He is my boyfriend.

Chapter 1

I let out a sigh as I peered out of the plane. Tears brimmed in my eyes and if I was being truthful, I really didn't know what made me want to cry.

Was it the hand that held mine, that assured me that no matter what he would be by my side? Or was it the fact that, even as our hands locked, I still felt desolate? 

I wasn't sure, and I looked away before he could see the tears that threatened to spill. My second hand rubbed over my bump and I wondered just for a second before I forced my mind off him, how the father of my baby was doing.

It would be nighttime in New York so he probably was in bed with her…

I gulped, shutting my eyes as I held onto my man's hand tightly. 

"You will be fine, Zora," Derek whispered in my ears and I knew he must have noticed the tears in my eyes. "I promise, you will be fine. We will."

And I believed him. Because I had to. For the sake of my unborn child and maybe a part of me was hoping it was for the sake of us. For the sake of the tiny bit of love, I had for Derek. I had to love him or more appropriately, I had to learn to love him.

Like I had with Elliot Gerratt…

***

I shuffled out of the supermarket, the groceries in one hand as I held the phone with my shoulder. 

"I'm not sure, Kathy," I grunted, passing some guys. "I can't go back just to get your favorite chocolate. I'm certainly not doing that." 

There are some times my best friend irritated the hell out of me and this was one of those. It was worse she wasn't helping me but going back there to just get a pack of that shit. I certainly am not doing that!

"I'm outside the supermarket already, Kathy. I will get a taxi." I cussed out slowly as one of the bags slipped out of my hands. "I will call you later, babe. I have to get these." 

And without waiting for a reply from her, I ended the call.

"You should be more careful." A voice said as I pulled the shopping bags in my hands. "Or better still, have someone help you?" 

I raised my head with a deep sigh and my eyes clashed with brown ones. It was funny when a week ago, I was giddy about seeing them, but now, I wanted them out of my sight.

My eyes shifted to his side and I blinked when I saw the lady beside him. "Thank you," I said. "I got this."

"Of course," Marcus replied with a smile I had learned just days ago was fake. "Meet my girlfriend, Kira."

I nodded at the lady and her grin made me want to puke. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I'm in a hurry."

I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, not when I had to think of where to get my brother's fees, and conversing with my ex was certainly not something I desire to do.

"Are you not with someone?" 

I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Sorry?" 

"I mean, your boyfriend, Zora." He clarified and I didn't miss the mischievous glint in his eyes. His eyes widened a bit. "Don't tell me you are still waiting for me."

Marcus was an asshole. I never knew that until days ago, when I caught him having sex with someone else, and even so, I cursed myself as tears fought their way up to my eyes. He was my boyfriend for two years!

"If you will excuse me-" I saw him pull the Kira girl closer to him and I fought my dignity not to break down in front of him. My eyes drifted to a guy alighting from a car, and beside him were two more guys. "My man is waiting, and he hates being kept waiting."

It shocked him, that much was obvious. I walked away from him and towards the guy I just claimed to be mine, my heart beating in trepidation. 

The bags were still with me as my face broadened with a grin. "Honey," I called. 

Thankfully, they were walking towards my side and I could see the looks of shock as the three guys turned around in confusion. They were all wearing hoodies that covered their faces. 

I threw the bags on the floor, as I dashed towards them and pulled the guy closer. "I'm sorry. Please help me with this. I will pay you back, I promise." I whispered into his ears which I was certain Marcus saw as a lovely gesture.

"Who are you?" The man stepped back in confusion, as he pushed my hands away. "What in the world are you doing?" 

I took a deep breath as I watched Marcus move closer to us, my hands still latched on the man's, and to my utmost delight, the guy didn't move away.

"Please…" I trailed off with a tight smile as Marcus narrowed his eyes at me. 

"Zora, you-"

"Baby, meet my friend, Marcus." I grinned, as the man glared at me. "Marcus meet my boyfriend…"

Thankfully, Marcus didn't notice the way I failed to say his name as he seemed dumbstruck about seeing me with a man.

I heard chuckles behind us and noticed the two guys staring at us with amusement-filled eyes. The hoodies were off their heads now and I could see their faces well enough, they were handsome.

"Zora, this man is your boyfriend?" 

He wouldn't have believed it, yeah. I looked up at the man and his blue eyes locked on mine as I swallowed. Pissed would be an understatement of his glare and I squeezed his hand again.

"He is," I confirmed with a smile. I took my eyes away from him and turned around to look at Marcus.

He was staring at me, wide-eyed, his mouth slacked open as he stared at me.

I got on my tip toes, my eyes searching his eyes as he stood fixated. 

"Uhm, I'm sorry-"

"What are you doing?" He whispered back, aggressively.

"I just have to do this. I promise to rep-"

"What in the world are you-"

My lips closed on his and my heart thundered in anticipation. He tasted like coffee, and chills ran through me. I hoped a big part of me hoped, this gesture was enough to convince my ex that I really am over him.

He didn't move his lips and I sucked on his lips softly before I pulled away. My pupils dilated as I struggled to stay put. 

"Wow…" 

Suddenly, lights blinded me and I wobbled back, falling into the man as he pulled me up. He just stared at me, like he couldn't process everything that just happened and when I looked behind him, I didn't only see his two guys, with their mouths agape. There were more than a hundred people as flashes came around me.

"Mr. Garrett, please tell us about your relationship with this lady?"

"Who are you, gurl?"

"Is she your girlfriend, Mr. Garrett?"

"How long have you been together?"

"We have never seen her with you, is she your new fling?"

I couldn't see Marcus anywhere among the reporters that surrounded us and I felt lost.

Where in the world did they appear? And girlfriend? I was certain what happened just now might be mistaken as a lover's thingy, but in no way was I a fling to this young man.

He didn't say anything as he pulled me closer to himself, his guards trying to pave the way in between the paparazzi. I swallowed as I stuck beside him as we pushed our way between them.

I was so done for!!! Where was Kathy when I needed her the most?