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Mandie got up early Saturday morning and made breakfast. Since she wasn't much of a cook, she only made BLTs but when Craig smelled something cooking and crawled out of bed to see what it was he was very much surprised, and pleased. She didn't cook for him often, and after a few of her meals, was glad about that. She made coffee and looked at the ring on her hand. She made toast, and looked at the ring on her hand. She sat down and looked at the ring on her hand. Damn, it was beautiful!! How the hell did he do this on his own, without help? She wondered, well, perhaps he did have help. She would have to ask one day! She also wondered how he could afford this? It had to have been quite expensive. She grinned as she was looking at the ring. She felt she had so much energy that morning and she got up and finished cooking. Craig came stumbling out of the bedroom, face stubbly, eyes half open.
"I smell something good!!" He said approaching Mandie and kissing her lightly. He then snooped around the counters. Mandie pulled him to the table and sat him down.
"My turn to cook for you." She brought over the sandwiches she made and a cup of coffee for him. He looked at it and then up at her. She waited for him to taste something. "Well, go ahead." She said. He looked back down at it.
"Is it edible or fake?" She smacked his shoulder.
"Craig, just eat it." He picked it up and ate gingerly. It was actually good. He
scarfed the whole thing down. She watched proudly. She actually made something
good. "Did you like it?" She asked. He nodded.
"It was great, you see being engaged is doing something for you." She made her way over to him and sat on his lap. She kissed him and then looked at the ring again.
"It's utterly fantastic. How did you sneak this one in without me knowing?" He grinned.
"I don't have to tell you anything. It's my little secret." She smiled and kissed his nose.
"you know I love you, don't you??" She said. He nodded.
"I guess you must. You put up with me and haven't kicked me out yet so ...." After breakfast they cleaned up and went to watch TV together. It was a Saturday that Mandie did not have to work and they spent the day together, cuddling, kissing, making love. Craig was surprised at himself when he discovered that seeing Mandie wearing that ring was a huge turn-on. The whole month while he was paying it off he envisioned himself getting nervous butterflies in his belly seeing her with it but it was the opposite, he felt a stirring in his groin and had to have her. He hoped that would wear off soon or she would be pregnant before long!! That was a thought he couldn't bring himself to cogitate. One male in the Scanlon family with child was plenty. And he was relieved it was Brent and not himself. It wasn't that he would have minded having kids but now this contract deal, and him not being around much anymore -- well, that wouldn't be quite fair to Mandie, would it? If he is going to have children, he's going to be around to raise them right, like his own father and mother.
When Mandie went into the radio station Monday morning she couldn't wait to show all her co-workers her ring. The other girls "ooohed" and "ahhhed" over it. Robin, Mandie's assistant, appeared to be happy for her too but Mandie could tell she was disappointed. Mandie wasn't sure if she thought she could have Craig once Mandie was finished with him or what but it was odd, her reaction. Mandie dismissed it and got on with her day. Towards lunch time her perfectly great mood turned sour when she saw Marcus stroll in, fringe flapping wildly on the sleeves of his leather jacket. He sat down before Mandie and stared at her. She frowned.
"What, Marcus?" She said irritably. He smiled.
"You are beautiful when you're mad." He said casually. She slammed a desk drawer shut.
"Get to the point, I have work to do."
"Oh, there is no point, honey, I just came to brighten your day." She touched her ring with her other hand, twisted it around on her finger.
"You aren't the sunshine, Marcus, you are the storm clouds. Now if you don't mind ..." And she pretended to be busy. He got up and went around the desk where he pulled her up to him, put his arms around her and kissed her full on the mouth. She pushed him away but he held her there. When he was finished, he smirked at her. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Her ring flashed and caught his eye. He grabbed her wrist and checked it out.
"Wow, look at that. It's amazing how much cubic zirconia looks like the real thing!" She glared angrily at him and then pushed him backwards. He grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "I don't care if you are engaged. I am going to get what I want Mandie. Craig doesn't have to like it and neither do you." And then he kissed her again, his tongue sliding inside her mouth. She clamped her teeth shut and squeezed her eyes closed. Just then Robin walked in and her mouth dropped open. She saw Mandie struggling with Marcus.
"C,Can I help you Mandie?" She stuttered, not knowing if Mandie even wanted help. Marcus broke away and released Mandie.
"No, sweetheart, I was just leaving." He said, winking at Mandie and then blowing past Robin. Mandie rubbed her arm where he had a steel grip moments before. It was red and aching. She noticed she was visibly shaking and sat down in her chair.
"Who was that man?" Robin asked coming over to Mandie and seeing if she needed any help.
"That was Marcus Fine. He's my ex-boyfriend. Obviously not happy that I am now engaged to Craig." Robin grabbed a paper cup from the water dispenser, filled it, and handed it to Mandie. Mandie drank it all down, crumpled the cup and tossed it into the trash.
"What does he want?" Robin asked, sitting on the edge of Mandie's desk.
"I am not sure. He just keeps saying he wants me. And I keep telling him he can't have me." Robin clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"Jeez, he's really handsome but what a beast!" Mandie agreed.
"Be very careful, Robin, looks can be deceiving."
"Are you going to tell Craig?" Mandie shook her head quickly.
"Craig doesn't need to know, I can handle Marcus." Robin eyed her suspiciously.
"You'd better be careful, Mandie. That guy looks like he could be dangerous." Mandie dismissed that thought with a wave of her hand.
"He's an asshole but I doubt he would hurt me." She said it outloud but inside she doubted herself. He could be dangerous. Mandie rubbed her arm where it was still throbbing from his grip. She just hoped she was right.
