Forgotten Love (Derrien Island Trilogy) Read online

  Marcus was getting more than a little ticked off now by Rev. Mitchell’s attitude. He tried to be civil but this man seemed bent on insulting him. It was getting hard to keep his own temper in check.

  “I am surprised that you as a man of the cloth could be so closed-minded and downright rude to someone you don’t even know,” Marcus began.

  Natasha and her mother looked at each other and knew that Marcus standing up to the Reverend meant one thing, a full scale argument was about to explode right there.

  “Uh Father, Marcus, can’t we have a quiet discussion about this. I really don’t feel very well right now,” said Natasha desperately trying to find any excuse to stop the atomic explosion of anger that was about to erupt in the living room.

  Hearing the strain in Natasha’s voice Marcus sat down beside her and took her hand in his again.

  “Honey, is there anything I can do for you?” he asked her.

  “Yes Natasha, do you want a little tea?” asked her mother who had remained silent until that moment, allowing her husband to do the talking.

  “Thank you mother, I could do with a cup,” replied Natasha who was already breathing a sigh of relief that a full scale disaster had been averted, at least temporarily.

  Only Rev. Mitchell remained battle ready but had no one to fight with. He looked at Marcus holding his daughter’s hand so openly and the more he saw, the angrier he became.

  “What provisions have you put in place for Natasha?” he asked suddenly.

  “If that is your way of asking whether or not I have a job, the answer is yes and I have a good apartment in a safe neighbourhood where we can live.

  “Apartment?” scoffed Rev. Mitchell. “Look around you and see how I raised my daughter and you hope to reduce her means to a good apartment? What about a home, do you have plans of building one?”

  “Rev. Mitchell with all due respect, I will repeat this for you again. I am in love with Natasha and I am totally invested in her happiness. I will provide a life for her that she can enjoy and be proud of and you will not have to worry about that,” replied Marcus refusing to defend his plans.

  “What about the wedding plans, I spoke about? You will need to have a ring on her hand and I expect that you will be able to afford to take her on a decent honeymoon. I can’t have my congregation saying I married my daughter off to a pauper,” insisted Rev. Mitchell.

  Those words stung Marcus’ pride and he swore to himself in that moment that he would prove this haughty man wrong in every expectation he had of him to fail. He would never fail Natasha and he would begin by proving that right now.

  Taking his focus off Rev. Mitchell, Marcus reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a square black velvet box trimmed in gold. Seeing the box in his hand, Natasha’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “Natasha, I know this is a surprise for you but it’s not the least bit surprising for me. It did not take me very long to know that you are the one I want, the one I have been waiting for, the woman I want to love for the rest of my life. I know the timing is not the best and it is not the most romantic way to propose to you, but I love you and I am committed to you and to this child with my whole heart. No one needs to force me to marry you, I want to do it freely and nothing would make me happier. Natasha, will you marry me?” asked Marcus opening the box to reveal a two- carat princess cut diamond with baguettes on the sides.

  “Marcus, this ring is absolutely gorgeous!” said Natasha as tears began to roll down her cheeks. “Oh, I love you too! Yes, I will marry you!” she replied and threw her arms around his neck embracing him and he pressed a light kiss to her lips.

  Marcus then drew back and placed the ring on her finger and it was a perfect fit. He knew that she would not be able to wear it for the entire pregnancy but he wanted to make a statement tonight. He did not regret one moment of being with Natasha and it was important that not only Natasha knew that but also her parents.

  Chapter 7

  March 19, Present Day

  Shores Restaurant

  It was another busy morning at Shores and the crowds gradually swelled for the ever popular Sunday family seafood brunch. This was one of the initiatives Marcus had envisioned for the restaurant which attracted persons from all over the island every weekend. It was the busiest time at the restaurant during the week because they literally served a buffet feast that was affordably priced for the whole family.

  A long table dominated one wall and it was covered in platters filled with cold ham cuts, eggs, cheeses, breads, pancakes and stews, in addition to fried reef fish, shrimp, lobster salads, crab cakes, fried squid and a myriad of sauces for dipping. The atmosphere was light and filled with happiness and families were sitting and smiling around tables while others brought blankets and opted to have the food on the lawn or on the beach in front of the property. The beauty and flexibility this location offered, was the main reason why he had purchased this restaurant three years ago. It really was an excellent return on investment.

  However, today with all the crowds, this was the worst possible morning to have so much on his mind. He would soon be meeting with his friend Lucinda and her attorney’s to go over plans for purchasing her restaurant. Lucinda’s restaurant held so many memories for him and when he heard that Lucinda wanted to retire and that the restaurant would be for sale, he knew that it was exactly what he wanted to add to his portfolio. Shores and Sands were both beautiful oceanfront restaurants, but Lucinda’s would attract a different crowd mainly for lunch and breakfast. Tour buses often stopped there as they made their way through the scenic Northern range as well as many tourists and some locals. It was the perfect way to diversify his investments and to cater to a new market segment.

  Since the first day he met Natasha, they’d eaten there often whenever they had free moments. Its awe inspiring views of the landscape had even inspired a beautiful painting which Natasha hung in their great room. This restaurant was their place, their haven and he wanted to buy it and make that title official. He was going to surprise Natasha with the news for her birthday and he was going to rename it Natasha’s , renovate it and build on an art gallery to the property to display many of the stunning art pieces she had hidden away from the world’s eyes. But, all of that was hanging on by threads now that she’d left. Was there any point going through with it all now?

  As Marcus surveyed the room everyone was laughing, talking and enjoying the meal, all except one.

  Him.

  Ever since he walked in that morning, a cloak of heaviness hung about him and when he’d literally forced out a weak smile at his staff, their confused facial expressions were confirmation enough that they knew that something had to be terribly wrong with him.

  Marcus was more than just the owner but he treated all of his employees with respect and friendliness which created a wonderful work environment for all. In fact, his excellent work ethic, creative ideas and good business sense had played a pivotal role in establishing this restaurant as the star of his two restaurants on the island. He was always smiling with the patrons and always had something friendly or complimentary to say to everyone. He was a man who was always courteous and helpful to the customers.

  So, this morning he knew that his appearance was extremely different to the norm everyone was accustomed to. He stood near the bar instead of circulating the room and was slowly nursing a glass of orange juice whose level had not changed much in the last ten minutes. There was a dazed expression on his face which still looked slightly unshaven as he looked out to sea lost in thought.

  “Marcus?” asked Lucinda as she finally reached his side. She saw him from across the room and immediately something about his slouched posture told her that something was wrong. The attorney’s were scheduled to arrive in about twenty minutes for their breakfast meeting, but she was hoping to engage Marcus in a bit of chatter before all that seriousness began. She already decided to sell the restaurant to him even though she was being pressed by an Italian investor with a higher
bid. Marcus and Natasha would be the perfect new owners and it was frankly just a formality as far as she was concerned.

  “Oh hi Lucinda,” he said turning slowly to face her, somewhat startled by her sudden appearance. Is it time already, I swore I still had a few minutes left!” he muttered bending slightly to hug her and checking his wristwatch at the same time.

  Even his hug was listless thought Lucinda who had grown accustomed to the bear hugs she would get from this man, who she thought of often as her own son.

  “No, it’s not time for the meeting yet. I just came early to see how you were doing and to have a chat. Have you been sleeping? You look terrible!” she exclaimed now taking in the dark circles under his eyes and the rough growth of hair on his usually clean shaven face. When Marcus folded his lips and rubbed his hand across his chin unable to find the words to respond, Lucinda knew something was off.

  “Maybe you should take a vacation Marcus. Do you think you need some time off from your restaurants? It seems as though you are dealing with something? Can I help you in any way?” she asked slightly alarmed.

  Taking a deep breath before he began he replied, “Look Lucinda, I know I must look like a wreck but don’t worry about me, I’m fine. I really need to be here today.”

  “Marcus! In the nine year’s I’ve known you, I have never ever seen you like this!” said Lucinda planting a thick hand on her rounded hip. “Something is wrong and I am more than a little concerned about you now, especially seeing that you want to add my restaurant to your workload.”

  That response pricked Marcus’ attention immediately. Darn, she thinks I look like this because I am overworked. I can’t afford to lose the restaurant deal because of this, he said to himself and gave himself a mental shake.

  “You’re right Lucinda, I do have some things bothering me but it’s not that I am overworked. I just need a moment to pull myself together,” he said clearing his throat unsuccessfully.

  Lucinda noted how hoarse his normally smooth voice sounded and the redness and raw appearance of his eyes. He looked like a man who had not slept in days! Marcus could feel her eyes sweeping his appearance and he regretted not taking more time to make sure he looked his best. But somehow, even that was a struggle considering how much pain he was in right now.

  “We can go to my office and I will alert Zach to let the kitchen send up some food for us,” said Marcus referring to the manager on duty, and we can talk there. Lucinda had a way of getting to the bottom of things when she needed to, and he knew he would have to tell her something to explain all of this. To her it would always be family before business.

  Tapping his knuckles on the bar top, he plastered a smile on his face and walked toward the staff entrance which led to the suite of offices on the second floor of the building. As he did so, he noticed the jazz trio setting up for the live music set that had become one of the main reasons why people continued to flock to the restaurant. This group was well known for its quality music and the soulful selections that were both relaxing and stimulating at the same time. It was actually one of the best ideas he had ever had for the restaurant and it had really become lucrative for them. The only thing was that the group was instrumental and he had recently thought that it would be nice if they had a lead singer as well. Natasha would have been so perfect for the job but she seemed to hate the thought of working at anywhere near him or at the restaurants of late.

  He opened the door for Lucinda and once again assured her that he would follow shortly after speaking to Zach. Once he did he climbed the stairs to his office and saw that Lucinda had already made herself comfortable on the beige suede sofa on which he preferred to converse with his guests. His office had always reminded him of a mini nature reserve with the numerous plants, and artificial fountains that filled the atmosphere with the sound of running water. It was always extremely soothing to be in here and as Natasha always said, there was something about the sound of running water that always boosted her creativity and intuition. In fact she was the one that decorated it for him.

  The more he thought about it the more he could see Natasha here sitting at his desk, or trailing her finger through the water of the small fountain on the shelf.

  Wearing a white pantsuit and a pink scarf around her shoulders Lucinda was the picture of refined class this morning. Her silver hair was coiffed into an elegant bun and she wore light makeup that accentuated her features causing her to look a lot younger than her years. She had a wonderful marriage to the same man for decades before he passed on and it was obvious from her radiance that she was still young at heart.

  Marcus sat beside Lucinda and took a deep breath knowing that she was waiting patiently for him to begin.

  “I don’t want you to get the wrong impression about me or my ability to take on the added responsibility of your restaurant this morning Lucinda. As I said, I am going through something else personal that was extremely unexpected,” he began.

  “Marcus, what could have happened to cause this? You have become like a son to me and I cannot see you in obvious distress about something and literally do nothing about it. You know you can talk to me if you need to.” she replied.

  “I don’t know how to say this...” he said trying to find the words.

  “Say it however you can.”

  Marcus stood up and walked toward the shelf where Natasha had placed one of the fountains before he finally responded.

  “Lucinda, Natasha’s gone! She left me on Friday night and said that our marriage was over.” He closed his eyes as those words still rattled him deeply.

  By her sharp intake of breath, he did not have to turn around to know that Lucinda was shocked at what he said.

  “Marcus, you must be feeling terrible, why did you come in today? You know I would have rescheduled our meeting,” said Lucinda now standing and walking across the room to join Marcus where he stood placing her hand comfortingly on his arm.

  “I think terrible is an understatement here, and besides being in that house without her is driving me crazy. I guess I needed to be around a little joy today.”

  “I am so sorry to hear this. I did notice that you both looked a bit strained at the wine and cheese brunch last month but I figured you just had an argument or something.”

  “Yeah, well its true, things have been very strained between us but I thought we could work it out. She just left on Friday and she gave me no warning. She just packed her suitcases and left.”

  “Have you heard from her since, Do you know where she went?”

  “No, I haven’t heard from her but I think I know where she went. Luckily, Sheldon spotted her at the airport on her way to Atlanta.

  “Atlanta? You mean she’s not even on the island?” queried Lucinda now completely blown away by the news.

  “Yes, well that’s where the plane went on its first connection. Who knows where she is by now. I am suspecting that she is in Savannah though. Before she and I met, she was working on a degree in Art and Advertising design at a university there.”

  “Marcus and you are here trying to put on a show when it is so clear that you are completely devastated.”

  “You know what Lucinda, I am devastated and I miss her in a way that is eating me alive, but for some reason I think that I needed this somehow to wake me up.”

  “Why would you say such a thing about yourself Marcus?” she asked.

  “Natasha has been trying to talk to me about something that was very important to her for years and I just kept giving her the brush off. The truth is that we were hardly connecting much anymore. She would constantly find ways to avoid me and Friday night I think she finally had enough.”

  “Marcus what are you saying?” asked Lucinda narrowing her eyes and struggling to understand what Marcus was really saying to her.

  “I’m saying that I think that the way things are now is my fault. I am the one that drove Natasha away.”

  “Your fault? I could not imagine you doing anything to hurt that woman!” sa
id Lucinda with a shocked expression on her face.

  “Yeah and for years I thought that too, but as I really began to think things through yesterday I realized that I must have really hurt her deeply. No, I didn’t cheat on her or abuse her physically but what I did now seems a whole lot worse,” he said holding his head down as he felt the now familiar pricking sensation behind his eyelids.

  “Marcus, I need you to start from the beginning so that I can understand what is really going on here.”

  Leading her back over to the sofa Marcus explained how he had constantly shut down Natasha’s desires to pursue her dreams and ridiculed her envying his achievements and how he showed little sympathy for her in those moments, preferring to believe that she was the one with the problem, not him. He spoke of his need to prove to her father that her could provide for her and make her happy and how he had ended up stifling her in the process. When he was done, he could see tears welling up in Lucinda’s eyes as she listened.

  “Marcus, how do you feel about Natasha now?

  “I love my wife, I always have and now that I have stripped off my blinders I realized that I have been such a fool.” admitted Marcus.

  “Do you think there is any hope for you two in working this out?” she asked

  “Right now, I don’t even know how she feels about me. But there is something else, Sheldon saw her at the airport while she was checking in and she was with someone else.”

  “Who?” demanded Lucinda.

  A man named Lucas Johnson!”

  “Another man? Do you think that they were having an affair?”

  “I don’t know and I hope not! All I know is that I want a chance to see her and explain how I feel about us. I need a chance to apologize to her and ask her to forgive me.”

  Lucinda took a deep breath as she considered her next words carefully.

  “Are you prepared to let her go if you find out that she has chosen to be with someone else?” she asked quietly.