Not My Parent's Favorite

Chapter 3

Mari

I couldn't believe the conversation I was having with Mother. She literally just told me to get a side piece once I was married. Vicki may be right, Mother may have someone on the side.

"Mother, can I ask you a question and you answer me honestly?"

"Of course," Mother has put the teapot on the stove to prepare a pot of tea. "Within reason."

"Ok. Do you have someone on the side? You know, you told me to do it after I get married so I was wondering, if the same was true for you?"

Mother looked at me and smiled. She didn't answer as she prepared her cup with a tea bag as she waited for the water to get hot. She walked over to me, stood before me and cupped my face in her hands.

"A woman never tells her secrets, unless she has to." I looked at Mother and she smiled. She wasn't going to tell me, but in so many words - she did. Vicki was right, Mother has someone else taking care of her sexual desires on the side.

"Understood." I replied and left it at that. I wasn't going to badger her to tell me, she spoke loud and clear.

"I love you Mother." I smiled.

"I love you too."

Later on in the day, I ran into Michael, Father's assistant. I wanted to see what Mother saw in him.

"Hey Michael," I said as I entered the study. Father was most likely in his home office, I assumed.

"Hey Mari, how are you?" Michael looked at me, his eyes dancing along with a gorgeous smile. A quick thought ran through my head of me sitting on his face. He started looking concerned and then I realized I was still staring and never responded.

"I'm sorry, I blanked for a minute. I'm good. How are you?" I walked in and sat on the couch across from him.

"I'm well, thanks for asking." He replied looking concerned. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, a lot of shit going on that I have to deal with."

"Ah, yes. I heard." He smiled. I looked at him and wondered what he would think. "I know it may seem a long shot, but have you told your parents?"

"Yes. They are in agreement with each other, which doesn't help."

"So, you don't want to get married?" Michael asked, closing his laptop, giving me his full attention.

"No, eventually I would like to. I just don't want to marry this guy just to save face."

"Understood." He nodded.

"What would you do?" I asked. Michael looked at me with a look of desire. I hadn't seen this look from him before. He was always so professional but that look was in no way, shape or form - professional.

"Well, if I didn't think I would be satisfied in the marriage - physically & emotionally and given the fact that I didn't have a choice in the matter, I would find someone to satisfy me."

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Why not? It's a win-win. You already said the marriage is to save face. Basically what it means is that both you and your partner can do whatever you want without consequences, I'm sure within some discrepancy." Michael blurted. I got off the couch, walked around the table and sat next to him on the opposite couch.

He turned sideways to acknowledge me directly. I crossed my legs and turned towards him.

"Interesting take on that. I didn't expect that from you." I uttered. He frowned and raised one eyebrow.