CHAPTER 9 : BLISS

Marley giggled and typed out a reply to Akira. The two had been seeing each other for a few weeks and things were going really well. To on lookers, they were like a teenage couple in love. Akira made sure to pick up Marley from work as often as he could, and always with a tulip or chocolate or any other little gift in hand. They would hang out on weekends and go for movies, walks in the park, dinner or have quiet movie nights at Marley's apartment. Marley was absolutely blissful. She had no idea a man could be so perfect. In the past she'd dated a lot of douche bags and almost gave up on the whole dating thing. But then Akira came along and made her perception take a three hundred and sixty degree turn.

Akira was not any better. When he wasn't with Marley all he could think about is when next he was going to see her. He had a collection of pictures on his phone he'd take without her knowing. Pictures of her asleep, or laughing or eating. He loved every minute he spent with her. Holding her hand, hugging her, cuddling her and all of that. He loved how she smelled like flowers and ginger. He loved her love for books. He loved her smile and laughter. And he wanted nothing more than to spend all of eternity with this woman.

Marley chuckled at her phone and typed out another reply. Before she could send it, Cherlynn grabbed her phone and glared at the screen.

"Hey!" Marley squealed

"That's it!" Cherlynn yelled. "You gotta break up with him."

Marley grabbed the phone from her friend and placed it in her jacket pocket.

"You're so busy being in love with this guy, you barely have any time for me!" Cherlynn complained as she crossed her arms.

"I can't break up with him." Marley spoke as she tied up her hair in a bun.

"Sure you can." Cherlynn replied as she reached for Marley's phone. "Here let me show you."

Marley swatted Cherlynn's hand away and glared at her. "I can't break up with him cause we're not dating." She spoke as she walked towards a bookshelf and grabbed a book.

"What?" Cherlynn asked confused. "What about all the hanging out you've been doing?"

"That's all it is." Marley responded. "Just hanging out."

"What?!" Cherlynn questioned. "You guys have been kissing!"

Marley dropped the book she was holding and felt her cheeks burning up.

"Well that doesn't mean.."

Cherlynn sighed and sat down on a chair. "You guys go on dates. Cuddle. Hug. And make out. And you wanna stand there and tell me you're not dating?" Cherlynn questioned her best friend.

Marley picked the book from the floor and sat next to Cherlynn. "He hasn't technically asked me out yet." She replied.

"It's 2021 Marley." Cherlynn sighed while rolling her eyes. "Guys don't ask girls out anymore. They just kiss you and take you out and assume you understand the assignment."

Marley rolled her eyes at her best friend. "I don't wanna assume anything and get embarrassed in the process." Marley responded. "He's gotta make his intentions clear."

"Oh geez Marley." Cherlynn sighed. "What more do you want? Sex?"

Marley dropped the book in her hand again, this time her face was completely flushed.

"What?!" Marley shrieked. "No! That's not what I mean."

Cherlynn smirked at her best friend. "Omg."

"No shut up." Marley spoke

"You guys haven't done it yet have you?" Cherlynn teased the girl. A sinister tone in her voice.

"Can we please not talk about this." Marley responded nervously.

"I'm surprised is all." Cherlynn spoke mockingly. "How could you resist those golden brown eyes."

"Stop it Cherlynn."

"Those rippling muscles." Cherlynn teased as she trailed her finger down Marley's shirt.

"Cut it out Cherlynn."

"Those strong arms." Cherlynn continued

"Cherlynn!" Marley yelled.

Just then Marley's phone buzzed.

"Oh would you look at the time." Marley said nervously. "It's time to get off work. Akira is outside."

Cherlynn smiled at her best friend. "Go get him tiger."

Marley threw a book at Cherlynn. And her best friend burst into laughter as she watched Marley walk out of the store.

Akira looked up from his phone and saw Marley walk towards the car. He smiled and got out to greet her.

He wrapped his arms around the girl who hesitantly hugged him back.

"Is everything okay?" Akira asked Marley

"Yeah everything is all good." Marley responded nervously.

The two got into the car and Akira turned on the ignition.

"So I was thinking we could get some coffee at that cafe you like." Akira suggested.

Marley was a little lost in thought to hear what Akira had said.

"Marley." Akira called out to the girl and broke her little trans.

"Yeah? Oh yeah coffee sounds great." Marley responded.

*

Akira set a pumpkin spiced latte in front of Marley and sat down across from her.

"Marley."

Marley looked up at Akira who looked concerned. "Are you okay?" He asked the girl. "Did I do something wrong?"

"What?" Marley responded. "No of course not."

"Then what's the matter? You've been a little off the whole way here." Akira questioned the girl.

Marley shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Hey Akira." Marley spoke. "We've been hanging out and all and I was wondering."

Akira looked at the girl who was tapping her coffee cup nervously.

He reached out and took her hand in his. "Hey. Hey." He spoke softly as he stroked her hand with his. "Talk to me."

Marley looked at Akira and took a deep breath. "Are we?" She pause and took another breath. "Are we like. Together? I mean I know we hang out and stuff. But I don't wanna just assume and..."

Before Marley could finish, Akira started chuckling.

Marley looked up at him feeling a little embarrassed. "Why the hell are you laughing?"

"Is that what's got you so worked up?" Akira chuckled.

He took her other hand in his and smiled. "You think too much." He spoke. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't consider us a couple now would I?"

Marley blushed and turned away. "Well you didn't actually ask me out so I wasn't sure." She said pouting.

"So that's what you want?" Akira spoke teasingly. "You want me to ask you out?"

Marley continued to pout.

Akira let go of Marley, stood up and walked to the center of the cafe. He got down on one knee and opened his arms wide.

"What are you doing?" Marley mouthed at him from her table.

"Marley!" Akira spoke at the top of his voice.

A couple of people in the cafe turned to observe what was going on.

"Will you be my girlfriend?!" Akira said aloud.

Marley felt like hiding under a table. Was this guy being for real?

"Please say yes." He added on. "I may have popped my knee and I can't get up without your help."

Marley chuckled, got up and walked over to where Akira was kneeling.

"Is that a yes?" Akira asked at the top of his voice, as if intentionally trying to embarrass Marley.

Marley nodded and Akira wrapped his arms around the girl's waist and hoisted her up in the air.

"She said yes everybody!" Akira announced to the cafe, and everyone applauded.

"You're so weird." Marley spoke, and leaned in to kiss Akira.

Outside the Cafe Idas watched Apollo embrace and kiss the human girl. He smiled sinisterly and crossed his arms.

"Marpessa is going to love this." Idas spoke to himself.

*

Idas was a messenian prince who was also a demigod. He was the offspring of the god of the sea Poseidon and a human mother Arene.

From a young age, Idas was in love with Marpessa and wanted nothing more than to make her his bride.

But sadly Idas was sidelined because he was born of a human mother. Instead, Marpessa was promised to Apollo.

From the announcement of their betrothal, Idas despised Apollo. He considered him an enemy for taking the love of his life away from him, and had sworn revenge.

And now. After witnessing Apollo entertain another woman behind Marpessa's back, he could finally have his revenge. And to make matters all the more better, his mistress was a mortal. This was absolutely priceless!