New Beginnings

Chapter 6

His blue eyes darted across the room, wanting to connect with a group of people. His ears were filled with workers typing away at their desks, phones ringing, workers typing at their desks.

Black shoulder-length hair. Her hair swayed as she turned, with her dangling earrings following. April always looked her best. She kept her hair tamed, her clothes ironed, and wore a fresh fragrance whenever she left the house.

Short spikey light brown hair on a twenty-seven-year-old man. That would be Henry. His tie looked crooked, and his shirt was found lying in the middle of the room before he picked it up. Then he buttoned it close and walked to his car for work.

An inch longer than Henry's, hair that is. A dirty blond washes over it. Well, that is when he decides not to bleach it. Carter's a reasonably clean man. His clothes may not be freshly ironed in the mornings, but at least they are not found on the bedroom floor.

And last, but not least, Amara. Her blonde hair is light and bouncy. Her brown eyes are soft, and her smile is sweet.

Marley pulled his head away from his 'friends' and continued working. His stomach fell low as his mind wandered to places it shouldn't drift off to at the time.

What the hell am I going to do?

He held his head in his hands briefly. He took a deep breath, exhaling as he rubbed his hands against his face.

The sound of heels loomed in his left ear, getting closer by the second. "Marley?" a gentle voice spoke.

Marley lifted his head, looking towards the familiar face. "Amara, what are you doing here?" Marley softly replied.

She bent over. Her face closer to Marley's ear to be sure no one else heard a word. "I know what's been happening, and I'm sure you understand it's unfair on you. I'm sorry, Marley."

"It's okay, Amara. You don't need to apologise. You have done nothing wrong."

She sighed softly. "I'll try talking to Carter again. I'll try talking to all three of them. I know they care about you, Marley. They've been your friends for years."

"Thank you," Marley smiled.

Amara beamed in return. She walked back to her desk, leaving Marley glad he at least has her.

Marley glanced to where Alexander was working and smiled softly. He got up from his chair to greet his friend. "Hey, Xander."

"I'm working."

"Right," Marley looked to the floor. "Hey! There's this great place I've-"

"Marley," Alexander sternly said. "Leave me be."

Marley's eyes widened, with his mouth parting. "Yeah, sorry."

I suppose I have been disturbing his work a lot recently. But I thought he enjoyed my company.

The day went slowly. Marley's head was filled with many unnecessary thoughts and worries. As he packed up for the day, he saw numerous colleagues of his chatting freely, laughing. His stomach fell low, creating a strange feeling in his chest.

Marley's eyes drifted to his friend, Alexander. There was no sign of him leaving anytime soon. He typed away at his desk, eyes glued to the screen. Marley grabbed his bag and walked to the hard-working man. "Hey, Xander. Are you going home soon?-"

"No. I have much to be getting on with right now."

"Okay. Well, I'm leaving so, if you need something text me."

"Why would I need something from you," Alexander commented.

Marley's eyebrows furrowed. "Right." He turned, leaving the building. He wasn't expecting Alexander to go home with him, but his behaviour towards him that day disappointed Marley. 

Marley drove straight to daycare, picking up Shai. At least someone will keep me company. Marley sighed.

His hair was in a bun, which Shai attempted to grab as she babbled. They sat in the lounge, playing with the baby's toys. She hugged an orange cat plushy that wore a blue bow tie. Marley held her hand, smiling weakly. "I'm sorry, Shai. You deserve a proper family. Someone who knows what they're doing."

A tear escaped the man's eye, dropping onto the carpeted floor. "I don't know what I'm doing. Everyone is slowly fading away from me. I don't know what to do," Marley sniffled.

Shai gently gazed upon Marley. She loosened her grip on her plush, giving it to the man. His eyes widened softly. He took it, holding onto the cat toy tightly. Marley outstretched one of his arms for Shai; he scooped her up and held her and the plush warmly.

"I love you, Shai."

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apologies for the shorter chapter xx