1.2 The Mayor of Newcrest

Hiya everyone! A new chapter of Crowes is here. Enjoy!

*** *** *** ***

Trisha looked like she read a gardening book, but her brain did some serious thinking. She was trying to figure out, what to do with the whole Marcus situation. He was charismatic and gentle and had a great sense of humour; a perfect package. 

But...

Yeah. He had a fear of commitment. Or that's what he said, at least. And there he was, getting all married with someone else. Without telling Trisha or even inviting her to the wedding.

"Maybe I can still have an heir with him... It wouldn't be too weird to be a single mother. What do you think, sage?"
The sage bush didn't answer, of course. It just whooshed a bit in the wind.

Nevertheless, Marcus still seemed to enjoy her company. And Trisha enjoyed his too. Also then, when they didn't actually do anything. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable or pressuring, just comforting and peaceful.

The garden seemed to reflect her complicated feelings. Even if she cared and nurtured her dear plant babies, they were evolving so slowly.

She had already decided, what would become the first build in Newcrest. The decision was hard, because who was she to make a decision so big, how would she know what kind of community lot would be the most important and what was it what the villagers wanted and needed the most? But in the end she had come to the decision that it was a park. A good park was a place for many kinds of encounters, it was a place to make memories, to build relationships, to live life. And at her park there would be plenty of perfect plants. Therefore she fertilized, weeded and watered her babies and hoped, that one day all her work would be fruitful (ha ha).

If only the work she did for her relationship would also be fruitful.

Marcus looked like he already undressed her with his eyes... Maybe he had second thoughts about his marriage? Maybe he was ready to jump to a similar adventure with her?

There was only one way to find out. Trisha had butterflies in her stomach.

The answer was clear. 
"Are you crazy? It was bad enough to have one wedding", Marcus complained. "Listen, what we have is pure fun to me, okay?"
Trisha sighed disappointed. She should have known. But it was so hard to read him. First it seems like he's all over her, and then... Yeah. Then he's not.

*** *** *** *** ***

A very eccentric style, was the first thought that crossed Trisha's mind when she first saw the man. She felt an urge to laugh a bit. At first she thought that the electric blue knit cap and flaming red socks were a statement of some kind, but he seemed to be serious wearing them.

Anyways, he seemed to be lost. Maybe he was new in Newcrest. Trisha felt it was her duty to go and offer a helping hand.

"Hi! You look like you're new here. My name is Trisha. Can I help you?"
"Thank you", he responded in relief. "Yes, I could accept a bit help. Where can I find, how do I say it, anything here?"
Trisha couldn't help but laugh. "If you are looking for city life, you're at the wrong place. Newcrest is a project in process, and well, I'm its unofficial Mayor, if one can say so. You can file a complaint at the Town Hall." She gestured towards her little house. "The Mayor listens to the citizens' complaints."

"Wow, a Mayor", the man giggled amused. "Well, this citizen would like to give compliments to the Mayor's looks and sense of humour and would like to suggest a meeting some day, maybe with some coffee? The name is Salim", he introduced himself. "Salim Benali."
"Pleasure to meet you, Salim. The Mayor hears the suggestion and happily accepts it. She would suggest that they meet at the Town Hall, because, well, isn't it obvious?"

"The Town Hall will do", Salim said. "Sounds good. This citizen must go now to fulfill his civic duties, but here's his - I mean, here's my number. I hope the Mayor puts it in a good use." Salim waved his hand as a goodbye. "It was nice to meet you, Miss Mayor."
"The pleasure was mine", Trisha said quietly to his back.
"The pleasure was all mine."

*** *** *** *** ***

Trisha couldn't believe her eyes. After taking off his sunglasses and  ridiculous cap the man was... hot. There was no other word for it. Yes, he had this unique hipster-like style, but it suited him. Trisha tried not to stare him too much as she chatted with him, but it was hard. She could admire his face for hours and not get bored.

And how fun he was! So much funnier than Marcus ever was. Trisha could just listen to his jokes and stories the whole afternoon. Salim told her writing was his passion, and that one day he wanted to earn a living by writing and publishing books, and Trisha knew that he of all the people could do it. He was so imaginative and a great storyteller. Trisha knew, that he was going to be somebody.

She also told him about her own passions, and he listened. She told him about her passion for gardening, about her dream of building a park for the residents of Newcrest and about her ambition of growing plenty of perfect plants for it. As sugar on top Salim was an excellent listener. Trisha felt like she could talk about anything with him. And she felt like she already did.

At some point they were done talking though and started to do something completely different.
"Whoa, this feels so good", Trisha sighed. "I didn't realize my shoulders were so stiff!" His slick fingers worked on just the right spots.

Trisha felt like she should thank him somehow. How she decided to do that surprised him.

"As your Mayor I'm honoured to give you the key to the city", Trisha joked, but then continued with a serious tone. "No, really, you are welcome to my house anytime. I had so much fun with you, Salim."
"What an honour, indeed", he said. "But I was hoping the day wasn't over just yet..."
When she saw his grin she had butterflies in her stomach. She grinned back.

"That was... Wow." Trisha didn't know what to say. Wasn't it enough that he was handsome, charismatic, fun, quick-witted and emphatic? But awesome in bed too? Was there anything he couldn't do?
"Amazing." Salim seemed to agree with her. "Trisha, the day I met you was one of the best days of my life. You are an incredible woman. And a wonderful Mayor, I must say."
Trisha giggled. Then she rose to her feet, and he followed her lead.

They agreed to make their relationship official. Now they were a girlfriend and a boyfriend. In a relationship. Trisha bursted of joy. Finally she had found herself a soulmate, and she didn't have to settle with someone who didn't know what he wanted. Salim wanted no one but her.

And she wanted no one but him.

*** *** *** *** ***

Trisha was nervous, but she tried to hide it behind a smile. Marcus followed her inside seemingly oblivious of what was coming. Despite of the uncomfortable feeling she knew what she had to do. And it was better to get it over with than let him wait for no reason.

His face was blank as she told him what she was thinking. That their thing was fun when it lasted, but they would be better off as friends. That they both were now in relationship. That even if it was okay for Marcus to cheat on his wife, she couldn't do the same to Salim. She wanted to give her attention to one man at a time.

Marcus nodded understanding. Trisha felt slightly lighter.

He was less understanding though as she asked him to return her house key, but he finally did it hesitantly. When she saw his figure getting smaller and smaller as he was walking away from her house she felt more satisfied than she had been feeling for a while. All pieces of the puzzle were at their place - or at least, most of them.

She couldn't wait for tomorrow to see, what kind of adventures it was holding for Salim and her.

*** *** *** *** ***