A Twisted Tale

Temporary Living Arrangement

Meera's POV

I woke up to the sound of the alarm and felt the bed shift beside me. I turned around and found Mark sound asleep. He looked handsome even in his sleep except that he had his mouth slightly open. I found that extremely funny and tried my level best not to laugh. I remembered the events of last night and sobered up. I knew I wouldn't sleep well in a new place and took a sleeping pill right after Valerio dropped me off. It's effect must have kicked in when I was with Mark and knocked me out cold.

Mark's arm was wrapped around my waist protectively. I tried to wriggle free and get off the bed but his hand tightened around my waist. I turned around and found him staring at me.

My heart beat sped up looking into his eyes. We both were just friends. Or that's what I kept reminding myself. We've never kissed and for all I know he might have been thinking of me in a very platonic manner. But at that very moment, all of it faded into the background. He was the person who knew me the best. And right now, he was very very close to me physically. That was doing a lot of strange things to my heart. My shirt had ridden up and his fingers were almost touching my bare skin.
Unconsciously I shifted a little but his grip didn't loosen on me. If anything, his fingers started tracing patterns on my bare skin which made it very difficult for me to think straight. "Slept well?" He asked. I felt hot all over and shivered involuntarily. His voice sounded deeper than usual. All this while his fingers kept tracing patterns on my bare skin. I mentally framed my response to make sure I didn't sound like an idiot and said "Yes. Thanks to you, I didn't have any trouble falling asleep. Yeah. You. Thanks to you." Way to go Meera. So much for practicing those lines when you just ended up sounding like an idiot. His eyes were filled with mirth when he said "Wow, didn't know you were this grateful." I pulled myself away from him and got off the bed before he could see me blush at what he said.
I went into the kitchen to make us some breakfast. I checked my phone and saw that there was a text from an unknown number.

Hey, I'll come around at 10. I've got something important to tell to the two of you. Valerio.

I sighed and wondered how he got my number. Then thought that he must have asked Charles for it. I saved his contact on the phone and went about doing my work. Exactly as the clock struck ten Valerio was at the door. He was dressed in a pair of distressed jeans, a white t-shirt and a beige leather jacket. To say he looked handsome was an understatement. He smiled at me and unexpectedly, engulfed me in a warm hug. It felt really nice but it also reminded me of being hugged by Mark last night. Though the circumstances were different, I realised that I liked being hugged by Mark. He let go of me and said "Hi. You look really nice even though you're in your jammies. Where's Mark?"
I replied saying "Thank you. Mark is on a phone call with Charles."
"Oh. Then Charles must be conveying the message that I came here to deliver." He said.
Mark walked in with annoyance clearly written on his face and asked "What's he doing here?"
I was taken aback because he never lost his cool in front of people. I thought to ask him what the matter was, but refrained as we had company.
"I'm sorry for his manners. He isn't usually like this. So what is it that you wanted to talk to us about?"I asked.
Valerio rubbed his neck and said "Dad wants the two of you to stay back for a few more days so that we can have a board meeting and sell our idea to both the parties and convince them that this partnership is viable."
"It will have to wait because we have just been called back to the office. There is an emergency and we have to get going. Can you give us a few minutes? I need to talk to her." Mark said hurriedly.
"Sure, I'll call up dad and update him." Said Valerio and walked out of the room.
"Derek called. There's been a fire in the storage facility at Windsor Ave. We need to get back to London to find out if this was an accident or a pre-planned event."he finished.
"I'll start packing our clothes. You calm down a bit. We'll get there ASAP. Have you told Charles yet?" I asked.
Before he could answer, Valerio walked in and asked if everything was okay back in London. I told him about having to fly back to London in an hour, for which he said "I just spoke to dad and told him about the change in plans. He immediately consulted Charles. I know you have an emergency to attend to. Charles has asked Meera to stay back here and handle the proceedings of the partnership by having a meeting with the board of directors of Moretti Ltd. Mark, you get back here as soon as the situation back at home has stabilized. You can talk to Charles if you have something else to add on."
I started to protest but instead ended up complying as Mark had Charles have a word with me. Charles was determined to have me here for the week. I knew he was the boss, so I had nothing else to do but agree to stay back.
Meanwhile, Mark packed all his belongings and stepped out of the room. Valerio left with some urgent business on his mind. Mark didn't take long to pack since he preferred to travel light. He sat on the couch and asked me to sit down as well. "For the first time I'm leaving you with someone I don't know and don't trust. But, my only solace is in knowing that I can trust your decisions. Anything at all, don't hesitate to call me. I'll try to get back quickly. Keep me posted on the developments here. And I want you to stay here itself. Feel free to use this place for as long as you like." He said. I chided him for being this overprotective by saying "You know I can take care of myself right?" He laughed and said "No matter how old you get, I will not stop worrying. Dad too shares this sentiment." Saying he gave me a brief hug and kissed me on my forehead and left.
I decided to make myself comfortable for this would be my temporary home after all.