Broken (Endurance) (24 page)

Charleston walked across the room and got in Maxwell's face. "I'm her father. Who the hell are you?"

"I'm the one who’s gonna make sure you don't succeed."

"What do you and Cressida have going here?  My daughter is betrothed."

"What?"

"I have protected her long enough, and now it is time for her to do what she was born to do. Get married and have kids. This contract must be fulfilled. Cressida has no choice in the matter."

"You’re speaking about a grown woman. She is not a child."

"She is my daughter and she will always be my child."

"Do you hear yourself? It's like you’re living in the dark ages. Do you realize we are in America? Women have rights. Are you aware of that?"

"This is none of your concern, Maxwell. Bring my daughter to me now." Charleston was now pacing Maxwell's office.

Maxwell glared at him, outraged by Charleston's behavior, but what startled him most was hearing that Cressida was betrothed. Who did her father set her to marry and why? What would he be willing to do to protect Cressida from her own father? Maxwell thought hard as he stood there, fierce in his demeanor. "No," he said.

Charleston spun around to face him. "What are you playing?"

"Cressida cannot marry someone else since she is pregnant with my child," Maxwell lied.

"What?" Charleston roared.

"Well, she's not a teenager. She is a grown woman."

Charleston was speechless. This was a monkey wrench he’d not prepared for. He took a step back, staring at Maxwell and sizing him up. "You’re lying."

"We will be getting married soon."

"You’re serious?"

"Congratulations, grandpa. Now, please leave. You are not welcome in our home," Maxwell said as he walked across the room and rang for Winston.

Winston was immediate in his response and Maxwell was surprised and yet relieved to see Winston act so quickly. No doubt he’d known Charleston’s visit would not be a long one. 

With Charleston out of the way, Maxwell rushed back upstairs to check on Cressida.

He entered the room and found Cressida still asleep. He kicked off his shoes and stripped down to his boxers before crawling into bed with her.   He pulled her warm body next to his and kissed the top of her head, smiling as he thought, I really stepped in it now.

Cressida snuggled her back against his chest. "Where did you go?" she whispered.

"I had an unexpected guest."

"Oh, you should have wakened me. I would have gone home." Cressida spoke with her eyes closed.

"I don't want you to leave."

"Yeah, but I’ve got a home that I’m never at.  I should go. I don't want to smother you."

"Please just go back to sleep. It feels good having you here."

"What's wrong? Did something happen? You seem upset." Cressida sat up.

"It's safer for you here right now."

"Okay, now you’re sounding like my mother."

"What?"

"My mother told me to get away and go someplace where my father couldn’t find me. She keeps telling me I’m in danger. She said Dad has offered me to Satan, but the final choice is still mine."

"She's right. You don't believe her?"

"I do, but logic is telling me she’s crazy while my heart is telling me I need to listen to her warnings. I'm confused. I just need time to sort it all out."

"Cressida, do you believe in God?"

"Yes?"

"That didn't sound convincing."

"I do, it just that...." Cressida struggled to find the right words.

"Are you questioning him?"

"Yeah. If it wasn't for my mother taking us to church each week, I wouldn't know anything about God. Growing up with a gold spoon in your mouth, you tend to sometimes see God right next to the tooth fairy and Santa; some fairytale being who grants your wishes. It's not that I don't believe in him. I just don't know if he really exists."

"I never knew you felt that way."

"I've only recently started rethinking God... since I met you. I look at the way you and your brother put God first and...  He is like real flesh and blood to you guys. The old me would find that humorous or stupid; grown men believing in fairytales."

"How do you feel now?"

"After talking to my mother today... well, I feel like the fool. I believed in facts, what I can see with my own eyes... science. You know that’s what is so strange to me about your family. You own all of these scientific companies, all very successful. I assumed that you guys were like my family. Yeah, you go to church occasionally, but you had all your faith in scientific evidence. I was so wrong. God is obviously the head of this family."

"Does that bother you?"

"No...  it has changed my view of God."

"Do you trust that I have only the best intentions for you?"

"You’re a good man, of course."

"Then marry me..."

"Marry you? Maxwell, have you been drinking?"

"Do I look drunk?" He sat up and reached for the lamp on the nightstand next to his bed.  He flicked it on.

Cressida sighed. She knew he wasn't drunk, but he was sure talking crazy. "Maxwell, we are just getting to know each other. This is insane."

"Just promise me you will think about it." Maxwell pulled her closer to him.

Cressida couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maybe it was some sort of dream or nightmare, she wasn't sure yet. However, one thing was clear, marrying Maxwell would be a living fairytale. She had a lot to think about. This was not an overnight decision.

Routine

Three weeks had passed and Max and Mei had fallen into a strict routine of family, school and play. Taking up additional classes in business, accounting and spiritual warfare they worked together seamlessly to get the knowledge they needed to succeed in the business and spiritual world. Mei would make sure she picked Uriel up from daycare on the days her class finished late so that Max could study and cook dinner without Uriel's so-called help.

She had occasional run-in's with Samuel who was becoming more of a pest, while Renee remained focused on catching Max’s attention.  Mei was on her last nerve with both of them when she was approached by Samuel on the way back to her village one evening.

"It's nice out tonight," Samuel said abruptly as he began walking next to Mei.

"Can you go away?" Mei snapped as she tightened her hold of her son.

"Why are you like that? I'm just trying to have a conversation with you."

"I'm not interested in your type of conversations."

"My kind?"

"You know what I mean."

"I'm just having an innocent conversation with you. It doesn't have to mean anything." Samuel grinned.

"I'm married. Does that mean anything to you?"

"It doesn't mean we can't be friends."

"I don't like your idea of friends," Mei replied.

Samuel was unaware that Max had caught onto him and was angry to learn that since day one Samuel has been after his wife.

Mei didn't know that Max was aware of Samuel's persistent advances. Samuel wasn't the only guy hitting on her. However, he was the only one who didn't take no for an answer.

Max was upset that his wife didn't tell him what was going on, but he could understand. Mei had no clue that Samuel was Max's old roommate. If Sandra hadn’t warned Max about Samuel, he would never have known what his friend was really up to. He always found it strange that after a month of school Samuel always seemed to miss out on meeting Mei. Now he knew why.

"What's up Samuel?" Max said walking up behind them.

Mei froze and turned, her eyes wide with surprise. "Babe, you know him?"

"Yeah," Max smacked his hand on Samuel's shoulder, deliberately displaying his strength.

Samuel coughed as the air was knocked out of his lungs.

"Sam was my roommate before we moved into the hut." Max smiled at Mei. "Let me help you." He walked over to her and took the baby.

"He is getting so heavy." Mei shook her arms out.

"I was just making sure she got to your hut safely," Samuel said, his gaze shifting with guilt.

"It's kind of funny that you would even know that Mei was my wife when you’ve never met her," Max retorted.

"Well, I… I recognized your son."

"My son? Did my son call you over?" Max was being openly sarcastic.

"Look, I just saw a young mother walking alone and I was concerned for her safety."

Max was annoyed by Samuel's persistent lies. He tried to maintain his calm as he stepped in front of Samuel. He handed his son back to Mei. "Don't think for one minute you’re going to get away with the game you’re trying to play here. This is my wife and my son. Don't get it twisted. You do not want to get on my bad side. I promise you, you will lose." Max glared into his face.

"Chill out, I was just trying to be nice. I know she ain't into me."  Despite his cool words, Samuel took a step back.

Max backed off. "Come on, babe. Let’s go." He took Uriel out of her arms.

Mei tried not to laugh as they walked away. The look on Samuel's face was priceless. Mei knew by his silence that Max was still upset. Once home, Mei was greeted with the smell of pineapple chicken, sweet potato mash and spinach salad.

"Max, it smells so good." Mei looked at the table that had been set. Covered trays of food sat in the middle of the table.

Max had no response to Mei's statement. He put Uriel in his crib and handed him a bottle of juice. He stood next to the crib with his hands resting on the bars. Thinking of what had just happened.

Mei felt guilty for not telling him what was going on. She was surprised by the way he was handling the situation.

"Why didn't you tell me he was stalking you?" Max asked.

"Max, he wasn't stalking me, he just happened to be in my area," Mei said, not realizing that Samuel put himself everywhere he knew she would be. He had her schedule memorized.

"Mei, Sandra has seen him around campus following you. When he first came on to you, why didn't you tell me?"

Max, nothing happened." Mei walked over to him stooping to pass under his arm and come to stand between him and the crib. She could see he was trying to control his temper.

"Mei, I love you and I know you didn't tell me because I’d go a little nuts. Fine, I understand that, but you need to understand something." Max straightened up and walked across the room. “Communication is very important.”

Mei followed him as he sat on the bed. "When I was thirteen and getting into girls my uncle picked me up early from the center one day. Dad had been out drinking again and Tamarius was worried that I would grow up and treat women badly and wondered what type of woman I would one day bring home."

Mei nodded as she took a seat next to her husband.