Disastrous (Disastrous Series) (35 page)

When I glanced back up they were both staring at me. “What?” Their eyes fixed on each other and back on me. “What?” I asked again, irritated.

Megan pressed her lips together before speaking. “Marcus is still out there. He paid for the pizza. He refuses to go.” She bit her lip.

“So?” I tried to act as if I didn’t care. Deep down, I did care; though I wouldn’t show them that.

“
So
, he’s been sitting out there all day and hasn’t eaten a thing. I’m not sure if he’s even used the bathroom, Mia,” Jeremy chimed in. I glared at him, annoyed by his sympathy for Marcus. Whose side was he on, anyway?

“There’s a gas station down the block; he can use the bathroom there.” Both of them widened their eyes, surprised by my lack of compassion. “What!”

Tearing their eyes away from me, they dug into the pizza. I grabbed my slice, and slumped onto a kitchen stool and began to munch into the warm cheesy bread. They sat in silence eyeing each other. I watched them as they gave slight shrugs and sympathetic expressions to one another. Oh! Come on! Since when was Marcus DeLuca a saint! Did he magically win them over during my eight-hour nap? So what if he’d been sitting outside this entire time, without food, water, and a restroom. He deserves it … I hope he starves!

Alright
, that was mean even for me … ugh. I jumped off the stool and grabbed another plate from the cabinet. Placing two slices onto the plate, I looked at their pathetic faces as they stared at me with hopeful eyes. Rolling my eyes, I stormed toward the front door. When I swung it open, Marcus was sitting across from me. His head leaned against the wall. Arching my eyebrow, I walked over and shoved the plate onto his lap. He smiled. I said nothing but turned on my heels and stormed back into my apartment. Slamming the door behind me, I went back to eating my pizza. Jeremy and Megan both with crooked grins continued to munch on their slices as well. We ate in silence.

****

After dinner we stayed up for a while, watching re-runs of a comedy series. I laughed at certain scenes, but it was the fakest laugh I’d ever heard. Jeremy even raised his eyebrows at me a few times; I was caught. I wanted to enjoy the show; I really did
…
though my mind drifted to Marcus sitting out on the hallway on the uncomfortable hardwood floors. An ounce of me began to feel sorry for him, but then my mind would drift off to last night’s scene
,
and the sorrow I felt would be overcome with anger.

It was beginning to get late, so Megan left for home. Jeremy stayed in the living room watching TV, and I went to my room to prepare my things for my first day of school. As I laid out my clothes, laptop and textbooks, I started to wonder if Jeremy took out the trash. Maybe I should take out the trash … N
o
it wasn’t an excuse to see if he was still out there …
maybe
a small one.

Deciding to check anyway, I walked over to the kitchen. The trash wasn’t full. H
mm
. Pulling the bag out of the can, I began to walk through the apartment trying to find trash anywhere in sight, emptying both bathroom trashcans into the bag, also the bin in my bedroom. There, that was full enough to take out. After I donned my slippers, Jeremy walked out of his bedroom as I was getting ready to exit the door.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

Startled, I lifted the trash bag I held in my hands. “Oh, uh, trash was full,” I said.

He stared at me questioningly. “
Yeah
, I emptied it this morning.”

Shrugging, I smiled. “Really? Huh, oh well … I’ll go dump this one.”

Smirking, he said. “I’ll do it.”

Quickly turning around, I brought my arms up to stop him. “No, no, you got it last time. I don’t mind.”

Chuckling, he shook his head and entered the kitchen. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Sure enough DeLuca was sitting in the same spot. His eyes were worn, but grew hopeful at the sight of me. With my best stern expression, I swiftly passed him and made my way down the stairs. Once I exited the door, I breathed in the fresh cool air. This was getting ridiculous; he couldn’t possibly keep this up every night. Dumping the trash into the dumpster, I made my way back in.

When I entered my floor, he was still sitting on the hardwood surface. Rolling my eyes, I hovered over him with my hand on my hip, looking down. His eyes looked up. “What are you doing, Marcus?”

A simple smile crossed his face. “I told you, Mia. I’m not going anywhere until you talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to say, Marcus … go home … you’re wasting your time.”

Lowering his head, he shook it. “Nope, I’m not going.”

Rolling my eyes again, I stormed back into my apartment. He can’t stay in that hallway all night.
Who the hell does he think he is?
Besides it gets chilly. Ugh, rummaging through my linen closet, I pulled out a quilt and pillow. Walking back out front, I opened the door and threw them on his lap. “This is only because I don’t want a frozen dead man in front of my door when I wake up … and I’ll leave the door open, so you can use the bathroom, but that’s it! Only to use the bathroom! I refuse to have my hallways smell like piss ... and wipe the grin off your face, DeLuca! I’m not doing this to be kind. I’m looking out for my tenants.”

He pressed his lips together to hold in his laughter.
Ugh!
Why did I even bother to give him the stuff? Walking back in, I closed the door behind me without locking it. This was going to be interesting. I wondered how long it would last—I was sure not long at all. I locked my bedroom door though in case he tried to sneak in.

Day One

I woke up the next morning refreshed and peaceful
. I
t was the first full night’s sleep I’d had in a long while. Even though Marcus was not in my room, something about having him a few feet away was comforting. That scared me a little.

Today marked a new day, and I decided the moment I awoke that I would not allow anything to ruin my day, not even Marcus. I was actually excited to start school as I began my morning ritual. Something about the familiar surroundings of Harvard made me secretly squeal.

After showering and humming, yes I was actually humming, I threw on my sweats, school logo t-shirt, and a red cap.
Ah
, this feels more like home.

Jeremy was asleep. He would begin his first class on Wednesday, so I made coffee for one and quietly sat on the stool, eating my breakfast. Once I was done, I placed the dishes in the sink. Grabbing my backpack, I headed out the door.

Marcus was standing before me, freshly showered and newly dressed. He had the biggest grin on his face as he held up the folded quilt and pillow I gave him last night. I studied him; he was in jeans and a blue t-shirt. He must’ve left early this morning to shower, change, and come back. Narrowing my eyes, I snatched the things out of his hand and placed them on top of the couch.
Did he even sleep here last night?
Walking out the door, I briskly passed him and hurried down the stairs. I could hear his footsteps behind me.

After exiting the building, I picked up speed. It was a nice morning, and I wanted to walk to school. His pocket change rattled as he hurried behind me to keep up. Feeling his presence beside me, I closed my eyes for a second and inhaled.
He will not ruin my morning; he will not ruin my morning.
I lowered my cap when I felt his stare. From my peripheral vision, I could see the huge smile stretched across his face.
Why was he so damn happy?
Ignoring him, I continued at the same pace; he managed to keep up.

“Ethics, huh?” he asked, pointing at the textbook I held tightly secured against my chest. I quickly glanced down and then straightened again. I nodded as I refused to speak or look at him.
Yes
, I was giving him the silent treatment. Maybe he’d get the hint.

“I did very well in Ethics; maybe I could help you if you run into any problems … Well I’m sure you won’t, but if you do …”

Snapping my head at him, I laughed once. I rolled my eyes and focused on ahead of me. He did well in Ethics? I snorted. Maybe in the classroom and the legal world he aced it, but when involving his relationship and personal life, his ethics sucked big time! He must’ve sensed my thoughts because the rest of the walk he remained quiet. Still not leaving my side, he took it upon himself to walk me all the way to school. Once we reached the building, I hurried inside, not glancing his way or saying goodbye.

The rest of the day went very well. Surprisingly, I enjoyed both my Ethics and Criminal Law classes. When it came to school, I was always attentive, making sure to scribble everything down.
Yeah
I’m that student! Since it was the first day, though, I allowed my mind to drift away at some point and think of Marcus …
What was his plan?
To bug me every day until I gave in? Couldn’t he see it wasn’t that simple? Our relationship was nothing but a mere emotional, dramatic roller coaster.

I couldn’t help but think that in just over four months we’d been through so much more than most couples who’d put in years into their relationship. Being with Marcus DeLuca was draining, frustrating, confusing, and
extraordinary
all at the same time. It didn’t make sense; our relationship didn’t make sense! We both had our issues, and two wrongs surely did not make a right.

After school, I met with my mother and Megan for dinner. Megan had exciting news as she was going to begin classes next week at the local community college. I was so excited for her. She skipped college straight after high school in the hopes of “finding” herself. Now more eager than ever, she was majoring in Interior Design with a minor in Business. My mother also shared great news; she was able to find work at a local clinic as a medical assistant. With their exceptional news and my first day of school, we celebrated with a few glass of wine.

That evening, Marcus was seated across from my apartment door as he was the night before. He stared at me when I walked past him. The hope in his eyes was slowly beginning to fade. Not saying a word, I grabbed the quilt and pillow from the couch and handed it to him. He smiled gently, and I went back to prepare myself for the next day.

The next few days were similar. He would greet me with a bright smile early in the morning and quietly walk by my side to school. At night, his smile faded when I briskly passed him, though he was hopeful every day. I was beginning to get used to seeing him, and although I acted sternly by not saying a word, my heart ached for his not giving up. Even with the many eye rolls, snorts, and cocky attitude I was giving him, he didn’t budge and slowly my guard was beginning to fall.

Day Five

I awoke to day five feeling a slight pinch in my stomach. Marcus had worked so hard in getting my attention, and I enjoyed our quiet walks to school together. My attitude wasn’t fair to him, so I decided that today I’d be nicer. Today I would give him a shot.
Though
, today he wasn’t there. His gorgeous dimple didn’t greet me this morning. The quilt and pillow I laid out were sprawled out across the floor instead of neatly folded in his hands. My heart hitched at what could have kept him away. Then my mind reared towards Lou. I’d bet my entire life Marcus had a job that he couldn’t keep away from.

I didn’t have class today, but I made my way to the university for the study hall. The entire time I couldn’t concentrate. Right when I was beginning to cave in again …
Lou Sorrento
, that evil man had such a hold on so many lives. If I were to ever see him again, I was sure I would end up behind bars for murder.

After “studying,” I went back home. It was almost noon, and I figured I should get ready to take Elle out to the mall. It looked like it was going to pour today. The earlier we went, the more likely we’d miss the rain. When I turned onto the second floor of my building, Marcus was sitting across from my door with the quilt neatly folded and the pillow next to him.

His eyes widened when he saw me walking down the hall. He probably thought since I didn’t have school I would sleep in. Getting to his feet he stared at me as I approached him. He was wearing last night’s clothing: dark blue jeans, a white shirt, and black boots. I eyed him up and down. His eyes looked worn; he hadn’t slept.
Yeah, he was on a job
. Shaking my head, I continued to glare at him. “Don’t you have work?” I asked. All week he hadn’t been at the office, or at least I thought he hadn’t.

Pressing his lips together, his eyebrows pulled in. “I can skip work … I own the firm.” He lightly shrugged.

Tilting my head, I further studied him with my arms crossed. “
Huh
, yet God forbid you miss a job with Lou, right?” Looking down, he said nothing. Just what I thought. I stormed back into the apartment.

****

Elle was ecstatic when I pulled into the driveway. She practically ran into the car, tightening her tiny arms around my neck. Tears stung my eyes. I felt terrible for abandoning her. I knew she felt extremely close to me. I’d shut her out when things went bad for Marcus and me, and I wanted to punch myself for doing that. It wasn’t her fault, and it wasn’t fair to her either.

Kids never forget, but they surely forgive easily. I wish I could easily forgive and forget.

I treated her to shopping and lunch. Then we enjoyed a manicure and pedicure. Is it bad to say that one of my best friends was an eight-year-old? Yeah, I know I’m pathetic. Elle was too adorable not to love. Her enthusiastic, selfless personality gleamed through her eyes. She loved everyone and everything. Seriously, I could give her dollar store bubblegum, and she would jump up and down because I thought of her.

We sat in our massage chairs beside one another, and I listened as she went on about school and her new teachers and a few boys that she had an eye on in class. I laughed, and she giggled, confessing her puppy love.

“Mia, what do you think of the colors of teal and yellow?” she asked.

Turning to look at her toes, I noticed she had chosen a bright pink polish. Maybe she was thinking of changing her mind. “I like the pink, Elle, but yellow and teal would be pretty on your toes also.”