Page 126 of Checkmate
“Has someone converted it to flats?” Erica asked. It was the only thing that made sense. The house was beautiful, but it was a monster. There was so much of it!
“Nope,” Alex said cheerfully. “It’s all ours. Wait until you see the bedroom, it takes up the entire first floor and—”
“Why have you done this?” Finally, Alex turned to look at her, his hand still comically trying to fit the key in the lock.
“What do you mean? I’ve bought us a house. Somewhere for us to live.” He frowned at her. “I thought you’d be happy.”
“I am,” she said, though she didn’t even sound convincing to herself. “But this place must have cost a fortune. We have to make these decisions together.”
Alex sighed, abandoning the keys and rubbing his eyes. “Erica, I told you when I proposed I was going to take care of you. This is taking care of you.”
“I know, but—”
“And didn’t I say in our wedding vows that I wanted to give you the world?”
“You did—”
“When my business finally took off, and we made our first million, did I not tell you it was time for you to relax and let me handle things?”
“Yes, Alex, you did. But this is—”
“Exactly what you deserve,” he said, taking her hand. “Look, you haven’t even looked inside and you’re already protesting. I didn’t buy a house on a whim. This is an investment in our future. I secured us a home that suits all our hopes and dreams.”
Erica’s heart softened as the implications of his words sank in. “Our hopes and dreams?”
“A couple of dogs and a cat, right? That’s what you said you wanted.”
“Yes,” she said with a nod. “That’s what I wanted.”
“And this right here is step one.” He leaned forward to kiss her once. “Let me do what I promised, Erica. You don’t have to lift a finger anymore. I’m going to give you the world.”
PRESENT DAY
Erica jumped as a pile of papers landed with a thud on the table in front of her.
“Here, look through these.” Marcus took a seat on the sofa, gesturing to the pile. She glanced down at the pages and frowned, flicking through them.
“Property listings? Are you kicking me out?” Marcus laughed and shrugged.
“Sort of,” he said. “Actually, we’re both getting kicked out. Mr Boston Jr. is selling up on his father’s behalf. We’re about to be homeless.”
“Well, shit.”
Erica grabbed the first sheet of paper, skimming the property summary. It was probably time she found her own place rather than sleeping on Marcus’ sofa. It had been long enough.
“Two bedrooms, one bath,” she read, glancing up at Marcus. “Large kitchen and modest living room with front and back gardens. Sounds out of my price range.”
“Well. Maybe not, but keep going.”
She stood and grabbed a cigarette, lighting it as she read through the second listing. “Three bedrooms this time, two bathrooms. Sounds lovely, and still out of my price range.”
She flicked through the listings, the cigarette hanging from her mouth. “Who are you picturing in these places, Marcus? Because I am only one person and do not need all that space.”
“Oh, it’s definitely you that I’m picturing,” Marcus said. “Well, at one place in particular, but you haven’t reached it yet.”
“How do you know I haven’t reached it?”
“Because I know. Keep going.” Erica rolled her eyes, good-naturedly. She continued to flick through listings she knew she could never afford. All the while, Marcus watched her, waiting for something.
