THIRTY- ONE

With the help of the servants and from me, Mark was emptying the baby's room.

The mansion was still being renovated.

My room was still covered in rubble so I had to sleep with Ms. Gonzalez in Mark's bedroom while he slept on the couch.

At about ten, Mark was on the couch, wide awake and Ms. Gonzalez came closer and called him.

"Yes, babe?"

"I need to tell you something, again."

"Sure, what?"

"...I...I felt a strong spark when we first met, it was the most amazing feeling of love I had ever had till that day, but it has been diminishing ever since."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry but, I don't love you anymore."She said with tears in her eyes.

He held her wrists gently and said,"Why? Am I doing something wrong? I'll change, just don't leave me."

"It's not you, you are kind, smart, strong, gentle and intelligent, all the qualities a woman will want in a man, it's just, we are growing apart, and nothing can change that."

He went on his knees to beg her and her tears came even more.

"Is it because of the company? I'll give away the deed if you want me to."

"No, please don't throw away your family's heritage and please, stand up."

"Then don't leave me, please."

Just then, I descended the stairs and asked,"What's going on?"

Mark quickly got on his feet and cleaned the tears on his face and said,"Nothing, go back to bed."

"If it's nothing, then why are you crying?"

"Oh Tommy, it's adult stuff, you wouldn't understand, come, let's go to bed."Ms. Gonzalez said.

I looked back at Mark as he fell on his knees in tears...

What just happened?

At four the next morning, Ms. Gonzalez was sneaking out of the mansion, so no one will notice her, but then she saw someone blocking the door.

She took a deep breath and said,"Mark?"

He didn't respond.

She came closer and he said in a low tone,"You're scared, aren't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you are scared of Clark."

"What? No!"

"Don't lie to me."He said coldly.

"...yes I am...I just didn't want you to think I'm a disloyal coward, that's why I lied. I really love you, but...I don't want to die."

"Do me a favour and never come back."

He left.

The next morning, after I had bathed and changed into my clothes, I realized Mark was crying again.

I came closer and asked,"Little bro, what's wrong?"

"Cathy, she left."

I was shocked...

Why?!

They loved each other so much.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay..."He said, wiping his tears,"...we were never right for each other anyway."

"What are you talking about?"

"She wanted to abort the child, a living being."

"Are you sure that's why you are so bummed out?"

He shook his head and said,"We have to leave this place. I own a villa not far from here, we can live there until the mansion is fixed."

I nodded.

We were packing then I called Ms. Lucy and told her where we were going and what happened.

"I always knew Mark had bad taste when it comes to women."

"But he dated you, are you saying that was a bad decision?"

"Well we're apart now so...yes, it was. Now, how can I help you?"

"Mark is devastated and I thought maybe you could cheer him up somehow."

She began to laugh.

"Me, cheer him up?"She continued laughing then said,"I can't talk to him without him bringing the topic of me ' cheating'(air quotes) on him."

"Then why don't you just tell the truth, that you didn't?"

"You are saying it like he'll believe me."

"Could you at least try, please?"

"Ugh, fine."

A few hours later...

There was a ring on the doorbell.

Mark was almost done packing and I was in the garage, loading the Lamborghini.

Mark opened the door and saw...

"Lucy?"

"Let's just get this over with."She said, passing below his arm.

A security officer reached the door, out of breath and said,"I'm sorry boss, she was just so fast..."

Mark rolled his eyes and walked closer to her then asked coldly,"What are you doing here?"

"I heard that you were crying like a baby over your latest inevitable break up, so I came to cheer you up."

"Tommy can cheer me up by himself, he doesn't need help from someone whose presence gives me high blood pressure."

"Haha, really funny."She said sarcastically,"But seriously, you have to move on, there's no use crying over spilled milk."

"Then I can lick it like a dog."

"Wow, impressive, gold star, you finally found out what creature you are."

He was ambivalent then said,"You're not helping."

"I'm helping myself."

"Ugh! Why are you so annoying and stubborn?!"

"And why are you so childish and untrustworthy?!"

"You cheated on me!"

"You lied to me!"

"Oh, so that gives you the impetus to waltz into my home, talk to me anyhow you want and sashay away?!"

"Oh no."I said from behind the stairs,"This isn't going well."

"Yes!"

"That's it, get out."

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"Good day!"

"Bye!"

She slammed the door and a picture fell down.

"This is not good."

Ash meowed in response.

"Tommy!"

I knew he was angry and so I timidly walked forward.

He was frowning as he looked at me and I chuckled shyly.

"Tommy, why did you call Lucy?"

"I called her to cheer you up."

"But you know we can't stand each other, besides you are all I need to be cheered up."

"Really?"

"Really."He said and hugged me.