(Martha)
"Thank you for the session, Dr. McKnight," I said as we walked out of his office
"No problem Mrs. Stewart, I'm just sorry for keeping you so late"
"I keep telling you it's fine. And how many times did I tell you just to call me Martha?"
"Alright, Martha, but you must also call me by my first name"
"Fine James," I said with a smile
"Alright Martha, let's get you home," he said before I sighed
"What's wrong? Don't want to go home?"
"Would it be bad if I said no?" I said before a charming smile graced his handsome face
"It's totally rational, I mean who would want to go home when they stay and look at my handsome face," he smirked
"Yeah, who indeed?" I rolled my eyes before starting to chuckle
"There it is, the smile I love so much."
"Thank you," I said
"Things are pretty bad at home right now huh?"
"You have no idea" I sighed thinking back to earlier tonight
"Something on your mind?" he asked
"No,"
"So why don't I believe you?"
"Well it's nothing, just something happened earlier tonight" I sighed
"Mind clarifying?" he asked
"Got time?" I chuckled
"I know a great restaurant" he offered, motioning towards his car
"I think I can drive myself," I jingled my keys in front of him heading toward my car
"Follow me," he smiled getting into his car.
We drove towards a fancy restaurant.
"Don't you need a reservation for this place?" I worriedly asked as we waited in line
"Don't worry about it," he smirked before we arrived at the front of the line
"Welcome to the Midnight. What name is your reservation under?"
"I don't have a reservation," he said before the young lady frowned
"I'm sorry sir, but you can't enter without a reservation," she said
"Can I speak to your manager?" He asked still showing her his charming smile
"Sorry, but she's very busy," she said
"Can you just tell her Jamie is here to see her?" He said
"I can't," she said before he sighed taking out five hundred dollars
"Please?" he asked again
The little girl eyed the money for a bit before turning her head
"I really shouldn't," she said obviously tempted as her eyes didn't leave the bills in his hands
"Just this once," he said adding another five hundred
"Alright wait here" she sighed taking the money and walking away.
Not even five minutes later she came back
"Please this way. The manager wishes to speak with you," she said.
She seemed shocked but so was I.
"Shall we?" he said stretching his hand out to me.
Taking his hand we walked into the restaurant.
The young lady, no older than Carl, led us to a private room where a beautiful woman sat with her legs crossed glaring at James
"Evie," he smiled
"Jamie," she coldly said, "Emily you are excused"
"Yes Manager," she said leaving
"Hardworking young lady you have here," he said
"Is that seriously what you want to say right now?" She glared
"Love the dress?" he added before she shook her head and looked toward me
"Who is this?" She asked
"This is Martha," he said
I was too shy to say anything so I just waved but as if she didn't notice she only returned her eyes to James
"One of your patients?"
"Not during after hours," he said
"Why are you here Jamie?"
"Can't I pay my childhood friend a visit?" He asked
"Not unless it's to say you're ready to leave this horrid town," she said
"This place isn't that bad," he said
"You know your parents really miss you and want to see you"
"I'm sure you speak with them often. Send my regards and tell them that I'd back when I'm ready," he smiled
"That's not soon enough for me. You know I'm stuck being in charge of this damn restaurant until you return. Did I mention they really want to see you?" she repeated
"Well, I guess they can come here. Until then we'll just continue to keep each other's company" he playfully teased
"What do you want James?" she said annoyed
"I actually brought my friend here to eat something," he said
Her eyes once again landed on me giving me a disapproving look
"You know this won't work out, right?" she said making his smile falter
"You can leave now Evie. We have personal issues to talk about" he said moving aside and motioning for her to the door
"I'll send someone to take your order Chairman McKnight," she said before he glared at her
"Thank you, Evelyn," he said before she scowled and left
"Sorry about Evie. She can be like that sometimes"
"It's really no problem," I said.
Soon a man came and took our orders before leaving
"So what happened earlier tonight?" he asked once the food came
I sighed waiting for the chef to leave before telling him everything that happened with my husband
"Your husband is getting out of control"
"I know I really want to help him, but I have no idea how"
"Are you asking my opinion?" he asked. No smile, no playful smirk. He was completely serious. I had known James for four years and he was rarely ever so serious about anything
"Honest would be best?" I cautiously said
"You sure you want me to be honest?" he said strangely seriously
"Huh-uh" I nodded
"Fine, I think you should leave"
"What?"
"He is spiraling down a dangerous road and I'm afraid you will get dragged down with him if you stay"
I went quiet for a minute thinking about what he said before speaking, "I really appreciate your concern but-"
"You want to stay with him. I know you'd say that. That's why he doesn't deserve you?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked a bit angered
"I didn't mean to say that. I meant to say you deserve better. You are a kind sweet and caring woman. It's really sad to see you staying with him when you know he obviously loves someone else."
"Yes I know he loves someone else, but I can never leave Ebenezer. The Ebenezer I want to stay with is the one that stood up for me when I was teased. The one that cared for me when I was sick. The one that cried in my arms when he broke up with his first love. The Ebenezer I want to stay with is the father of my child" I said reminiscing of times long gone
"You're so sweet," he said suddenly kissing me
I was shocked and surprised. I asked myself why he would suddenly kiss me. The only thing I could come up with was because of my current appearance so I quickly pushed him off
"I'm sorry," he said before I slapped him
"I thought you were different but even you're chasing me because of my looks,"
"Is that what you think?" He somberly chuckled
"What's so funny?"
"I am sorry I kissed you like that, but I did not do it because of your looks," he said rubbing his cheek
"What?"
"I kissed you because of the same reasons I think you should leave your husband. You have been the sweetest, kindest, most caring woman I've ever met in the last four years. And I admit at first I felt sorry for you, but I don't know when that pity turned into affection," he said
"James I..."
I didn't know what to say. He actually had does feeling for me. Did he really feel that way? Was I glad he did? Did I want him to? My mind was so cloudy with thoughts that I couldn't think of that then
"James I.." I repeated before the door opened and the woman walked in
"Something the matter?" she asked
"No, thank you for the meal, but I will be going home," I said putting down the fork and knife
She smirked at James because she had seen my barely touched food
"Save it, Eve," he said
"I wasn't going to say anything" she smugly responded
"I should get going, it's late," I said, excusing myself
I left the restaurant and I tried to find my car
"Martha, wait for a minute please," James said before I stopped and turned towards him
"James if you're here to apologize. It's al-"
"I'm not"
"What?"
"I'm not sorry for saying what I did back there because I meant it"
"So why are you here?"
"I have been thinking about it but I kept telling myself that it's gone but I don't care anymore. Martha, I love you so I'm here to ask you out. I am attending a party with a friend next week. And I want to invite you to be my date"
"James I.."
"You don't have to answer. If you want to go just come to the office. You have a week to think it over" He said before leaving not giving me a chance to speak
I could only sigh before getting into my car.
I quickly drove home and went into the kitchen.
I wanted to get some water from the fridge so I turned on the light.
I was shocked out of my wits when I saw Ebenezer sitting in front of the counter nursing a glass of whiskey in his hands
"Ebenezer, were you just sitting here in the dark drinking..... by yourself?"
"You're late," he said downing the glass
"I know...um James and I um..."
"James? When did you get on a first-name basis" he said glaring at me before walking over to me
"Well today I guess," I said
"What happened to your face?" He asked before I turned away from him in an attempt to hide the smudged lipstick
"Oh, it's nothing. Just messed up my makeup a bit" I said before trying to walk away however he grabbed unto my hand tightly and pulled me back
"Ow that hurts"
"Why is your lipstick smudged?" he asked
"Let go. That's too tight. Ebenezer let go, please" I plead
"Did you kiss someone?" he asked and I couldn't answer
"Ebenezer..." I said
"Who were you kissing!!!" He yelled
"You're hurting me!" I cried out before suddenly Carl grabbed his father and threw him to the ground
"Ow," he said
"Are you okay, Mom?" He asked
"I'm fine," I said holding unto my bruised wrist
"What the hell Dad?"
Ebenezer didn't say anything. He just go up, picked up his coat, and left
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine" I repeated before getting a good look at him
He was well dressed but his clothes were a little big. That reminded me I need to buy him some new clothes. It was a moment of realization that I had been ignoring my son. His father had caused a lot of trouble so much that I didn't have the time to sit with Carl
"Where are you going?" I asked
"A party," he said
"But you just got home," I said
"I just came back for my keys," he said
"At least stay for dinner," I said
"Did you make dinner?" he asked
"No, but I can whip something up right now,"
"I can't I'm late"
"Fine, but at least wear a coat. It's cold out there"
"Alright Mom"
"So who invited you?" I asked hoping he made up with his friends
"I don't know?"
"You don't know who invited you?"
"I don't know if I'm invited," he said
I was confused but he only sighed
"Anyways I have to go," I said
"Be safe," I said
"I will," he said leaving.
Once I was alone I immediately turned my attention to my wrist. Ebenezer had been holding so tight I could see the outline of his fingers on my hand
'Owe' I thought to myself as I massaged my aching wrist
"Was that really Ebenezer? His face was so scary. Like he would actually hurt me" I said before suddenly the doorbell rang
I quickly made my way out of the kitchen and opened the door and to my surprise, James was at the other end
"James, what are you doing here?"
"You left your phone at the restaurant when you were running away from me," he said handing my phone
"I wasn't running away from you" I mumbled taking the phone forgetting that was the hand Ebenezer just bruised
"What's that?" He asked deadly serious
"Nothing" I quickly tried to hide my hand behind my back but he grabbed it before I could
"Did he do this?" He growled in a low voice that did nothing to hide his anger
"It's not what you think"
"I asked if he did this," he said
I didn't say anything but that was all the confirmation he needed
"I'm gonna kick his ass," He said gritting his teeth
"You will do no such thing," I said
"Listen Martha I know the man you remember and I wish I had met him. Because he sounds like a good man, one deserving a woman like you, but that man is not the man you remember. He is just a sad man who is still bitter his high school girlfriend left him"
"But even if he is the sad man. I stood in front of all our friends and God and said I would stay with him until death do us part"
"That doesn't necessarily mean literally. The death of a marriage. Sometimes staying in a dead marriage is worse than actually dying"
"I got my phone so I think you should go," I said
"Keep my offer in mind. You deserve better than this" he said going back to his car
I watched him drive off and sighed