? You cook me dinner so I can give you something back in return? Hmmm? Is that it?" I questioned inspecting his face for any signs of weakness or flaw. "What do you mean? We just ate dinner and..." "Screwed? Yea, I know." I chimed in as I hastily shoved a piece of toast into my mouth. "Screw? What? Mei, we never did anything like that." He started. 'Oh, so now you're in denial now? Was I that bad then?" I asked. "Mei, can I just talk for a second?" he snarled as he challenged me, "Geez! Well you started drinking some wine and you got a bit carried away so I..." "Took advantage of me? Hmmm? Yea I know. Continue." I interrupted. He gave me a sharp look and said "No actually, I brought you back to your room and..." "Started to make out with me in my drunk state? Oh and then that led to..." "Mei can you just hush up for a while?" he asked loudly, "Ok good." He sighed, "Where was I? Oh yes, so I brought you back to your room and un-did your zipper so you could change then I walked out after I said 'good night'. Later on I came back and you were collapsed on the bed half dressed so I..." "You stripped me down to my bra and panties and then used me for your own sexual enjoyment, right? And then you..." "Shut up already Melia!" Mark yelled, "Ok! So then I tucked you into your bed and kissed you good night, on your forehead." He paused as he stressed the last bit, "That's it." He concluded but I didn't buy it. "Do you actually really expect me to believe you? Is that why the other side of the bed is..." "Perfectly made?" he interrupted "Oh well then what was that breakfast for? In thanks of..." "Helping me recover the loss of my dog? Remember he got hit by that car last month and I was terribly upset?" he filled in. "Oh well then..." "Mei? Don't you trust me? I did *not* sleep with you, ok? I respect your choices and I'll wait until you are ready. I respect that and I take your trust only..." he paused, "I'm not sure if you do the same with me." He finished as he got up, "Think about that one Mei, before you jump to conclusions again." He stood up. "But Mark I do..." I started. "Save it for later, after you've thought it out." He interrupted as he walked out the door with a look of disappointment on his face, "By the way, Clara called." He yelled from down the hall. I collapsed into the pillows full of guilt for my foolishness. I couldn't believe I had just did that. He was being so kind to me and I just attacked him and all. It was wrong and I felt terrible. I looked over at a picture of us on the night-stand. I sighed "Will this ever be again?" Chapter 20 "Mark?" I asked shyly as I entered the living room. He just sat on the couch, oblivious to my entrance. "Mark?" I repeated as I got closer. I put my hand on his arm in attempt to get his attention. He shook me off. "Mark?" I asked again. "What now?" he snapped back not facing me. "Well I wanna say that I...I...I...I" "I've come blame something else on me?" he filled in. "Well, um... no. I just wanted to say I'm sorry." I said quietly. He looked blankly at me. "You know, Melia, sorry doesn't cut it sometimes." He replied as he reached for his car keys. I stopped his hand from leaving the table. "Mark..." I started as I looked him directly in the eyes, "I'm sorry." I repeated. "Whatever." He mumbled as he ripped the keys from under my hand and headed out of the room. "Don't go, Mark." I pleaded as I grabbed his arm. He shook me off, "Make up your mind, will you? And yes I am going. Look, I'll be back later. Take some time to think about your life and whether you want me in it or not." He took one look at me before he disappeared out the door. I heard a car drive off into the distance. I felt so stupid, I had hurt him so bad by not believing him. Trust was essential in a relationship, how could we continue to be together if we couldn't trust each other during the long periods we were separated.Islammed my hand on the counter in my dismay. 'How could I let this happen?' ---------------------------------------------------------- "Hello?" I asked as I picked up the phone. "Hey Mei! That you?" Clara asked as she replied. "Hmmm no. Of course not! Mark's just sounding all girly on you." I said sarcastically. My chest felt a ping as I hit the "M" word. "Mei, you alright?" she asked, "You sound like you've been crying." She said concerned. I forgot she knew me that well. I attempted to put on a happier pitch of a voice. "What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine." I prayed all my years of acting had paid off and I had just performed an applause worthy performance. I waited for her "applause" as I placed the phone between my ear and shoulder. I looked down at the chipped nail polish of my right hand. I sighed and looked at my other hand. My spine tingled as I realized just how black 'n blue my hand had become from its lil bash. "That didn't sound so convincing to me." Clara laughed. 'Well that play was a flop.' I thought. 'Now I guess I'll tell her the truth then...' I resorted to. "Well... erm, I kinda hurt my hand..." I trailed off. "How?" She asked in her usual display of curiosity. I started to desperately spit out a reply, "Well I... um," I paused, casually you know, not to give away any clues of my clueless-ness, "I whacked my hand down to kill a, um, bug. A roach to be exact. You know those big, brown ones that fly and..." "They don't have those in Ireland, Melia!" Clara cut in. I nervously twisted the phone-line hoping something would break the uneasy silence that had crept over."So are you coming to the dress fittings today?" Clara asked happily. I could hear the extreme joy in her voice. It took me a moment to put the pieces together... 'Kian, wedding... aww yes now I remember' "Well, I don't know..." I paused letting each spare moment dig at Clara. "Aww... come on!" she encouraged. "Haha, you convinced me with the begging in your voice." I replied. "Ok good! See you in a while!" she finished. I listened for the beep of her cell before removing the phone from my shoulder. I grabbed a bit of ice for my hand and set out the door. 'How could she think i'd even miss this?' I thought. ---------------------------------------------------------- "Np, i like the creme one better." Amy argued. "Creme colored? Are you mad?!?! That's nasty!" Esther filled in, her freshly dyed red hair echoed the sureness in her voice. "I kinda liked the back-less one" I threw in as the three of us argued over the right wedding dress for Clara. "What?!?!" they said at the same time. "That one was terrible." Amy spoke as she lifted her nose in mock disgust.We were getting nowhere. Clara had tried on about all but four dresses in the boutique. The shop-keeper looked over at us quite bored of our continuous argument. Quite frankly, I was sure she wanted to get us out of there. Clara said plain and simple, but that wasn't happening since none of us had the same taste. Never the less, this was getting us nowhere."Last one!" The woman spoke in her thick Irish accent as she passed a gown to Clara. The woman looked at us, gave a bit of a smile then returned to her counter. We all looked towards the door anxious to see the rag, erm I meant dress, Clara might emerge in. I swallowed my words as we all looked shocked at the masterpiece that fit her form perfectly. For once, Amy had nothing to say. I guess Clara took that as a sign, and said, "So what do you all think? That bad, eh?" she questioned, looking at her frozen faces. Esther came around first, "Beautiful" she coughed out as we all ran up to take a better look at the ravishing material.Clara looked up at the shop keeper "I'll take this one." She smiled. I could have sworn I heard a little sigh come from the woman's mouth. I giggled at the thought. I plopped down in a arm chair as i watched the lady wrap up the dress. Clara glowed as she witnessed her attire for her "heaven" get purchased. Or at least i was sure that was pretty much where this wedding was leading to... both she and Kian had been on cloud nine for the past few months. "Mei, look at this." Amy whispered mischievously in my ear as she presented three light pastel dresses. I smirked as Esther plopped up and grabbed her dress, we all looked at each other, our eyes exchanging the same approval in our silent agreement. In a spilt second that was over as we made a mad dash for the only dressing room, pushing and shoving for who got it first. |