Sometime later, it started raining.
Along with it came storms and strong winds.
Marley got up, stood at the corner of the second floor, and saw someone laying on a couch. He got curious and turned on the lights.
The bright light woke Sylvie just as it filled the living room with light. She turned her head and saw Marley, who was on the second floor. Startled, she immediately lowered her head.
Marley saw everything from where he was standing. He observed Sylvie’s behavior transitioning from loneliness, to shock, and then to panic, and finally returning to her normal state.
Still in his pyjamas, he appeared worried but did not say a word.
“Why are you up now?” she collected herself and looked towards Marley.
He stared at her while walking downstairs, still not saying a word.
She sat on the sofa and looked at the rain outside. The dark, night sky bewildered her, and she said leisurely, “It’s raining!”
“I heard that, too!” replied Marley.
“I like storms,” said Sylvie, “Because they can make people stronger. I am also afraid of storms since they can just as well demolish one’s determination.”
Marley held her hand and said, “Let’s go, I’ll bring you to see something different!”
“What is it?” Sylvie replied, confused as to what Marley was referring to, but stood up anyway and followed him.
He led her next to the bed on the second floor. Raindrops were pummeling the window, making a loud noise. Marley pointed towards the sea, which appeared black beneath the night sky, and asked, “Do you like the sea?”
“I do!” she nodded in agreement.
“The sea’s depth knows no ends, yet the sea surface is deceivingly calm,” he said, “So, we must be like the sea when it comes to dealing with everyday problems. For example, smiling doesn’t mean that we’re not in pain. Crying doesn’t mean that we’re in despair. Being cold doesn’t mean that we don’t care.”
She thought of something, then turned and looked at him. She realized that Marley actually knew that thing!
“If you can’t let it go, we’ll go together!” Marley added.
Sylvie could feel her chest contracting, and said, “Nope, I’m not meeting her! Never!”
“Sylvie, the more you don’t want to meet her, the more you are caring about her!” as she’s not facing it, Marley intensified his advance, “She won’t control whatever you do, now that she’s detained. Come to think of it, she’s probably going to be checked into a drug rehab center. Meeting her is your duty as her daughter, and she could already be regretting her decisions. If you’re trying to cover something up, it means you care more about it and are struggling to get over it deep down in your heart.”
“I…”
“Aren’t you unable to sleep because you’re thinking of her? It’s already this late in the night, too.” He asked.
Sylvie couldn’t sleep, she really couldn’t. Despite what that woman did, she still couldn’t stop worrying about her. Is this what is meant by their “connection through blood”? Sylvie absolutely hated herself, why couldn’t she just make a stand and stop caring about her?
The rain kept pouring, and the two hearts were getting closer.
Both of them looked out the window on the second floor, enjoying the scenery of the sea in a storm.
Sylvie leaned into Marley’s chest as if she’s obtaining warmness from his embrace.
His originally stern expression had been replaced by a gentle and warm one. With Sylvie in his embrace that night, showing her powerless side to him, it provided him with a desire never seen before to care for her.
Marley surrounded her waist with his warm arms. Her thin, almost fragile-looking waist, being held by his large hands, it seemed as if it could snap any moment.
He lowered his head, her body fragrance invaded his nostrils in an instant. Touching her smooth neck with his nose, his heart started racing.
At that moment, Sylvie resembled a doll perfectly. With her leaning in his embrace, both of them looked like they belong in a beautiful painting.
Sylvie’s elegantly beautiful face housed her thin eyebrows, eyelashes that were twitching slightly, and lips that looked like full-grown red roses, ready to be picked. Her long hair rested on her chest and continued downwards. All in all, she was looking extremely pretty.
Marley started taking deep breaths, with his eyes slowly taking on a dark expression. Then, his breathing started getting irregular.
“Thank you.” All of a sudden, Sylvie muttered.
That barely audible voice instantly recalled Marley’s mind. He started thinking that something’s wrong with him, how could he even fathom such a thought?
Then, he took a deep breath, and after collecting himself, he asked in a raspy voice, “Go to sleep, okay?”
“I can’t sleep!” she then whispered, “Won’t you please stay with me a little longer?”
While saying that, she leaned back even more, pushing her entire body against Marley’s chest, played with his hands that were on her waist, and asked, “That’s one heck of heavy rain, isn’t it? I like watching rainfall, too bad it’s already nighttime, and I can’t see anything.”
“Sylvie…” Marley’s mind went on the same tangent as it did last time thanks to her mindless actions. “It’s already too late!”
“Hmm?” she tilted her head in confusion to look at him.
His eyes were darker than ever, and his eyes appeared as if they were on fire.
“Can’t sleep, huh?” he said with an even raspier voice and tightened his grip on her body.
“Yup!” Sylvie figured that forcing Marley to keep her company was not really that good of an idea, and suggested, “Or, you can go to sleep first. Don’t worry, I’ll sleep later!”
“Well, since you can’t sleep, we might as well go and do something else.” He lowered his face and whispered right into her ears, startling her with his extremely raspy voice.
“Eek!” shocked, she asked, “W-what is it?”
Marley held her waist, hugged her closely and said, “We can do ‘that’, exercising uses up a lot of energy, so it helps with your sleeping problems!”
“Oi, Marley!” she whimpered, as she realized his intentions in an instant.
He princess-carried her and went back to the bedroom.
It’s all over, Sylvie couldn’t catch her breath. Exhausted, she was feeling sleepy.
Marley whispered into her ears, “Sleep now, good girl.”
Sylvie utilized his gentleness and slept.
He joined her in her sleep and hugged her.
The next day, the weather was sunny. After a whole night’s rain, the air outside was really fresh.
Both of them had their breakfasts before Marley took Sylvie to her office. She did not mention going to the detention center, and neither did Marley force her to go. Dropping her off at the office, Marley said, “I’m gonna go and settle some stuff first, I’ll be back at half past nine. Regarding the USB drive, I’m still going to have a word with you, so you better prepare yourself!”
“Aye!” she nodded. Thinking about what happened yesterday, she agreed that she deserved to be scolded.
“Now, go!” he said.
“See you later!” she said and left the car. She saw the car make a u-turn, and she stood in place, thinking of something. A while later, she turned and walked towards the office.
However, she started regretting it after she took two steps. She took out her phone and gave Marley a call.
The call went through, and she heard his raspy voice, “Sylvie? What’s going on?”
“I… I…” Nothing came out of her mouth, despite her really wanting to go, too. However, she was unable to speak her mind.
Then, she heard Marley said, “Alright, get in the car, I’m waiting for you!”
Sylvie looked back and saw that his car had returned. She felt touched, Marley read her like a book and had already seen through her indecisiveness. He’s back now, waiting for her.
She froze in place, her hand was shaking, and her heart was pounding faster by the second.
“Sylvie, get over here!” the voice from the phone sounded as powerful and meaty as if he was right next to her.
Marley sat in the car and looked at her. She looked lost and confused. Through the car window, he could almost see her tears, shining under the sunlight. Then, she looked happy, like a lost kitten who had just been rescued.
“Hurry up, Sylvie!” he said as he saw other employees were gradually making their way towards the office.
She heard that, rushed towards him and got in his car.
“There we go, that’s a good girl!” he patted her on the head, pampering her.
“I… I think I should go.” she lowered her head and said with a barely audible voice, like a child who had done something wrong. “You were right, she’s still my mother, after all. Even if she had done something wrong, I should still do the right thing myself!”
Suddenly, he was stunned briefly. He almost teared up, lifted her face and looked at her with his eyes full of kindness.
Sylvie panicked just as Marley leaned forward and kissed her gently on her forehead.
With his strong arms, he pulled her gently into his embrace. His light tobacco scent suffocated Sylvie, his chest exuded warmness. As her forehead was against his chin, she could even smell the shaving cream he used.
“Sylvie, you must keep being this kind, and repay grudge with kindness, okay?” his deep voice unbelievably sounded gentle. This almost made Sylvie tear up, and she nodded lightly.
“I still have my limits, you know,” Sylvie replied.
“Good, there’s nothing wrong with having a limit.” Marley kissed her lips, before finally letting her go.
She blushed and lowered her head as the car lurched into action.
As they were on the way, he saw that she was still looking downwards, thinking of something. Marley frowned and reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll be there for you no matter what happens.”
Sylvie was startled. It was the first time that she felt someone was protecting her. Before this, she was fighting all alone. And now, someone told her that they’ll be there for her.
Just like that fateful night back when she was still seventeen, he did not know her, but still gave her a cheque. She thought that he had forgotten what he did in the past, and he definitely did not remember that she was that girl back then. That was the most precious treasure in her heart.
As they made their way towards the detention center, Marley did not talk much, if at all during the journey. The car entered the detention center, he then got out of the car and talked to someone. After that, he returned and told Sylvie to leave the car.
She got out of the car, holding her handbag, and stood next to the car, looking a little anxious. Marley could sense her anxiousness, he held her hand and walked her inside.
When Sylvie saw Sadie Porter, she was absolutely shocked.
Was that even Sadie?
Sadie had always dressed in a very posh fashion, and now she was wearing dirty clothes, lowered her head, with her messy hair as if she had been rolling on the floor for an extended period of time. She was also yawning, crying and her running nose never stopped running.
Marley was also surprised by this, he felt that Sylvie’s hand was getting cold. He gripped her hand as if he’s providing her some energy.
Sylvie turned, looked at him and shook her head, indicating that she’s alright.
He still did not let go of her hand.
Sylvie’s ears blocked out whatever was being said between Marley and a police officer. She stood and stared at Sadie without any reactions.
Sadie possibly heard his voice, lifted her head and looked around. When Sadie saw Sylvie, she sprung up from her seat as if she saw her savior. She would have ran into them if the table was not there blocking her advance. She shouted, “Oh Sylvie, my good daughter! Get me outta here, now! I can’t stand a second in here, get me out!”