Forced Marriage

Chapter 7

Marcus

We left to my house, I had send a text to my mom asking her to meet us outside and she didn't ask any questions, like always my mom, being the wise woman that she is, understood that something bad had happened and let us deal with it until we were ready to talk. As soon as we step into my apartment the look on Cat's face was priceless. She looked like a child on Christmas day.
"This is your house?" She looked at me wide eyed. I simply nod, starting to get nervous. "I love it, it's modern but still has a home cozy feeling to it" I smiled.
"Well for that you have to thank my mom, I needed help to decorate it and she had the best advice. It's simple but cozy.. that's what she said." I scratch the back of my neck and a nervous laugh leaves my mouth.
She turns to my mom.
"Mrs. Black this is amazing you have really good taste!" My mom's face lights up and shakes her head.
"Gisele my child. My name is Gisele." The way she said my child had my heart start beating a thousand miles an hour, but Cat's smile and live in her eyes had me feeling warm and happy.
"Ok. I love your name but I would like to call you something else is that ok?" I'm confused.... My mother smiles.
"And what is that?"
"Mom." She says with the biggest smile that definitely matched my mom's. Who nods and hugs her. I'm a happy man.

We all move to the couch. My mom looks at us expectantly. And we tell her everything that happened.
After that my mom hugged Cat and they stayed like that for a while.

Cat

Being in Gisele's arms was amazing. I felt loved and cared for. Like who I am matters no matter what happens. And that is amazing. I haven't felt that in a very long time.
My phone starts ringing again like it has in the past hour. I decide to look at it and see it's pastor Mike.
"Hello Pastor Mike"
"Hi Cat. Is everything ok?"
"Yes Pastor. I'm sorry I left early."
"Look I'm going to be HOT (hot means humble, open and transparent in out church) with you. Something is happening, your parents were looking for you and were not happy, I don't know what Gabriel was telling them but they didn't seem pleased by it. Can you tell me what is going on?"
Knowing I can trust Pastor Mike to not tell anyone what I say to him I tell him everything. When I'm finished there's silence.
"Pastor are you still there?"
"Yes Cat. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to wrap my mind around what you just told me."
"Honestly it's hard for me to accept what they are doing. I don't know what to do."
"Can I ask you something really personal?" Pastor Mike never asks something like this unless he is very serious cause he always says that he doesn't need to know everything cause God does. So I say yes. " Ok I know you since you were very young and I know you never had a relationship before. This boy that came with you today, what is he to you?"
"Honestly, I don't know yet, I feel safe, comfortable, happy and loved with him. I even kissed him. And I feel happy and ashamed about that..." I say with a blush cause I know Marcus and his mom are listening. I feel Marcus stiffness on my left, but I can't make myself look at him.
"Why do you feel ashamed?"
"Well obviously cause I'm engaged, even if it's against my will I feel like I'm failing God." My had hangs low. And I feel Marcus hand on mine, giving it a little squeeze.
"If there is something I know from God is that he would never force one of his children get married against their will cause marriage is sacred in His eyes. So I don't think you are disappointing Him. But you need to decide what it is that you want and plan a way out for you, cause I'm not letting this happen in my church!"
"But what can we do?"
"Is he there with you?" I look at Marcus, his face is serious but his eyes show love and determination.
"Yes he is"
"Put me on speaker" I do just that.
Pastor Mike asked Marcus a few questions that had me blushing and we made a plan, they asked me if I was ready for what they were planning but all I had to do was look into Marcus eyes to be certain that this was the right call. We will meet pastor Mike tomorrow.

A few hours latter the bell rings and Marcus stops the movie we are all watching to answer the door. I can't hear what they are saying but Marcus stance stiffened and that got me worried.
He looks at me. " Cat can you come here?"
I get up feeling confused and as I'm nearing the door I see two police officers. They called the police. Are they mad?!
"Good afternoon officers. How may I help you?" I say with a smile.
The older one looks at me confused.
" Miss your parents reported that you were taken against your will by this man. Is this true?" I am not the type of person to get angry but right now I'm shaking.
"No it is not true. My parents are trying to force me to marry a man I don't want! I'm 22 years old I can make my decisions and that man tried to abuse me in a bathroom, Marcus saved me and I willingly came with him. He has been nothing but nice to me! AND YOU CAME HERE ACCUSING HIM OF SUCH A THING?" Marcus pulls me to him and hugs me. His right arm around my waist and his left hand in my hair. Calming me. As let some tear fall.
Both officer's look surprised, angered and I see pitty in their eyes.
"We are sorry miss." The both of them say.
"Look officers I'm ok and I want to be here. Write what ever you want on your report but I would appreciate if you let this go. I will solve it, just let it go for now, please." I look at them and they nod.
Marcus bids them fairwell still holding me and closes the door. He picks me up bridal style and carries me to a room. I feel so drained. He takes off my shoes, pushes the blankets on me.
"Rest for now my queen." He says in a soft voice, kisses my head and leaves the bedroom closing the door. I relax into the bed and realized the bed smells like him. He gave me his bed. But before I could worry about where he would sleep, my own consumed me.