90 Figure

I hang up the phone after talking with Brian. Melita left to go to the store and I gave him a call to try and get some clarification. Her whole demeanor threw me for a loop earlier. I didn't know how to react other than give her some space. I explained to Brian what was going on and her reactions. He assured me to just let her vent, because her home meant a lot to her. It was her safe place and right now it was broken and technically was invaded by strangers. He knows that her rational mind knows that these things happen and those 'strangers' are here to fix the problem, but her emotions still feel that way. He reminded me that it's her right to feel that way, that everyone has bad days, where emotions get the better of them. That once she has cooled down and let her rational mind process everything, she will most likely apologize for her actions.

He asked about her brunch with her mother and I had to answer honestly that I was not sure how it went. Brian wanted to guess that maybe something had been said or occurred that could have caused her emotions to already be unstable or anxious. Then coming home to find what she had just caused them to overflow. He reminded me to try and remain patient with her outbursts of irritation that have been occurring since her mother first tried to talk to her before the papers were signed. 

Her little outbursts were not really all that bad, just venomous in their delivery like earlier when I had offered to pay for the repairs. I told her I will not put up with her attacking me, verbally or physically, but I know that everyone has bad days. I know everyone can not be perfect all the time. I know I am not. I know I can be short with her some days when I'm frustrated. I also know she's made a lot of improvements. I know she is actively trying her best to not be so reactive and defensive. I also knew her mother trying to become a part of her life again was going to cause problems because of the emotional turmoil Melita was put through. 

Melita's long held desire to be loved by her parents had never been fulfilled and I hate this situation she is in now because of it. Her parents were pieces of shit, just like mine were. I just pray that her mother doesn't weasel her way into Melita's life and cause new, bigger problems then what is going on now.

I sit at my laptop still working while the plumber is still working on the bathroom. His assistant was using a shop vacuum to suck up the water from the carpet in the hall. I look at the clock and see Melita has been gone for about an hour now, so she should be back shortly. Hopefully, with a better mind set.

Fifteen minutes later the front door opens with Melita bringing in bags and Dave helping her carry in water. I hop up and help grab the last of the water inside before thanking Dave and sending him on his way. Melita is putting the grocery items away as the plumber approaches me and informs me that they will be turning the water back on shortly. They'll be checking to make sure nothing leaks before finishing up the clean up. I thank them before he turns and gets back to work with his assistant.

 When I turn my attention back to Melita, she's heating some water in the kettle with two cups ready with tea bags. I stand there leaning against the counter, watching her as the plumber checks the water and hear them cleaning up. She pours the now hot water into each cup, letting them steep as she places the kettle back. She turns to face me and offers me the other cup. I take it from her, understanding she's preparing herself to talk to me.

She takes a sip before her shoulders that have been hunched up, sag low as she leans back against the counter. "I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier. I know you were just wanting to help. I would appreciate though, if anything like this occurs again that you notify me as soon as it happens."

Melita takes another sip of her tea before continuing staring directly into my eyes and assuring her sincerity. "I know you told me you were sidetracked and had every intention to notify me, but you did not even send me a text with a heads up. Nothing. I did not appreciate being surprised like this when I came home, but I still should not have snapped at you the way I did." She lets out a heavy breath and sips her tea.

I nod, "If a similar situation occurs, I will make sure to notify you. I know that this is your home and means a lot to you. I apologize for allowing myself to get distracted when I knew I should have informed you."

She nods, "That's all I am asking. Thank you." 

I can see she still feels guilty, the tension is still evident in the air around us and all I want to do is pull her into my arms.

"Excuse me, we've finished if you'd like to come take a look and then we can go over the bill." The plumber informs us and Melita sets her tea cup down to follow the plumber. He goes over the repairs, how they inspected up the walls since the upstairs plumbing was directly above and found nothing amiss. He asked if she wanted him to check the laundry and kitchen areas and she nodded, feeling it didn't hurt for a quick visual inspection. When that was over they sat down and he made an itemized list of the issues and time spent, that this was an emergency call, plus the materials. It came out to just under fifteen hundred dollars. 

Melita asked if he preferred check or card and pulled out her pocket book. She thanked them and assured him she would keep the fans blowing on the wet areas and allow them to dry out thoroughly before having anyone come to redo the drywall and painting. She thanked them and they left leaving us in a quiet, tense atmosphere.

All I want to do is pull her into my arms and tell her everything is better now, she doesn't need to be on edge with me. I should pull her into my arms and apologize again, first with my words and then with my actions. I can worship her all night and make her stresses disappear for a while. 

Right as I step her way she pulls something out of her pocket and hands it to me. "Please call him. He's pretty adamant about working with you and would like to get together for dinner tomorrow." 

I quirk a brow at her and take the card. It's Derek's card. Something about the way this guy looked at me and Melita when we were in the apartment next to his, makes me wary. I don't know what it is but at the same time, it doesn't feel threatening. It annoys me that I can not figure it out.

"How did you get this?" The question flies out of my mouth quickly and it sounds more accusatory than it should.

"We ran into each other at the market. We chatted for a few minutes and invited us to dinner tomorrow. He really would like to discuss business with you. He feels that whatever he's working on would be mutually beneficial to you both." She narrows her eyes slightly, "If you're not interested still call him and let him know yourself, instead of ignoring him like last time, please. I don't own my own company. I work for one that tries to keep cordial acquaintances with all prospective business ventures. It could be beneficial to at least be respectfully polite by responding."

I grip the card in my hand a little firmer, but nod. "I'll give him a call and get the gist of what he wants to discuss first. Then decide if we will meet him for dinner."

She nods and leans closer giving me a soft peck on the cheek, "Thank you." 

She moves to step away, but my hand grasps hers and pulls her back quickly startling her as my lips crash down on hers. By the time I let her go, she's breathless, flushed and dazed. She's fucking beautiful like that. 

"I'm going to go make this call. When I'm done..." I lean back down to her lips and kiss them softly, "I will be kissing every inch of that beautiful body of yours, so I suggest you be ready. I foresee this conversation not lasting very long." I warn her as she bites her bottom lip and giggles, spreading her hands across my chest as I press my body firmly against hers. 

"So do I have at least ten or fifteen minutes then?" She asks breathlessly as I squeeze her body against mine quickly.

"I'll be up there in fifteen, whether he's finished talking or not." I growl softly making her eyes widen before turning into sultry half open jewels that gleam with arousal.

She lifts her lips up to hover in front of mine, "Well, then. You better start dialing that number then." She feints a kiss, teasing me before pulling back and makes her way up the stairs, letting me watch her gorgeous figure move as she does, throwing a kiss over her shoulder as she reaches the halfway point of the stairs. 

I pull my phone out and start dialing as she giggles and rushes to the room.

"Hello?" My phone's speaker calls out.

"Derek Mor?" I ask.

"Speaking."

"This is Jackson Morgan."

"Mr. Morgan! Thank you for getting in touch with me. I'm guessing Melita mentioned I'd like to talk to you about a mutual beneficial business proposition I've been wishing to discuss with you?"