Mark held in his smile and the couple bickering amongst themselves. One party was offended that the second person was happy at the thought of him treating Lacey like a queen.
Lacey ignored all of them and dug into her meal. At least she could enjoy the meal while he was still here. He had to be useful one way or the other.
Mark watched the pleasant expression that rested on her face while she was eating and he figured that she enjoyed the meal. He wanted to ask for reviews but he knew that was like digging his grave so he didn't push it. As much as he loved her, too many hurtful words still cut through him deeply.
Mr. Richard stared at him, " Why don't you take a seat? You prepared a masterpiece. It's only normal that you eat out of it."
Mrs. Richard grunted in disapproval but when had that ever stopped her husband's father?
Lacey shot him a glare which Mark pretended to be oblivious to.
"He doesn't want to eat breakfast." She piped in immediately and he pulled back the chair.
" I do."
Lacey shot him a withering glare that would have the former Mark running away instead he gave her a half grin and she looked at him in wonder.
He flashed a grin at his father-in-law. "Thanks for inviting me to dine with you."
The table was as silent as a graveyard as they ate slowly and after the meal everyone went their way.
Lacey left earlier than she intended. As she was about to cross the threshold , she heard footsteps behind her, and she turned.
She was surprised to see Mark holding his phone to his ear as he hurriedly stuck his leg into his shoe and she couldn't for the life of her imagine what was making him hurry.
She cast another brief glance at him before looking ahead. "let me guess, she's coming to the store today, that's why you are in haste?" She remarked as she stared at him from head to toe.
He was wearing a new white shirt and faded dark blue jeans which molded his bottom perfectly. Was she a beautiful client? She would dress better if she knew that she was going to be meeting with affluent people.
Was he interested in her? She also wondered as she walked to her car. Thankfully, the driver had resumed so she wouldn't be stranded.
"Break a leg, honey." He called, " She says we should be there by 1p.m. That's your lunch break right?" He called from the other side of the lawn.
She flipped him the bird as she marched into the car.
Mark also chuckled in a low tone as he walked to the end of the street, getting a car at that point was a bit cheaper.
At His Store.
He was surprised to see a figure standing in front of his stall and he halted briefly before walking toward her.
They agreed at 5pm. So what was she doing here?
Amelia waved her arm enthusiastically at Mark as he approached, " Hey, good morning. You don't look like you didn't sleep well." Her eyes raked over his form in admiration.
" What a surprise to see you here, miss Amelia." He responded and she looked at him. Why was he staring at her so cold?
" Well, I figured, why don't I come help you out today? That way you'd have time to draw those pictures." She said and Mark twisted his head.
That was a good idea, he needed a lot of time to himself like locking himself in and making sure he drew a magnificent piece that would extricate him from this hellhole. " That was thoughtful of you, I'm happy that you did this." He said honestly and she waved her hand in dismissal.
" Are you serious? That's the least I can do, just tell me what I should do and leave me to it while you go perform your magic." She beamed.
How was she always this excited? Mark wondered, he guessed it was a blessing and a curse depending on who was asking.
" So, this is the art collection site, although I rarely collect artworks since I like being original. I won't recreate someone else's paintings even for a million dollars." Art aficionados always spotted it and it degrades people's jobs but he didn't think that they knew that.
He pointed to the side with a large mahogany table, a laptop and chair. "This is the receptionist table. Although I don't have many customers." He sounded sad.
Amelia grinned at him, " watch that change all of a sudden." she promised him and he merely nodded.
Mark raised a disbelieving brow, "How do you intend to do that?" He inquired and she gave him a private smile.
He shook his head, she might be behaving weird but he wouldn't really mind it if she got him good results.
" Thank you, once again, I look forward to seeing you work your magic." He said and for the first time he smiled at her.
Amelia felt hit like she was hit by a rock. This man was handsome, she just prayed that his wife passed him up and she would readily grab him for herself.
Mark went into his sanctuary and shut the door, disconnecting totally from the world as he unveiled the canvas.
It was time to come up with something that would shake the world. There he was where his phone was ringing yet he didn't respond, instead he put it on silent mode and continued with his painting.
Amelia didn't hear from him so she became afraid and decided to seek him out. If anything happened to him in there no one would know.
She knocked softly on the door and he opened up immediately, " Hey, what are you doing in there? It's almost noon." She said.
" Yeah? Isn't that a good thing?" He asked in utter confusion.
" No, I don't think it's a bad thing at all." Another voice interrupted rudely. " Why haven't you been picking up your calls?"