I went up to him and saw he was holding some law books. He must have just finished his class. “Anymore classes later?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I am done for the day. What about you? How was the English class?”
“I have learned a lot!” I replied as we walked out of campus together. “Are you going to Clermont later in the day?”
“I may not be able to make it. I have guests coming, so I have to pick them up. Please help me get a message to Emery—ask her to join us for dinner tonight.” Hunter replied.
“Sure! Your parents are coming?” I probed. He smiled and nodded.
Hunter’s from J City. Since it was nearing their wedding date, I supposed the family came for the wedding.
We parted at the car park as he had to rush off for his next appointment.
I walked to and from class most of the time as K University was not far from Clermont. The weather was refreshing, perfect for a nice and relaxing stroll.
I did not notice the black Bentley that stopped by the side of the road until someone blocked my path.
It was Marcus.
“What’s up?” I grunted.
“Where are you heading? Let me give you a lift.” He stood there leisurely with a hand in his pocket and a cigarette between his long fingers.
A chance meeting? Or maybe he had it all planned out?
Well, it did not matter.
“That’s not necessary. I am just a short distance from home,” I replied with indifference.
“Home? The home with Anthony Featherstone?” he responded sarcastically with a frown.
I had no intention of elaborating. I just stood and stared at him with impatience.
“Sienna Stanhope, how foolish can you get? If he is true to you, he would not have kept your relationship a secret.”
“That is between the two of us. Please mind your own business. If that is all you have to say, then I will take my leave.” I brushed him off.
“Are we worse than strangers now? We went through so much together in that one month. Does that mean nothing to you at all? Am I so repulsive that you would not wish to even talk to me?” He held me back and lashed out.
I let out a sigh and asked, “Camelia should be due soon, right?”
He was stumped. “Is that what is bothering you?” He paused and then continued, “That was an unplanned pregnancy. If that bothers you, I will send her back to M Country after she gives birth. She will not come between us.”
I pushed him away angrily. “What do you mean she will affect us and you want to send her back? Marcus White, do you know what sets Anthony apart from you? Anthony takes responsibility in a relationship. Even if he does not love someone, he would not hurt her. He may be a little clumsy when it comes to love but he shows respect to the other party.”
I took a deep breath to calm myself before continuing, “I know I have no right to criticize you. Four years ago, what I did was not to one’s satisfaction. I will make it up to you. You can state your demands. Just don’t ask me to love you. As for you, please man up! If you are not in love with Camelia, why did you cozy up to her? How could you be so callous now? What has she done wrong? The only mistake she made was to fall for you.”
That was the problem with most of us. The grass would always be greener on the other side. We would fail to treasure the relationships we have and long for the ones who left. How tragic.
Marcus contemplated for a moment. “You will fulfill any demands I have?” he asked.
“Anything, other than to love you.” Sometimes, one just got to bite the bullet and face the consequence.
“Come work at White Corporation, move out of Anthony Featherstone’s place, and do not see him ever again.” Marcus listed his demands.
“I will be having my examinations next month so I can’t take on any work for now. As for my relationship with Anthony, that is none of your business. Marcus, please quit pushing my buttons!” I was annoyed.
“No to everything? So that is what you mean by fulfilling any demands?” he sneered.
“I… I can agree to work at White Corporation. Just not now, since I am having my examinations soon. That is something beyond my control.”
Marcus deliberated over it. “Since you have your examinations coming, I wouldn’t get in your way. Let’s do this instead. Come to Moonlight Bay and cook for me every day. Take that as repaying me for saving you back in those days.”
“For how long?” I sulked.
“One year!” “Marcus White, I have my life to live too! Don’t push it.” Just my luck to have met him.
“Half a year!”
“Half a year of cooking in exchange for the one month that saved your life. You got a good deal.” He looked towards me confidently.
“Deal!” I was tired and flustered. All I wanted was to end the episode and move on.
He did not stop me as I walked away. He just stood behind me and said, “The best way to handle a bully is to give them an eye for an eye. If you want Sally to disappear, just let me know. I can make her vanish from your sight.”
I was baffled by his words, so I turned around for clarification. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged and nonchalantly declared, “Nothing much. I just felt sometimes you are too indecisive. Some people are plain revolting. Their existence is a mistake in the first place.”
“You are the one behind Nancy’s incident?” I instantly pieced the puzzle together.
He stubbed his cigarette and replied impassively, “She asked for it.”
“Marcus White!” I was aghast at the person he has turned into.
“She serves no purpose anymore. She will only get in the way,” he spoke without any emotion.
Slap! I hit him so hard my hand hurts.
A man jumped out of the black Bentley and darted in front of me to shield him from any further strikes.
Marcus pulled the man aside and unperturbedly wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth. “You feel for her? Or are you disappointed in me?” he probed.
I took a deep breath and stepped back in despair. “Marcus, don’t go overboard.”
“So Anthony Featherstone will toe the line? Do you think he is really the generous, forgiving gentleman you think he is? Have you seen how he deals with his business competitors?” Marcus accosted me.
He bent towards me and uttered gravely, “I am no match for his ruthlessness, Sienna. There is more to him than meets the eye.”
“That is enough! I gotta go.” Disturbed by his words, I hurried away.
I was relieved he did not come after me. How did one become so incorrigible?
Anthony was not home when I got back. What Marcus said gave me the chills. I bundled up in a blanket and stayed in bed.
Anthony called in the afternoon and said he was going out of town for business. He had a hectic schedule. Sometimes, he even brought work home.
His busy schedule did not bother me as I have my hands full as well.
Alas, there was always a curve ball in life.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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