Bruised By Your Tears

By Marcus King

Love is exhausting as these tears bruise deeply.
Dating in the gay community has its many shades of flavor. For Dominic Wells, it’s even harder to bear as a CEO. With a busy schedule and no time to himself, he tries to find love through the many avenues of dating. However, he finds himself caught up in a twisted whirlwind of guys and his best friend, Curtis.
Curtis Canton has always had a quiver for Mr. Wells. With Mr. Wells decision to pursue elsewhere drives Curtis into a frenzy to find out the truth about Dominic’s love interest. Their mutual best friend, Jasmine Fay, has her own distant troubles as she believes she holds the keys or love or so she thinks.
Secrets and unfathomed emotions rip the walls of their hearts, as they find themselves bruised by their own tears in the process.
Can a tear save a soul?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marcus King
• Release date: Sep 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005855512

Marcus King

Marcus J King, a new face in a world of deception and drama. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia (Hampton Roads area); Currently living in Austin, Texas as he continues his journey with many books to come.Mr. King started writing in six grade, formally Hunt-Mapp Middle School in 1997. After giving up Power Ranger toys and grounded for excessively playing video games, the craft came alive. In that moment, he found his love for imagination and freely allowing his thoughts to erupt on paper.Further, he had no entertainment for fun and freedom with limited friends in 1997. He struggled with bullying for being different. He turned to writing as his way of escaping to a bigger world while dealing with society. After Hunt-Mapp Middle School, he moved to Churchland, Virginia. He continued his education at Churchland Middle School where he meet with many friends for inspiration.After graduating from Churchland High School, he took a break from going to college to focus on what he wanted to do with his life. Struggling with hardships and difficulties with friends and family, he decided to take hold of his destiny. He aimed for his career in writing with Southern New Hampshire University for his Screenwriting and Fiction Writing Degree. While studying for his degree, he created a small episodic series on YouTube called KRETV (Keeping it Real Entertainment), where he played 4 different characters, portraying characters of a later book to come. He also started a blog to showcase his poems and his art for writing (infamouskalel.wordpress.com).Having held 8 management roles with 8 different companies, he has secured his life with the love of the pen and many experiences to follow as a self-published author. He writes fiction books (fantasy drama; drama; romance; gay drama); screenwriting, poems, and memoirs.

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Bruised by Your Tears

By: Marcus J. King

Bruised by your Tears

Copyright © 2020 by Marcus J. King

Marcus J Creations LLC

Cover Art: Kristin Bryant

Editor: Michelle Brown

All rights reserved under the Marcus J King brand and Marcus J Creations LLC.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

www.marcusjking.com

Dedicated to:

"Any LGBTQIA+ person that suffers from the troubles of online dating,

may you find peace and love always"

Chapter 1

Entangled in his deception, torn by his forgotten love—tears flood his face, dripping over his cheeks.

He wraps his brawny arm around his neck. Dominic gasps for air as the snake digs in deeper around his throat.

Licking the side of his face, You taste so sweet.

Let me go. Dominic struggles.

Dominic tries to cough, and he squeezes tighter. Choking on the pain being inflicted with every breath, Dominic began to cry and say, Please, stop...

Dominic’s breathing becomes weak and slow.

He softly whispers to Dominic, "You will be with me."

Dominic opens his eyes some more and finds a glimpse of energy. He struggles to break free, kicking his legs and trying to grab his arms and head. He elbows the intruder in his stiff abs as hard as he can.

The intruder licks his face, bites his ear, and says,

Stop fighting me, babe.

As he squeezes tighter, Dominic reaches for the items on the nightstand: alarm clock, a glass cup, a pen, and sweeps them onto the floor. The intruder pulls him away from the nightstand. He picks him up and slams his head on the floor.

He began to fade away faster under the boa constrictor hold. Dominic’s eyes grow weaker and begin to shut.

Sleep, babe. Sleep.

I should have seen the signs, asked more questions. What did I get myself into?

On Dominic’s dark brown nightstand, a buzzing green alarm clock went off. He reached out of the covers and smacked the clock; as he pushed against the wall. He grunted and rolled over. He opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.

Oh, another day to be thankful for.

He swiped the cream-colored duvet away from himself as he put on his slippers and walked into the bathroom. He washed his face clean from the drool on the side of his mouth. He pushed the button on his speaker and played the Feeling Good, Feeling Great playlist on Spotify. He started moving his shoulders and humming, beginning to bop his head as the music ruled his body. He danced to his nightstand and grabbed his phone, checked the messages. He goes into the bathroom and placing his phone on the bathroom counter, he began to brush his teeth with his Sonicare toothbrush while reading his emails and messages from work.

I’ll take care of that later, he said to himself. Got to save a note about this later.

He finished brushing his pearly whites and got into the shower, dancing and humming as he continues his morning ritual. He got of the shower and went into his large walk-in closet with a bench. He looked over his name-brand suits and grabbed a navy blue and cream-colored dress shirt and brown dress shoes. He began to put on his cologne and lotions, then his clothes. As he put on his belt, he looked himself in the mirror.

Damn, I look good, he said confidently.

He continued to dance, but his phone buzzes, interrupting his music. He pulled a tie and wrapped it around his neck.

He answered the phone. Hello?

Good morning, Mr. Wells. Where are you?

I’m at home about to leave.

Okay. I got here early to prepare for our meeting this morning.

Great work as always—

However, there is something wrong with the proposal.

What do you mean something is wrong with the proposal. It’s perfect, he said, trying to fix his tie in the mirror.

It needs more work. Maybe we can get some more money from them if we add a restaurant in the building.

Sharon, that’s not going to work...shoot, this tie! he said, irritated.

I will fix it when you get here.

Okay. He wrapped the tie around his neck and walked into the kitchen to get some juice.

Which part is not going to work? Sharon asked, looking at the images in the presentation.

It won’t work because Starbucks will be on the first floor of the building. He sighed and thought for a minute. The entrepreneur’s development complex is perfectly designed the way it is.

I feel adding a restaurant would take it to the next level.... if you ask me, she mumbled under her breath.

I heard that! Until I get there, can you advise Mr. Yoshie to hold on a little longer? He will be pleased with our design over our competitors.

Okay, Mr. Wells, Sharon said in a nagging tone.

He hung up with her and placed his phone in his blazer, then grabbed his briefcase with his iPad Pro and folders. He went back into the kitchen and grabbed a green apple. He grabbed his belongings and was out the door.

Good morning, Mr. Wells. It’s a beautiful day today, said Mr. Rodgers in his army fatigues, watering his plants.

That it is, Mr. Rodgers. He locked his door. You do anything for Valentine’s Day yesterday?

No sir. No fair lady visits me anymore.

Aww, it’s okay. We all have been there.

Heading to work?

As always, Mr. Rodgers.

You be safe. Ya hear?

Yes sir. He saluted him, and he saluted back.

Dominic got into his silver GLB Coupe Mercedes Benz and began to set up his music. Leaving his luxury condominiums, it was nested near his job, so he didn’t have to travel far. He drove Uptown near S. Poplar St. in Charlotte, NC.

He pulled into the shared garage. He has his own space with a sign that reads, CEO of Dimensional Designs. He proceeded out the car and into the elevator, up to the twenty-second floor. As he headed up, he checked his emails for upcoming projects, and as well as older projects. He looked at his gold Rolex: 9:50 AM.

The doors opened to his floor to a museum-like hallway with glass pictures along the walls. In each one was a previous project—buildings, offices, and landscapes that the team has completed over the past twenty years. At the end of the corridor was a secretary’s desk.

Good morning, Mr. Dominic Wells, Jason said flirtatiously.

Good morning. He smiled. Any messages for me so far?

They are on your desk, prepared and ready with a little surprise.

Oh yeah? What will that be?

A breakfast biscuit.

Thank you. No egg, right?

No worries.

Dominic looked around at the office and his employees. The office was set up with circular desk in the middle group together for the designers. The walls were lined with glass offices along the windows for the department managers, and just to the right of Jason’s desk were two board rooms.

CEO in the house! a deep voice boomed.

A thin, shorter white male, Jim Benet, shook hands with Dominic.

That I am.

His head project manager, who oversaw many operations in the field, nodded to him. You missed the show.

What show?

You know, the show Jason puts on for you when you arrive. He smirked.

Jason cut his eyes at Jim. What are you talking about?

You know he puts this on to cater to you, CEO. He winked.

Oh, please. Dominic turned away.

You need to stop, Jim. Head Architect Kayla Reed walked up, smiling.

What? It’s the truth.

What is that? she asked.

The show of effort that he can never be with you. Jim looked at Jason.

Dominic smiled. Kayla looked at Jason. Jason made a haughty face at Jim.

Ha-ha, very funny. Don’t you have projects to go see, instead of pestering me? Jason said archly.

I do. Don’t you have phones to pick up? Ring-ring!

Jason stuck his tongue out him, and he returned the favor.

Alright, you two. Enough of that. We have clients in the building, Dominic noted.

He’s right. Let’s get to work. Hope the meeting goes well today, Kayla added.

Thanks.

Dominic walked into his office, past the circular desk, to a far corner of the floor. Setting his briefcase down, he saw the sandwich and took a bite of it. As he chewed, he glanced at the picture of himself and Mr. Gerald Gear, the previous owner. He lifted the picture and flipped the back of it over. Inside was a note from Mr. Gear, a memento from the time before cancer claimed his life.

"Since my career is my family, I’m giving my whole company over to my dear partner of five years. I have never met someone so focused and hard-working as you. I have considered you as my partner since the first day I worked with you. That is why I’m giving you my establishment, in hopes that you will continue my legacy. You may change the name, hire new workers, etc., whatever you must do to succeed as an architect and the business. Go far, my son, go far."

In her pink pin-striped suit, Sharon popped in on Dominic just as he began to get teary-eyed.

Are you looking at that picture again? She rushed over to him, snatched it out of his hand, and placed it on the desk. We don’t have time for this today.

I know. I just miss him.

I get it, but it’s been seven years since his passing. You are going to be late for this meeting—it’s well after ten.

Oh, my goodness. I lost track of time. I got caught up in Jim and Jason’s drama.

He went over to the mirror, which is next to the door, to check to make sure all the details were in place.

You look fine! Now come on, you’re already late, she said, rushing him.

But do I look business sexy? He smiled.

Didn’t Jason already tell you what he thought of you?

With less words and more eyes. I need a woman’s perspective…how do I look?

How about this… she stepped closer to him, …enough to make a woman want to turn you straight.

Perfect, but the word you needed was ‘business desirable.’

They both laughed.

Let’s go, Mister Man, and let’s see if you can get this deal, because I need me a good check. It’s been some rough times lately, she said, frowning.

Really? he said, unsurprised.

Yeah, those credit card people are the devil in disguise. Don’t ever get one!

I had one, but I paid mine off from the last deal we had. He raised his eyebrow.

Oh, the Scotts and Scotts deal?

Yes, lord, he said, fixing his collar.

Boy, that was a lot of money.

Heck yeah! Two million dollars, and I get the biggest percentage of it. Dominic smiled. —And now I’m credit free; nothing but cash transactions for me.

Lucky you. Who-hoo!

Don’t worry. He hugged her shoulder. You’ll get it down. No time soon, but it will go down.

I hope so, she said, unsure of herself.

Let’s go ace this one. You got my forms, presentation, and portfolios? Dominic said, counting the list in his head.

All in Conference Room B, but one thing is missing…

…Charm and persuasion. He smiled.

Two and a half hours later, they all come out, shaking hands and hugging.

My gosh, Mr. Wells. You are a sly and smooth negotiator. I like that! the short, petite Asian man commented.

I am glad you’re happy with the numbers we presented, Dominic added.

Not only were you able to listen to our needs and make changes, but you’re sincere, and you care. You can’t get that anywhere else, he said, holding the top of his hand.

We do what we have to for our clients.

That you have! He smiled brightly. We will be in touch soon on the site.

Absolutely. Thank you all for coming.

As they left down the museum-like hallway, Dominic and Sharon wave gently as the elevator doors shut. Sharon elbowed him in the side softly.

Who was right?

What? Dominic smirked as he walked towards his office.

I told you something was wrong with the proposal.

Um…

Dominic, I told you that Mr. Yoshie wanted a newly-designed restaurant, but something that was up-to-date.

A Fat Burger is not a newly-designed restaurant, but I guess you were right that he wanted a change.

What? I didn’t quite hear that! she said, putting her hand to her ear.

You…were…right! Dominic said