Mark watched her mutter to herself as she applied her night moisturizing lotion. He decided to take things up a notch when he heard Elsa giggling over the phone.
" You should totally change my number, that way she doesn't figure it out." Elsa suggested, Lacey might want to do some digging and wouldn't find it funny that she meddled in her affairs.
"Mhmm, that's a good suggestion, I will speak to my wife about it."
" Oh, really? She will have your head for this."
Lacey's ears perked up when he mentioned her name. Who was he taking to? She pondered. She was not ready to see any of those godforsaken people that he intended to bring her way.
" She's really buying the act right?"
" Yes, I'll check how her schedule would go and we'll schedule the meeting."
Lacey peeped at him through the mirror, he was answering the call right in front of her that meant that he was not with the other lady right?
Elsa laughed to her heart's content, this was a free soap opera. "Yeah. I think she will get very jealous, this will help her realize what she's missing."
" Oh, really? That's a good deal. I think my wife would be so thrilled to see you."
Lacey groaned angrily, there goes that phrase again, his wife, she didn't want to be addressed as his wife didn't he get that? " I don't want to talk to anyone." She spat.
" Is that her voice I hear?"
" Yes, she's getting ready to sleep, I will talk to you tomorrow, thanks for calling. I appreciate your efforts." He said. " So, ten a.m. tomorrow right?"
Lacey looked at him again and quickly averted her eyes when he saw her.
" So, who am I supposed to see?"
"A friend of mine, she has been thinking of how to meet you"
So, it wasn't even a business call? Was it his friend? "You want me to meet your friend?"
"Yes, she wants to see you. I guess she has some business plans for you."
Lacey scoffed in disbelief, " What business does she do?" She didn't believe that he could keep responsible friends around. He couldn't be surrounded with them and still be in penury.
"It'll be better if you meet her."
" I am very busy."
" Okay, then. I'll just tell her to cancel. Aren't you going to eat dinner?" He inquired and removed his clothes slowly.
Lacey's eyes raked over his washboard abs but she quickly averted her eyes before he caught her.
Mark hid his smile, she was still attracted to him, but it seemed like she was mostly curious.
" So, you are just going to tell her that your wife decided not to see her and make me seem like a bad person." She continued and quickly averted her eyes when she saw his impressive manhood.
Wnat was this man doing? If she asked him to go into the bathroom it would seem as though she was interested in him which she clearly wasn't.
" She will understand that you are a high profile worker who cannot afford to spend time with mere mortals." He replied sarcastically and she stared at him.
Lacey went back to combing her tresses, she was due for a good wash. Maybe she'd stop at the salon one of these days.
Mark took a shower, wiped his body, changed into his nightwear and went downstairs.
He turned immediately and saw Mrs. Richard in the kitchen. He didn't want any confrontation so he walked away.
" I can see you. Are you here to make food for my daughter because there's nothing here for you" she asked him.
Mark stared at his vile mother-in-law. He hadn't eaten since morning and he didn't feel too hungry. Moreover, he would even be too scared to try out her food, lest she poisoned him to make her daughter free.
" Okay."
Mrs. Richard was shocked by his calm reply. He didn't look bothered, in fact he looked radiant. It was the kind of glow that came from being satisfied. there was no remarkable changes in his finances so she wondered what was making him happy.
" Have you decided to quit your job?"
Mark turned, " What job?"
" That artistry nonsense you have been on about yet has yielded nothing tangible over the last few years. Don't you think it's time to let it go?" She asked.
" I would appreciate it if you don't talk down on my talent and gift, thanks." She said.
"If someone has been doing the same thing for almost a year now with no tangible result, what would you advise them to do?" She continued.
" I would stick my nose into where it belongs.lest I end up getting embarrassed, what do you think?" Mark smiled tersely. " By the way, your daughter lacks appetite so you mustn't waste your time." He informed her and pivoted away.
That was a burn, Mrs. Richard thought and she was more pained that she wasn't able to give him a worthy comeback.
Mr. Richard gave his son in-law a high five when he got to the sitting room and Mark chuckled. This man was his loyal ally in this house and it made him happy that he had someone by his side.
" That was a befitting response. I think you managed to stun Stacey." He smiled, his eyes crinkling with mirth.
" I know right?" He asked and they chuckled conspiratorially.
He was surprised that she had not given him a hot retort like he expected.
Mr. Richard looked left and right in search of his wife and beckoned to him, " I have something for you, I don't know if you will be interested."
Mark cocked his head, " Yeah, as long as it's legal. it's not illegal right?" He asked him.
Mr. Richard scoffed as he adjusted his pajamas, "Pfft. Why would I bring an illegal deal to you? Follow me." He waved his hand.
Mark looked backwards to see if Mrs. Richard was going to appear from nowhere. God knew that she knew how to show up at the oddest moments.
" Let's head over to the drawing room.”