I walked into the café to enjoy a steaming mug of hot chocolate and pastries. A firm hand gripped my shoulder. It was Megan's fiancé. His face was contorted with sadness. I asked him if he was pain. I asked what I can do to alleviate his suffering. I asked if he needed to sit down. Can I get him something to drink? Should I get him to the police. Is he injured? Should I take him to the hospital? Does he need a hug? I got on my knees and I asked him what I can do to make things better. He stared for half a minute and he picked me up like I was an injured kid. He took me to his bike. It was a Cruiser. I expressed how cool the bike looked and how I wished I had the upper body strength to operate this beast. Everyone told me I would die if I tried to drive this thing. I thanked him for having such a wonderful ride. He drove me to city hall and proposed to me. He promised to be loyal, faithful and honest. I was shocked but I agreed to marry him.
Tanya explained what had happened. Megan went on the infamous bachelorette party and married some random dude. She was drunk when she sent him the picture. His brothers convinced him to marry me instead. I thanked her as I took his hand and accepted his request. He was stone faced the entire time. Once we were out I took him to the penthouse. He was surprised I can afford it. I explained that my previous husband has an account which transfers the amount every month. He didn't complain. I emptied half the room just for him. I boxed them up and labelled them for charity. I looked up to see he had a small smile. I cupped his face, "Listen Darling Dearest. No matter what I will support you. This is a safe space. I will love you and cherish you as long as I breath" he nod his head. I gave him a hug. I got on my knees and asked him what I can do to help ease his pain. He just stared. All he could do was stare. There was a clear question on the tip of his tongue. But he was too stunned to say anything.
I took his hand and dragged him to the kitchen. I asked him his favorite and all he could say was soup. I made him chicken and dumpling soup. He ate all of it while I grilled the largest steak I could find. Then I pulled the huge chocolate cake from the fridge. Then a pitcher of juice. After he had eight courses I gave him a belly rub. I hugged him and made sure he felt safe. I parted his hair and kissed his scalp. I pressed my nose on his shoulder and took a deep breath. He whispered, "Why did you do it?" I muttered, "I am making a memory. You smell like the forest. I am picturing us in the wilderness camping out. Just the two of us because you are enough." He froze before he kissed my lips and hugged me. He was about to say something when his phone rang. He spent ten minutes talking and asked permission to go out since his brothers need help packing up so they can stay at a military base till they find a place. I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the two empty rooms.
I explained that they are welcome to stay here as long as they like. He froze for a second so I grabbed the phone and told them to come over. I gave them the address and asked them to bring my husband's stuff too. I will be waiting for them downstairs. I gave him his phone back and went to the kitchen to cook. He spoke with his brothers and he sat quietly as I whipped up a four course meal. Then I took a quick shower and went downstairs to receive them. They were curious but were grateful for the stay. They wondered who else loved here. Cleo came in and I made the introduction. She was polite and they were nice too. I explained that she was former military and then they warmed up to her. They wanted to know me better and she gave them the inside scoop. I ignored them as I packed her meal. When I came in they stared at me funny. I gave her the lunch bag and she rolled her eyes, "Thanks mom" I gave her a hug. I explained that I arrested a man who likes to poison cops. He explained that he likes to watch people suffer. He escaped prison yesterday.
I thought I saw him so I want to make sure my roomie doesn't end up in the hospital. She happily gave me kiss on the cheek before she walked out the door. I asked her to be very careful. Her brother was trying to kidnap her. I don't want to lose a friend. She gave me a wink before she shut the door. I walked into the painting room and started painting again. I first drew a rough sketch before I picked up a paint brush. The curator called asking me if my schedule was for tonight. I explained, "I am booked. I am helping the orphanage, then I am going to several restaurants and ordering food to feed the homeless people all over. Then I am going to the old folks home to chat with the elderly" the man whistled, "That's why everyone calls you Miss White" I muttered, "Don't call me Miss White. I am a married woman. One second. Dear! Can I change my last name to yours?" He blinked a few times before he agreed, "Sure. Sure" he stammered.
I grinned, "Listen Toby it is Mrs. Steele. I will refuse to respond if you call me anything else. Write it down. Mrs. Steele" I heard him scribble something, "Ok Pam. Would you be free day after tomorrow." I pressed my lips to stop myself. Husband's identical brother snickered as he reminded the man, " She has pressed her lips together. Call her Mrs. Steele for a response" Toby took a deep breath, "Mrs. Steele are you free day after tomorrow?" I responded immediately, "I am free. When do you need me?" He told me to come at eight for the next round of paintings. He was wondering what charity I was paying this time. I explained it was for the house that was built for cancer patients. Finding a place to stay while recovering from cancer is problematic. The expenses going through the roof. They stay there free of charge with transport to and from. Food, transport and a place to sleep is covered. They priority is to recover. The place need funding to continue so this round of charity goes there. For repairs to the building. To replace the car, for fuel and restock the pantry.
I turned around to see three smiling men. I gave them a wink and kept painting. My husband introduced himself and the others, "I am James Steele. This is my twin Jason. This is my baby brother Joe. I am grateful for your kindness." I gave him a hug, "You deserve all the love in the world" he asked me, "What was your first husband like? Did you treat him like this too?" I nod my head, "I did. He was a sex addict. I was so pissed. I wanted to die before I get married. Then Dan came into my life. When I first hung out with Dan I was so happy. Guys like that exists in books. He was attentive. Stands when I walked into the room. He opens the door for me. Pulls up a chair and looks me in the eyes as I speak. He didn't have a roving eye. I remember when we first got married he took me to restaurant and the server had huge chest area. He didn't pay attention to her. His eyes were on me. The woman was disappointed but moved on." He wanted to know more, "What about Gus?"
I sat down, "Gus is my cousin. He had a tough childhood. His dad was a drunk who thought he was a man only because he can hit women. He was arrested and he died a few years ago. He grew up in my house. I loved him like family. He joined the army so he can have purpose. Then when he had the courage to be honest with me. I married him after my ex insulted me in front of my friends. He knew I was still sore about the loss of my twin kids. He adopted my neighbor after I saved from her father. He liked to sexual abuse her on a daily basis. He killed himself instead of going to prison. Gus was a relief. He was fun and he loves to annoy me occasionally. We were like a family. It felt like we put our past behind us." He asked me who I chose to spend the rest of my life I could turn back time. I didn't even flinch when I replied Dan. He asked me if I approve him because he was rich. I explained that when I first met Dan. He and I spent an entire month in the forest living in a tent. I proposed to him and he told me he will think about it.
He wanted to say something when he got a call. He saw the name and hung up. I told him to face it like a man. He won't regret it. He took a deep breath as he answered the phone. He put it on speaker. Megan was on the other end of the call. She wanted to know if he was coming for the dress rehearsal. James casually reminded her that she is now married to someone else. So he decided to marry someone else too. He married me. I ignored him as I kept painting. Tanya was laughing as she snacked on popcorn. I asked her to be careful. She might choke. The others told me to walk out of the room. I excused myself and Megan asked me why I was talking to her fiancé. I pretended to be shocked as I explained that James was my husband. We got married a few hours ago. She thought I was kidding till James switched on his laptop and showed her the recording. Then the screaming started.
She said the wedding was an accident. She is getting a divorce because she married a scammer. She wants to forget this episode and move on. She asked him to divorce me and marry her. He told her that he didn't believe in divorce. She maybe sorry for marrying some random dude but he is not sorry he married me. He is not changing his mind. He is tired of her sick games. He asked her to have a great life. Her words became incoherent so he hung up. I gave him a hug and a glass of cold water. I promised him that he is free to look around and he is my husband. What is mine is his. I have no objections to his curiosity. He was amused by my announcement. The phone rang and I answered the phone. Megan screamed profanities and I reminded her that foul language solves nothing. She started yelling, "Everyone told me not to introduce you until we were married. You are a different kind of woman and men have changed their mind after they met you. I wish I had listened to Adam." I reminded her, "Adam is the man you said was horrible to you. I helped you get a restraining order. He told you what about me." James snatched the phone and told her to lose his number. He proceeded to block her number.
Cleo came home and I casually went out to restock the pantry. It was a half truth. I also went out to get new tech. The guys at hackers Inc got me a new pair of spy glasses, a wristwatch that can download data with a push of a button. A charm bracelet which can switch off spy gear. A broach with a hidden camera and much more. Once I got the tech I waited till the man from the grocery store brought enough food to for a week. I talked to the doorman and gave him a can of soda. He thanked me as I went upstairs. When I opened the door I heard a scream. I dropped the bag and pulled out my gun. Tanya was about to call nine one one. I went inside and the hackers Inc got to see a moment of my childhood. I was tortured by my father and uncle. I asked dad to go therapy. Get better. He deserves to be good. He ignored me as he kept hurting me. I switched off the TV and everyone jumped like they got an electric shock. Everyone jumped off the couch to swarm me. They had so many questions. As I was bombarded I was wondering whose inquiry I must answer first.
Cleo asked me, "Is he part of some crime ring you are investigating. Are you going to arrest them? Who is the little girl in the video?" I simply pulled out the tapes and stuff them in a box. Cleo practically screamed in frustration and the others interjected their interest in vigilante justice. They wanted very much to inflict pain. Cleo explained that she has stopped hurting people because she believed that some of the people she was torturing were actually innocent. She said she wouldn't think twice about hurting these men. In fact she has a few bright ideas. The others concurred. I kept my mouth shut. Cleo grabbed me and shook me. She looked like a mother about to flip a car to rescue her baby, "Who is she? Who is the man torturing her? Where are they? Why haven't we arresting them yet. Pam! Please say something. I am freaking out." I answered her with a deadpan voice, "The little girl in that video is me. The men who are torturing me is my dad and uncle. The boy in the video is Gus." Cleo lost her grip and she fell to the floor. My husband and his brothers had vacant expression. As though they had trouble processing this information. I heard a few guys shout profanities on my bone mike. I heard Tanya crying while a few were expressing how pissed off they were.