My Toxin

Chapter 16: Unwanted Guests

Marjorie and Alex lay entwined in each other's arms, both in silence enjoying each other's company. The dawn of Friday brought a sense of anticipation and dread for Marjorie. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Okeke, and her twin brothers, Tyrese and Tyrell, were arriving today for their debate club celebration ceremony.

The Okeke family arrived on campus early Friday morning along with the Cavendish's, Alex's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Okeke, with their ever-critical eyes, immediately began their usual routine of appraising Marjorie's life choices. Tyrese and Tyrell, three years younger and full of boundless energy, buzzed around Alex, fighting for his attention.

"Marjorie, this award is good, but you need to aim higher," Mr. Okeke said sternly as they sat in Marjorie's apartment, her mother inspecting the cleanliness of the place with a disapproving frown. "Winning a debate championship is just a stepping stone. As a black woman, you need to work twice as hard to get respected."

"Have you considered your future properly?" Mrs. Okeke added. "I know all you young people think university is about having fun. It's not. It's about making important connections."

Marjorie, dressed in a simple but elegant sundress, had worn her natural hair out, her afro like a crown on her head. She loved her natural hair, but that wasn't her reason for wearing it out. No, Marjorie was wearing her hair out in a silent protest against her mother, who hated seeing her wear her unkempt hair out to important functions.

Although her silent rebellion brought her a little happiness, she felt the familiar weight of her parents' constant criticisms pressing down on her. Her parents' words echoed in her mind, amplifying her self-doubt. She plastered a smile on her face, but inside, she felt like she was breaking.

That evening, the university hosted a grand award ceremony. The hall was filled with proud parents, students, and faculty. Alex stood next to Marjorie, holding her hand as they received their accolades alongside their teammates. Marjorie's dress, a graceful blue gown that accentuated her curves, drew Alex's admiring gaze repeatedly throughout the evening. He couldn't keep his eyes off her for too long; he loved her natural hair, she wore it so well, it ordained her head like a halo.

After the ceremony, Marjorie quickly returned to her apartment, avoiding her parents who had yet again thrown criticism her way, even going as far as to compare her to her peers. Alone, she sat on her bed, her thoughts spiraling into a dark abyss of inadequacy. As she felt the pressure settling on her chest, the room started to close in on her, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow. She clutched her chest, struggling to breathe, the fear of never living up to their expectations crushing down on her.

In his apartment, Alex noticed Marjorie's distress on the live feed. Panic surged through him as he watched her gasping for air. Without a moment's hesitation, he ran to her apartment, unlocking the door with his spare key. He rushed to her side, lifting her into his lap, rocking her back and forth for comfort.

"Marjorie, breathe with me, baby," he said calmly, taking her hands in his. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. You're okay, I'm here."

Gradually, her breathing steadied, and the panic subsided. She looked at Alex, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just feel so stupid. I still hold out hope that if I work hard enough, maybe, they'll be proud of me."

"Don't apologize," he replied, brushing her tears away. "You're perfect, and I'm proud of you."

No words were exchanged between the two after that. As he continued to comfort her, she cried in his arms until she fell asleep. Looking down at her angelic sleeping face, his heart broke into a thousand pieces. How could he protect her from her own family? That thought plagued him until he too fell asleep.

Saturday evening, a dinner was arranged at an upscale restaurant reserved by the Cavendish parents to catch up with their kids. The Okeke family and the Cavendish family gathered around a long table. Tyrese and Tyrell, dressed in matching suits, kept trying to sit next to Alex, who entertained their childish antics with good-natured humor.

But Marjorie held all his attention. He was hard the moment he saw her. In a black silk dress that sculpted her curves, the front, low with ripples, added an element of art to the dress, but it was the back of the dress that drove him crazy. The open-back dress stopped at her lower back and her healthy ass stuck out boldly, demanding his attention. The dress was definitely risky and got her dirty looks from her mother, but he was glad she wore it.

During the main course, Mr. Okeke cleared his throat and fixed his gaze on Marjorie. "Marjorie, a video of you has come to my attention. Your open mic performance. This sort of behavior is unacceptable and can tarnish your reputation."

Marjorie's face flushed with embarrassment and anger. She took a shot of the rest of her white wine as liquid courage, ready to defend herself. Before she could respond, Alex spoke up, his voice firm and sturdy. "With all due respect, Mr. Okeke, Marjorie worked hard on that performance, and it was a powerful expression of her thoughts and feelings. Artistic self-expression is crucial in understanding and addressing social issues."

Mr. Okeke's eyes narrowed. "And what do you know about these social issues, young man?"

Alex met his gaze unflinchingly. "I've been educating myself. So it's my strong belief that Marjorie's performance was a brave step in contributing to change."

Mr. Okeke's expression hardened. "This is not the kind of exposure a young lady of her standing should seek. It can damage her reputation and future prospects."

"With all due respect, sir," Alex replied, his tone unwavering, "Marjorie's future should be defined by her courage to speak out and her dedication to making a difference, not by outdated notions of reputation."

Marjorie looked at Alex, her heart swelling with pride and her lower lips throbbing. For the first time, she saw him as a strong ally and partner she could rely on. Her father's stern expression softened slightly, and he nodded, albeit reluctantly.

The mood at the table had turned sour after that. Tyrese and Tyrell avoided eye contact, embarrassed at their parents' behavior. Mrs. Cavendish threw a supportive thumbs-up to Alex, letting him know she was proud of him. Mr. Cavendish, who always shied away from conflict, silently sent Marjorie a supportive smile.

After dinner, as they walked back to Alex's apartment, Marjorie held his hand tightly. "Thank you, Alex. That meant a lot to me."

He smiled, kissing her forehead. "I meant every word."

Inside his apartment, Marjorie turned to him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know what? You deserve a reward."

Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, really? What kind of reward?"

She leaned in close, her lips brushing against his ear. "You'll see," she whispered, leading him to the bedroom with a smile full of mischief.