Chapter 19 - KMCF

"Hey, what's your name?" The man revealed a lopsided smile.

"Julie." I lied. Did you really think I'd give him my actual name? He had sex written all over his face. Plus, he wreaked of cigarettes and alcohol.

"Hi Julie, I'm Michael." He scooted closer to me. "So, what's a beautiful woman like you doing in a club like this?"

After work, we headed to the dance studio to practice the wedding in 3 weeks. My partner wasn't there, so I had to dance with Luke. It was the first time we actually really talked in a while and I liked it. He was a really great guy, but I didn't know what he saw in Grace.

Miranda and I left the dance studio around midnight, but we were still seemingly active. She convinced me to go to a night club by using my young age and old lady lifestyle, but as soon as we walked in I was starting to regret my decision.

"I'm just here to have a great time." I smiled awkwardly. I averted my gaze, hoping that'd persuade him into giving up.

His hair was oily and shabby, he was too muscular for his height. He looked like he spent more time on his body than his health. "If you're looking for a great time, then you've met the right guy." He winked as he grinned and you could see the effects of smoking wrapped around his teeth.

God, he's talking about sex.

I clenched my teeth as I forced a smile. "I'm not interested." I was ready to punch this guy if he tried anything.

"Don't be a stick in the mud," He reached out to touch my thigh.

"Hey, baby." I turned around to the voice behind me. He towered behind me with a tense aura.

Marcos

I gave him a confused look as he placed a kiss on my cheek before looking at the sleazy man. "I'm sorry, did I interrupt you two?" Marcos placed his hand on my shoulder, before faking a puzzled look.

"No, I was just leaving." It took the man awhile to respond, he had his eyes glued to Marcos handsome facial features and rock hard abs that were defined through his black dress shirt. After replying, he wobbled away at a fast pace.

Marcos then took the guy's seat. "Marcos, I could've handled him myself." I took a sip of my drink, don't worry it wasn't alcohol. I had enough encounters with the toxic liquid.

"I think the correct terminology is thank you." My drink had been snatched from my hold and dumped down his throat.

I rolled my eyes. I took my glass away from him and asked the bartender for another glass of Shirley Temple.

"And I'll have a Triple M," Marcos said as he raised up his index finger.

"Triple M?" I grabbed my drink from the bartender while I gave him a heartwarming smile.

"Marcos Martinez Martini." He said.

"You're making that up." I laughed before bringing my drink to my mouth.

He laughed too. "I'm not. This is my club after all." I shook my head in denial. "You don't believe me?"

"Of course not. This is coming from the guy who never went clubbing in college and hated the idea it even existed." I rested my elbow on the counter feeling proud by my evidence.

"That was in the past, I've changed." He smirked slyly. He combed his long, slender fingers through his hair.

I stared at all of his breathtaking features that weren't noticeable until now, "clearly."

"You've changed also, Jennifer." I leaned back to get a better look of me. "You've become beautiful." He gave me a friendly smile.

I blushed slightly. "Are you saying I wasn't beautiful back then?"

"No, you were, just not this much." He sipped his martini.

"You're definitely trying to get in my pants." I said as I laughed.

"I would never bend that way. We go way back, I'd like to stay friends as much as I'd like a golden toilet." He furrowed his eyebrows.

No matter how good looking he was or nice he seemed, I only saw him as a friend. Most would say that should've changed after being years apart, but that wasn't true. No one else made my heart beat as fast as Hunte-

Hunter? Were you about to say no one else makes your heart beat as fast as Hunter?

I swept my thoughts away, I didn't want to think about my life right now. I wanted to just have a great time, even if it started out rough.

"I wouldn't want it any other way," I grinned. I took another sip of my drink and savored the lingering flavor it left in my mouth.

"Are you here by yourself?" Marcos asked.

"No, I'm with Miranda." I turned my head to catch her surrounded by a bunch of men, sexy ones to be specific. She looked like she was handling each and every one of them. I knew she wasn't going to go home with any of them, she had Brandon. "Well, was."

He shook his head. "So, basically you're the lonely woman who sits in the brightest corner of the room, rejecting any man who comes her way?"

I smiled. "And you're the man who knows he's way too handsome to be here, but he's loving the attention. Right?"

He smiled a little. "Don't you have a store to run?"

I tipped my head back just in time to release laughter. "I'm right, aren't I?"

** **

Marcos and I talked for quite a long time, long enough for Miranda to call it a day. We weren't paying attention since we were so deep in our conversation about fashion and business managing. We even snuck in some speeches about the past. I think it was the first time in a while that I had laughed so loud or so much.

I was starting to feel tired around half past 3 A.M., Marcos offered to take me home with an additional joke about having a high alcohol intolerance level. I accepted delightfully before giving him my address, soon a frown emerged when we stepped outside. Cameras flashed left and right, people crowded together with heavy, big cameras dangling from their necks. Some even had video cameras sitting on their shoulders. At first my mind was wondering if there was some type of celebrity they were expecting, but my assumptions were wrong. Wherever we were going they followed asking all kinds of questions and making inaccurate guesses:

"Marcos, is that your girlfriend? Or is she just a fling?!"

"Martinez, let me get a shot of you two kissing! Martinez!"

"Hey, miss, what's your name?!"

"What's your relationship with Mr. Martinez?!"

"Marcos! Marcos! Over here!"

As the questions grossed, Marcos pulled me closer to him in the attempt to protect me from the media. I had no clue what was happening or why there were so many people who wanted gossip on a fashion designer. I wasn't scared or afraid, just startled.

We finally made it to his luxury name brand car. I was practically shoved in and Marcos, forced. I looked through the window as the crowd of people diminished by distance. Until I could no longer see them, I looked at Marcos hoping he'd clue me in on what happened.

"Are you secretly an A-list actor who's pretending to be a fashion designer?" I asked.

He smiled a little and it fulfilled in a part of my intention. "Not exactly. I'm not just a designer, Jennifer. I didn't think you guys would mind if I didn't tell you, but now the paparazzi is making that almost impossible." He sighed.

"Are you aware of Marnex?" He glanced at me.

"It's one of the biggest interior design companies in the country." I stared at him though his eyes were fixed on the road. "Don't tell me you own it."

"Not really. My father does, but I am the heir." He sighed. "I know that doesn't really explain why the paparazzi is attacking me." He sighed again, this time it was more deep. "I'm known for being the millionaire's son, the successful independent fashion designer, and a playboy."

I didn't say anything, I only stared. All the knowledge being released were all new to me and inconsistently I felt doses of happiness. He was able to tell me something so freely even though we had barely seen each other. I got sad next, why couldn't Hunter be the same as Marcos? Why couldn't he trust me enough to tell me things?

"Jennifer, you're making weird faces. How are you feeling?" We locked eyes for short, he had to get back to driving.

"To put it simply, I'm happy." I partially lied with a smiled taped to my face. "You told me without lying to me, with no difficulties involved. You're still my friend!" I playfully punched his arm.

"Thanks," he said as he grinned. "They might write about us, so I want you to be prepared, Jennifer."

I was confused and that was normal. I wasn't a celebrity or someone who was interesting to write about. I had no idea how this entire thing worked, instead I waited for Marcos to inform me.

"It'll probably be a little section in the papers, but I'm sure they'll be waiting for you in front of Anders after digging up information about you." He said as he stopped at a red light.

I crossed my arms and sunk down into my seat. "I really should've stayed home."

"I want publicity for Anders, but not like this." I continued to say. "I mean what will Miranda say? Can you imagine how many people will ask me about this? Everyone will definitely change their perspective of me." I frowned.

He groaned loudly. "I know, Jennifer. I'm sorry, if I knew this was going to happen, I would've kept you as far away as possible from me."

I watched his handsome face darken and I felt bad. I was unintentionally blaming him, but in reality it was no one's fault. "It's okay, please don't blame yourself."

"I'll make sure the story will blow over quickly." He parked his car in the parking lot. He got out of his car to open the passenger door. I took a deep breath and gave him my hand as it helped take me out of his car.

"Fine. But, you're explaining this to Miranda." I glared at him as we walked towards my front door. "And you better stay away from me until Saturday." I added.

I blindly searched my purse for my keys, before that Marcos chuckled a tad bit. I pulled out my keys and thanked the heavens that it didn't fall as we were being tackled.

He ruffled my hair as he said, "good night. See you in two days, Jennifer."

"Night, Marcos." I smiled. My eyes were glued to his muscular body that seemed to be getting smaller and smaller until it was no more.

I walked into my condo and locked the door behind me. I laughed to myself for a while as my body leaned against the door. Suddenly, I dropped down to the floor just as the tears dropped down to my jaw. My unhysterical display of laughter became painful sobs.

I didn't know why I broke down or what triggered it. My heart hurt badly, my head throbbed terribly, my body shook uncontrollably; something was wrong. Ozzy came over after hearing me, he laid on my lap and purred as I tried to stop crying.