Chapter 12

Darius

Oh hell. I didn't expect Jas to do that. Kenzie hadn't said anything,she didn't even look up. Marlene on the other hand wasn't shy about letting everyone, especially Jas, know who was who.

She stood up. “ Please excuse me”. She said and walked away. Fuck. Marlene was still standing there. Jas looked at me then Grayson.

“ Marlene,did you just say Mrs Cirano ?” , Jas asked. This wasn't good.

Marlene looked at her. Marlene never liked Jas but she never said or did anything.

“ Ms Dupree, you're Mr Cirano and Mr Paul's friend. Now I am not afraid of Mr Cirano. The next time you go around touching someone else's husband the outcome won't be good. Mr's Cirano may not have said anything and will probably do nothing but I on the other hand won't hesitate to do something”.

Marlene looked at me and Grayson.

“ Let this be the last time something like this happens” ,she said walking back into the house.

Grayson looked at me.

“ Jesus Christ Grayson. Why didn't you tell me he's married. Who is she ? When did you get married, how?” jas asked, looking at me.

“ Grayson, can you please check on Kenzie for me?”. I said looking at him. He knew what I meant, and what I was going to do. He nodded and left. I looked at the woman beside me.

“ Jasmine, we've been friends for a long time. You've been working for me for a long time , Don't do anything that will screw with my marriage. Don't ever do something like that again”. I said looking at her

“ I'm sorry I was just excited to see you. I've been away for six years. It won't happen again I swear. I'll apologize to your wife if it makes you feel better ” ,she said apologetically.

“ That's fine “. I said. I saw Grayson heading back.

“ They're heading out” ,he said. Jasmine stood up.

“ I'll apologize to her before she leaves. I'm heading off Also my parents are waiting for me” ,she said walking towards the house.

Grayson sat next to me. “ I'm sorry. I didn't want to say anything to her , I didn't know if you wanted her to know or not. I didn't expect her to do that”. He said taking a drink.

“ It's not your fault” ,I said .

We sat discussing work when I saw Marlene walking towards us. She pulled a chair and sat down looking at us. This Was not going to be good.

“ If McKenzie Pierce gets hurt ,I will never forgive you Darius” ,

“ Marlene..” She raised her hand and stopped me.

“ Ms Dupree went to apologize to her. After Ms Dupree left , McKenzie left. She forgot her laptop So I took it out and came upon her conversation with Ms Mitchell. Ms Mitchell asked her if she meant what she said to Ms Dupree that she was fine with what happened and she understood they were friends and she wasn't mad or angry. McKenzie said no she wasn't Fine. But in order to keep the peace she had to lie. She was trying to avoid the trouble she saw that was about to enter her life. Ms Mitchell asked McKenzie if she saw it. McKenzie said yes ,that there was anger and Jealousy in Ms Dupree's eyes and she would do whatever it took to Make sure there wasn't any trouble “.

Now Grayson and I were looking at each other.

“ Make sure that girl doesn't get hurt Darius . Because if she does I don't think I would ever want to work for you again “. After saying that she left us.

“ I always thought Jas was interested in you but then sometimes it seems like she was always that way. I mean we've been friends for years and I never heard her mention a relationship D. Look I hate to say this but Marlene is right. We know Jas and I don't think she would do anything to hurt McKenzie but just be careful okay “.

He said, looking at me. I never thought of Jas in that manner.

McKenzie

The minute we were alone and on the way to the library I let out a breath of relief.

“ She's in love with him, Zara and I can't compete with her and I won't. I just want to avoid any problem”. I said, holding my hands tightly. I started trembling .

Zara pulled over and held me until I stopped shaking.

“ It's okay. Marlene won't let anything happen to you. She's protective of you. You have me too and Cynthia. Just let everything play out. I've seen a change in you these past few months and it's a good change. You're finally living and if he cares about you then he won't let anything come between the two of you, even his friend “. She said,

I heard a knocking on the window. When I looked, Zach was standing there. I rolled down the window.

“ Ms Peirce,are you okay,is something wrong?” ,

“ No Zach everything is fine. We just needed to discuss something”. I said quietly.

“ Okay Ms “. He said quietly, then walked back to his car. Zara put the car in Drive and we left. I spent the entire day studying. When I got home around eight, I was greeted by barks. I saw him running towards me. I stooped down and picked him up.

“ Hey baby ,did you miss me? , I missed you ” ,I said as he began licking my face. I saw Darius walking towards me.

“ I'm sorry Kenzie. Jas has never done that before, I don't know why she did it. It won't ever happen again I promise.. she's a friend and a friend alone I swear “. He said he was anxious.

“ It's okay Darius, it's fine ” ,I said, smiling at him. He was oblivious to the fact that she was in love with him.

“ You're home early. Go take a shower and Let's have dinner ” , he said, taking the fluff from me.

After dinner we were walking around the garden. When he stopped and looked at me. He grabbed me by the waist pulling me into him , wrapping his arms around me. Cerberus was happily running around.

I'm sorry baby,I am”. He said quietly as he buried his face in the crook in my neck.

“ Why do you smell like honey and strawberries baby?, you smell like a dessert and it makes me want to bite you. you do know that I'm falling for you McKenzie. I'm beginning to fall for you with every passing day”. He said quietly.

“ I am too. I just need more time I just…..”

“ ahh there you love birds are”.

I heard her before I saw her, He still hadn't let go of me.

“ Go away Jas , I'm spending time with my wife” ,He said, still not moving. Cerberus was barking as wildly as he possibly could. I pulled away from Darius and found him and Ms Dupree's feet barking at her. I went over and picked him up.

“ Cerebus What are you doing? ,you should do that to Grayson or Marlene “. I said, rubbing his head. Darius came over to me.

“ Marlene and Grayson sneaks him meat when you're not looking. That's Why he's nice to them. What do you want, Jasmine?”.

“ My parents are out to dinner. I figured me you, your wife and Grayson could go to the club for a drink ” ,She said looking at me.

“ I'm sorry Ms Dupree,I don't drink nor do I go to clubs. I have to leave in an hour. I have to study for my exams “.

I could feel his eyes on me . I knew I was finished studying for the night but if she was around I would prefer to study.

“ Darius and Grayson can join you ” ,I said looking at my watch.

“ Oh I'm late. Zara is probably waiting for me at the library “. I said. I handed the fluff Ball to him and smiled at him.

“ You can go hang out with your friends. Have a good evening Ms Dupree “.

I left them standing there and went back to my room and grabbed my stuff. Zara was out on a date that's why we ended our study session . I could study alone. I headed down and they were nowhere in sight. Guess she does mean something to him. I found Zach waiting on me.