When Forever Calls

Chapter 4

His voice was so low that I couldn't make out most of what he said. It lasted for about two minutes, and my heart started racing with anger. I could feel the heat on my forehead when he stepped in to meet me.

"Who was it?" I queried, struggling to keep my face calm and emotionless.

He came forward and held me back in the position we were in before and said "it's work Love".

"Eleanor?" I asked.

"Yes, they want me to submit the manuscript that I'm currently working on," he continued. "I do not know how they found out about it… I've put so much work into that book," he sighed.

"Then give them another one. You can write another one quickly and give them instead," I suggested.

He exhaled deeply, and then my worries grew. I was pretty aware of how hard he had worked on that manuscript, how he planned that it would be his first book published under his name, finally getting credit for once. Since he has been working with Mr. Tin, Eleanor's father, for ten years as a writer, he has never received any credits for his work. Despite his book generating so much revenue for the company, he was only paid peanuts compared to the profits his work brought in.

"I didn't want you to worry about that; I'll fix it," he gently rubbed my hand in his.

I believed him and felt terrible for letting myself get angry when he answered the phone in the kitchen.

"Let me fix you a cup of coffee to ease," I offered, hoping it would brighten up his mood.

"Don't stress yourself!" He said, "I'll fix you something to eat instead."

He got up quickly and headed to the fridge. "Would you like some cake?"

"Oui, yes, I would." I smiled.

I woke up the next morning to the sound of whispers at the door, at first I thought it was from the flat next door. But then, when I reached out to the other side of the bed, Marcus wasn't there.

"Lower your voice!" A male voice said from a distance in a soft and husky tone that seemed to be arguing with someone.

I opened my eyes wide, drowsily emerging from a deep sleep, and then I heard my name being called angrily. My heart started racing as I threw off the covers and got out of bed.

I approached the door quietly to see what was going on. To my surprise, it was a lady about 5 feet 6 inches tall in a floral pink dress; her face was red with rage, her eyebrows furrowed, and her lips tightened. Marcus was standing across from her; his hands spread out like he was trying to calm a situation about to escalate. I stopped for a moment, trying to make out what they argued about.

Suddenly, the whispers ended, and Marcus called out to me. "Mia!" My legs were shaking, but I managed to put one frightened leg in front of the other and tried to stay calm.

It was definitely Eleanor, although I never met her in person before. However, I have seen pictures of her on Marcus' phone. How could she just badge in here this early?

"So this is the Mia that I've been hearing about?" She sneered.

My fear turned into rage, but I still decided to keep calm. "Hi, Eleanor. Nice to meet you!" I forced a smile.

"You think you're so perfect, don't you?… He is just using you!" She looked at me disdainfully,

"Poor thing!" and turned to Marcus. "Isn't that cute!"

My anger grew intensely, this time, not towards her, but Marcus. How could he be so quiet at this moment, like he's not the one about to lose something, like he's still deciding on whose side he should be on! I froze for a second, and the realization that he didn't love me enough to make such a decision hit me; he could never choose me over her! My anger surged; I felt a wave of sadness and a sense of betrayal. I gave him my heart, my trust, practically everything I had.

I thought about all the times I made excuses for his lack of commitment to me; I convinced myself that he would step up when the time was right. But now, the truth is displayed; He was just standing there like a coward.

I dashed into the room, grabbed my phone, changed into my clothes, and hopped outside, not minding him following me from behind as I walked towards a cab.

"Mia, I'm sorry!" He pleaded.

I turned to look at him, "What are you sorry for?" I asked calmly.

He exhaled deeply, his eyes cast downward. "I'm stupid, I'm a coward, I'm not good enough for you!" His voice trembled.

"Yes, Marcus, you're not good enough for me!" I affirmed, fighting back tears.

He looked up at me in regret, trying to reach out and touch my hands, but hesitated, knowing fully well that he didn't have the right to do so anymore.

I got into a cab that took me straight home, took a shower, and tried not to think of anything, but instead, I felt a knot in my stomach, and my chest tightened into a grip. I decided to lay down on my bed for a moment, hoping I could fall asleep; my mind raced with thoughts, each one colliding with the next. I felt trapped, like my head was banging against a wall, getting nowhere. I thought of all the things he said to me, especially the first time he confessed his love to me, how he always assured me that if he was made to choose, it would be me, how he turned the little things into grand and unforgettable moments.

My eyes became teary, and unapologetically, I let them out, stretching out the agony I felt in my chest and not minding how loud I cried. As the tears dropped uncontrollably, I dozed off.

I got out of bed the following morning feeling fresh and new. My worries had faded away, and my mind was clear, like a clean sheet of paper ready to be written on. The first thing I did was to block Marcus on my phone from reaching me. He had sent me lots of messages over the night, but this time, I just wanted to be left alone.