Mona Lisa (Eminem Fan Fiction)

Must Have Been Fate

Ramona POV

"Uh, may I help you?"

Marshall's friend Royce whom I met at his birthday party stood on our doorstep.

"Hey Ramona. How you doin?" He leaned in to kiss me on my cheek. "I gotta quick run-down and grab something in the studio. Marshall was supposed to let you know I'd be stopping by."

I glanced at my phone and noticed the recent text from Marshall.

"Sure. C'mon in." I opened the door wider for Royce to enter.

I had Rochelle sitting in her bouncy seat on the floor and he stopped for a moment to have baby talk with her.

Royce proceeded through to our living room then paused, "Yo, did ya'll hire a decorator to change shit around in here?"

"I actually did it myself." I admitted when Royce noticed the room rearranged. "I moved the couch and the end tables because Marshall had too much furniture against that wall. It wasn't balanced. The plants, the paintings, and the matching pillows on the couch were all things that I brought with from my old apartment."

"Who painted this?" Royce pointed at the picture I painted for Marshall that was now hanging above the fireplace. "This is like...the focal point of the room."

"Oh, I did that too. I'm an artist." I found it unusual that Royce was interested in our home décor.

"See, I usually don't pay attention to shit like this, but me and my wife just bought a new house and were talking about getting a professional to design it. Marshall never told me you were an interior designer."

I almost opened my mouth to tell him I'm not but caught myself and stayed quiet.

"I just finished the downstairs too if you wanna see." I motioned for him to follow me.

Royce was impressed yet again when he saw my work in the theatre room and told me I would be getting a call from his wife real soon.

Marshall POV

"What's next on the agenda man?" I sat down across from Paul and cracked a Red Bull.

"Interviews! Everyone wants to hear about rehab and the overdose. I told them not to ask about any family shit." Paul opened his laptop. "Other than that, you'll be nominated for a number of awards this year. They want you to perform at the MTV Movie Awards. It's being held in California this year in about a month."

"Cali again?" I tried to not sound disappointed as I sighed, "I travel too much."

I slumped in the chair and stared into space.

"What's wrong now Marshall?" Paul seemed annoyed.

"Nothin." I checked my watch before I stood up. "I gotta get out of here though."

Paul was alarmed at first, "Everything alright?"

"I'm not going to get fucking pills, Paul!"

I slammed the door behind me and took the service elevator to the lower-level parking garage where I had a driver waiting.

"Just drive, man." I sank into the backseat.

It was almost ten o'clock at night in New York City, so the city was lit up in a million bright lights. I watched the scenery go by of billboards, theatres, and crowds of people still made their way around the noisy city.

I knew how I felt about Ramona. I wasn't ready for a lifetime commitment, but I needed to show her how I felt.

"Stop right here." I told the driver eventually when we were in front of a jewelry store that looked like it was still open.

When I walked in, I was surprised to find a little old man in a sweater running the shop. He must have been the owner which was good because I was certain he didn't know who I was.

"You made it just in time. I was about to close up for the night." He said with a kind smile. "How may I help you this evening?"

"I wanna get something for my girl."

"Are you looking for an engagement ring?"

I had to think for a moment before answering, "I don't think so."

The old man chuckled, "You don't know?"

"I mean," I hesitated when I was faced with this question. "I was thinking a necklace, or a pair of earrings or something."

"What kind of stone would you like? My name is Walter by the way."

"Marshall." I shook his hand.

Walter came out from behind the counter to flip his sign to CLOSED and locked the door. It was lucky for me that I wouldn't have to worry about any fans spotting me and could have the entire jewelry store all to myself.

"I don't know man, why don't you just show me some sh.., uh, stuff and I'll tell you what I'm thinking."

"Gemstones are very powerful." He began, "Some are said to have different meanings or even powers. For instance, any stone that is pink is meant to symbolize love."

I looked at the Rose Quartz earrings he set in front of me, "I'm not feeling pink. What else you got?"

"Aquamarine is associated with the ocean." Walter showed me the aqua blue necklace.

"It's aight."

Walter reached for another necklace, "Pearls are always a timeless classic and some say it represents innocence."

I couldn't help laughing, "Well, the innocence pearls are out of the question."

"Maybe you could tell me about your love a little. What does she like?"

I thought for a moment, "I don't know, she likes a lot of different things. Ramona's complex: she has, like, a million different sides to her."

"That's all women!" Walter laughed loudly. "And I don't mean that in a condescending way; women are fascinating souls. What was it that made you fall in love with her?"

"I guess, it was when I watched her become a mother. See, Ramona was dealt a shitty hand in life, but she's a fighter. She's actually really incredible."

"And when did you meet her?"

"I don't know, maybe a year ago." I thought for a second. "I met her right around the anniversary of my friend Proof's death, so yeah. It will be a year in April.  Almost like it was fate."

I looked up as the words escaped my mouth to Walter listening intently to my description of Moe.

My eyes looked to the necklace, to the earrings, and then to the string of pearls.

"Can you show me some engagement rings?"

****************

I wasn't lookin when I stumbled onto you, must have been fate

But so much is at stake, what the fuck does it take?

Let's cut to the chase 'fore the door shuts in your face

Promise me that if I cave in and break and leave myself open that I won't be makin a mistake