Will forever love you

Mark, are you even hearing me?" Anna's tone was a combination of frustration and laughter. The millionaire from New Orleans, "Mark Brown,” popularly known as Mark Billions, reclined back in his chair and stared at the woman on the other side of the table with his dark brown eyes. The golden chandelier in the restaurant softly illuminated Anna's golden curls, adding to her stunning appearance. A smirk came to his face. "You mentioned something involving... lasagna?" Anna's eyes rolled. "I was stating that when your mother learns, she will go crazy." Mark put down his glass of wine. "Allow her to." Anna blinked. “Mark.” “Anna.” He extended his hand across the table to grasp hers. It's been a year since we started dating. I've had your support through it all. What my mother thinks doesn't matter to me. I want you to be my wife because I love you. She looked into his eyes, looking for signs of hesitancy. Not at all. Only willpower. “But your mom—” "My heart is not under my mother's control." Her hand was raised to his lips. “You do.” Anna felt her heart race. The words were not new to her, but they were heavier this time. "Do you really think so?" Mark put on a smile. "The ring will be on your finger before the evening is over." Anna chuckled softly and shook her head. "You are not possible." "You adore me for it." She gave a loud sigh. "Unfortunately," Mark gestured to the waiter with a laugh. There was no time he was going to waste. The only sound in the ominous Brown home was the steady ticking of the old clock on the wall. Standing close to the dining table, Mark Brown gazed at Makky and his mother. He had just told them that he was engaged, and despite their seemingly cordial responses, there was an odd tension in the air. Mrs. Brown pressed a narrow line with her lips as she folded her hands on the table. "Are you sure about this, Mark?" Mark's mouth tightened. It was what he had anticipated. "Mother, I agree. I'm certain." Makky chuckled breathily. Wow, Mark. That's... surprising. Mark's gaze grew strained. "A surprise?" With a false smile, Makky shook her head hastily. "No, I just mean... I thought you'd wait a little longer." Mrs. Brown slowly and deliberately put down her fork. Son, it's a significant choice. Marriage should not be entered into hastily. Mark stood up straight. I cherish her. That is all that is important. His mother's nose gave out a harsh exhale. Mark, love? Love alone is insufficient. Someone who knows your world is what you need. Mark's hold on the back of his chair became more firm. "Anna is more than able to comprehend my world." Makky cleared her throat. "I'm glad for you, Mark." Expecting warmth on her face, Mark looked at her, but her eyes had an enigmatic look. She stared at him for a time, then looked down at her plate, using her fork to move the food about. With her elegant stance, Mrs. Brown took a big swallow of her wine. "Well, I guess you deserve congratulations if you've already decided." Her tone had a hint of edge that Mark picked up on. His mother was someone he knew well enough to know when she was planning anything. He took a big breath and pushed his chair back. "I'm about to go upstairs." Mrs. Brown gave a nod, her face impossible to read. Makky gave a little grin. "Good night, Mark." Mark turned, his thoughts racing, and made his way to the stairs. Although he had anticipated opposition, he was uneasy about his mother's and Makky's reactions. Then he took his phone out of his pocket. Anna's voice was what he needed to assure himself that this was the proper decision. As he tapped her number, he lost his balance due to an unexpected push from behind. He tripped over something. The earth swayed. His phone slipped out of his hand and hit the marble floor as his body fell down the steps. When his back hit the hard surface, pain sprang all over his body. The sharp edge of a step struck his skull as it snapped back. He felt a sharp shock of pain run through his head. There was a sharp scream that broke the stillness. With her heart pounding in her breast, Mrs. Brown hurried to the stairway. "Mark!" Makky's breath caught as she stood stunned; she felt a chill run down her spine, her hands clutching the dining table's edge. Greenie the maid, her face as white as a sheet, stood still at the top of the stairs. Her horrified eyes darted from the still corpse of Mark to the top of the stairs, where she had just been. Mrs. Brown's hands were shaking as she fell to her knees next to Mark's still corpse. "Hey Mark! Get up!" He did not move. Blood gathered on the side of his head and soaked into the immaculate white marble. Horror twisted Makky's stomach. "My God. We need to take action. Mrs. Brown raised her head abruptly and spoke sharply. "Call an ambulance right away!" Makky groped for her phone, her hands shaking. With her fingers shaking too much to initially press the correct keys, she barely made it to call the emergency number. "911, What's your emergency?" "H-he fell!" Makky gulped. "Come down the steps! He's bleeding. He isn't getting up." "Is he breathing?" asked the person on the other end. Watching for any movement, Makky fixed her gaze on Mark's chest. After what seemed like a lifetime, she noticed a slight rise and fall. "Yes, but he's unconscious." "Remain on the phone. Assistance is on its way. With a racing heart, Makky hung up. Then she dialed Anna's phone mindlessly. Almost immediately, Anna picked up. "Makky?" Makky clenched his throat. "It's Mark, Anna. He fell. It is not good. We're heading to the hospital with him. There was a piercing gasp over the receiver. What? Makky, what took place? How did he fall? Makky took a deep swallow. I am not sure. With a raspy voice, she said, "Just come to the hospital," "Fast." Anna was unable to ask any more inquiries before she hung up. The sirens in the distance began to shriek louder. Wiping at the tears running down her cheeks, Mrs. Brown straightened. But there was another spark in her eyes behind the sorrow. Perseverance. Computing. Makky became rigid. “Mrs. Brown?” The lips of Mrs. Brown squeezed together. "You must be strong in any situation, Makky. Mark will need us more than ever right now. Makky gave a shudder. The ambulance arrived outside. As paramedics arrived, they promptly evaluated Mark's injuries. One of them said, "Severe head trauma," as they removed him cautiously onto a stretcher. Mrs. Brown took his lifeless hand in hers. "You do realize that he will be alright?" The paramedic stated, "We won't know until the doctors run tests." "We must take him right away to the hospital." Mrs. Brown and Makky trailed closely after the paramedics as they carried Mark out. Greenie stood staring in the doorway. Makky pivoted and saw the look on the maid's face that made her stomach turn. She was also unable to pinpoint anything. Before she could respond, however, Mrs. Brown took hold of her arm and dragged her in the direction of the ambulance. "Makky, please," she urged forcefully. "We have a part to do." Makky got inside the ambulance after hesitating. She couldn't get rid of the thought that anything far worse was about to happen as the doors slammed shut and sirens sounded as they raced to the hospital. Something for which she was unprepared.