Fem is Angry (4)

"Hello, I want to track this number right now. Please send me the particular location within 15 minutes. Yes. That's all. Thank you" Mark put down the phone and ruffled his hair helplessly. He went down to have a talk with his grandparents while waiting for the return call.

"Your girlfriend is sure strongwilled as her father. Didn't you tell her that you two get married as soon as everything is settled?" Grandma Ivee looked at her anxious grandson.

"I told her, but the thing is, we set the date without her knowledge and consent. She is so smart to have figured out everything so she is now angry at me and her father. She felt betrayed and manipulated. She's with her cousin now and they're drunk! Fem is so angry at me right now! I need to find her now and explain everything...or I'll lose her forever!" Mark was pacing back and forth in the living room. His voice was stocked in his throat that only a little came out.

"So what if she's with her cousin now and they'll end up sleeping together? Does that affect your plan? Does it matter to you Mark?" Dave tested his grandson.

"Shut up Grandpa! What do you think of me?" I love her and that's all!" Mark didn't have time for nonsense. But what if his woman gave herself to her cousin just to take revenge on him? Would she really do that out of anger? Besides she has nothing to lose. Stanley would be sure happy to take the responsibility if they make it tonight. Mark heard Stanley say it himself. He will not give her up if something happens to them! That means, before Stanley makes his score, Mark should've snatched his woman away.

Mark was sweating profusely. Why is that tracker taking so long? Ten minutes past already...

He thought of dialling his favorite set of numbers again. Come what may as long as they will be distracted from doing something.

[Ring...]

[Ring....]

Two long rings and no one answered. Mark's shirt was drenched with his sweat. He tried one more time.

[Ringggg....]

This time it went through.

"Stanley speaking, may I help you? " Stanley picked up the phone and lazily answered as he cuddled the drunk woman who has fallen asleep tired from crying after the phone call with Mark a while ago.

"Stanley, how is she? Don't you dare do anything to her!" Mark threatened.

"And if I do something, what will you do? Kill me? Or kill us? Oh right, then we will be buried together at the same time in same place. What a happy ending story!" Stanley laughed heartily.

"How is she? Pass her the phone? " Mark demanded.

"She's asleep now after crying on my broad shoulder. I think she feels more comfortable in mine."

"Shit!" Mark cursed.

"Please allow her sometime for herself. I think she has been crying at home before she left. It's good she caught us up along the road, otherwise, I don't know what she could have done with herself if she was alone." Stanley said seriously, the trace of sarcasm and bluffing just a while ago half gone.

"What do you mean?" Mark was caught unaware of the sudden toning down of Stanley's voice.

"What a question! I mean, I suspect she might have committed suicide if she was alone. Didn't you get what she said a while ago? Now may I take the liberty to care for my beloved if you cannot care for her. I'm literally holding her in my arms now Any violent comment?" Stanley has an excellent EQ and high IQ. He always knows how others feel and what they might be thinking. So he exactly knows what right words to say to counteract them.

"Stanley, she's mine. Don't play dirty! I restrained myself all these years for her. We made a vow to each other long before you found out about the arrangement your parents made." Mark became more sober.

"So? Why is she crying like this? You don't care about her feelings, do you? She's drunk because of your insensitivity. If I wasn't here, she might have committed something drastic. It's such a shame that I wasn't able to win her heart, but my love for her isn't that shallow. I can hold her like this and count the stars above. I doubt if you can do this Mark Arevalo sir! Thats why you're so dead worried. Ha ha!" Stanley spelled the truth that Mark didn't want to hear.

Mark became speechless as he thought it over. His heart suddenly became at peace having heard that the man holding his woman loves her enough not to harm her but just taking the liberty to protect and comfort her.

He began to reflect on himself. Is he capable of doing that? Maybe, maybe not. But, atleast for now, he has a woman to test his ability to love, care and protect.

"Thank you Stanley. I appreciate that. Please accept my apology. I'll be there early tomorrow. Please don't let her go anywhere else unless she wants to go back home." Mark thanked the already sleepy Stanley. The phone on his ear almost dropped.

"Hmmmm... can I kiss her?" Stanley suddenly erupted in silent laughter.

"Shut up! " Mark roared.

With that, the phone slid from Stanley's shoulder and dropped on the floor. He reached out then placed it on the table, switched the light off then covered themselves with the blanket. He stroked the soft and faintly scented hair of the woman in his arms. Kissed her forehead then hugged her tight before he found himself in dreamland.