His Mistress, Her Nightmare (COMPLETED)

Mixed Emotions

Devin blew me up, all night, worried. I forgot to text him and let him know, something came up. Truth is, I was so in to Marcus and his boys, Devin was last on my mind. We had gotten so tipsy, that we had to wait an hour after the function, to drive home. Of course Zora wasn't as drunk as me, but she still takes no chances. Marcus held on to me and talked, the entire time. It was nice. Just a cool vibe. He even made sure that we made it home, safely. At least with Zora, Warren knows he can't question her. Devin, on the other hand, is different. We have more of a connection/relationship and I should've said something.

I finally text him back and he immediately calls. "Hey, what happened to you, last night?" He still sounds worried. I know Jaydah and Lilah came up with something, to tell him and Warren. I don't to lie to him but I damn sure don't want to tell him the whole truth. "Something else came up. I completely forgot to text you, when I was leaving." I say, half honestly. "Where'd you go? You okay?" "Yea, I'm good. Zora and I double booked ourselves, for the night and it just slipped our minds." "Oh, okay." He doesn't sound too convinced. "Was the rest of the party lit?" I ask, trying to get out of this awkward situation. "Yea, it was pretty lit, actually. Everybody finally started acting like it was a party, around 12. Not a single fight broke out." He laughs. Our school is known, to have fights at parties. "That is a miracle." I laugh. Whole time, I'm feeling guilty.

We end our conversation, about 15 minutes later. I'm so tired and slightly still drunk. That damn Marcus had us taking shots of Henny. Such a mistake. As if he reads my mind, Marcus' name pops up on my phone. Do I dare answer? We got way too close. I mean I didn't mind, last night but now that I'm thinking about it, his hands were basically around my waist. I answer anyway. "Rise and Shine, Charity." He says with way too much energy. "Why are you so energetic? It's barely 9AM." I laugh. "Early bird gets the worm." He laughs. "Nah, I'm kidding. I'm getting ready for church." "You're going to church, after last night?" "Even Jesus had wine, girl." This man is a mess. "Very funny. Did you have any problems, getting home? It was pretty late." I ask. It was at least 3:30, by the time we left the club. "Do you mean if my wife had a problem with me coming home late?" I'm silent. It makes him chuckle. "Nah. My wife is cool. She knows I was out with the boys. Terrance is one of my longest friends. She's lucky I came home at all." He laughs. "Does she know women were involved?" "There's always women, anywhere you go, Charity. Can't escape that." "Well, you can escape inviting them." "I needed to see you." I'm silent again. "Why?" "There's just something about you. You're interesting." He laughs. "Thank you? I guess." I laugh. "You're welcome. I'm gonna finish getting ready, for church. Have a good rest of your day." "Thank you. You too." 

I can't even process the last 12 hours, right now. I have readings, for class, to do but my head is still spinning. I finally get up and brush my teeth and shower. I look at myself, in the mirror and all I see is tired. "Knock knock." I hear Amara, outside of my door. "Come in. Morning." "Good morning. How you holding up?" "Girl, barely. I had fun but maybe too much fun." I laugh. "I see. You must've went somewhere else, after the party. I saw you leave." "I did. Our manager invited us somewhere and we got drunk." "Your manager? Why did he want to hang out? That's so inappropriate." She laughs but I know she's slick serious. "He saw us out, Friday and just invited us, to his friend's birthday thing." "Ohhh okay. Where'd y'all go?" "Boogalou." "Oh, I heard about them. Well at least you had fun and made it safely." "Ha. Thank you. Were there any cuties, at the school party?" I ask, trying to detour yet another conversation. "I did surprisingly. I gave my number out twice." She goes on, to tell me about the guys and the party. The whole time, I can't get Marcus out of my head. He smelled so good and being so close, to him, felt right.

***

I park my car and brace myself, for today. It's going to be my first time seeing Marcus, since Saturday night. I haven't even told Teyana, yet. She is going to flip! I lock my car and head inside. "Good morning," I say, as I walk in. "It's almost afternoon. Must be nice." Romar says, throwing shade. Don't be mad you don't have rank, like me." I clap back. "Ohhh!" James yells. "You ain't have to do my boy like that." We all laugh. "He started it." I clock in, before heading to the break room, to put my things down. Marcus is in the break room, talking to Lorenzo and Teyana. "Good morning." I smile. "Nice of you to join us, Charity." Lorenzo says. "How was your first week of classes?" "A breeze. This week is picking up, though. Got my first homework assignment, yesterday." I answer. "Eww. I do NOT miss school." Teyana grumbles. "I miss it sometimes." Marcus chimes in. "I bet you was a lil player, too." Lorenzo laughs. "What? What makes you say that?" Marcus asks. "Women like the lil buff, light skin dudes. They want nothing to do with us, dark skins." We all laugh. "That is not true. I like dark skin." I say. "Righhttt." Marcus says. Teyana raises her eyebrows, but no one else catches it. "I'm gonna get to work and let y'all discuss your skin colors." I laugh. Teyana follows behind me.

"What the hell was that?" She whisper yells. "Bitch, did you have sex with him?" I stop, abruptly, to make sure no one heard that. "No! What is wrong with you?" I whisper yell back. "We just had a good time. I got more drunk than I intended to, though." "How drunk? Like, falling all over on him drunk or just slightly too friendly drunk?" "Slightly too friendly." I say, sadly. "Girl. You gone get yo ass in trouble." She laughs. "He had his arms around my waist, while we waited to sober up." "So, if someone was walking by, they would've assumed y'all were together?" "Basically." "You better be careful, Charity. He might really be plotting on you. He tryna make you his side piece." "I am NOBODY'S side piece!'  I say, a little louder than intended. A few guests walk by, wide eyed. "Sorry." I apologize. How embarrassing. "Just be careful."

We make it back to the front desk and of course, our conversation ends. Romar is such a gossiper. He's worse than a female and he's not even gay. Or maybe he is. Who knows? I just want to hurry and get home. Some times I wish I would just take my parents' advice and stop working, altogether. But then, I'd never see Teyana. It was a miracle, to get her out of the house, this weekend. Having a kid isn't easy and neither is working and being a full time student. I roll my eyes and attend, to my computer. 5 o'clock, where ya at?

***

I've been slick dry texting Devin, all week. I couldn't get Marcus out of my head. It doesn't help that he has the 8AM - 5PM shift. I see him, every time I work. Even if it's just two days, out the week, he got me thinking. I literally shake my head and wait for Devin to pull up. We're going on a double date, with Zora and Warren. This is the kind of stuff I've been wanting to do, for a while now. I'm excited.  I decided not to be too extra but you know how I do. I'm wearing a simple black tub top dress and blush pink heels. I gave my hair a left side part, today. Simple. Devin pulls up and he is looking good! He has on a plum colored button up and black dress pants. He smiles and his pearly whites make me smile. I forget all about Marcus.

We opted to go to Pappadeaux. It's kind of fancy and definitely expensive. I made sure to bring enough money, for food, just in case Devin decides not to pay. Again, I reiterate the fact that we aren't together yet and he doesn't have to do certain things. We meet Zora and Warren, there, just in time, for out 7 o'clock reservation. "It must be date night." Warren says. We all laugh. Everyone seems to be out, with their boo, tonight. I smile up at Devin as we're escorted to our seats. I'm too ready to dive in to some seafood.  I looked at the menu, before I got here and I know I want to try the shrimp etouffee.

The dinner goes smoothly and I pretty much stuff my face. The guys pay for our $200 bill, before we all head out. "Our night doesn't end here," Warren says, as she starts walking Zora away. "I'll see you later, then Cher," Zora says, with a smile. I'm pretty sure I know what happens next. Whether or not Zora is down for it, is the question. "Same for you, little lady." Devin says. We get into the car and head somewhere unknown. About 10 minutes later, we pull up to a drive thru movie. I've never been to one, so this is pretty cool. He parks the car and we get comfortable. 

About 30 minutes into the movie, he turns to me. "I'm so happy to be here with you." He says. Now, I'm shook. "Aww. I'm happy too. This is really nice." "I know this is technically our first date but I don't think I can wait another day, not being your man." His words sting me. I practically start hyperventilating. I'm not ready, yet. I mean I always said he would be the one but school just started and then there's Marcus. Shit. Marcus is married but still. I need time. "I...um..." I stutter, hard. A look of disappointment crosses his face. "It's okay, Charity. I know it's too soon. Whenever you're ready. I'll be here." He brings my left hand, up to his lips. I smile. He's so sweet. Why didn't I just say "yes"? I get a text, from Zora and open it. Girl, Warren asked me to be his gf. I said yes. I'm not passing him up. A wave of guilt overpowers me. They probably planned this, for this reason alone. I'm so dumb. Now, I'll never have a chance with him.