Chapter 38: Studio
Through the thickets and bushes of the forest, at 4:00 am in the morning and still dark Martin had finished digging a grave for Khloe. He was shirtless and sweating after such task but little he cared because of the love he had for Khloe. He then buried her while reciting some Bible quotation he found of the internet. "To our heavenly Father here by returns your child. May thee shower her with abundance of blessings, purity and forever may she walk in the heavenly gardens. Amen"
Martin laid down Khloe's body and made sure she had a proper burial, yet he felt so bad for doing what he did. What really came over him, was he that afraid of a man he could kill and destroy in one second? Or was he that much traumatized to believe in anything pure and simple other than Marcus - those questions remained unanswered for the whole night hence he proceeded back to the house and took a nap.
Early in the morning he was back on his usual tasks, Marcus walked outside and found the cars ready to take him to work.
"Good morning Martin" Marcus said seemingly looking at Martin and seeing he was different from yesterday, he was shiny and joyful.
"Morning sir"
"You good?"
"Yes sir"
Marcus patted his shoulder "Good boi... Come on we don't have all day" said Marcus and walked inside the BMW back seat, Martin went to the driver's seat and waited for the other bodyguards to lead the way and they all left the house as usual. Only the chef remained inorder to clean and cook for Marcus.
There's really nothing much that happens on Thursday at the office, hence Marcus didn't stay for long. At noon he visited the studios where the TV shows under his streaming company were created just to see how it was all going. One major series which generated him and the company bigger revenues was "The Sexy Doctor" and although he's never watched the show, Marcus was always inclined to know more about this character who acted like a doctor but she was just a swindler. Perfectly delivered by an academy award nominee Shandla James, and Marcus was eager to meet her.
"That's Shandla?" asked Marcus on set, his eyes widened with amazement at the beauty of this woman.
Shandla James was a twenty seven years old actress from Philly, she was a black woman with a mixture of both her mother's black genes and her father's Italian genes. She had soft, and warm hair which fell effortlessly behind her back and a black melanated skin tone which was smooth and glowed even from a far. Marcus had never dated a black woman, possibly because at his position the only women he met were all white and powerful in the industry - however Shandla caught his attention and he couldn't stop himself from gawking.
"Yes she is sir, she is a perfect actress and our main character of the show. Would you like to say hi to her, she'll be thrilled" replied the director of the show, he was a cocky white man and a narcissist, one would ever wonder how did he get the job since he was that bad.
"You think so?"
"Of course she will, you are the president of Orlando Firm. And the CEO of our company, trust me women will always be thrilled to see you"
"I... I should probably head back to the office"
"Now Mr Orlando, don't be shy"
"I'm not shy"
The director winked at him "If you want her, you only have to say a word" he whispered at Marcus and winked at him again.
"Are you serious?" asked Marcus.
"Serious as I can be sir. You know how these women be throwing over their pussies to rich men, I have been fucking everybody in New York, they can't resist themselves after all I direct The Sexy Doctor... and I'm fucking rich" he said and smiled, that evil smile which had Marcus thinking perhaps he should fire the guy and find a replacement.
The director left Marcus standing and went over to talk to the cast who were getting ready to film. "We don't have all day! Get into your character people... First AD come to my office" the director said and walked to his office. Shandla caught up with Marcus's eyes and she smiled, she was shy and couldn't handle Marcus's sharp and fiery eyes. Then she pretended as if she hadn't just had a moment with Marcus and went on to put her costume while talking to the costume designer.
There was a moment of hesitation where Marcus thought out loud "No, no, no... I shouldn't go there. I have Diana what more do I need? She's the perfect person to be with and I'm happy, but... Shandla looks like a good deal. She has the ass, her tits are perfect, I'm sorry Diana... But she's so sexy, even more sexier than you and that's what scares me cause what if... No, no" he turned his back on other casts and pretended to pay attention to them, although he was already hooked by Shandla. His phone rang and it was Diana, he sighed with relief and left the studio.
Diana didn't notice anything unsual when she met with Marcus at their usual spot "Maisele Jaan" to have a baked salmon which was Marcus's favorite.
"You ordered me a baked salmon"
"Of course I did, I know your favorite food now"
"And I know I'm your favorite person now" said Marcus, then he kissed Diana and they continued to eat while telling each other how the day went. Diana told Marcus about the court and how difficult it was presenting Glory Johnson and trying to make her innocent while she did shoot the young man and commit a crime.
"I literally feel like I'm in the episode of How To Get Away With Murder" she said sighing.
"And in this episode, are you Annaliese Keating or Bonnie?"
"I feel like I'm Michaela Pratt dating Asher Millstone... It's exhausting babe"
"I get it babe, have a glass of wine"
Marcus opened the bottle of wine they ordered and poured some for Diana, he was doing that while Diana stared at him with a huge smile on her lips.
"What is it Ms Diana Davis?" he asked grinning from ear to ear.
"Oh, I'm Miss now?"
"Would you prefer Mrs Miller?"
"No! I like it when you call me Miss, makes me feel young"
Marcus raised their glasses "Let's make a toast... to being young forever"
"To be young forever" said Diana and they both took a sip of the wine, and it was nothing less of perfection. "How was your day?"
Marcus exhaled, then stroked his hair backwards "Where do I start Diana... well let's see I met Shandla James, of course you know who she is cause I'm sure you've watched March For Greatness over ten times since you have sympathy for black movements and you once held a banner written BLM and marched with it in Washington. But that's not it, this woman Diana has a potential to actually replace you and that scares me... She's fucking hot and I want to tear her ass apart trust me. But it's you I love Diana, even if it happens and I'm not sure, it's just a maybe... Then it will only be for sex, my heart belongs to you" He thought out loud and he was lost in his thoughts.
"Marcus?" Diana shrugged him off.
"Diana..."
Diana scoffed "Where'd you go?"
"Huh?"
"I asked how was your day and you stayed quiet for like three minutes. Are you alright?"
"I... I need to visit the men's room if you'll excuse me"
Marcus stood up quickly and walked to men's room leaving Diana stranded and unaware what was really going on. A waitress came to the table where Diana was.
"Are you alright ma'am, do you need anything?" she asked.
"No, thank you"
The waitress handed Diana a piece of paper "Someone left it for you. She said it's important I give it to you when you come here"
"Who it it?"
"Her name was Khloe"
"Was? What do you mean was?" asked Diana.
"I don't have much time... Khloe was murdered and she asked me to tell you to be careful with him, and call the number for more information"
The waitress walked away while Diana still had questions for her, this time Diana didn't hesitate to open the piece of paper, but it only had a number with a Columbian code and her heartbeat raced. She quickly hid the piece of paper inside her trousers pockets and remained calm when Marcus arrived.
"Are you... are you good now?" she asked but still nervous and scared.
"I am. Are you?" asked Marcus.
"Yeah"
"I could sense your nervousness from here Diana, what is it?"
"I think I got my periods" Diana said without even thinking but it did feel like a good excuse from that time. She laughed and Marcus joined her, then they left in a hurry so Diana can wear a pad whilst all this time she was hiding a piece of paper with information regarding Marcus.