When Forever Calls

Chapter 3

"Uhm… Mia, my name is Mia, and I'm going to Florissant Ave." I rolled my eyes up south, gesturing with my hand as I spoke.

All the time I sat there, pretending to be listening to everything he said, I thought of how early I needed to be for a job interview the next day.

"What kind of music do you like?" He asked, trying to get my attention.

"Uhm, it depends on my mood, actually! But I love Hanks; he's dope." I smiled.

"Great taste, Mia; maybe we could share playlists sometime," he grinned.

"I totally agree!" I laughed.

"So Mia, any big dreams?" He asked.

"I actually want to travel the world, but first I need a job. I just moved back here last month from New Jersey, my mom remarried and her new husband didn't want me around. So I moved back here to start up afresh on my own." I uttered.

"And your Dad? Is he alive?" He asked.

"No. He died four years ago!" I sighed.

"I'm so sorry about that," he said, feeling sorry for me.

"It's tough, yes! But it's totally fine. I am fine! I just need a good job." I sighed again.

"Mm… I think I might be able to help you, my friend James; he owns a bakery. Would you like that?" He asked.

"That would be incredible," I exclaimed.

"Well, lemme see what I can do," he said finally.

"Thank you so much." My eyes lit up, thankfully. The following week, Anne and I resumed working with The Bakery.

The next day, it was Friday, and Anne and I typically worked morning shifts. I loved it because it gave me plenty of time to prepare for the weekend, even if I usually didn't have any plans. I woke up feeling relieved, grateful that I had finally settled things with Ben and Marcus. The agony was finally over!

"Anne, are you done? I'm exhausted!" I screamed at her impatiently, waiting for her to finish up quickly so we could close the day together as our shift had just ended.

"A minute!" she screamed back. "Alright, done!" She grabbed her bag from the closet where we usually keep them.

"Ugh…" I sighed.

"Why are you in such a rush, Mia?" she narrowed her eyes at me as we walked to the park.

"I'm going to see someone," I smiled.

"Not Marcus again… I thought you'd have given up on that boy already after what happened," she said, frowning at me.

I held my bag tight up to my shoulder. "I can't; he's like my kindred spirit," I asserted as if I were wildly convinced by some powerful being.

"The boy has nothing to offer you; he doesn't even prioritize you. And there is Ben. Ready to give you everything. She smirked.

I knew she never liked Marcus, not only because he was just a writer with no editor aside from his girlfriend's company, where he worked as a puppet. But also because Ben sends her gift cards and stuff.

"I love him, Anne." I tilted my head in her direction, hinting at a smile.

"Love is not enough, Mia." She yelled.

Grrrr! My phone rang uncontrollably, forcing me to take it out of my bag, which I held onto tightly.

"It's Ben," I said in a tone, assuring her that It wasn't Marcus as she furrowed her eyebrows in disbelief.

I quickly got into a cab, not wanting to hear another sermon from her.

The sun shone brightly in the sky, casting a warm glow on my skin. I was basking with so much desire to see Marcus. As I stood at his door, I felt the same awe I usually feel when I visited, and for a moment, my mind wandered to how I had canceled all my plans with Ben to be here. I had even lied, saying I was ill, without considering how he would feel if he found out. I imagined his shoulders drooping like a deflated balloon, his hopes crushed in seconds, and his broad, bulgy eyes clouding with sadness.

I shook off the guilt, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. It swung open, and there he stood, Marcus, his bright eyes staring directly at mine with a smile. My cheeks flushed with a soft, gentle blush, and my skin tingled with a subtle sweetness. Then, the blush deepened, spreading across my face like a warm golden light. He stepped aside, allowing me to enter. As I passed by, his hand brushed against mine.

We sat on the couch, our legs crossed, then he turned to face me. "I have missed you, Mia," he smiled again.

I looked at him enthusiastically. "What did you miss?" I teased.

"This!" He held my cheeks together, laughing and, in turn, cracking me up.

"I've missed you too!" I grinned.

"I'm sorry that I put you through so much stress" he said, taking my hands in his hand with a tender grasp.

I looked at his eyes, then his nose, and drifted back to his eyes; they were indeed sincere. I couldn't help but think of how I had already forgiven him even when I didn't know what he was apologizing for.

"With Ben…" he continued, "and Eleanor, I will tell you when it's right."

My heart melted and I smiled softly "just one word from you and him out of the picture, remember!"

"I know, Love," his grip on my hand tightened, "At least he provides for you; I can't do that right now."

My eyes widened. "but Marcus, I do not care!"

"I do… I can't watch you suffer! don't you see?" He said with a soft and gentle expression.

I looked at him again, and seeing the care in his eyes and the love in his words, my heart began to beat faster.

"I got you something." he smiled broadly at me.

I looked desperately around the room to have a glimpse of whatever was there before he pointed it out to me.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegantly wrapped box, smiling radiantly. He opened the box and revealed a beautiful necklace, a gold-colored chain with a glistening, small crystal pendant.

My heart sank into my stomach, filled with enthusiasm, and I lost my voice for a moment. "Marcus!" I whispered.

He took the chain and gently placed it around my neck. "You're as beautiful as this crystal, and I want you to always remember how much beauty you bring into my life."

"Thank you, Marcus". I finally found my voice.

"You mean everything to me!" He raised his eyebrows, held my face in his palm, and leaned in with a soft, gentle kiss, which then intensified and filled me with so much desire. His arms wrapped around me like a grip, never to let go. At that moment, I knew that I was his, and he was mine as well.

His phone rang immediately, giving me a shocker. When I leaned over to see who it was, he quickly grabbed it and went over to the kitchen to answer the phone.