Mark's confidence was kicked up a notch the next day, even when he was making breakfast the next day he was humming and dancing to a song in his head.
Lacey headed to the kitchen to have her meal since she needed to be out of the house as soon as possible. Imagine her shock when she met him wiggling as though he was dancing to music.
She breathed heavily before walking into the kitchen, she would just ignore him completely if he attempted to strike up a conversation with her. They wouldn't rehash their never ending conversation which was very annoying to say the least.
"Good morning, babe." Mark said immediately she walked in. He had seen her through the small hole in the door when she passed by.
"Good morning, Marcus."
Mark wrinkled his nose at the offensive name, she knew that he hated that name with all his guts, yet she went ahead to call him that, he could see what her agenda was. " What would you like to eat today, my love?"
Lacey raised her brows at the unusual endearment and she stared at him calmly, "Mark, it's a new day, don't start."
She warned, she had not gotten over their annoying conversation yesterday and here he was spoiling for another fight.
" Okay, so what would you like to eat? I was thinking of making eggs,I need to know which one you want." He said.
Lacey sighed, if food wasn't ready, she'd gladly skip and relax her mind before resuming at work. The house was stifling and there was Alistair trying to suck out the life from her.
Mark saw her go quiet and a look of worry made permanent residency on her face and in turn, he got worried, " Hey, is everything okay at work?" He inquired.
Lacey turned and headed out of the kitchen, she was not in the mood to talk to anyone and certainly not Mark. What did he know about figures and working in a corporate world? All he knew was that painting of his which he thinks would fetch him a lot of money like Leonardo DiCaprio. A far-fetched dream, which could never be actualized.
Mark shrugged, a bit confused as to whether to follow her to the room but the oven dinged informing him of the bacon.
He quickly made her eggs, sunny side up, just the way she'd like it. if he wasn't gas enough, she might leave for work without eating anything.
Hurriedly, he served her portion on the dining table, with a small note by the side.
" A little breakfast for my girl." it read.
A few pairs of footsteps descended the stairs and he quickly returned to frying the eggs for the rest of the people , including himself.
Everyone assembled at the dining table ten minutes later and they opened their plates. Few minutes into breakfast, Mrs. Richard's eyes caught on a piece of paper. Thinking that it was a contaminant, she leaned over and touched it.
" What's this..." She trailed off when she saw the note slip out freely. Her eyes scanned through the writing, " Such an ugly handwriting." She crumpled the paper and threw it into the bin a few centimeters away.
Lacey was curious to see what it was, but it was already late. It had gone into the bin.
Mark rolled his eyes in anger while watching the scenario. Lacey's face was a mix of curiosity and anger for her mom taking things into her hands, she hadn't said it was rubbish just the handwriting so it must have been good right?
Mr. Richard tapped his chest subtly telling Mark to be calm.
While Mrs. Richard stared at him brazenly, with her chin jutted upwards, daring him to do his worst.
Mark smiled at her antics, if this was her way of making him lose his cool then she was in for a ride.
" Who else thinks that this meal is good. it is as they keep getting better after time." Mr. Richard broke the staring matches that were going on.
" I know that right?"
Both women looked up from their plates and stared at the duo, " What meals?"
" Lacey be appreciatively,you can't cook half as Mark. That goes for everyone including me." Mr. Richard said in a reprimanding tone.
Lacey's face became sour as she stared at Mark who was smiling victoriously without defending her. Good, so this was how he intended to play the game huh?
She was ready for them.
" What other advantage can he offer when I put the damn food on the damn table? At least he's putting his idleness to good use. You can't fault that." Then she proceeded to give Mark a sweet sickly smile, " You can carry on. I'd advise you to think of a way to make this global so that you can earn bragging rights." She waved her hand at the food in front of them.
" All these things are just housemates who will eat your food and tell you what you want to hear so that you can keep on cooking. I'm done." She dropped her towel, " Goodbye, Mom, Dad..." she blew a kiss at him and exited happily.
Everyone stared at her with their mouths hanging open, but Mrs. Richard recovered early, "I'm happy someone finally said it."
The men shot her a deathly stare which she shrugged and hummed happily as she munched away on her food.. Mark felt like strangling her at that moment and he was sure that Mr. Richard probably felt the same way.
" Don't be salty." He told his wife.
" Now, don't do that, don't pin this on me. Lacey clearly said those words, why are you trying to put it on me?" She shrugged nonchalantly.
" But you see nothing wrong in what she said."
Mrs. Richard sighed, " I'm tired of you always trying to change the narrative of things. This time around I was on my own when she said it, tell her to stop, not me." She spat before rising, " I can't stand you people!"