Markus

New York

“Daddy!” Mikyle bounced on the bed. “Wakes up!” He smiled, pouncing his father. “Suns up! I puts on Mus.” He pointed to the mismatched clothes. “Likes mus.”

“I’m up, I’m up,” Markus said, sitting up on the bed. He stretched, trying to wake himself completely. He hadn’t slept well, his dreams haunted by images of Jade and Brianna looking down on him with disappointment. “And we are going to have to change those, he said. Either the pants or the shirt.” He swung his legs over the bed. “And need to go potty?” He was working on the potty training, asking Mikyle regularly if he needed to go.

“No..” Mikyle sucked his thumb. “Go in potty likes Bers say.” He smiled as best he could with the thumb in his mouth. “Wifts seats..and Uh ohs deres.” He pointed. “Diaper..” he had taken his off.

“That’s good,” Markus said, rubbing Mikyle’s head. “Now go find some matching clothes while daddy gets dressed so we can go to work” He stood and headed to the bathroom, getting ready for the long day ahead. It was going to take some adjustments, having Mikyle with him at work.

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He was only five minutes late, the street having been blocked off out front and causing some of the traffic to back up. He headed inside, hearing some of the other people talking about the visitor at the building, and whispers of a possible merger or take over. And that usually meant cut backs. He started to go into his office when one of the secretaries said that he was needed in the boss’ office. He turned, heading down the hallway and entering the penthouse office. “Sorry I’m late, sir. It wasn’t my fault. Something with the traffic being blocked.”

“Oh, that’s alright,” came a familiar clipped British accent. “I don’t think we could fault you for being late on account of me.”

Markus swallowed hard, turning to the other chair. “Sir,” he said. “Uh, pleasure to see you again.”

Alistair nodded to Markus, before turning back to face his host. “He the one you were referring too? Seems a little young, though if what you say is true, He will certainly be a valuable asset.”

“Oh, he is.” The older man nodded. “He made the Namantek deal and sold it.” He shifted. “Anyways..this your little boy?”

“Hi.” Mikyle waved. “I Mikyle.” He hugged his father a little more.

“Real go getter like you, huh?” Mr. Carruthers smiled. “Why don’t you take him to the day care and then come on back. We can talk about this buy out a little more.”

“Yes sir,” Markus said. He turned, heading out of the room. So, the talks of the company being bought were apparently true. Though he was relieved to hear that he still had his job, apparently. He really needed it to pay his college tuition. It was hard enough to get a job as it was, and even harder to get one like this, that allowed him to go to school while working. “I’m afraid you’ll have to stay here by yourself today,” he said, walking down the hall to the day care. “I have to work, though will check on you during the day while I can, alright?”

“Baby boy!”

a whoosh and his arms were empty. He heard giggling and when he looked up, Amber was hugging Mikyle.

“I missed you!” She kissed his little cheek. “Did you use the potty like I said?” Amber grinned.

“Uh huh!” Mikyle smiled as wide as a Cheshire cat. “I dos.”

Markus blinked. As surprised as he was to see Alistair here, he was even more so to se Amber. And if she was here, then chances were that Brianna was as well. This was going to be more than a bit awkward. “Hey… um… about the other day… I just want to apologize. I… there are just some things I’m not ready to talk about yet… It still hurts… a lot, surprisingly.” At least he knew that Mikyle would be alright during the day if Amber was watching over him.

“Hey, It’s not my squabble.” Amber grabbed the diaper bag. “That’s between you and Breezy girl.” She waved, carrying Mikyle off into the room. “Toodles.”

“Bye Daddy!!” Mikyle called to him.

True, Markus thought. “Later, Mikyle,” he said, waving before turning and heading back to the office. It was between him and Brianna, though he wasn’t sure if she would be as open to talking about it immediately. He had made it seem like he didn’t’ have any interest in her, though that was far from the truth, He just wasn’t sure if he could tell her the full truth right off.

“First time to be separated?” Alistair asked. “Recognize that look. It’s not as bad as it seems. He knows you aren’t leaving him permanently.”

“Sorry..” Brianna blinked. “Oh..um..Daddy..can I have some money to get out of here? I want to go to the Annie WInthorpe design studio.” She didn’t even look at Markus.

“Ah, Markus. This is one of your new boss’s daughters. Brianna or Amber?” Mr. Carruthers smiled. “Sorry..you two look very much alike.”

“I’m Brianna, sir And..we already met.” She didn’t sound so happy. “So can I go daddy?” Brianna quickly changed the topic.

Markus nodded lightly, not looking to happy himself. He couldn’t blame her, really. He was hoping to get the chance to explain himself, though knew that at the moment, all that he could tell her would sound lame.

Alistair glanced at the two, knowing something was going on. He had noticed her interest in him at the airport, and was quite surprised when they had returned early. There was something that the two needed to work out between them, as he knew she didn’t go blindly into anything. There was something that had happened that wasn’t finished yet, though he wouldn’t force it. It was something that they would have to work out, if they chose too. “Sure thing,” he said, reaching for his wallet. “How much would you like?” He started thumbing through the bills, and finally settled on just pulling out his credit card. “Here. I know how you can be when you go shopping.”

“Thank you daddy. I won’t spend more than sixty..They have a new Diamond gala Design that I am dying to get.” She turned, pocketing the card in her purse. She didn’t give Markus so much as a ‘fuck you’ glance. “I’ll be back later!”

“Kind of cold in here...wouldn’t you say, son?” Carruthers looked up at Markus. “And did she mean sixty dollars or sixty thousand? My wife pulled me into that studio once..clothes of all sorts..all designed by some woman..Marie? And Annie Winthorpe of course. They had dresses that cost twenty thousand dollars in there.”

Markus nodded. He knew they had noticed her treatment, or lack there of, of him. Heck, a blind person could have seen it. “A bit of a… misunderstanding… I inadvertently said something that was taken the wrong way.” He glanced up quickly. “Though, nothing of that nature, I assure you. It…was… is… something personal.”

Alistair nodded. There were a few reasons why a single man would have a son and not the mother; though only one would seem to explain that look of lost he carried in his eyes. There was still a past there that hadn’t been left in the past. He turned to Mr. Carruthers. “Oh, it’s thousand, but pounds, not dollars. And it was my understanding that Marie is not a woman.”

“I don’t think I need to hear it any further.” Carruthers ahemd. “Well..lets talk buy out. My only condition is that you keep on my employees on this floor and keep the day care center up and going. My personal team is the best graphics team around..and he is executive material.” He grinned. “Sit boy..as a future manager and exec..you need to be here.”

Well, this got more interesting..in a good and bad way. The job being good and Brianna being the bad.

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Noon, New York

The whispers of the office came alive. A few men were talking about someone very attractive in the office. Carruthers blinked, looking out his office window. The sight of the Sleek red head walking in made his jaw almost drop. He was married but he wasn’t dead.
Brianna smiled and nodded to a few. She had changed clothes apparently. Her hair was in fresh curls and pulled up into a braided up do. A few loose curls danged over her cheek. She had on a Black dress that came up above her knees. Diamonds glittered over the silky material towards the top. They met the bold White silk breast cups. They were almost sheer. She had a matching black hand bag with a diamond clasp and high heels. They were at least one and a half inches. One could almost imagine a model walking down a run way with fans lightly blowing on her.

“Man, I wonder if she’d going to get a internship here,” Davis said. “I definitely wouldn’t mind her working under me.”

Markus sighed, shaking his head and glancing back at the drawing he was working on. He had other things to do that join the others in gawking at someone that didn’t want him gawking at her. “Come on, get back to work,” he said.

“Man, don’t tell me that you don’t have the slightest bit of interest in hitting that,” Davis said, returning to the desk. “I bet even corpses wouldn’t mind a bit of that action.”

“First, don’t even go there. That’s not a nice thing to say. Second, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want people gawking like third graders. Thirdly,…” Markus paused. “Well, that’s reason enough.”

“Dude, what’s wrong with you? Ever since you got back from vacation you’ve been all down like your dog died or something.” Davis picked p a pencil, working on their current project.

Markus paused, pressing down so hard that he broke the lead on the pencil.

“Markus?”

“It wasn’t my dog. I… caught up with something I left behind and changed my life entirely. I found out I had a son. Shortly afterwards… she… was killed.” Markus looked up, his eyes tearing up slightly. “Even though we’d been apart for three years, because I thought that education and work was more important, it still hurts. And… I hurt someone else this weekend, because she was interested in me, and I couldn’t give her what she wanted, not yet.” He glanced at the door. “So yeah, I’m not in the best shape right now.”

“Geez, man. Sorry, really, I am. I didn’t know.” Davis noticed the look. “It was her, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Markus picked up a new pencil, cleaning up the mess he had made.

“You have to tell her man. Something like that, I wouldn’t let get away, if it’s real.” Davis leaned back in his chair. “You definitely have to tell her.”

“I would, but, don’t think she wants to be near me at the moment.” Markus leaned back. “Forget it. My life, my problems. Go ahead and go to lunch or something. I’ve got to check on Mikyle anyways.”

“Alright,” Davis said. “Though I wouldn’t wait too long. Others are waiting and getting in line.” He stood, heading for the door.

Markus sat momentarily, then got up and headed to the day care room. It would probably be a long time before she would give him the chance to explain, an by then, it might be too late. Some things only have one chance, and he might have missed his.

“Markus.” Amber glanced up. She had Mikyle in her lap. He was watching a movie. “Come to check on the boy?”

“Hi daddy!” Mikyle waved. “Amber gets me mus.” He pointed to the screen. It was a documentary on National geographic or something. “Mus eats..rawr.” He made his pretend to eat his dolphin toy. “Rawrrrr!”

“Honestly.” Brianna peeked in. “I come looking for you and you run away. And Amber? You know some people might be disturbed by that.”

“Definitely. Just remember, I’m the one that’s going to have to deal with the traumatic nightmares after watching that.” Markus turned to face Brianna. She was looking for him? That could be good or bad. “Sorry, I didn’t know that you were looking for me. Thought I’d check on Mikyle and see if he wanted to go someplace for lunch. Though that can wait… unless you wanted to join us.”

“I needed an opinion, actually. Since you aren’t interested in me as a girl friend..you count as the all important just a friend. The other guys drool and don’t really give me an honest opinion.” She turned, showing the dress off. “Annie Winthorpe Kensington uh..yeah..Annie Original. She has only been making clothes for two years now. She is a real role model. She has two children, both adopted.”

“I’ve heard all of this before.” Amber chuckled. “Want to go eat?”

“Otays.” Mikyle hugged her. “Bers comes? Wans you comes.”

“Someone has claimed my sister, I think.” Brianna chuckled.

Markus closed his eyes briefly, wincing, though he tried not to show it. That hurt. Hurt a lot. Though, it was his own fault, he realized. Though she was speaking to him, which was better than this morning. The all important just a friend, though. That seemed to have an air of finality to it. If only she knew the truth. If only he were able to. “Brianna, I…” He thought of doing just that, trying, but the words didn’t want to come. And he didn’t want to seem like he was some desperate jerk trying to get some attention. “It’s a very lovely dress,” he managed to say, finally. “Is she still hand crushing the stones to use in her designs? I’m not positive about the shoes, though. Never was one for shoe much.” Why did he feel so incapable all of the sudden?

“I believe so. I bought a Very beautiful gothic designed wedding gown..Powdered rubies. She’d made it during her first year of production but no one else fit into it and or really could afford to pay for it. I wanted the Ice Princess gown but she isn’t selling that one for any price. I think she made it for someone...and they broke her...heart.” Brianna looked away. “I know how she feels in some ways.”

“You two need to talk.” Amber shook her head. “Go to lunch together. I will keep Mikyle here and find something to eat. The air is way tense between you.”

“Is that some kind of sisterly order?” Brianna blinked.

“Yes. Now go.” Amber admonished.

“Loves daddy.” Mikyle giggled and waved. “Mus!” he suddenly gasped and looked at the Television. “Mus! Mus!”

Markus nodded. “Love you too, son.” He turned back to Brianna. Well, at least they would be alone to talk, though it would perhaps be a bit awkward, coming this late. He vowed to himself, that somehow, by the time their lunch was through, he would tell her everything. He should have done it before, but didn’t want to tell everything with the boys there. Some things were just too personal. “Shall we?” he asked. “And she’s right, we do need to talk.”

“I guess.” Brianna sighed. “What is there to talk about? You made your feelings perfectly clear.”

“No, I didn’t,” Markus replied. “There’s a lot that I didn’t say, and because of that, what was said was misunderstood.” He glanced around the hallway, noting that a few people were watching. “Um, mind if we go someplace? I’d rather not have everyone at the office know about this.”

“Fine..But I have tickets to the twelve thirty showing of the Kings Royal feast. I do not intend to miss it.” She glanced at a silver and diamond ladies watch. “It starts in ten minutes.” Brianna started walking. “So pick up the pace. I reserved a private royal viewers box.”

“Right behind you,” Markus said, following. King’s Royal Feast? That was likely to go longer than his lunch break. Well, some things were more important than others. If she didn’t want anything to do with him, he was going to make sure that it was for the right reasons, and not because she thought something about him that wasn’t true.

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Markus glanced at Brianna. They weren’t exactly alone, as there was quite a large gathering, but at least they were secluded in the private box. He took a drink of his water. “Brianna, about the other day, I really…” He paused, his cell phone vibrating. He pulled it out, glancing at the caller id. He frowned, not recognizing the number. Of all the times to get a wrong number caller. “Sorry. As I was saying, I really…” He sighed, the phone going off again, this time giving a slight beeping. It was his mother’s personal coded extension ring through, though it was the same number as before. What was going on. “Just a second,” he said, sighing as he opened the phone. “Mom? He asked. “What’s going on? Where are you calling from?”

“LaGuardia airport.” She answered. “We were wondering..since we know you are at work...I think..” Melissa hmd. “Why do I hear sword fighting?”

“Who is it?” Brianna glanced at him. “Can’t that call back?”

“I’m at lunch, and taking care of some things that need to be cleared up because I did something that was taken the wrong way,” Markus said, glancing at Brianna. “What are you doing here in New York? I wasn’t expecting you and dad for another couple of weeks, at least.”

“Something came up. So..we are headed to your apartment. Call ahead and tell the manager to give us a key.” Melissa spoke. “And it sounds like you’re with a girl.”

“Markus.” Brianna leaned back, adjusting her dress absently. “The show is starting..”

“Yeah, that’s what I need to clear up. I… have to go. We’ll talk after I get home, okay?” Markus leaned back in his seat. “And I’ll make sure you can get in.” He was a bit worried. What could have came up that would bring them here this early. “Parents are in town,” he said to Brianna, turning to watch the show. Fate wasn’t being nice today, it seemed.

“Oh? Guess they wanted to visit.” Brianna smiled. “Huh?”

“My lady..” A rather rogueish looking knight rode towards her on his horse. “Would you hold a knights favor for me?”

“Ohh..” She blushed. “Well..They did give me this.” She held up a dark purple scarf. “Is this it?” Brianna’s eyes sparkled like the diamonds on her dress.

“Indeed.” He bowed as he got off the horse. “I would be most honored if you chose me to grant thy favor to.” The dark haired man shifted. “My lady.”

Markus blinked. Favor? What was that all about? Somehow, he got the idea that he wouldn’t be too happy with the thought. But he didn’t say anything, since she had brought him along so that he could try to explain his actions earlier. And everything seemed to be preventing that at the moment.

“I don’t know..I am here with someone.” Brianna glanced at Markus and then the knight. “He should probably hold my favor.”

“Then I shall challenge this knight for his ladies favor!” The rogue knight called into is microphone. “Do you accept Knave?”

Brianna gasped. She knew they sometimes brought audience into it but she didn’t know they would do this show. And the crowd was going wild for it.

Markus glanced at the knight, then at Brianna. He didn’t have the slightest idea about challenging, but worked out regularly, and was in good shape. It shouldn’t be that hard, should it. He stood, still looking at Brianna. “I accept your challenge.” He hoped that was the right thing to do, as he wasn’t going to decline. She already thought he didn’t care about her as it was.