Page 32 of Sweet Redemption
Chapter Sixteen
Charlie
Istood in the bathroom of the hotel, applying a soft muted color to my lips. Thank goodness I packed a black dress and flats. One didn’t wear anything else to a funeral, especially to your boyfriend’s mom’s funeral. My Nana used to say,“It’s better to wear simple black to a funeral so you won’t outshine the deceased.”I never understood what Nana meant, but I never questioned it.
My boyfriend. That sounded nice. Yet, was Markus my boyfriend?
“Are you ready?” Markus called out from behind the closed door, pulling me out of my musings.
“Just one second,” I called out as I pinched my cheeks and smoothed down my dress. I opened the door and gasped. I could have pooled into a puddle of goo the second my eyes locked onto Markus.
He stood there, dressed in a black suit, hair slicked back and his face shaved like he walked off the cover ofGQmagazine. So handsome and totally hot in bed.I’m a lucky girl.
“What do you think?” Markus did a turn.
I had to find my composure before I jumped the man. “I think your mother would be proud.”
Markus’s eyes went wide with a wetness edging lower lashes. “Okay. I wasn’t expecting that answer.”
“Well, someone has to keep you on your toes. Are you ready?” I asked with a smirk.
It took a moment before Markus answered, “Yes. Let’s get going. Bryce and Beth are outside, waiting for us.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.Keep your cool, Charlie.
It wasn’t long before Bryce pulled up to the funeral home. There were tons of cars filling the parking lot, but he was able to get a close spot. I’ve been to funerals but the number of mourners here was astounding.
With each step closer to the funeral home, the tighter Markus’s grip became on my hand. I wanted to pull away so the blood could flood back into my fingers, but he wasn’t having it. “I’m not going anywhere,” I leaned up and whispered.
“I know.” He sounded slightly lost as we stepped inside.
“Then I would love some feeling back in my hand,” I requested, pulling my hand out of his white knuckled grip.
Markus released me. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry.” I shook out my hand and held his again.
The rest of the day was solemn. Markus stood with his family as a procession of people came and offered up their condolences. He wanted me to stand next to him but I didn’t think it was right since I wasn’t part of the family. He wasn’t happy but I knew it was the right thing to do.
While I stood in the back observing the people walking in and out of the room, I caught glimpses of Markus talking to people.
Not long after, Beth walked over to talk to me. She explained that most of the people here were work colleagues and clients. I asked about family but apparently they were few and far between.
I stood there for a while longer, waiting for Markus, but he became distant, almost purposely avoiding me. I chalked it up to the wake. Seeing his mother’s closed casket and all. Being as dutiful as I could be, I kept back and waited for him to come to me. Though for most of the day, he talked to everyone else except me. I didn’t know what happened, or what I did to deserve his coldness. Whenever I had approached him, he would either ignore me or avoid me altogether. But I’d promised to be here for him and I was.
On the ride back to the hotel, Markus’s mood was pensive, only offering a few words. He undressed and fell right to sleep without much a word. Keeping to his side of the bed, I laid on mine and the entire time, I didn’t push.
It was going to be a tough day tomorrow when they laid Mrs. Landry to rest. It was the toughest for me when Nana was put in the ground.
The torment and regret reflecting on his face was brutal on my heart. However, his lack of actions and avoidance was hurting me just as much. Was he like this when things got rough? That became a worry for me throughout the night.
The following morning wasn’t any better. We got up, dressed, and headed to funeral home without a single word between us. An hour there before we were in a procession to the cemetery, then right after to a restaurant, which Bryce had set up for lunch for all who attended.
The entire time, Markus hadn’t spoken once. When I tried holding his hand, he would pull away. I didn’t know what to do and questioned what I was doing here. Why had he asked me to come? Nonetheless, I stood by his side, no hand holding, and waited out what would happen next. As each second passed, my heart broke piece by silent piece.
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Markus
