Chapter 23

My hand goes directly to my lower stomach to give it a small massage. After my 4 hour nap, I feel so much better and more relaxed. Almost back to my old self but not quite. The cramp pains are mild. I take a quick shower and dress in a sweat pant and a sweat shirt as comfort is the key. I don't give a damn what anyone thinks.

Marcus is not back to check up on me so I opt to go looking for him. I check in the common areas but I can't find him. That's weird. I see Jake on his phone sipping a cocktail looking happy and content ,the opposite of how he has been the whole trip. I walk towards him to ask where his brother is.

" Hey"

" Hey" he responds obviously bored by something or possibly me.

" Have you seen Marcus?" I ask directly not wanting to talk more than I have to.

" I don't know and I seriously don't care"

What kind of a response is that? Is this guy serious? He is the who did me dirty and has yet to apologize. As a matter of fact where is my apology?

" If you didn't want to tell me where he is, you could have kept your mouth shut. You don't have to be rude Mscheew!"

I will not stand here and let that idiot talk me to me like that. Who the fuck does he think he is? To avoid any further conflict I go back to our tent to check if Marcus is back. And because I am bored, I would rather sleep than be idle.

Am shocked to find Marcus in the tent, already seated on our bed. His fists are clenched ,his face so drawn with a frown and his teeth clenched. What is wrong with him? Does he know about what happened?

I start feeling nervous as I know something is obviously a miss. I want to approach him but the glare he throws at me makes me stay rooted on the spot.

" What were you and Jake talking about just now" he asks almost suspicious of me .

Was he trying to accuse me of something?

" I asked him where you are"

" And that is all that you talked about?" He asks raising one of his eyebrows, clearly not believing me.

It's very apparent that he is well informed about the kiss but he hasn't asked about it yet. Not directly at least. I don't like the way he appears so calm and collected but would attack at any moment.

" Yes, we have nothing in common except you"

" That is not what I heard"

"And where did you hear this from?"

My eyes have reduced to slits glaring at him. How can he think so lowly of me?

" So you're not interested in him romantically?"

" No. Eeeww that's gross. He is your brother for heavens sake"

" That didn't stop you from throwing yourself at him like some desperate whore"

" What did you just say?"

" You kissed my brother. What do you think I should call you?"

" Certainly not a whore. The only whore here is your brother"

" Don't you dare insult my brother because he uncovered your little scheme"

" What scheme? I didn't kiss your brother. He kissed me" I say throwing my hands up in frustration.

" So your trying to say that my brother lied?" He asks narrowing his eyes.

" Yes, that is exactly what am saying"

He stands from the bed and starts pacing around the room. His behavior is making me more nervous. Jake told Marcus about the kiss but that little hyena forgot to say the truth. How fricking convenient for him. He damned me to the gallows.

" My brother is not a liar" he tried convincing me as much as himself.

" He is not a saint either. Am not lying to you. Why don't you believe me?"

I was desperate for him to answer me. Why would he not believe me? Did I give him a reason not to? I just waited until I felt better to talk about this. Does that make me guilty? He clearly doesn't believe me and I don't need him to admit it as I can see it in this eyes. They are full of contempt and hatred directed to me.

" Because I don't know you!" He yelled.

He doesn't know me. What does that even mean? We have spent time together for months and he still doesn't know me. Is that what he's trying to say?

" What do you mean by you don't know me?" I ask wishing he would be more careful before he answered.

" Because people can fake who they are. They do it all the time and apparently your one of those people"

" So now am fake"

" Yes, why else would you kiss my brother? Are you giving up on getting my money and you want my brother's instead?"

" Why would you even think that?" I whispered tears filling my eyes.

I am so close to crying but I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. What the fuck is wrong with this man? Can't he see am in love with him? Isn't it obvious? Why would he think of me like this?

" Because no one is perfect. I knew you were too good to be true and apparently I was right to think so. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop"

" So you have been routing for us to fail?"

" No"

" You just said you did"

" I will not let you play with my brother's feelings. He clearly likes you and your taking advantage of him"

"Oh my God! You are an idiot. I don't have any feelings whatsoever for your brother. Are you blind? Am in love with you" I announce finally taking a weight off my shoulders.

" Hmm! You women are so predictable. When all your tactics fail you opt for the ultimate words. You think telling me that you love me will change anything?"

" Yes it should because it's true"

" Well I don't believe you and I will never believe you or any other woman who utters those words. You're all manipulative snakes" he spat.

Since we started this conversation he has called me very colorful names and I have not responded to them. I choose not to insult him because it's beneath me. And am above that.

" Just tell me why?" He insisted

" I told you I didn't kiss your brother. He kissed me. The fact that you don't believe me speaks volumes about your lack of trust in me and in this relationship."

The frown on his face gets deeper, If that is actually a thing. Am scarred. I have not seen him this angry.

" I can't do this " he starts walking away.

He pauses at the door looking outside.

" The painkillers I ordered for your cramps are on your bedside table" With that he goes to God knows where.

I decide to take a stroll too, to clear my head. I don't know why he won't believe me when am telling him the truth. Why is he so desperate to paint me as the bad guy? In his eyes he's brother can do no wrong and it's my word against his.

Am already screwed. I knew he had trust issues, you can tell when he speaks about certain things but I didn't realize it was this bad . I need to give him time to calm down as I search for another strategy to approach him by.

Should I really grovel for him to believe me? No! black women are royalty. Born from royalty I will not beg any guy to believe me no matter how much I love him. If he doesn't that is his loss. This fight has opened my eyes to some things that I have been avoiding .