Cartel│Mark Lee

This wasn't in the contract

My gown flowed to the floor and hugged me ever so elegantly. It was silver and shimmered along with my diamond accessories in the light. Mark accompanied me as we walked through the doors of the ballroom. It was a day for celebration in the cartel. They were able to transfer their biggest shipment ever across the sea; and made a lot of money from it. This was a chance to formally introduce myself as Marks partner and I was nervous. His hand found the small of my back as he lead me into the room. "Just be yourself here. They will love you." His voice was rough as he eyed me. My face was flushed and he could tell I was nervous as a let out a deep sigh. I looked around the room to see people dancing. Men smoked cigarettes as the women sipped on red wine. Everyone looked so happy with big smiles plastered on their faces. Marks head made its way to my ear as he whispered, "You look beautiful tonight by the way." He sent me a reassuring smile and let his hand slip away from my back. I gleamed at him and stepped in front of him to fix his tie. "I am going to talk to Johnny, to say congratulations on the shipment." Mark left my side as I nodded at him. 

My eyes wandered aimlessly around the big room feeling out of place.  "Vanessa right?" A women approached me smiling. She extended her hand to me to shake it as I nodded. "Pleasure to finally meet you. I've been hearing so many things about you. My name is June." She looked like a pleasant enough lady. "All good things I hope." I laughed making her giggle. "Everyone is just so amazed a woman is involved in business now, especially with Mark." She mumbled the last part making me question what she meant by that statement. "Here are my friends, Girls come here." She called over a group of women all dressed in the most fancy dresses i've ever seen. All of them with lace and beads throughout the design. They all looked so glamorous. "This is the girl our husbands have been telling us about." June said which made the girls raise their eyebrows and nod in return. They looked less than impressed with me and I couldn't bear the thought of being frowned upon. I've made it to the top and I wasn't about to let these wives think any less of me. "You all look just amazing tonight. Care for some champagne? I had Mark import only the best bottles from France for tonight." I smiled at the women and snapped my fingers for a waiter. Mark had these bottles imported for the party. When I asked him why he had done it he replied that he always brought something impressive to every party, to show people that he had an upperhand. I didn't understand the hassle of this 'party rule' he had but after this situation I finally got it.

The women perked up at my sudden offer. "How could we say no? It is Vanessa right?" One of the ladies spoke up and I nodded my head. These women were fiery but I could also tell they were obedient. I assumed their husbands were big shots in this industry due to their prestigious attitudes and wealth. "You seem very assertive Vanessa, how long has Mark been hiding you." June smirked at me. The attention they had on me now made me feel powerful and above them. "Long enough for him to know that he was missing me." I kept the banter playful as the waiter brought over the glasses of champagne. The women all laughed at my comment. "She is right, imagine our husbands without us. They would know they were missing something!" A woman was smiling as the others nodded forcefully at her words. "Then cheers to us, the operation runners!" I raised my glasses as they all followed, beaming up at me. I had them under my finger now too. "Are you and Mark together then?" Curious, June gave me a side glance as the other woman leaned in closer at the gossip. I almost choked as the champagne went down my throat. As if on cue Mark walked up beside me. "Good Evening ladies, how is everyone doing?"

"Mark, perfect timing. We were just talking to the lovely Vanessa here. She really is a keeper." My eyes widened as Mark looked at me confused. "It's great to see you're maturing and finding the right girl for yourself." June smiled at a very confused Mark. "You know I always told my husband I didn't think you were ready to be in charge but seeing this, you two together. I'm seeing a man in you now." The women around June nodded at her words. I stood with Mark just as confused as he was. I looked to Mark who was deep in thought and I mentally cursed him for being so dazed sometimes. I opened my mouth to intervene with her wrongful thoughts but was stopped when Mark pinched my arm. "Of course June. Im also happy I finally found the right girlfriend." His arm snaked around my waist as he pulled me into his body. My eyes just about popped out of my head in that moment. The ladies around us gushed at the sight of Mark holding me. He grinned back at them as I was left speechless. "Don't let this one go. She's perfect for you and seems to fit into this business well." June winked at Mark who replied, "I don't plan of it." He paused. "Would you excuse us? I would like to have a dance with nessa. If that alright with you?" He looked down to me and I nodded my head slowly. "It was nice to meet you wonderful Ladies. Have a good night." The women bid their farewells to me as Mark led me to the dance floor. 

My arms locked around Marks neck as his were around my waist. "What the hell was that." I aggressively asked him.  He responded with a sigh while he swayed our bodies along to the music. "They are married to my very important coworkers who idolize their wifes every move." His words still didn't make any sense as I cocked my head at him. "You heard them. Im finally mature in their eyes with you. They will tell their husbands that." He urged me to understand what he was saying. "We both look more powerful together. Those women made me realize we wouldn't only thrive as partners but we would look like gold as a couple." He emphasized the word gold and I rolled my eyes. "It's only fake Vanessa." He said and I contemplated it. The feeling I would get to be with Mark in front of other people would be superior but I was still just playing his game. I was not in control. "This wasn't in the contract." I looked into his pleading and found a way to say, "Alright fine." The emergency of this conversation made me tune out the sensation of Mark being so close to me. I could feel his heartbeat speed up when I moved or looked at him. The way his arms squeezed me closer to him almost made me breathless. My fingers played with the hair on the nape of his neck. "Who knows, we could have some fun tricking people with this." I sent him a questionable look as he let out a genuine laugh.