“Don’t scare me like that,” I said, “I could have hit you or something.”
“I heard the conversation,” he went straight to the point, “Marissa couldn’t find you so she sent me to look. I heard what he said.”
“Great, now I have to wonder who else heard him spew his bullshit.”
“One word,” he said and I turned to him in confusion.
“What are you talking about?”
“Say the word and his career is over; I know secrets that will ruin him for life.”
I was shocked by the intensity of his words and I’m not going to lie, a part of me wanted so badly to say it. A part of me wanted to hurt his career just like he tried to hurt mine and just like he hurt that girl’s but I knew it wouldn’t make a difference.
He would always be a horrible person and stooping to his level won’t change that; it will only make me just like him. Instead of answering, I offered Nathan a smile and held out my hand for him to take.
“They’re going to start soon.”
He gave me a nod of understanding and took my outstretched hand. We walked back to our seats together and when Marissa saw me, she leaned in to whisper.
“Where did you go? I was looking for you.”
“I had to make a quick run.”
“Well did you get your drink?” she asked but I couldn’t answer because the lights dimmed and the show started.
I looked up and realized that Mark was staring at me. He raised his glass in a form of mock salute. Nathan followed my line of sight and when he saw Mark, he gave my hand a small squeeze- almost in reassurance. I finally peeled my eyes off Mark and turned to face the stage.
“You know that you were right about him,” Nathan’s voice was so low that only I could hear, “He’s just a scared man and everything he said about you and your business is not true.”
I didn’t want to speak, I didn’t know what to say; so I settled for squeezing his hand softly.
CHAPTER 18: FORTY TWO/ THREE DAYS POST BREAK UP
It was nearing the end of the show when Marissa glanced at her phone and excused herself from the event. Out of the corner of my eye I tried to watch where she was going but it wasn’t an easy feat as she was sucked into the crowd.
A few minutes later, she walked back in but I could see from the hunch of her shoulders and the barely concealed tears that she was on the verge of breaking down.
“Are you okay?” I asked and she nodded, “Do you want to go home?”
She was still for a second before she spoke, “I can’t go home until the show isover.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
A lone tear slipped from her face and I turned her to face me in an attempt to hide her from the cameras that could possibly capture her at this vulnerable moment.
“Do you want to go home Marissa?” she nodded and another tear slipped the cracks.
I turned to Miles who was seated behind me, “I need you to take her home now.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll catch a ride with Nathan,” I turned to him to see that he was already looking at me, “Will that be okay?” He nodded and I turned back to Marissa, “Go home, and text me when you get there. Take as much time off as you need.”
“Thank you,” her voice was barely over a whisper and I gave her a curt nod.
Without another word or glance, she stood to her feet and was out of the room. Miles followed behind at a slower pace and I watched him until I saw him disappear through the auditorium doors.
“Will she be okay?” Nathan asked bringing my attention back to the show.
