Michael took a moment before he started talking. I held my breath as he talked about Malcolm.
"Malcolm...is not a simple man. He is very complicated and difficult to understand at times," he said.
"Yeah, I know," I replied.
"He does not like good girls. I mean, he prefers the other kind...the not so good girls," Michael said.
"Why? I mean, I respect his choices, but why?" I queried.
"Because, according to him, good girls expect too much, and he hates that for some reason," Michael answered.
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow, is that why Malcolm is so rude to me?" I asked rhetorically.
"That's one reason, the other is our mother," he replied.
"Huh? How? What did your mother do?" I started preparing the pizza, I needed to make sure everything was ready before four o'clock.
"She died," Michael responded.
At his words, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Michael must've sensed my puzzlement because he clarified.
"Malcolm was very close to our mom, more so than the rest of us. Her death hit Malcolm the hardest. So this whole arrogant persona and the obnoxious attitude is Malcolm's way of coping and protecting his heart."
"So you're saying, that Malcolm is like this because he doesn't want his heart broken?" I made sure I got my facts straight.
"Yes, and because you're a good girl," Michael confirmed.
"So, if I act like a bad girl, would he be nice to me?" I questioned, wondering how would I be able to act like a bad girl.
Michael chuckled. "No, don't do that. He's warming up to you and is starting to like you, so don't ruin that by acting like a bad girl."
"Really? It doesn't look like it," I stated, putting the pizza in the oven.
"Like I said, Malcolm is difficult to understand. And he has a rather different way of doing things. So maybe, he thinks that he's being nice to you but you might not see it that way. I hope that makes sense." Michael told me.
"I guess so. But he should understand that I didn't mean to get pregnant. The pregnancy came as a surprise to me, too. But he's acting as if I had purposely gotten pregnant," I said.
"He understands that, and you might not believe me but he is rather excited about becoming a father." Michael's voice lowered to a whisper. "He told us himself."
"I don't believe you. He just doesn't want baby to grow up poor," I stated, taking out ingredients to make chicken Alfredo.
"It's okay, you don't have to believe me, but I'm telling the truth." Was all Michael said.
"Can I ask you something, if you don't mind?" I queried.
"Sure, what is it?" Michael gave me a small smile. I must admit, Michael was extremely nice, and I found myself comfortable in his presence, unlike in Malcolm's presence, where I felt so insecure and vulnerable.
"What about your father? I mean your mom died, but what about your father?" I enquired.
"He walked out on us when we were little kids. That's another reason why Malcolm is like that. He never had a father figure to teach him how to treat a woman right. Our mom taught us these things, but then again, Malcolm wasn't expecting to become a father so soon," he explained.
"But, your father left you guys too, and your mother died, too, why is Malcolm like that and you're not?" Surely the absence of their parents would've affected Michael as well.
"Everybody is different and is affected differently. And you should talk to my older brothers, they are like Malcolm, too," Michael informed me.
"Oh." Was all I said. So Malcolm was like this because he was protecting his heart. I still found it difficult to forgive him for all he had done to me.
"Look, I'm not saying you should forget whatever happened between you two. But just give him another chance, you never know, he might surprise you," Michael said.
"Did Malcolm ask you to say that to me?" I might do what Michael just said, but I was a bit hesitant.
"No, I'm saying that because I believe that Malcolm is capable of redeeming himself in your eyes. And a sweet girl like you needs a sweet and loving man, and who knows Malcolm might be that guy for you," Michael replied.
"No he won't, I told you, he hates me." My eyes widened when I saw Malcolm entering the kitchen.
Shit, now he'll insult me in front of his brother.
"What are you two talking about?" Malcolm asked, looking back and forth between Michael and I.
Michael stood up and slapped Malcolm on the back in a brotherly fashion. "Nothing much, just getting to know the mother of my niece or nephew," he said.
"Okay." Malcolm came and stood right in front of me.
"How long until lunch is ready?" He asked. His posture oozed confidence and power, making me feel small.
"An hour, Mr. Bennett," I answered softly.
"Good." Malcolm cupped my cheek and brought his face closer to me. The close proximity made my heart beat accelerate.
"After you're done cooking, I want you to go to bed, okay? Rest, take a power nap for a couple of hours, you'll feel better, okay?" He told me.
"I - I can't do that. I need to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen, and I also have to prepare the guest rooms for your brothers," I said.
"You don't need to worry about that, okay? Focus on your health and the baby, am I clear?" Even though he was speaking softly to me and there was no hint of malice in his words, I knew not to argue with him. So I nodded which brought a small smile to his face.
"Good girl." He caressed my cheek with his thumb before giving me another smile and leaving the kitchen with Michael.
Michael was right, Malcolm was a confusing man.