A few months ago: Part 3

Harper hummed as she nursed her drink at the bar, scrolling through her social media, for art profiles.

Klaus glanced over at his friend, her long thick fro braided down her back tonight and tied together with a large hair band, as she sat at the bar dressed in semi-business causal clothes. She hadn't touched her drink in almost forty minutes and he was beginning to worry. She liked Baileys. "You good, Harp?" Her soft brown eyes lifted and she nodded.

Harper found Klaus' kind green eyes and smiled. "Just thinking, and looking into some artist for work. Why you worried?" She winked, smirking.

"Oh? And yeah, I was. You barely touched your drink." Klaus picked up the empty cups near her as he got a towel to start wiping down the counter.

Harper hummed. "Yeah. I wanted to have a guest artist come to my class for the day to meet the students. So, clearly difficult. Anyway, how's your day been?"

Klaus shrugged. "It's been slow. I think the younger patrons are getting tired of clubbing. But there's always a certain crowd."

"The internet babies? Trust fund babies or spoiled brats?" Harper asked.

Klaus laughed, "a mix of all. But my gay crowd is still strong, especially with the special appearances that we try to hire for the night or weekend."

"I noticed. So how's Zola?"

"She's doing well, getting by in school and she's been happy whenever I take her on ice cream and cookie dates to celebrate her good grades." Harp laughed at that and he smiled.

"You're spoiling her, Klaus."

He huffed out humorously, "hardly. Her mom makes her work too hard. She's a kid, and the top of her grade. The teachers even wanted her to skip a grade, but instead Maki and I discussed a more advanced school, since we want her to be around kids her age."

"Oh nice, then She's getting by fine. I have a few recommendations for schools for gifted kids. Let me gather it for you, and send it over." Harper suggested, wanting her niece to have only the best.

Klaus grinned, touched by the offer. "I appreciate it, Harp. So you gonna finish that drink or just stare at it?" She looked down at the glass of Baileys and sighed then downed the rest.

"You can have your glass back" Harper handed it to him and he chuckled.

"Thank you, ma'am. This one is on the house—no arguments. You always pay your tab in a timely fashion, and I respect that. Most people take advantage of a friend who may own a bar. You don't."

Harper sighed and rested her hand in her hands. "You're truly a sweetheart. I miss you and Maki together." Klaus shrugged, his features going somber.

"It is what it is." Klaus muttered.

"No. It's unfair is what it is. I'm not going to act like it isn't. Maki may want to, but she's in the wrong, and I'll tell her that as much as I have to." Harper stared at him until he finally looked at her and she scrunched up her face. "I don't like seeing you two hurting when it doesn't have to be like this, Klaus, but I won't interfere since it isn't my marriage. I'm simply a concerned friend."

Klaus nodded, knowing that Harp was genuine, especially seeing how they both crumbled during that tough period in their marriage.

"Thank you for the drink, boo. I need to head out. I'll see you around, okay?" Harper leaned over the counter and Klaus hugged her back.

"Take care, Harp. I'll see you soon." She kissed his cheek as she pulled back and then walked out after slinging her bag over her shoulder. Klaus looked off in the distance after she left. The hardest part of being separated from Maki was the fact that she was still very much present in his life at that his heart would ache each time he saw her.

》》》》》

Harper waited for her Uber while replying to a text from Marcus.

'Hungry?'

"Definitely. You buying?" A picture of a takeout bowls from their favorite spot popped up and she grinned. "Your place?"

'Only if you want.'

Harper laughed then canceled the Uber and requested another for his place and texted back. "You can't tease me with food then try to take that offer away, sir."

'Hmm, can't I? Need a lift?'

Harper lit up as her Uber arrived earlier than she expected, but got in after confirming with the driver. "Nope, already on my way in an Uber. See ya in fifteen."

'I can't wait.' Marcus sent back.

She held her phone to her chest, grinning to herself in the dim car. She rested her head back, the night sky flooded with lights, but it was still so nice to look at while they drove.

~ ~ ~

Marcus smirked at Harp's last text and moved to the dining table as he ate a wonton. He hummed along to the low music playing in the background, the memory of her laughing face as she was wrapped up in his sheets making his heart swell. She was such good company, her silly nature, her beautiful smile and the way she was always so honest with him even when it was difficult. He had never been more comfortable with someone and had he would never ask for more than he had with her, they naturally just happened. Of course, it was still only between them. None of their other friends knew, and or suspected as far as he knew. Marcus hummed as he saw a text from his ex pop up.

'I'm dropping Adelcia off, in a few.'

He shot up from the chair, sitting at attention at the sudden statement. "What the fuck?" It wasn't his night? Where the geek could She be going to do their daughter off so unplanned? He got up from the chair and left his apartment, making his way outside just in time to see his ex's silver Camry pulling up. Their daughter got out and he smiled at her cheeks brightened and her pretty smile met his eyes. "Hey, princess." He moved to lift her backpack, as Gwen—her mom, got out then went to the trunk. She was dressed nicely, as always, and he wondered what new man she had that spoiled her so much? Her hair was done up in a high slick ponytail and her heels clacked against the street. She popped the trunk and lifted it a suitcase. "Whoa, hold on. This week is yours. What gives?" Gwen sucked her teeth at him and glared up at him.

"You always wanna spend time wit her more she her and you mad?"

"Nah, don't you dare put that on me. I love spending time with outmr daughter," he caught her wrist as he looked back on Ade who stood by the door of his complex, and he dropped his voice, "I'm never upset about having my baby, but I'm asking why the fuck are you dropping her off with a suitcase and no prior notice? Where're you going now?"

Gwen glared at him harder as she tried to yank her hand away, but he was stronger, she grinned when he didn't give and meet his dark brown eyes. "I got things to do, ight. Can't have a kid get in the way of that. Please, Paul wouldn't like her around—"

"Paul? How about Adelcia? I was on your side always, even when you said you wanted to have her after we discussed your choices to get an abortion. I respected when you said that we could co-parent her without any issues, until you returned trying to scam me of every cent. She's your daughter too, Gwen. Why do you fight with me on seeing her more often, then pull these stupid stunts and make her feel bad in the process?" Gwen's hazel eyes appeared watery and searching, but pill then she rose her gaze to him and shrugged.

Gwen poked her bottom lip out. "You knew I didn't want a kid. But I took pity on you and had her—"

"Bullshit!" He snapped a little too loudly," Marcus sighed, "look, if you leave now. You better not come back thinking you can take her again. I don't where you're going, but I refuse to have you blame me for your choices and then make our daughter feel unwanted at the same time. I will not have you his her. So if you're leaving, go. I hope Paul can finally make you satisfied." Marcus let her wrist go and yanked the suitcase from her other hand, turning to walk back to his daughter.

"Marcus!" Gwen called. The older man stopped, then looked over his shoulder. "Her documents are in her black folder. I'll be back, eventually." She gave him a small smile and he scoffed, glaring at her with wicked look in his eyes.

"Don't bother, Gwen. Go live your life. I'll take care of my daughter." Marcus turned away from her and got up the stairs, pushing the door open as the car took off with a screeching speed. He sighed, why does she do this to them?

"Marc?" Harper asked seeing what just went down. He turned around, eyes wide as he opened his mouth to explain.

"Don't. Hey Ade! I've missed you!" Harper gushed bending to find her niece's face.

"Auntie, Harper!" Adelcia yipped, moving to hug her as she entered the building after her daddy.

Harper lifted her up, hugging the small child as she found Marcus's somber face. He mouthed a thanks to her and she smiled, understanding how difficult it was to have a child with Gwen. It has been five years dealing with her constant bullying of Marcus, she wanted his money, his body but never him. She used their daughter as a means to get him to bend to her will, but in the same sense she would randomly drop the child off at his work, or at Klaus's bar, or even with the landlady of his building. She was careless and Harper wondered what went on in that poor girl's head when she'd do stupid things like that. Maybe she'd never know, but she hoped that wherever she was heading now, that she'd be safe.

Marcus opened the apartment door, and walked Ade's bags into her room without a word. Harper followed after, the young girl still in her arms.

Harper was pissed, the poor thing had fallen asleep on her shoulder, given that the ride in the elevator was only three flights. That bitch had probably woken this child up, got her dressed, then left the house with her in tow as she herself stupidly ran off to the airport. When they got to the room, she sat Ade down on the end of the bed, the baby nodding off as she removed her jacket and saw that she was in a pink pajamas set. She sighed and took her shoes off, then carefully laid her down just as Marcus turned on the night light for her.

"You okay?" Harper asked him as they stood by the door watching the sweet little girl sleep.

"No." Marcus mumbled, as they looked over his baby girl. "It's crazy, that she truly did this to me. She expects me to do it all and she deal with her constant switching moods. She takes advantage of the fact that I love my daughter to try to bum money off of me, like I'm not already taking care of her. She spends that money on herself, but still says that I'm not present. I never have an issue spending money on Ade nor do I mind spending time with her. She's my first child, Harper, but when it doesn't go to Gwen's  that ticks me off." He sucked his teeth and shook his head. "I'm just tired of it."

Harper leaned against his arm and hummed. "I'm sorry. I know she's been putting you through a lot. Do you think she'll be back?"

"Don't know, and I'm tired of caring. If she's gonna catch a damn plane to meet whatever new man she wanna milk, then do be it. I'll be focusing on my baby girl. Gwen can go live her life to the fullest." Marcus sucked his teeth, then finally looked down at Harp, "I'm sorry you had to see that I—"

"Marcus Thomas Thane, don't you dare apologize, to me." Harper turned him and held his gaze. "Look, I've seen you taking all her nonsense for way too long. Gwen didn’t have to do you like that, but she did, time and again. But, maybe this all happened for the best." Harper said. "Plus, the night isn't ruined, we still have food to eat, and time we can spend together. I'll stay over and help you get her ready in the morning. You okay with that?"

Marcus had to hold back the tears from falling, "yeah, I am. Come on, let's let her to sleep." He said, walking into the room the turn on the baby monitor. Marcus took Harp's hand, and closed the room door, wishing his little girl a goodnight.

"So what's the next step?" Harper asked as she kicked off her shoes and placed them by the door on the rack.

He shrugged. "I dunno. She needs to go to school on the morning, and I have to drop you off at work."

"I can get a rental and help you out with her. I don't mind taking her to school. It's on my way. Look, Marc, you don't have to do this alone. You have friends for a reason. And you always have me. You know that, right?"

Marcus gazed at her, not knowing how else to thank her for just being there when he needed some help. Others never think that he'd be in need for anything, but Harp always knew. She was there no matter what. He smiled at her hopeful for what was to come. "Yeah, I know." He kissed her forehead as they heated up their dinner. "I need to for got full custody."

"Good, but that's a discussion for tomorrow. Don't let her get to you. I'll call for a rental tomorrow and—"

"Nah," he waved his hand as he shook his head. "You can keep using my Uber account to get around. I'll drop you two off tomorrow." Marcus said, "but whatever you need, you can use that. And call me if anything. I'll drop back by the school after I leave you at work and get the office to add you on as a guardian for Ade. Would you mind picking her up?"

Harper was at a loss for a second. "Come on, Marc. It's been weeks, I can't keep taking your money like this." Harper never liked taking more than she could and in this case, she felt like it was just that. She didn't like feeling as if she were using him. "And yeah, I'll be fine to pick her up."

"Harp, did I ever tell you that I had an issue with it?" Marcus met her eyes, grinning in a goofy fashion until she burst out laughing. "Exactly, you don't need to feel as if you're taking advantage, cause you're not. I'm giving you the freedom to use my account to get around while I fix your jeep." Harp huffed out, still frustrated at the idea, but she did not recant.

"Okay, but I seriously owe you one." She said, reaching for the handle of the toaster oven when the food dinged.

"No, ya don't." Marcus came around her and took the food then walked over to the table.

"You're way too kind." Harper began, "people may start taking advantage of that." They laughed and he sighed.

"They don't. I know who I'm being kind to, and who I keep at arms length. Come eat, I know you're starving." Harp opened her mouth to refute that but then her stomach growled, and he laughed. "Harper, don't lie. Your stomach clearly can't." She snickered then joined him after grabbing an extra glass.