JODY
I sat at the reserved dining with Marcus waiting for my so-called blind date, all the while praying fervently in my heart that it isn’t one of my exes.
Not to exaggerate, I’m sure I’ve dated half of the men in London. I didn’t want to think about how Marcus would react if it was one of my exes. And to be honest, I was always the one who left, the one who broke their hearts.
After the epic heart break I had in high school, I turned into the one who did the heart breaks, although I never did most intentionally.
Some guys were just too overbearing. Some of them were with me because of my parent’s influence, some hated my love for Korean dramas and me fan-girling Kpop idols, while some were so keen on getting married whereas I wasn’t one bit ready.
Somehow, Marcus haven’t showed any sign of having one of the traits I mentioned, and sincerely, I hoped he wouldn’t. I wanted this to work, I’m willing him to be my last bus stop. I had to admit, I was falling deeply for Marcus, but I have no idea how far he wanted to go with this, and I wouldn’t want to pressure him in any way.
He seemed possessive, protective and jealous, neither of which I mind. I could be worse than him as well when it came to being possessive over the one I love. But so far, we haven’t had a real date, neither have he made any attempt to introduce me to any of his friends or significant other or even taken me to where he lives.
Our one month relationship would be ending in a few days’ time, was that what he was waiting for before coming clean about us? Did he think I wouldn’t want us to go further?
My thoughts and anxiety dissipated when Grace and Connor sauntered into the dining hall hand in hand with a supposed manager directing them to where Marcus and I were sitting.
At first it seemed like a lame joke, unless it really wasn’t after putting the puzzles together. The suitable suitor from Harvard (according to my mother), whose parents were friends with my parents turned out to be Connor Shelby.
My best friend’s lover and the father of her child.
Bravo! If we weren’t in a public setting, I would be laughing so hard right now. Connor was more than surprised to see Marcus and me.
He didn’t know we were together, although he didn’t say it aloud, his face said it all. Grace seemed relaxed and more at peace now that she was spending time with Connor and Laurel more. She thanked me for standing up for her on the comment section the other day, but I pretended as though I wasn’t the one.
We needed a solution fast.
The menu arrived and we all selected different type of wine absent mindedly. The shock was still in us, meanwhile, Marcus was completely silent in a way that made me uncomfortable.
“What do we tell our parents?” I spoke up, looking from Connor to Grace.
“I honestly have no idea,” Connor replied squeezing Grace’s hand affectionately, “What I know is a lot depends on this date, and it is currently out of my powers.”
“What do you mean?” I leaned forward, raising at eyebrow at Grace who stared at Connor before facing me.
“Well,” she looked a little distressed now, “Connor’s mother is threatening to leak my information to the public if this date doesn’t go well.”
Oh boy, Connor’s mother was a million times worse than mine.
“Well, mine are threatening to take my job from me since they got it for me. And I love my job.” I said in a matter of fact manner.
“So,” Grace sipped her zero alcohol red wine thoughtfully, “I don’t want my information to be leaked out to the public, and you can’t lose your job, so what do we do?”
“You know what?” I turned to both of them, “Let’s just let them do their worse.”
“What?” they all chorused including Marcus.
“Jody…” Grace stressed, worried lines creased on her forehead.
“Listen, Gracie,” I started, not expecting them to accept my suggestion immediately. “We can’t continue to let our parents control our lives. It our lives not theirs, we weren’t there when they were making decisions for themselves. We just have to show them that they are powerless.”
I paused and took a sip of my drink before continuing.
“Before coming here, I have decided to quit my job even though my parents decides not to take it from me at the end of the day. They would have nothing to threaten me with ever again. Connor’s mother can do what she pleases, it’ll definitely pass.”
“Jody, ours is a totally different situation.” Grace muttered, unconvinced. “The media translates things differently. My info could be leaked to the public in a way that could jeopardize my future. The talk and rumor may die down but later in the future, it could stand as a barrier to me going ahead.”
I sighed, understanding her point perfectly.
“There was only one way out, then” I said, downing the glass of wine in my mouth. I could see Marcus glaring at me from the side.
“What is it?” asked Connor.
“I can tell my parents I’m the one who’s not interested.” I suggested, “That way, your mother wouldn’t be able to do anything. I can risk losing my job, but Grace can’t risk letting out her information. However, you guys would have to lay low till you’re ready to come out to the world yourselves.”
We all agreed to my idea, although Connor was annoyed that his mother held such power against him. It wouldn’t be that way forever, we assured him.
It wasn’t his fault he had a scary mother.
We decided that the date was over, so Connor and Grace waited for Marcus and I to leave first before them.
It was actually time for Marcus and me to talk seriously. I had to know where this was going, because somehow, he was part of the reason I would be quitting a job I love so much.