Ps: the picture is Fatimah.

"Don't cry when the sun is gone because the tears won't let you see the stars."

-Violeta Para.

"Pamela!" Marcel exclaimed when he saw her walking up the front porch. "I was about to come to get you."

She gave him a polite smile. "Thank you."

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Marcel. I'm fine."

He studied her for a moment. "No, you're not."

She sighed loudly, irritated. "I'm fine, Marcel, thank you."

He fell quiet and Pamela realized she had yelled.

"I'm sorry, it's just -"

"It's okay, I understand." He said smiling. "It can't be easy burying your dad."

She nodded and swallowed aloud. Yes, her dad was part but a certain someone was the real reason she was feeling depressed all of a sudden.

He moved toward her and gave her a warm hug. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call me."

Pamela smiled. "I won't, I promise."

He smiled back at her. "Let's go inside." He took her hands and she let him lead her in.

Inside, guests were seated in groups, some were standing by the fireplace, some were at the dining table, some at the window, all talking about the great Robert Hadlee King.

"Pamela dear!" someone called for her. She went over to meet the woman.

"How are you doing dear? Your father was a great man. He will be missed."

"Thank you, Mrs. Jones, I appreciate it."

"He sponsored my kids through college." Another said. "Oh, we lost a gem."

Pamela's throat tightened. "Yes, Mrs. Sharon. We did."

"I'm so sorry for your loss dear. I don't know how to console you."

Pamela wanted to burst into tears as people kept walking up to her and eulogizing her father. As if sensing her dismay, Marcel walked up to her and took her by the hand.

"I'm sorry, I have to borrow Pamela for a moment." He led her upstairs to the solace of her room. "What would you like to drink?"

"Something cold." She said sitting on her bed, glad to be away from the people offering condolences.

He disappeared out to the door to go get her what she requested. In less than a minute, he was back with a bottle of soda.

"Thank you." She said accepting it.

"You looked miserable in there."

"You have no idea."

It was silent for a while. Then Pamela realized they were alone for the first time since they had broken up. Marcel had always understood her right from the outset, he had been sweet and loving and had been perfect for her. Why her dad forbade their relationship, she never understood.

"So -"

"Now -"

They both said at the same time and laughed.

"You first." He said.

"No, you first."

"It's always ladies first."

"Yeah, satisfy ladies first. So go on." They laughed.

"I said now you're in charge of your dad's company, do you plan on running it solo or you're gonna hand it over to his assistant?"

Pamela was quiet for a while. "To be honest I haven't given it much thought."

"Yeah? Okay, no qualms. I'm sure the company can take a few days off. Before then you should come up with something. You know some people have this retarded view about a female leader and so I don't want you to be unprepared at any point in time."

"Yeah, true." There was a sense in what he was saying, she thought. She stared at the window, lost in thought. The future seemed bleak without her dad and so she prayed for strength.

When Robert King was there, management of the company seemed easy. Now, all she wanted was to curl up in a ball under the sheets and cry herself to sleep, then have a big box of pizza and a bottle of milkshake brought to her bed -

"Earth to Pamela!" Marcel clicked his fingers in front of her, laughing.

She smiled at him. "Sorry."

"Yeah, okay, your turn."

"Okay, I said, so what are you doing now? Tell me about your life, your job." Then she grinned and added, "That hot model you brought to the party the last time we met. What's her name again?"

"Fatimah." He supplied.

"Yes. The Arab-American lady. How is she?"

"Good. And you? Your boyfriend? Was surprised I didn't see him today."

He was referring to Devlin.

"Yeah, uh, about that, we uh, broke up." Considering what happened today, they did break up. It seemed bizarre though, never really dated but broken up. Pamela sighed inwardly.

Marcel was quiet for a moment, and when he did speak, his voice was a low growl. "Did he hurt you?"

Pamela heard the anger in his voice, and a lot of feelings swept through her. She had missed that kind of affection and protection.

"Well... He...uh -"

"Tell me! Did that son of a bitch hurt you?" He balled his fists.

"No! No no no, he didn't, calm down. We - uh, just realized we weren't good for each other anymore." She said simply, and heavens knew it wasn't as easy.

"No one is good enough for you, Pamela. You are a gem. You deserve the best."

That was sweet, Pamela thought. She smiled at him as he placed his hand over hers, caressing it gently.

How she had missed him. It had been torture when her dad told her to stay away from him. She remembered the breakup all too well, the way she had cried after he left, the way he had cried, begging her, professing his undying love. Her throat constricted in hurt.

It had been on a rainy July afternoon. Marcel had come to visit before the rains started. She had been in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" Florence their housekeeper called to no one in particular. After a few hefty steps and voices, she felt a very familiar cologne and strong arms that wrapped around her waist from behind.

"Marcel." She said smiling, taking in the scent of him. She turned around and placed a kiss on his lips. "How are you?"

He leaned in for a deeper, longer kiss. "There. I'm fine. And you?"

"I'm okay. Seeing you is all I need to feel great."

He smiled. That sly, sexy smile that got her heart racing every darn time.

"What?" He asked.

"What?" She replied.

"You're grinning."

Pamela laughed. She hadn't realized that. "Guess you make me happy."

She turned back to stir the eggs she was frying, which were half burnt. But she didn't mind. Marcel was here. It was all that mattered.

"Come, let's eat." She carried two plates of partly burnt scrambled egg to the dining table and realized Marcel was limping slightly, and his face was a bit swollen.

"What happened to you?"

"Me?"

She stared directly at his legs.

"Oh, that. I got in a fight with someone."

"What? Baby!" She exclaimed in dismay.

"I know, I know. It was over a stupid game. You know I have a football club I love. Dan, my work buddy picked a fight with me over it because we won and his club didn't. You know how guys get when it comes to sports, football especially." He shrugged.

Pamela was still shaken. "I forbid you from fighting from now henceforth. I mean, you could have walked away from the fight if you wanted to!" She became upset.

"Babe I'm fine, I promise."He held her hands and made her sit on his lap. "I'm fine."

"I still forbid you." she sulked.

"Yes ma'am." He said and they both laughed, leaning in for a kiss. It was the best feeling ever.

Until Pamela's dad walked in on them.

"What are you doing here?" He was referring to Marcel. He looked really mad.

"Dad, uh this is Marcel I met at the par -"

"Shut up Pamela, I know him."

Pamela was shocked. Her dad had never spoken to her that way. Ever.

"Get out of my house."

Marcel was gravely quiet. Then he nodded and started for the door.

"No!" Pamela rushed towards Marcel and held him back. "He's going nowhere. I love hi,m dad. I'm going to be with him."

"Go to your room, Pamela."

"What? I'm not a child!"

"I said, GO TO YOUR ROOM!" he thundered, just as the skies thundered and it started raining cats and dogs. Shocked and humiliated, Pamela burst into tears.

"I'll just go." Marcel headed for the door.

"Marcel, no! Wait, please."

"I'm sorry Pamela." He left.

"Dad! How could you?" She yelled at him sobbing hysterically. "How could you!"

Her dad sat at the kitchen counter, ignoring her completely, looking mad.

"Dad," She decided to try the calm way. "Please... I love him." She sobbed.

"You're over."

"What?"

"You're over. You and that man. I forbid your relationship." Then he headed for the stairs.

"Shame on you old bitter man! Little wonder mom divorced you. You're cold and heartless and devoid of love and affection!"

Pamela had said the words before she realized how hurting it was. Her dad continued his movement up the stairs and to his room. She sat on the chair shocked she said those words, knowing fully well how it had hurt her dad after the divorce, how he would cry with the shower on, how she would bring dinner for him in bed because he refused to leave the room and come back the next morning to meet it untouched. No, he didn't deserve it.

She was going to apologize. If her dad told her to leave Marcel, it was probably for the best. She was going to break up with him. Her dad knew best.

On impulse, she ran outside and saw Marcel standing in the rain. She started towards him with determined steps. She had to call this off.

"Marcel, it breaks my heart but we can't be together."

"What? No. I can handle your father."

"I'm sorry Marcel."

He looked at her, hurt evident on his face. "Pamela, " He tried to reach for her hands but she moved away.

"I'm sorry," She whispered, tears rolling down her face. It wasn't easy to know though, the rain was heavy.

To her surprise, he knelt crying and begging. It was the hardest thing she had ever done but she left him in the rain and ran to her room, crying her heart out.

The next day she apologized to her dad and all was bright and sunny again. All he said was he knew best. Now that he was gone, what would she do without him? Now that the only threat standing between her and Marcel was no longer there, should she accept him back?

Then she recalled, all of a sudden, a certain mafia that was starting to be a threat between her and Marcel. She forced her thoughts away from him and channeled all her attention toward the friend sitting before her.

~

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