His Mistress, Her Nightmare (COMPLETED)

Literally Falling for You

Although Devin still talks to me, he hasn't been as pressing. It's been a whole month of being unsure. It's driving me crazy. His birthday is coming up and I don't even know if he wants me involved. I hate going to work, now because I blame Marcus. I make minimum conversation, with him. I definitely don't talk about anything personal. I grab my keys and purse, to get ready to grocery shop. It's my time alone and it soothes me. I don't have anyone bothering my soul.

I pull up, to Walmart and my peace begins. I grab a cart and scan my list. I've been so stressed that I went way overboard, when I made this list. I normally just list things I'll need, for the week. I still want to prepare of Devin's birthday, just in case he comes around. I head over, to the fruit section and take in the fresh smell. "Wow," I say to myself. I gaze at the grapes that are $1.48/lb. I'm definitely getting me a few pounds. I search for one of those clear bags, to put them in. My body freezes in place, when I see Marcus. Shit it's Saturday. He doesn't work on Saturdays. I watch, as he searches for the right broccoli heads. I shake my head, in disgust and decide that these grapes can wait. 

I grab my cart and try making a swift getaway. "Oh, hey Charity." I hear Marcus shout. "Dumb ass cart." I groan. The stupid thing took forever to turn. "Marcus, hi." I fake smile. The last person I needed to see was him. "What's going on? You okay?" He asks, when he finally made his way over to me. "I'm fine." I answer dryly. He looks confused. "Charity, have I done something to you? I promise nothing happened at the lounge." "No, Marcus. I'm okay." "Everything changed, since then. You don't talk to me, anymore. I mean I guess it's great that you still do a great job, at work but it kinda sucks, when you don't talk to me." He genuinely sounds sad and I begin to feel bad. I don't know what to say to him. "You're confusing me, Marcus!" I say, a little louder than expected. A few patrons, look at us. "What do you mean?"Marcus whispers. Before I can answer, I see Jasmine, coming from the seafood section. "Nothing." I say and walk away. I don't even look back. I don't want any problems.

I finish my shopping and head home. It wasn't nearly as peaceful as I thought it would be. I just want to be alone today. Thankfully Amara is visiting her parents, for the weekend. I'm sure all of my girls will be with their boos. I'm the only dumb ass that is still single. But to play devil's advocate, I really haven't had much time with Devin, to say yes to a relationship. Zora and Warren talked almost everyday, since they've met. Me and Devin just started that, this summer. I lay everything down, in the kitchen and begin unpacking. I get a call and it's surprisingly from Devin. I quickly answer the phone.

"Hey, you." I answer. Hopefully he's in a good mood. "Hey." He laughs. "Did you get your shopping out of the way?" "I did actually. You know that's the only thing I'll get up early for." I laugh. "Damn, so you wouldn't get up early, for me?" "You and food. Only TWO things I'll get up early for." We both laugh and it's refreshing. "Charity, let me apologize to you," he says, throwing me off guard. "I've been in my feelings, for a while and that's not fair to you. After talking to my boy and even Zora, they made me realize that I sprung that on you too quickly. I just been waiting for that moment for so long but I never really put all the effort I needed to, in it. Warren made constant trips, to see Zora and vice versa. We didn't do that. We didn't talk every day. I wasn't at your every beck and call, relationship or not. We weren't and aren't ready for that and I realize that now. I just hope that my ego didn't push you away." "Devin, nothing you do, could ever push me away." I really mean that. "I really do want to continue and getting to know each other, so we can grow into something great." "Let's do it, then." We finish our conversation while I put my groceries away. Once we finished, I was all smiles.

 I pick my phone back up, to call Zora. I have to tell her the good news. I swipe my phone open and accidentally answer a call. "Hello?" I ask confused. "Hey, it's Marcus." He says awkwardly. Shit. I really don't want to do this right now. "Oh hey, I was actually calling someone and swiped. Didn't know who I answered." I laugh awkwardly. "Haha, I got ya. I just felt like we needed to discuss this morning. You just walked off." "Well your wife was coming back and we were already causing a scene, so..." "Well how am I confusing you? I don't understand." "You're just too friendly. I have a man and you have a wife. There's no reason for you to be checking on or for me, texting and calling about personal stuff or hanging out with me. It's inappropriate." I blurt out. "You didn't seem to have a problem, before. What changed? I mean I'm allowed to have female friends and I thought that's what you were. My wife has male friends and we trust each other. I may have said some wild things, when I was drunk but I was drunk. No disrespect." I don't know if I should believe him. 

We sit in silence, for a few seconds. I reminisce on the past month or so and calm down. I guess everything he's done has just been friendly. I'm not used to having a manager so cool and relatable. "I'm sorry. I just...your personality is a lot different, from past managers, I guess. Look at Lorenzo. No one's going to hang out with him alone." It makes him laugh. "Well you don't have to hang with him alone but I did want us all to go out and do something fun and team bonding related." I remember him saying that. "Oh yea, that could be fun. Maybe something, like bowling or skating." "What about both? That new game center is open and it has both plus food and an arcade. That could be nice." "Yea, I like that." "I'll go ahead and talk with Lorenzo. See what day most of us could go." "Sounds good." "Great, well I'll see you Tuesday, unless you bump into me again." He laughs. "Very funny. See you Tuesday."

***

"Team bonding night comes around and I'm actually excited. Teyana can actually come out. Now that Rashad works normal business hours, they can do fun stuff with each other or friends, on weekends. Romar, James, Malika, Lorenzo and of course Marcus is coming. There are a few others coming but I don't really talk to them. My phone rings and it's a Facetime, from my middle school best friend, Ella. We don't talk every day but when we do, we pick up where we left off. "Damn, do you stay in the house?!" She yells, as soon as I answer. This girl is always yelling. "Girlll, I'm tryna live my best life. I'm tired of staying at home." I answer. I check myself out, in my body length mirror. "Where you going?" "The new game center, with my coworkers. We're going to do some team bonding." I put up air quotes. "Is that married man gone be there?" She asks, with a devious smile. She's the only one completely condoning me talking to Marcus. "Yes, girl. Just like my coworkers." "Mhmm. Don't get caught playing with the wrong set of balls." She just cracks up. Her stupid joke makes me laugh way too hard.

I talk to her, the whole ride over. We say our good byes and head inside. I meet up with Teyana, Malika and Romar. Lorenzo and Marcus are at the counter. "Hey y'all." I wave. "This what you look like outside of work?" Romar asks, looking all  impressed. I'm only wearing a black 3/4 shirt, black leggings and a jean jacket, wrapped around my waist. I wore my red Vans, to have a pop of color. "Oh you ain't seen nothing yet, hunny." Teyana says. I didn't add any of them, on social media, so they have no idea how dressed down this is. "This really isn't much but thank you." I say, to Romar. We keep casual conversation going, while everyone else pulls up.

Once everyone gets here, we begin our night. I like skating but I am NOT good at it. I just barely get by. Teyana and I pretty much stick together, the whole time. She's worse than I am. "If I buss my ass, I'm blaming you." She yells, over the music. "It's not my fault you can't skate!" I laugh and yell back. "You made me come here." She laughs, while desperately trying not to fall. I'm too busy laughing at her and I didn't realize how close I've come, to the person in front of me. I bump into him and we both fall. Just my luck, it's Marcus. I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm soooo sorry." I say, trying to get up. It takes Teyana about 2 minutes, to figure out how to stop. Marcus and I are just hoping people dodge us. "It's okay but you could've just told me you were still upset. No need to knock me down." He laughs. While on the floor, we had a moment. It was like his eyes glistened as he looked at me. It makes me so nervous. Marcus gets up and holds out his hand, to help me up. "Thanks." "My pleasure." He says and skates away. "Bitchhhh! Did you see how he was looking at you?" Teyana makes her way back to me. "How could I not?" I smile like I've just been kissed, by my elementary school crush.