When Forever Calls

Chapter 2

It was a shiny afternoon. I made my bed, unusually. My apartment was cleaned, and I had my lunch purposefully despite feeling full. I had called in sick at work, knowing that Anne would cover for me; she always does. My mind was made up, and I needed to confront the situation head-on. Ben hadn't called me since yesterday. I was very aware of how mad he was at me. But instead of reaching out to him, I went to see Marcus.

"We need to talk!" I stared at him curiously, wondering if it was the right conversation to have.

"What Love?" he asked in his calm, melodious voice, sending chills to my body. Those eyebrows, my goodness! How could they be so perfect? His lips; I could kiss them all day.

"You said we could officially date if I weren't with Ben…" I started, "So what about Eleanor? Are you also breaking up with her?"

He paused and looked at me calmly. "Eventually, yes! She's been delaying signing the contract, and her Dad, Mr. Tin, doesn't say anything about it whenever I bring it up to him."

"God! Why is it taking so much time?" I sighed.

"I'm trying everything possible, Babe, a little while longer."

"So am I your girlfriend now that I'm no longer with Ben …" I babbled.

He stared at me, his gaze piercing my soul for what felt like forever. Then, with a gentle touch, he stroked my hair, his lips caressing my forehead, sending shivers down my spine.

"You're everything I've ever wanted," he whispered.

My heart dropped. How could he say that to me? I didn't just want to be 'everything'; I needed a title, a 'girlfriend' that meant everything to him. 'Everything' seemed too vague, too empty. I quickly grabbed my scarf, which I had left on his couch.

"I should go home," I said, trying to sound calm despite the rush of anger and hurt that was creeping in.

"Mia, wait… I love you, I need you, and I want us to be together, but not at this moment; Eleanor still hasn't signed the contract deal. We need this. I need to be able to take care of you when I have you by me. I've been working for her dad for all these years, and now I can't just leave everything behind, please, my love. Just a little time and everything will be right, and then I will make you my wife!"

That struck me deeply. This is the guy who knows how to speak to me, knows how to speak directly to my soul, and I am helpless but to listen. As he embraced me, his warm hug enveloping me in a sense of safety, every inch of my skin tingled with anticipation. His right finger traced down from my chest down to my left hip while he maintained eye contact with me; I gasped for air, melting into the intense affection that engulfed me. His tender touch, his caress, and his breath consumed me until nothing else mattered. Our bodies aligned, a perfect fit, like pieces of a puzzle meant to be together. I felt my spirit relax into his care. No doubt I wasn't entirely convinced by his words, but a part of me knew he could be right. At that moment, I wished that he would never let me go!

I got home safe and hopeful that Ben would call me, but he didn't. What was I expecting after all he heard from me on the phone with Marcus two days ago? I still picture the look on his face when he burst into my room and caught me talking to Marcus on the phone. He had been listening for who knows how long; then, he disappeared before I could even utter a word. I knew he loved me; he did everything for me. Perhaps it's fate, I thought to myself. A righteous man asking for love only to be slapped in the face; poor Ben!

Sometimes, I wish there was something I could do, but the truth is, the only thing I truly wanted was Marcus. If Marcus needed me to wait until he figured things out, l would. And now, I decided to go over to his house.

"I'm telling you, Ben, I didn't mean any of those things I said," I continued. "I respect you," I pleaded in a facade that I understood so well.

"you're a good man, and I appreciate everything you've done for me." I leaned forward, feigning remorse, and watched as he settled into his favorite armchair. The one he usually sits in whenever he's about to watch Squash, his favorite game on the T.V., cradling a cup of coffee in his hand. I felt sorry for him - he didn't deserve such disappointment from me. We'd spent a year together since I left my mom and her new husband in New Jersey and returned home to stay all by myself. Now, our plans for a future together were about to be shattered by my sudden fascination with a writer I'd met just a few months ago.

"you told him you needed me only for my money, you said you loved him, I heard all that" he continued. "I still don't understand why you are here. I am allowing you now to do whatever you want. You are free Mia" he rolled his eyes irritably, looking back at the T.V.

"No, no. Ben, I'm sorry, please," I blurted.

"I am never speaking to him again if that's okay with you." Clearly, I lied because that evening, when I got back to my apartment on Florissant Ave, I had my bath, laid on my purple-covered mattress, stretched my legs, and tucked in. I spoke to Marcus on the phone for three hours straight, and until he said goodnight, I forgot that I had had this conversation with Ben.

Ben reluctantly gave in to my plea, for which I was grateful. He has always been a devoted partner to me, very simple although a bit manipulative, coupled with his unwavering support for me despite his busy schedules at Kings Island, a famous amusement park in St. Louis, which his father owned, and he, Ben, managed.

I couldn't shake off the excitement on my face the first day we met. It was on a faithful evening at about 5:23 pm. I had just visited Anne and her mom, Mrs. Jean, for the first time. As the sun began to set on a day filled with laughter, good food, and lively music, I stood on the roadside, thumb outstretched, hoping to hitch a ride home.

Voom! A Ford F-150 swerved right in front of me. A man in his early thirties leaned out the window, smiling mischievously at me.

"Hi," he greeted.

"Hi," I replied, startled.

"My name is Ben. Need a lift? Where are you headed? "

I paused for a second pondering on my next line of action, intending to say no but the 'yes' came out louder.