"Well I am glad you finally emerged, you look lovely, thatis a very smart outfit you are wearing."Her compliment was reassuring; I had stolen this fro... Mia's wardrobe. Ihad chosen a very tight fitting pleated navy skirt, with a little slit upthe side, it had a wide leather belt which helped cinch in my waist.I had added a pair of very dark pantyhose, to hide the fact that I don'tshave my legs, Mia would be pissed but I wore a pair of her favouriteLouboutin's, glossy black patent leather. My. Stepping back she didn’t bother correcting Marcus’ assumption at the cause of her sudden discomfort. Determined, she pushed thoughts of Douglas from her mind and considered her dinner companion. Marcus had dressed for dinner and looked splendid in a charcoal gray coat and trousers. His hair was a little long by ton standards and mussed from her fingers. His crisp cravat sat slightly askew and she couldn’t resist the urge to straighten the simple knot. Marcus startled a bit at the feminine. It’s Friday. When are you ever home before midnight on a Friday?’ Before he could summon a coherent retort, she forced herself upright on the chair with a deep frown. ‘Hold on. Weren’t you supposed to be in Malaysia or Thailand or somewhere this weekend? Catching the clap in pre-teen brothels? Yet you’re dragging me to Hank’s for the weekend to drown in your sorrows with all the other losers.’ ____Not so drunk, after all. Or at least, not quite drunk enough. ____’The Malaysia trip fell. I sat up and put my arms through the sleeves beforeshe buttoned it shut and tied a bow at the back. "I'm so glad we stillhave you Stacy... and I hope we find Bella..." she told me before tearscame to her eyes."We will... somehow," I agreed.She kissed me on the forehead, hugged me, and then sat me down on thefloor. "Little girl you have a bunch of homework to do... I know one ofyour classes has a crazy witch of a professor that will make you do aton of work."I smiled weakly. "You're not thaaat.