Fifty-three

“You nearly killed me.” Maisie said as soon as her lunch date sat looking nervous. He scanned the restaurant three times before he relaxed. If he had only known that there was a small camera that was recording his conversation with Maisie and playing it to some detectives who were in an unmarked car at the restaurant parking lot.

Tim looked pale. “I…I do…don't know what you are talking about.”

"That wasn't very convincing.” Maisie said with a glare “your phone sent the text that nearly made me died. I should call the police and have them arrest you.”

Tim swallowed opposite her. “I never sent you any kind of.”

“Sure. You didn't, your phone did that all on its own then when I arrived at the location I was sent to. I was attacked so let's see who the police will believe.”

“I am sorry, but I didn't send it. My phone is missing, and I got a new one.” Tim lied nervously.

“Okay. You might have a new phone but not a lot of people know about my discussion with you so maybe I will let the police take over and leave your fate in their hands. Know that they won't go easy on you. My fiancé is very furious I nearly died so he is breathing down the police force's neck.” Maisie said as she sipped her drink and waited for Tim to crack. She had done all the work; he was going to crack very soon.

She didn't have to wait long. “Okay, I will tell you what happened, but you will promise me to try and leave me out of the investigation.” Tim said in a rush.

“I will try to do that, but I can't protect you from your crimes. I will try to put in a good word for you though.”

Tim knew that would be the best offer he could get so he started to talk. He talked about how Jeffery came up and borrowed his phone after he called Jeffery about his sister-in-law who had been asking about him. He talked about the finances and how Jeffery shut them all up and then he started begging that Maisie put in a good word for him.

In the middle of his begging. The police detectives who were in the unmarked car came and read him his Miranda Rights and then they left. They had the evidence to arrest Jeffery now.

All they were waiting for was for Zach to tell his family and Maisie knew that it won't be pretty. Especially since Zach is dragging her along and his family was not her biggest fan.

*******

“Why did you come with her," his stepmother asked with hostility.

“Why wouldn't I come with her.” Zach asked in return.

“I never knew that your every decision is going to be governed by your employee who you are sleeping with.” Zach’s father said with scorn as Maisie tightened her hold on Zach and shifted so that half of her body would be covered by Zach's own.

“Dad don't start what you can't finish. I will gladly help you with it.” Zach warns.

“Well, I think that you can do better than your employee.” Zach’s father stated.

“Oh, you mean that? I can follow in your footsteps and marry my son's teacher?” Zach asked as the room went quiet.

“That was uncalled for.” Zach's stepmother's shaking voice said.

“How? Because you have gotten comfortable in your new life and you don't want reminders of how you were struggling to provide for yourself?” Zach asked.

“That is enough. I won't have you insult me in my own house.” Tiffany cried.

“How is it an insult. I am just stating the facts about your past. And besides, it is my mother's name in the deed, not yours so I suggest you be careful about calling it your house.” Zach reminded his stepmother as he brushed past her with Maisie's grip on his arm.

When everybody sat down eating, Vivi came into the room with a huff as she shrieks Zach's name. “What do you think you are doing?”

Zach looked up from his dinner plate. “Well, eating?"

“I am talking about the false evidence you have against your brother that will land him in prison.” Vivi yells.

“What.” Zach's father and stepmother shouted as they started talking at the same time. When the noise reduced Zach asked.

“How did you know about that.” Zach asked.

“I have friends in the police department, they warned me when they saw that it was my fiancé. What were you thinking?”

“He is responsible for the mismanagement of funds in my firm when I was in a coma and he nearly killed Maisie so I can say that I was thinking clearly.”

“But son, you are not supposed to drag your brother's name through the mud...”

“Didn't you hear what I just said? He tried to kill my girlfriend."

“Please, it's not like she is of any importance.” Vivi said with a roll of her eyes.

“She is with my child in case you forgot.” Zach said through clenched teeth as his father and stepmother had the sense to keep silent.

“Please, you are not the type of person to have a child with a woman you barely know. The baby news is certainly fake, or she got pregnant on her own without seeking your opinion thereby succeeding in trapping you.” Vivi said and before Zach could say anything Maisie scoff.

“Vivienne, I am not you. That is what you might do to make a man marry you but believe me when I say that we are two opposites of the spectrum.” Maisie said as Vivi glared at her.

"Obviously, we are, since I am gorgeous, and you are not.” Vivi added.

Maisie shook her head “Is it not obvious that Zach would have broken up with you when he woke up even if you didn't start to date Jeffery.”

Zach snickered at that while Tiffany said, “who gave you the right to talk that way about my daughter in law.”

“Future daughter in law, besides so is Maisie.” Zach pointed out.

"Bah?” Tiffany exclaims. “If you want us to believe that. Show us a ring. She isn't even wearing one! All that you have been saying about her is fake. You call her girlfriend, then fiancé as if you don't know which one to refer her by and don't get me started on the fact that she might be pregnant. Like Vivi said. I am sure that's a sham.”

“You are right. You wouldn't believe it until I do something drastic in your presence.” Zach said as he removes Maisie's hand from his, stood up, and drew her chair away from the table.

“Zach what are you doing.” Maisie asked.

“What I should have done a long time ago.” Zach replies as he went down on one knee and brought out a ring box.

“My God " a female voice exclaims but Zach or Maisie didn't check who it was. They were caught in each other's gaze.

“Marry me!” Zach said as Maisie suck in a breathe. “I won't make you say yes now. I know you love me; I feel the same way about you. I want you to be mine forever. I know that you are not too sure about our relationship and you are worried about us moving fast but I swear to you. I know. I know you are the one for me. So please just accept my ring now. You can give me an answer later.” Zach said nervously as tears gather in Maisie's eyes as she gave her hand to Zach.

“Just so you know. I am not doing this because my family is here... Well in a way I am. I know that you won't completely reject me in front of them, but I was hoping that you would say yes too.” Zach said as Maisie laughs.

“Don't push yourself lucky Brute.”

“And you are crazy not to accept me. Crazy.” Zach returns as they both laughs.

They kissed then turned to look at Zach's family who was still frozen staring at them. “I think that you shocked them.” Maisie tells Zach.

“A good thing since we are leaving,” Zach said as he carries Maisie who let out a shriek of surprise.

“Zach.”

“Let's go, babe. I would prefer to do the celebration at my place rather than here.” Zach said as he left, carrying the woman who was wearing his ring without saying goodbye to his family and Vivi who was still looking shocked at the scene they just witnessed.