Caught In The Middle

HANDLE THIS, OR I WILL

As Marcus dropped me off I realised that Arianna was sitting at the door waiting for me. Shit... I forgot to tell her that I wasn’t coming to school, and I didn’t want to tell her everything that was happening with me but I also didn’t want to lie. I kissed Marcus goodbye and made him to give me feed back by tonight if he found anything. I knew he would’ve found something because he asked Piet to start doing research while I was with him in the afternoon.

“Hey Ari” I said avoiding contact with her eyes

“Sabina what the hell, why didn’t you come to school?  It’s been barely a month since you started dating this guy and you are already becoming unruly and missing school, I know I said you should loosen up but missing school at a time like this is not cool dude” she said as I opened the door and we both got inside.

I might as well tell her, she is my best friend

“Ari, a lot has been going on” I said and she folded her arms waiting for me to explain further

“No kidding” she said sarcastically

“My dad, he owed some dangerous people money and they came to collect yesterday. They visited my mum yesterday at work and demanded she pays the full outstanding amount by the end of the week” I said and her face softened

“What, why didn’t you tell me I thought I was your best friend” she said as she took a seat on the couch

“I didn’t tell you because I was embarrassed, and that’s why I wanted the job so badly but i spoke to Marcus and...” she cut me off before I could finish speaking

“Wait...you told Marcus before you told me your best friend? Do you not trust me that much?” she asked hurt

“It’s not like that, I only told him because I wanted him to help and that’s why I wasn’t at school today” I said

“I’m trying not to sound selfish but I am hurt that I have been friends with you since kindergarten and yet you didn’t tell me all this, however I am glad you told Marcus because I know he will do what needs to be done. I can’t imagine anything happening to you” she said as she stood up and gave me a comforting hug and I couldn’t help but cry

“I am so sorry I didn’t tell you, but it’s just getting too much for me because my mum seems to think am constantly in some kind of danger but she won’t tell me why. I always have to look over my shoulder and I hate it” I sobbed

“It’s ok Marcus will protect you and I will support you” she said comforting me

“I know, it’s just too many secrets, but I need your help. I want to find out what my mother is hiding from me so I need you to do that during spring break” I said

“You know I love a good mystery” she said and I laughed through the tears “now cheer up and I will tell you what I did to Chloe today” she said

We sat down and she started telling me how she pranked Chloe today and pulled some trick that ended with Chloe having a big red stain at the back of her skirt. Apparently she looked like she had just had a menstruation accident and the whole school was in stitches of laughter. Arianna was a good friend to me; she always had my back even when I wasn’t there to hear what people said about me she always set them straight. I didn’t care what people said about me but she cared too much, she always said that she would never allow anyone to defame my character. I wished I was as strong as her and handled this whole mess with my mom bravely.

Arianna helped me prepare dinner and then we drove to her place to get her work uniform so that she could sleep over at my place. Our parents were used to that because we had slumber parties every other weekend from the time we were little. When we got back home my mom was already back from work and she still looked gloomy. She ate in her room and i told her not to worry because things would work out and she tried to force a smile.

After dinner Marcus called and said that he hadn’t gotten anything but he was going to continue searching and would not relax until he found who was threatening us. He felt better that Arianna was spending the night but also told me that he had sent someone to watch our house through the night.

“I wish I had a Mafia boyfriend willing to shoot everyone who even tried to go against me” Arianna said as we lay on the bed and we both laughed.

But I didn’t want Marcus to kill anyone because of me; I just wanted to strike a deal with them so that we could pay them in instalments, although Marcus had been strongly against that.

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The following day at work was smooth; Marcus didn’t come in until later that evening. I was relieved that I wasn’t serving him although I was serving a table filled with drunken men who seemed to be celebrating something next to his table. Kim was over the moon to be serving Marcus and kept throwing herself at him clearly hoping to be placed on his lap like last time, but I was watching Marcus closely and I wanted to see how he would handle the whole situation. He was so dismissive of Kim it even hurt my feelings, I felt bad to see her being dismissed every time she went over to his table. At some point I heard Marcus discuss that he wanted to be served by another waitress but shook my head at him immediately when he looked in my direction.

“come here sexy” I was caught off guard by one of the men who was sitting at the table I was serving, my heart pounded so hard when he said that because when I looked over at Marcus, who by the way had refused to leave until my shift was over, he looked pissed.

“Can I get you anything else?” I asked trembling

“Come here, I want to whisper something in your ear” he said, his speech slurred and I bent over to listen to him.

He didn’t even say anything to me, but instead licked my face and literally inserted his tongue in my ear, leaving me with traces of his saliva. I felt dirty...

“Antonio...” I heard Marcus call out in a dangerously calm tone and Antonio came running

“Please handle this” he said pointing at us, and I wondered why he was so calm, too calm if I may add.

“Sir, will you please exit the premises, I think you have had enough” Antonio said, his tone cold. At this point everyone including the guests where now watching us closely. I hated the fact that for the second time, I was the centre of attention.

“Mind you own business” the drunk said

“I am afraid I can’t do that because you are making some of my guests uncomfortable” Antonio said calmly

“Oh it’s him” he said pointing at Marcus and standing up. He lost his balance and stumbled over to me, balancing himself with my arm and then moving his hand and attempting to touch my cleavage.

It was in that moment that Marcus lost all control, he stood up and literally pushed the man off me, and I watched as the man stumbled on the ground. Then Marcus sat back again and glared at Antonio, his eyes were now emitting a type of anger I had never seen in my life.

“Handle this” he commanded Antonio, how could he have so much power in a restaurant that wasn’t even his. But I was relieved that he was there otherwise I don’t know what would have been happen.

“Please leave sir... security” Antony yelled and the two bulky men came to escort the drunk and his friends out but not before he ran to Marcus’ table

“You don’t own this world you hear me? And every woman doesn’t belong to you” he said as they pulled him away and I saw Marcus whisper something to Piet who stood up and followed the security guards and the drunk men.

After all that drama I started clearing the table and picking up the broken glass that was on the ground. I cut myself because I was shaking so much and when Marcus attempted to stand up and help me I shook my head at him, i couldn’t risk our secret being out...no matter how badly I wanted him to hold me right now and then as if sensing my desire he pulled me towards him.

“I will be back to pick you up in an hour, you guys be ready” he said and before I could say anything else and protest he stood up and kissed me passionately and then walked off, leaving me to deal with the repercussions of his actions.

Everyone and I mean everyone saw that kiss...

Shaking even further i finished clearing my table and ran to the kitchen to drop my tray. Arianna came in and we hugged each other so tightly, I hated how easily I cried lately but I had been crying from the moment Marcus pushed that man off me. I could see the resentment in Kim’s eyes but at this point I couldn’t care less. I was now worried about Arianna’s uncle finding out I was now dating Marcus after he warned me about him.

This was a disaster...