“How’s that great? Linda, let me ask you. Why do we date guys? Isn’t it so that they can protect us and fulfill our bodily desires?”
Linda nodded, completely oblivious to her hidden intention.
Nora continued, “See, you agree with me too! As a couple, we have to satisfy each other’s needs. But, what the hell. How did I find someone like Mr. Murphy? He doesn’t even come close to touching me.”
Feeling helpless, she pulled on Linda’s sleeves. “Do you think he has lost interest in me? Or, does he hate me so much that he doesn’t want to touch me?”
Regardless of whether this was an act, I got to hand it to Nora for her ways.
Linda replied honestly, “It’s not that Mr. Murphy doesn’t want to touch you. He probably hasn’t let go of his past. He hasn’t allowed any women to get close to him in all these years. I thought things were fine between the both of you. Maybe you should give him some time.”
Nora felt herself getting close to the truth. “What past?”
At that perfect moment, Linda blacked out. The conversation came to an abrupt halt. Nora turned towards me, looking unsatisfied.
I took this as our cue to leave. “All right, it’s getting late now! I’ll send the both of you home.” I went over to help Linda up.
My plans were interrupted when Armond came to pick Nora up. He turned towards me. “I’ll give both of you a lift.”
Since our houses were on their way back, I accepted his offer. I settled Linda in the backseat. Before I could make my way around to the opposite door, a black Bentley parked right in front of me.
There was no way I would not recognize this car. To confirm my suspicions, I peered through the tinted windows. The person inside winded down the side window.
Marcus!
Why’s he here? Isn’t he supposed to be in K City? Not knowing his purpose here, I nodded at him before attempting to flee. Marcus was one step ahead. He got off the car and approached me.
Seeing his face, nostalgia hit me. It felt like an eternity since I last saw him.
I stood rooted, recalibrating his features again. Perhaps due to a period of not seeing each other, he stood further than usual.
His handsome features seemed even more pronounced under the streetlights. But underneath it, I could see traces of fatigue.
“Mr. White, what a coincidence!” I greeted him.
With both his hands in his pocket, he looked right at me. “Not a coincidence. I was looking for you.”
I felt neither surprised nor threatened. Instead, there was something amusing about this situation. “What an honor.”
“Seems like you don’t miss me as much?”
I kept silent, hoping he would get the hint.
After a long, awkward pause, he continued, “I don’t have any motives. I just came here to check if you’re doing ok.”
“Thanks for your concern. I’m doing fine.”
My curt response seemed to have affected Marcus. He wore a forlorn smile. “I’ll wait for you, even if it means waiting for the rest of my life. If not this life, then the next. But next time around, let me be the one to meet you first.”
Right then, a black Maybach parked beside his car. The rear window came down, revealing a person who was looking placidly in our direction.
I forced my attention back to the conversation. “Mr. White, the same old words. Don’t waste your life waiting for me. I have a great career and family; I’m happy with what I have. Your advances would only trouble me, including those things you do for me without my knowledge. Besides Anthony, I really don’t want any other man to be thinking of me in this manner.”
Marcus let out a bitter laugh. “You didn’t even hesitate the slightest bit, huh? If you’re so loyal to him, why did you leave K City to come here? Sienna, what exactly are you thinking?”
How do I explain this?
“Leaving K City was simply because that chapter of our lives was over. It wasn’t that I stopped loving him, or that I found someone else. In fact, it’s the opposite. I love him so much. But I need time to convince myself that I am worthy to stand beside such an outstanding man like him. Each time, I can’t help thinking that he deserves so much more than a person like me, so I’m trying to find the confidence to go back to him.”
Hearing my words, Marcus looked down. It did nothing to mask the hurt in his eyes. “No matter what you say, my words still hold true; I’ll wait for you. I pray that in our next life, I’ll be the one to meet you first. Whatever he can give you, I can too.”
I sighed in resignation. I should have known he was not one to give up this easily.
“Marcus, sometimes people focus so much on their desires that they overlook what they already have. I hope you give others and yourself a chance. I don’t want you to miss out on your happiness.
“Now that you know I’m doing fine here, I think it’s time for you to return to K City. I’ve made it very clear that it’s just a matter of time before I reconcile with Anthony. This time around, we’ll bounce back stronger. So stop wasting your time on me. It’s not possible between us.”
I lifted my ring finger, revealing the ring Anthony had put on me the previous night. Although the diamond lacked in size, its shine was very conspicuous.
Looking at the ring reminded me of the treacherous path it took for us to get here. Throughout our many years of marriage, Anthony and I had our fair share of trials, warmth, and love.
I smiled at the recollection. “I’ve worn this ring for over a decade. After going through so much, it’s still back on my finger. You know, I could’ve gotten rid of it, but the truth is, I couldn’t bear to. This is our wedding ring. Anthony loves me and treats me well. If possible, I will marry him again in my next life.”
That dealt the final blow. Marcus looked defeated. “G-Great. All that matters is he treats you well, and you’re happy.”
He retreated a few steps before turning to see Anthony sitting in the car beside his. Recovering his senses, Marcus said solemnly before heading swiftly back to his car. “I hope you’ll always be happy from now.”
With that, he drove off.
His words left no room to read between the lines; I decided to take it literally.
I let out a breath. Finally, it was over. Deep down, I was afraid Marcus would continue to haunt me. If that happened, it would have caused a bigger issue.
Back in the Maybach, Armond noticed Anthony’s presence and took it as his cue to leave. He drove off with Nora and Linda.
Then, Anthony got off his car and walked towards me. Against the headlights, it made his tall and lean built more prominent. This gave me butterflies in my stomach.
While wearing his signature smile, he pulled me into a deep embrace. “Sienna, that was amazing. Your words just now must’ve really got through him.”
I chuckled lightly while teasing, “It’s not right to eavesdrop on conversations.”
“Oh? Was that eavesdropping? Surely you must have noticed me.”
I pouted childishly. “That’s still eavesdropping!” While saying that, Anthony had draped his coat over my shoulders to shield me from the chilly September weather. Then, he led me to his car.
Seeing his familiar back lifted my spirits; I felt whole again.
Apparently in a good mood, he reminded chirpily, “Next time, inform me before you go anywhere. It’s dangerous to be out alone.”
I sat down in the passenger seat before replying, “I need my own space as well!”
“I only need you to inform me. I will not restrict your movement or anything.”
“It’s the same either way!” I shut my eyes without giving him a chance to reply.
Helpless, he blanketed his coat on me and pulled me into a tight embrace. He had clearly ignored Joseph’s presence.
While pretending to be mad, I pushed him away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
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.
Leave a Reply