F.A.M.E (book 1 & 2)

2:2

"Babe." I called into my home as I closed the front door behind me. Marcus had left his shoes by the door, so I knew he was already home. The scent of the lasagne I made yesterday was also invading my nostrils, so I knew he was probably in the kitchen.

I strolled through the sitting area, phone in hand as I scrolled through the many messages I hadn't opened. These days I just didn't have the energy to get back to people; it wasn't on purpose, but I just never seemed to have the time to speak to those I loved, and I knew my distance had probably left a bad taste in some people's mouths. I was just having a difficult time balancing my personal and social life.

The apartment had an open plan, so when I walked a little further into the living area, my eyes fell on Marcus who was sitting by the island, fork in hand as he ate last night's leftovers.

"Babe." I called again as I went closer to him. It was rude of him not to respond when I was calling him - if it was the other way around, he'd be offended. "Are you ignoring me?" I wasn't ready for him to throw any tantrums so I chose to hug his sitting frame from behind and rest my chin on his shoulder; the guy loved off of physical touch and if there was anything that could prevent us arguing, then I was willing to do it. I just wanted peace tonight.

"Why would I do that?" He asked monotonously as he picked the tumbler next to his plate and sipped the juice in it. When he was done, he didn't place it back, he just held onto it. "Where did you go today?"

"To see Charlotte." I answered as I kissed his cheek. Releasing a sigh, I moved around him so that I could take a forkful of his food.

There was no response from him as he placed his glass on the table and whipped out his phone. "Look at the time, babe."

A sigh left my mouth as I buried my head in my hands. I could not do this tonight. "Marcus, it's literally ten thirty. There was traffic."

"I'm not arguing with you."

"You want to though. I know how it ends when you get like this."

He kissed his teeth and pushed his plate away from himself. "You move like I'm not supposed to ask about your whereabouts. You literally saw the girl two days ago, it's like you can't breathe if you don't see her." He complained bitterly.

"So I can't see my friends now?"

"What I'm saying is, you move obsessed with them. I'm the one dicking you down, not them. Or are you a lesbian now?"

Sometimes it just seemed like he liked to hurt my feelings or come for me, unprovoked. He knew that I didn't have anyone in this country apart from himself and my friends. I had been lonely ever since my mum left to Ghana. "Good night, Marcus."

Without another word, I left the kitchen and walked into the room we both shared, only to be met with three unsealed envelopes on my pillow. Marcus had developed a frustrating habit where he would open letters that were addressed to me. It was annoying because it was such an invasion of my privacy.

Upon reading the first letter, I came to realise that these were all bills that I needed to pay. A deep feeling of irritation sat on my chest as I read the words on the letters; my problem wasn't that I had to pay the bill - I could definitely afford it - but Marcus basically lived here for free. Again, I wouldn't have been too fussed about him not paying a single bill, but he liked to throw fits at my means of making money and it hurt.

Everything in this apartment was me. I paid the bills, I bought the groceries, I cleaned the place. He basically didn't pay for a single thing in this place, yet I was obviously still lacking something because he always had a problem with me.