MARKIAN
We were at the Gracía’s mansion for Felicity’s funeral service, but Livy have been acting really strange since this morning.
She hardly said a word to me all morning, excep on our way back from Sedaver, and few moments ago when she requested that I forgive Mr. Gracía and continue with the partnership we had agreed on.
I wasn’t even aware that Mr. Gracía had sent her an apology and that she had already accepted it.
The first time she spoke to me this morning was on the cruise yacht from Sedaver. Even then she had said something that had freaked me out a bit.
“Markian, why exactly did you come out on the beach to get me last night? And… before you answer, please think it through and give me your best honest answer.” She requested boldly.
What is these? Some kind of Dr. Phil’s session? But something was different today, and she was surprising calm and bold- just like her mother Judy. I shuddered at the thought of Judy.
But Livy meant business with her question, and she wasn’t looking for just any made up reason like the ones I’ve been giving her lately. She truly wanted to know what was in my heart.
I took a deep breathe in and thought about why I was really out there last night looking for her.
After she ran out of the room, I didn’t want to go after her. But things got weird as I laid down and shut my eyes to sleep. I kept on seeing her face in my mind and no matter how much I tossed and turned on the bed, I couldn’t rest.
It was as though I needed her by my side to go to sleep. Then the strong urge to see her came and it overpowered me, pulling me outside.
Having her in my arms last night was the most satisfying feeling I’ve ever had in a long while, and strangely enough for the first time, I wished I was wrong about her.
But I’ve never been wrong about anything in my life before. You can call it a gift but i’ve been able to scale through the international market even as an inexperienced young businessman because of my intuition.
I have a knack of reading people and knowing exactly what their real plan might be and I’m always accurate.
But with Livy, even though I know she is manipulative and ambitious, I can’t help but desire something more- something deeper between both of us. So, I had to stop myself every time because she can’t know about what I’m really thinking. If she does, then it means she has won.
“I told you already, haven’t i? You are my responsibility to keep safe. Your mom would go ballistic if she finds out that about all the troubles you’ve been getting into. So, doing anything stupid would make us lose everything that we’ve worked for.” I answered dishonestly.
I’ve been lying a lot lately and that shouldn’t be. I could tell she was disappointed by my reply but she didn’t turned pale as usual. She just became very cold from then on, making it hard for me to read her expressions.
“I see, but I think you’re falling in love with me.” She blurted out casually.
What outrageousness? Who the hell does she think she is? And let’s say it’s remotely possible, why did she have to say it so coldly?
“Don’t flatter yourself hon, I don’t mix feelings with business. And I’ve said this several times but I’ll say it again. Sophy is the only woman I’ll ever love in this lifetime.” I replied dishonestly.
What is wrong with me?
I’ve said these same words severally and have meant it then, but now I can’t help thinking it’s not entirely true anymore.
Could it be possible that I’ve flipped?
No- no way that’s possible. I can’t just flip, it’s not like me at all.
I made a promise to Sophia that she’d be the only woman that I’d give my heart to, but if I’m flipping for Livy then it means I’m not being true to my word at all.
“So… you’re saying that if we get divorced, you won’t regret it? You’ll just go on and live your life as you had wanted without a care in the world?” She asked sternly.
What does this woman want from me? It’s hard enough to think properly these days without her clouding my mind. I can’t be wrong, I refuse to be.
It’s not possible for me to care for her when there’s nothing between us- ‘that was a lie’, why was I lying to myself?
Of course I’ll regret it. I’ve been regretting it ever since she first brought up this divorce thing at the party. I felt like my heart was going to explode from my chest.
At first I thought it was just because my pride was hurt, but when Daniel told me that Livy almost kissed him, I realized what it was.
This woman who crept into my life, has now slowly crept into my heart.
I knew this but couldn’t accept it, so I kept bring up the divorce over and over again as a way of distracting myself from what I was starting to feeling.
“No, I won’t. This marriage wasn’t in my plan anyway, so why would i be bothered when it ends.” I answered rudely.
She isn’t worth my truth, so it’s ok to tell a lie, I thought.
“Good.” she commended.
Wait, what?!
Good? What’s good about any of this?
“What do you mean good?” I asked rather nervously.
“You were right not to trust me or let me in. Honestly, you made my job a lot easier.” She answered with a smirk.
What?
Olivia is smirking?
What the hell is going on here? It’s like looking at Judy’s exact replica.
“And what job is that?” I inquired again for clarity.
“You still love Sophia, don’t you? Then keep loving her. At least one of us had a chance to experience an epic love story to the end. Please just promise me. Promise me that no matter what happens from here on out, you’ll never come back to me with these 3 phrases; I’m sorry, I miss you and I love you. Promise me this, Markian.” She requested vigorously.
What is she trying to say? Why does she think I’ll ever say those words to her anyway? It’s humiliating enough as it is, but hearing her confirm my truth was just getting me agitated.
“Why should I make such a promise? And what makes you think I’ll ever say those words to you in the first place?” I asked offended.
I expected her to say something stupid like- because I know how you truly feel about me or because I know you. I sure as hell wasn’t prepared for what I heard.
“Because last night I know you never wanted to come find me. But even though you hate the cold, and hate been compelled to do what you don’t want to do, you still came out anyway and that’s not your style.” She answered confidently with a smile that faded as quickly as it came.
Well played Livy, well played.
She now has me exactly were she wanted me, and knows just how to play her cards right.
For the first time in a while, I, Markian Winfrey have just been beaten in my own game by Olivia. Game over.
No one cared to know why I never wanted to get involved with a woman like her from the start. And i was right about her all along.
HEATHER
“What do you mean you both are getting a divorce? Markian you’ve only been married for just 2weeks. Who gets divorced after 2weeks of marriage?” I asked in utter surprise and disappointment.
What went wrong so bad they had to settle for a divorce? I know it has to be Markian’s fault, he had never tried.
He used to be a sweet boy, but after he lost his mother I guess he just stopped trying. Yes, he managed to put his life back on track for a while, but he needs to learn how to live without pushing away people who wants to help him whenever he’s hurting.
Livy seemed like a very nice girl with a good head and she loves him so much, but my stupid cousin is too much of a fool to let go of his lost love.
“She asked for it, not me. I never mentioned anything of such to her but just like that out of the blue, she wanted to get divorced.” Markian replied.
I was shocked that Livy would do that. I knew she loves him and she cares about him, so why does she want a divorce now? Was i wrong?
“Markian, what did you do? Livy wouldn’t have walked up to you and demanded for a divorce if you hadn’t done anything to provoke her.” I asked agitated.
I know he didn’t want to get married, but he agreed to it anyway. So the least expected from him was just to keep her happy. This would be a smear in the Winfrey’s name if people got to know that Livy asked for a divorce after 2weeks of marriage.
“I only told her the bitter truth- over… and over again.” He replied casually.
How can he be calm in a situation like this.
“And what truth is it that you couldn’t keep from her even for the sake of your marriage?” I asked angrily.
“That I love Sophia, always have and always will. What does it matter to you anyway, shouldn’t you be worried about your own business? Daniel is hell bent on becoming CEO, i wonder how far you’re willing to go this time to stop him.” He commented sarcastically.
Now this fool is just getting on my nerves, and is really asking for it.
“You called me, you idiot. And for the record, Sophia-is-dead! It’s time to f’cking move your stupid ass on. As for Livy, you can only push someone so far up the wall for them to push back. If you lose a girl like her, you’ll regret it I promise you.” I commented.
“Just shut up, ok? You know nothing about what I’m going through, so just keep your opinion to yourself. Now tell me, is your brother back in Minnesota or is he already in Shanghai?” He asked surprising me.
“Why would he be in Shanghai? If he’s not there with you, it means he must have gone back home. Wait, he’s not in the Caribbean with you guys?” I asked surprised yet again.
Not being in touch with them for just few days and so much have happened already?
“I looked everywhere for him at Felicity’s funeral but he was nowhere to be found. I even tried calling him but no answer. Livy and I will be returning to Minnesota tomorrow, you should come home too.” He suggested.
“Wow, I never thought i’d see the day you’ll politely ask me to come back home. Daniel must have really ticked you off this time if you’re so interested in assisting me beat him. But now you’re worried about him?” I scoffed.
“Obviously- I’m his target, so helping you would mean I can cut off the problem before it sprouts. And don’t flatter yourself, I really don’t care about you returning here.” He replied rudely.
“Rude much? Whatever. I’ll check if he’s back in Minnesota. Markian, what happens if we can’t beat Daniel? So far, he’s doing a sterling job at turning the hearts of both investors and board members against me.” I asked nervously.
“Stop blabbering, it doesn’t suit the elegant, feisty and fierce Heather Winfrey. And don’t overthink it, you’ve done so much for that company, it won’t be easy kicking you to the curbs, trust me.” Markian encouraged sweetly.
Didn’t I say he was a sweet kid? He must be going through a lot of conflict, so I don’t blame him that much. And who am I to talk anyway? I have problems of my own.
“Thanks Markky. If I really seem like a sister to you then you have to listen to me carefully. Stop messing around feeling all sorry for yourself and looking pitiful. Sophia’s death wasn’t your fault, so stop beating yourself up about it and be ok again. You deserve to be happy, with a woman like Livy, who loves and cares so much for you. Give yourself a second chance at love.” I advised.
I too had my own problems of the heart that shouldn’t be a problem, but for some reason I’m being hesitant to make the right decisions.
“Who said she cares about me or loves me?” He asked cluelessly.
“I do, and because I’m a woman I know this things. She wouldn’t have married you if she wasn’t in love with you already, that’s how women like Livy are.” I testified.
Who knows, maybe I’m the last piece to help complete the puzzle Markian have always had to solve whenever it comes to trusting or loving someone.
And with that the phone died.
That stupid kid cut the call on me without even saying a goodbye. Sometimes he and Jeffery exhibits the same level of rudeness it’s hard to tell who would win if it were a competition.
Kevin haven’t been picking my calls and ignores my messages. And I know I’m a b’tch, I mean- how hard could it have been to just rename his contact on my phone from Toy-boy to Kevin?
I messed up big time and thinking about him have been messing with my flow at the office, putting me at heads-log every minute with Mr Rudeness. I mean, he needs to chill out and let me work, because he’s always all up in my business.
I would be taking a day off today to see if I can make up for my mistake the other day. I don’t know if I’m comfortable yet to make my relationship with Kevin public, but how would I know if I don’t try, right?
I’ve been a nervous wreck all day planning this date, and the only thing that could go wrong is if it actually goes wrong.
I’ll be going back to Minnesota soon, and I don’t want to leave him with any hard feelings towards me for as long as I’ll be staying there.