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“Yes.” I tell her anxiously, wanting her to tell me everything. I have been frantic to learn all I can about him and now is my time.
“Thank you. The thing is, he is my youngest. When we got them, he was my shyest and quietest of the four boys. But he was also my most affectionate. He never had a mother and was eager for the love of one. However, as he and my other boys got older, he became almost… ashamed to seek me out. I make all of them hug me, so they never doubt my love for them. But Baron, he has always had the most doubt inside of him. Being told his mom gave him away at birth, left unworthiness inside of him. Something his dad and I have worked diligently to undue. My poor boy.” She covers her mouth as she weeps for him. I find myself trying to hold it in as well. My sweet, confident, sexy man. Who knew it was an act? All I want to do is make it better.
“Dinner!” We hear yelled from the other room. We both force a smile and wipe our faces as we walk into the dining room.
“Everything ok?” He asks me, as he pulls out my chair. Looking up at him, I wrap my arms around his neck and look into the eyes of my wounded man. Now I am seeing him much clearer. I know the other night when he broke down a bit and he told me something similar. But there is something about hearing it from his mother that makes it more prevalent.
“Everything is fine, babe.” I lean up and kiss him before sitting.
The rest of dinner is fun, even with no one else showing up. Marquise is not ready for his mom to get a hold of the young lady he took from the alley. Prince is out of town and Duke is under the weather. We eat. Laugh and get to know one another. In fact, it was almost perfect. Until his father hits the doom button.
“So Frannie. When does your student visa expire if you are not in school?” If it weren’t for the fact that he has been nothing but sweet, kind and welcoming to me since I have been here, I would be skeptical about his asking. But somehow, I just don’t get anything negative from this family.
“Actually, I have a meeting with the school tomorrow. If I can get them to extend my scholarship, then I enroll for spring. My visa can then be extended for a year. If not, it is….” I stop realizing that it is up at the end of the month which is in… five days.
“Frannie.” Baron calls my name, his face serious as he awaits my answer.
“Five days.” I whisper. My gut is beginning to hurt thinking about leaving him.
The rest of dinner is quiet like everyone else can feel the sudden loss as well. As we leave the house, I feel like I am going further and further into the darkness... He says nothing the entire ride back and neither do I. I just keep hoping over and over that they extend my scholarship. How cruel would it be to find him, only to have to leave him? We get upstairs to his penthouse, he drops his keys on the side table, and walks into the room. Not sure what is happening, I take off my shoes and sit on the couch. He comes back out and stands in front of me.
“We are going to the courthouse tomorrow to get married.” It takes me a moment to realize what he said. As soon as I do, my body begins to heat up with anger and hurt.
“Are you fucking serious? No!” Is all I can say without losing it.
“What do you mean no? Of course, we are. It’s the perfect solution. Then you don't have to worry about a visa.” He says so cockily. It pisses me off even more. How does he not see how fucked up this is?
“Baron, when I get married, it will not be because of some stupid political rule. I want to marry for love, Baron. Don’t you?” I am pleading with him to just say he loves me. If he would just say the words, I would say yes right now.
“Why are you making a big deal about this Red? You already belong to me. What’s the difference? At least this way you don’t have to leave.” He turns his back and goes to get a drink. I thought I couldn't get angrier but looking at his back at a time like this, sends me seething.
“Baron I am not going to marry you.” I yell at him. I grab my purse, coat, and am headed out the door when he yells at me.
