TOXIC ATTRACTION

TOXIC ATTRACTION EPISODE NINETEEN

I called my mother back and told her I was sleeping at a friend's house. From what Julia had told her she probably knew I was spending the night at some random man's house but was I to blame if my mother chose to believe everyone else but me?.. we got to Mark's place and he ushered me in yet again, quite a gentleman he was. That was the second time I was at his place in one day. Mark was easy going and easy to be around. He made jokes despite everything and I laughed my heart out. That night, he said he was going to treat me to a nice meal so that I would have a feel of what it felt like to be loved and treated special. Not that Richard never tried but this was next level attention that caught me off guard. It was a beautiful thing to fall in love and especially with the right person.

Mark led me to his room and handed me a t-shirt that I could change into to make myself comfortable, he had this one long t-shirt that that really looked good on me and after I had changed, he couldn't stop admiring how the t-shirt has hugged my body and my curves were evidently showing. He told me I was beautiful and for some reason, I got butterflies in my stomach. Being around him gave me a lot of those. He also changed into some sweatpants and a vest then we went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Mark was kind enough to give me wine and just to erase the pregnancy tale, I took the glass and watched him pour some wine in it, after all...I was not going to keep the baby, I was still gathering the courage to do that it was going to be soon. I had a nice body that barely showed that I was pregnant, I mean no one would know if I had not told them. I was.

I took a sip of my wine as I watched him set aside the ingredients for dinner. He was a good cook and I could tell by the way he washed and put everything in place.. from onions to spices. He had several of them.

Me: can I help you?..

I asked pretending that I wanted to be useful yet the real intention was to watch him cook.

Mark: no. I want to spoil you today, maybe some other time.

He carried me off the floor and had me sit on the kitchen counter. I crossed my legs and sipped my wine keeping him company like the lady he wanted me to be.

Me: you know when I walked in here earlier I could have sworn you had some lady taking care of this beautiful place.

Mark: huh! Some lady...

Me: yeah, like a girlfriend or some sort of a friend maybe.

He looked at me and smiled because he knew I was either playing the jealousy or the I wanna know card. These questions were important because my marriage to Richard was already so complicated that I didn't want another person involved. The truth is I was asking Mark if he had a girlfriend but deep inside I wanted him to be single. He had given me every reason to want to love him, I mean his concern towards me, his gentleness, his kisses, everything about him made me long for him.

Mark: is that another way of asking me if I have a girlfriend?

Me: well...

Mark: There's no girlfriend or those sorts of friends. I'm single, I have been since you and I got intimate. I have had girls throw themselves at me but when I find what I want, I work towards keeping it.

Me: mmmh!..

Mark: I've had situations whereby I've had to turn girls down, one of them being Diana.

Me: Diana.. which Diana?

He looked at me briefly and shook his head. He wasn't going to make me guess, was he?

Me: wait .. Diana as in Richard's sister Diana?..

She asked taking a slice of tomato from the ones mark had already cut. Mark was preparing fish stew, he knew I loved to fish and so did he, we had talked about that the few times he kept me company at Richard's place.

Mark: yeah, she invited me to her birthday party, it was crazy.. she was getting freaky with me and when I turned her down she said she would f**k me up! I've never seen her that angry.

There was a bit of silence as he chopped the onions this time round. He took a sip of his wine and then turned to me fanning his eyes because the onions made them teary. I smiled then blew on them and then he continued with whatever he was doing. Diana had made moves on Mark and getting turned down could be the reason why she hated me so much but why if she didn't know about Mark and I having slept together or did Mark tell her he was into me? why would she then take it out on me?

Me: Diana is beautiful... you could give it a shot.

Mark: yeah, but she is also Richard's little sister. That would be like dating my sister.

Me: I've never understood that concept I mean why would I keep off a guy if I like him because my brother would disapprove?

Mark: It's called bro code. I didn't come up with that s**t but we play by it. Diana is beautiful yes but besides the bro code thing, she is not my type.

Me: so you have a type...

Mark: oh yeah.. everyone has a type. Don't you?

I smiled. He stopped everything that he was doing and came closer to me. He stood before me and put his arms over my shoulder and looked straight into my eyes. His eyes still gave me goosebumps even after getting a little comfortable around him.

Mark: I like classy women, women who know what they want. Beautiful inside out, gentle and strong just the way you are.

Me: classy?

Mark: not necessarily wearing classy clothes and jewelry. You should have seen Diana that day. I wouldn't have much to do with women who throw themselves at me out of desperation. That's what she seemed to like.

Me: well I gave myself to you that day...

Mark: that was different.

Me: how?.

He raised my chin and kissed me then started his cooking again.

Mark: I wanted you and I made the move. I wanted you and I never thought you would want me.

Tosh was afraid of Richard and especially after the conversation that they had just had. Richard was obviously hiding a lot of information from not only him but from his family as well. Tosh could not believe that all of Richard's life was one big fat lie. He hadn't kept a secret the part about him owning a house in Muthaiga from him but the cartel and smuggling of guns, that is what bothered him the most.

Tosh: let me go and I will keep your secret, I always have.

Richard was done dressing his knees. He had him step down then got up and put the kit away.

Richard: After that s**t, you pulled with the cops, I just don't trust you anymore. You will stay here as I try to figure out what to do with you.

Tosh: I acted out of fear, I had never seen a man get shot in front of me before. Cut me some slack bro.

He pleaded and Richard got back to the chair and sat watching him for a few seconds. It was silent and Tosh was uncomfortable.

Richard: what has Mark been up to lately?..

Tosh: how should I know, I've been rolling with you all the time. You know I barely see Mark.

Richard: but you speak often don't you? Diana said something about him hooking up with my wife, do you know anything about that?

Richard had his eyes fixed on him monitoring his body language. Tosh had not yet mastered the art of lying at least not to Richard. He was always very honest with him and if he did for the first time he would know.

Tosh: you are such a coward, what..you are afraid of Mark now, and besides..why would you listen to that psycho sister of yours?.

Richard: she wouldn't be lying would she?..

Tosh: we all know how extra Diana can get, she has been making up stuff to put people in a fix, and it's not the first time.. remember the day you had to bail her out of jail for bearing false witness? I'd suggest you go directly to Mark and ask him if he's banging your woman. I don't speak to Mark much and certainly not about his love life.

There was a bit of an awkward silence that was soon interrupted by Santos.

Santos: I'm checking out..are you good?.

Richard: yeah, we are good just bonding. I don't think you should leave, there's something I need you to do for me.

Santos nodded then Richard got up and they left Tosh inside the room.

Richard: I need you to watch Tosh because I have to step out for an hour or so. There's something I need to take care of.

Santos: Okay.

Richard: play nice. Don't lay a finger on him.

Santos: okay boss.

Richard got his gun from the table in his office and tucked it behind and left.

Diana and Nerea got to Diana's apartment. It was quiet and for the first time, it smelled so lovely that Diana was impressed. Diana had invited a chef to prepare a meal for her mother because she was a horrible cook. Not only was the meal for her mother but for a few friends who were coming over for a girl's night. Diana was wild and she had wild friends that her mother did not appreciate and that could have been the reason she praised Robina and wanted Diana to borrow a few leaves from her.

They got to the house and Diana took her mother's belongings to the other room. She then went back to the living room and switched on the TV to make her mother feel comfortable, African mums were a handful, and how you treated them was a big deal, Diana went to the kitchen and found the chef winding up, she was excited when she tasted the food and it tasted exactly the way she thought it would. She knew her mother would be impressed.

A few minutes later she joined her mother in the living room and sat on the couch next to her. They were chatting and laughing having forgotten their little fight in the car. The bell sounded and Diana went to get it. She opened the door and in walked her friends all noisy, talking and laughing to themselves, some were already drunk and did not care that Nerea was seated right there...

Nerea looked at them then her eyes shifted to Diana who was probably thinking of how to explain herself out of the situation. The chef finished her job and excused herself then it was just the rowdy friends and the mum.

Diana: girls, mum was not part of the plan but she showed up like it was some sort of emergency.

Nerea: you have no respect even in the fact that I'm seated here. What type of friends are these Diana, look at them..that one is half naked, the other one, the boobs are almost falling out, that one is too drunk to tell where she is. What is all this?

The girls tried to cover their indecency but it was rather late.

Nerea: if your father was alive today, he would be very ashamed of the woman you have turned out to be.

Diana: it's my life...they are my friends and I don't remember asking anyone to be part of how I live my life mother, I don't ask you for money to fund my lifestyle and I don't know what the big deal is.

Nerea: of cause, you wouldn't. I regret setting my foot in this house to watch this disgrace. I'll serve my food and I'll be in my room.

She got up and left the girls still enjoying their drinks.

The kitchen smelled nice as the nice aroma filled the room. Mark was done cooking and now I was helping him set the table for two when we heard a knock on the door. I looked at Mark as if to ask if he was expecting someone and he shrugged his shoulder and then walked to the door. He peeped and saw Richard. He froze and turned to me then hurriedly collected my bag from the seat and handed it to me.

Mark: it's Richard.

He whispered and I freaked out.

Me: what is he doing here?

Mark: I don't know. Go to my bedroom and hide. Silence your phone...

Me: okay...

We shared a passionate kiss before I dashed to his bedroom.

The knock for the second time was a bit louder, Mark hurried to the door and opened it...

Mark: bro!..

He acted surprised as he ushered Richard in, rolling him in his wheelchair then they exchanged greetings.

Richard: the house smells nice, what's cooking?

Mark: fish bro, I've been longing to eat a nicely prepared fish.

Mark had Richard sit by the dining and Richard noticed two medium size fish and two plates like Mark was expecting someone.

Richard: then I guess I'm at the right place at the right time.

He asked if he could wash his hands and mark offered to bring him water in a basin since he knew he could not get to the tap. He washed his hands then Mark joined him by the table.

Richard: it feels like you were expecting someone.

Mark: some girl I was to pass the night with but looks like it is going to be another of those lonely nights.

He said serving half of his fish as Richard served the other one.

Richard: you couldn't convince her?

Mark: you know girls, things come all the time. Today it's periods tomorrow they are sick... I don't force.

Richard: right, do I know this girl?

Mark: not really, no one I can introduce yet because I'm still getting to know her. Enough talk about me. What's going on with you?

Richard: nothing much, my wife left and I haven't heard from her.

Mark: since that day?

Richard: she actually came back but took off again after Diana attacked her.

Mark: Diana attacked Robina, why?.

Richard: well Diana seems to believe that you slept with my wife in my absence did you?

There was a long awkward silence.