Chapter 3

Chapter 3

        “Marshall, honey we have something important to talk to you, if we can.” Marsh had just sipped his wine when his father started.

        “Sure Dad, what is it?” He put the glass back, briefly looking at his mother who was smiling softly while Josh could hear the alarms ringing in his head. He could smell the storm about to hit him.

        “You know Natasha?” His mother spoke this time. Marsh nodded his head.

        Natasha was the daughter of one of his parent’s business partners and he had met her a few times in some business gatherings. But what do he has to do with her?

        “Well, we have arranged a marriage between both of you. I want you to meet her on Tuesday at the restaurant and get to know her.” His mother casually dropped the bomb on their heads while sipping her drink.

        Josh was frozen at his place for a moment before he stood up.

        “Excuse me; I think my mobile is ringing.” He said with a smile and went upstairs in his bedroom. Marsh followed him with his eyes but he was helpless to do anything else.

        He knew Josh must be angry because as much as Josh loved Marsh, he was against the fact that Marsh had not come out of the closet. And this wasn’t the first time he heard of Marsh getting married to some girl to extend and strengthen their business. But no matter what, the pain would always be raw for him.

        Josh changed his clothes and came downstairs with a smile plastered on his lips. Marsh knew how fake it was but he had to wait.

        “I am so sorry Mr. and Mrs. Andrew, but I have received a call from my manager regarding some issue at the restaurant. I won’t be able to stay to bid you goodbye. I hope you won’t mind it.” He said in a composed tone without looking at Marsh because he knew if he saw him, he won’t be able to stay calm and he didn’t want to create a scene.

        “Oh no dear. Its okay, work comes first. The dinner was lovely and I think I need to steal your recipe book to impress my guests.” Marsh’s mother said chuckling and all Josh could do was smile as fake as he could.

        “Will you be late?” Marsh asked in a casual tone though he knew Josh would be late.

        “Oh. I don’t know. There are a few guests who want to try my signature dishes and you know it’s time taking. I will let myself in when I am here.” Josh said and if looks could kill, Marsh would be in ashes.

        He left with a polite goodbye and how badly Marsh wanted to smack his head with the wall.

-----

        It was late when Josh unlocked the door to their apartment and sighed to see Marsh waiting for him in the living room.

        “Hey babe, you are home.” Marsh came to greet him with a smile but Josh sighed, putting a hand on his chest to stop him.

        “I am really tired Marsh. I want to freshen up and sleep.” Josh tried to walk past him, but Marsh held his hand stopping him in his tracks.

        “Can you please listen to me?” Marsh asked softly. He was well aware of the turmoil inside Josh’s mind.

        “Marsh, not at this time.” Josh tried to tug his hand free but he was spun around facing Marsh.

        Marsh smiled at him with all the loved he had. He tucked few stray strands of hair behind his ear and cupped his face. Josh was looking everywhere but at his face. Marsh leaned in to kiss his forehead and put his head in the crook of Josh’s neck.

        “I know you are upset and hurt Joshie. You don’t need to hide it from me.” Marsh said in his soft voice.

        “Yeah, I don’t need to hide it from you, because you are already hiding me like a dirty whore.” Josh spat all the words before going to stand by the windows.

        Marsh shook his head silently and went to stand behind Josh. He didn’t touch Josh but his presence was speaking volumes.

        “Joshie, we already have this conversation so many times. You are neither my secret nor a dirty whore. You are the only man I love, but, you know I cannot disclose it before I get the sole ownership of the company.

        You have read it yourself that I will be thrown out if I go against any of their rules.” Marsh said in a calm tone.

        “Yes, I remember. And I am not asking you to scream it or shout it to everyone’s face, but at least you can make sure that I don’t listen to your parents trying to arrange a girl for you every time.

        I am sick of it Marsh. I am not bounding you to live your life if that is how you want it. You want to secure your fortune, go get married to a girl your parents want for you, but set me free then.

        You cannot expect me to howl in pain when every time I feel someone cutting my heart with a rusted knife. Do you even know how I feel about it?” Josh turned to face Marsh who sighed to see the tears lingering in his beautiful eyes.

        “I feel dirty. I feel insecure. I feel you will walk out of the love between us just because you have to earn your CEO seat. There is nothing you can do to ensure me Marsh.” Josh closed his eyes before opening them again.

        Marsh was helpless. He knew the pain he was inflecting on Josh and he knew he would have reacted worst than Josh if the roles were reverse. His parents could never understand the love between him and Josh as they were purely catholic where no one forgive a relationship between same sex.

        They were old fashioned and belonged to the high cream of the society where the words QUEER where taken as the first rank in the hell. He could never explain it to them. And he couldn’t live without Josh either.

        He had to find a way to settle it. For now his priority was to console and comfort a disturbed and painful Josh.

        He engulfed him in his arms and thanked to all the gods above when for once Josh didn’t fight him. He held him, kept them rocking until he felt Josh had calmed down. Only then he took him to the couch and kept him to his chest.

        “I know Joshie. I understand your pain. I know it’s not easy for you but it difficult for me too babe. I have forbid mom and dad to talk anything about any business merger or a wedding of convenience because I only love you.

        I am sure you have seen Natasha too, and even if I was straight, she isn’t my type Joshie.” Marsh looked into his eyes.

        “And what would be your type?” Josh said in a low, hoarse voice.

“Hmm. I would prefer a 6 feet man, with muscles on perfect places. The Pecs to die for and that p**n ass I want to smack every time. The warm eyes that held me captive since I looked into them for the first time.” Marsh said backing Josh until he was hovering him on the couch.

        He could see the words seeping into Josh’s soul as he was looking back at him with love and a feeling of pure lust.

        “And…” Josh murmured.

        “And these strong arms that can pin me down and I can never untangle myself. The lips I can spend my life kissing them and never get bored.” Marsh tugged the buttons of his shirt leaving Josh gasping and panting hard. He unbuckled his belts and grasped the hard cock in his briefs.

        Josh bucked his hips for more without leaving his stare. His heart was yearning for all the love words Marsh could tell him. And Marsh didn’t fail to prove him with his words, hands, eyes, and lips. All night long.

----

        Marsh entered the restaurant and spotted his parents sitting at the corner table. He nodded at the reception and moved towards them. A lunch with his parents once in a while would never hurt, right?

        He had just greeted them and took his seat when he heard an over pretended Hello behind him. It was then he looked at his parents alarmed and then stood as calmly as he could. He wanted to just spat in anger but a subtle glare from his parents was enough for him to gulp down his anger.

        “Marsh, meet Natasha. We talked the other day right. Natasha, honey have a seat.” He couldn’t bring himself to greet her before he gulped again.

        Well she was unlike the last time he saw her. She was wearing a beautiful blue dress with just an appropriate amount of makeup and jewelry. Nothing like the socialite he saw last time they met on dinner.

        “Hi Marshal, good to see you again.” She smiled extending her hand and this time Marsh could not stop the smile at his lips as he grasped her hand in a firm grip.

        His parents knew they won the round one.

        Josh exited the private elevators where he was meeting a potential client for a collaboration of a new branch for his restaurant along his manager.

        He was pretty positive about the meeting and he was eager to talk to Marsh about it but he stopped dead in his tracks as he heard the all too familiar laughter.

        “Oh. I think you should head back to the restaurant. I need to see someone.” He excused to his manager and took quick steps but once again he was stopped to see the scene in front of his eyes.

        Marsh was there with his parents having dinner but what caught his attention was the girl laughing with Marsh and the way he actually leaned towards her as he whispered something.

        That hurt.

-------

        Marsh entered their home, whistling to some happy song. He tossed the keys in the bowl placed on the metal shelf before walking in the lounge.

        “Hey Joshie… you are home babe.” He said in a happy tone, looking at Josh who was nursing a glass of wine, calculating all his moves.

        “Yes, I did. Why? You weren’t expecting me?” Josh said swirling his glass but Marsh was too happy to notice his tone.

        He walked to him and laid down on the couch, head in his lap. It was pure Marsh style. But this time Josh didn’t make any move to comb his hair or hug him tightly.

        “What happened, Josh?” Marsh asked in a serious tone, because Josh was anything but casual.

        “Oh about that. Shouldn’t it be to ask what happened, Marsh?” Josh said in the same tone, alerting Marsh this time. His heart was beating fast. Josh wouldn’t have seen him right?

        “I don’t understand Josh?” He sat up trying to hold on a single thread of hope.

        “Really Marshall? Lying on my face now?” Josh laughed sarcastically.

        “Look. Joshie. It’s not how it seems babe. It was just a family lunch.” Marsh said in a calm tone.

        “Family lunch? Really? I didn’t know Natasha was a part of your family Marsh. So did she get adopted or you have agreed to be her husband?” Josh said in a tone full of anger and hurt.

        Marsh sighed before sitting up straight. He grasped his hair in both hands and turned to face him.

        “Look, I didn’t know mom and dad had other plans. I went there just to spend some time with them and I was really angry at them for not informing me beforehand.

        But I couldn’t be a bad guest and talk rude to her right? That’s not me and you know Natasha and her parents are in good terms with mom and dad for so long.” Marsh explained the whole situation to make him calm.

        “Yes. And keeping the company involves whispering sweet nothings in her ears to make her blush, yeah?” Josh stood up to the center of the living room.

        Marsh took a deep breath to compose him. So apparently Josh had seen everything and he was really upset.

        “Marsh, listen to me now. I know you have certain limitations. Your businesses will your inheritance. Your parents. I understand. Just talk to me once what do you expect from me and what should I expect in the future?

        Do I need to prepare myself for your business merger or better if I leave whenever your parents come here? I cannot live everyday with this uncertainty and insecurity growing inside me.

        I cannot fight with you every time this thing comes up. I am tired of this. I cannot bear it anymore.” Josh said in a hoarse voice. He was mentally tired and he wanted to get over with all this.

        He looked at Marsh for one single word but he was silently watching him and may be that was the cue for Josh to run and hide in the guestroom because he couldn’t face Marsh at the moment. And for once, even Marsh didn’t stop him.

----

Tabby