Dangerous Obsession

chapter two

                  Maven's Pov
Frankie opens the door for me offering me her hand for support which i take gracefully as the camera flashes get even more bright. "You're so hot,"she whispers in my ear making me blush for the cameras. All those years and she still looks at me the same. Like she's just now realizing it and wants me to know. "Maven Maven over here!"i hear the paparazzi yell and i turn giving them my best poses with Frankie next to me before we go inside away from all the flashing lights. "Took you long enough,"Tommie says as we approach her with a drink in her hand probably her third. "Glad to see you're having fun,"i say hugging her and notice a familiar face in the crowd but ignore it because there's a lot of people here. I leave the two with Frankie playing wing woman because Tommie needs to get laid.

"Hello Maven i emailed you the guest list and people you need to talk to for the magazine,"

"Paul right? I didn't have time to check my email so brief me,"i say to my new assistant. "You have a speech in an hour introducing the new column on the magazine, then a brief talk with some new investors and a call to check on Arlo?"he says adjusting his glasses and I'm impressed how he didn't falter or check his tablet to confirm. "Good and Paul, try to enjoy the party as well, you're part of it after all,"i say genuinely. Everyone here has contributed a great deal for this magazine and deserves to be acknowledged.

I end up plastering a smile on my face for the rest of the evening thanking everyone for coming and even giving a few insights on my marriage. I'm about to get where Frankie and Tommie's table is when hear my name, "And now I'd like to introduce the woman behind all this, Maven," i walk up there with people clapping and cheering me on. "Thank you all for coming, feel like that's the anthem of tonight,"i say earning a few chuckles. "Today is an important day for the magazine, we've laughed, cried, cheered, lost a few to greater opportunities but all in all we've done it together.

Every one of you is a shareholder in this magazine because without you there's a part of it that's missing. Now we have a chance to add our creativity. Ladies and gentlemen i introduce Independent Femininity, the magazine's new column!"i say as its revealing behind me and i take that opportunity to go down to where my wife and bestfriend are. "That was amazing baby,"she says pecking my lips. I feel tired already but i promised Tommie a fun night. "Where's Tommie?"i ask noticing she's not standing at the table. "She left...but not alone,"she says smiling for approval. "Look at you being a good wing woman,"i say playfully smacking her arm. I'm relieved that i don't have to go to any after party because Tommie already left and we head out but not before Frankie insisting on a stop.

"Why do we need to stop?"i ask furrowing my eyebrows. "I want to show you something,"she says pulling me out of the car where the Manhattan bridge is in clear view. She guides me closer so i don't fall because I'm in heels.

"What do you see?"

"New York city in the night,"i say genuinely. "No baby this is the view we had when i asked you to marry me. You've been a huge pillar in our family and i wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. With that said, would you do me the honour of carrying my second baby?"she says kneeling down on one knee with a small box in hand. She opens it to reveal a ring with a diamond designed as a baby making me chuckle at the little idea. "You already know the answer to that,"i say as she gets up slipping the ring on my finger,reminding me of our height difference.

"I want to hear you say it,"

"yes i will have your baby, but then that's it...we close the chapter but any baby that comes is accep-" she interrupts me with her crashing her lips on mine making me smile into the kiss.

"I love you Maven,"

"i love you too baby,"i say and we go back to car ready to go home to the baby that we already have. The car ride home is quiet with Frankie laying down on my chest to sleep as i play with her brown hair. Despite me having all this i sometimes feel like i was living another life before this one. Like it'll still be waiting for me when I'm done with this one. When i woke up in that hospital six years ago with no memory of what happened, i was terrified."Baby we're home,"i say patting her back gently for her to wake up so we can both go to bed together and she does and heads in straight to our room because I know she's tired. She only came there for me, because of how much she cares about my career and I'm grateful to have such a supportive wife.

I stop by Arlo's room to check in on her like i always do except the weekends when she sleeps in our bed. She looks just like her daddy when she's peacefully sleeping. Frankie has already stripped down to her boxers and t-shirt and is already in bed asleep. "Come to bed,"she says groggily. "I'll be in, in a bit," i say putting on my pajama shorts and t-shirt. I'm about to get in when i realise i don't have water on my nightstand and decide to go get some. I always sleep with a bottle of water on my nightstand because of how many times i wake up thirsty in the night. When i get to the kitchen the light is still on so i figure maybe Nancy is still awake but i don't see anyone there.

"Hey Miss Maven,"i hear her voice startling me and i almost drop the water I'm holding. "It's Marlowe right?" I ask unsure of how it's pronounced and she smiles. Her smile keeps getting me.

"What are you doing awake at this hour?"

"I was waiting for your wife, she had something to discuss with me,"she says and I'm not sure whether she's lying or not because its hard to find Frankie awake at this time ever.

"You?"

"I can't sleep without my water,"i say waving my bottle of water and she nods in understanding. "You keep it on your nightstand for when you wake up in the night right?" She asks taking me aback with her accuracy.

"How did you know?"

"Wild guess,"she says shrugging it off. I'm feeling sleepy but somehow talking to her makes me want to stay here longer. "Why a driver?" I ask curiously because a woman like her can easily get any high paying job. She looks overqualified for this one.

"Would you believe me if i told you I'm doing this to win the love of my life back?"

"You need the money?"

"No not really,"she says simply and i decide not to pry further because that's her business. I noticed the tattoo on her hand that i was trying to read earlier. "What's written there?"i ask pointing and she immediately rolls down her sleeve leaving me there. "What are you doing down here sweets? Lets go to bed,"Frankie says kissing my forehead and leading me away from the kitchen up to our room and i conclude she woke up to pee otherwise she's a goner once she hits the hay. I get in and she moves over to me snaking her hand up my shirt to my bare breast while pressing onto me from behind. Such a baby. I think to myself offing the light on my nightstand and going to sleep.