Markian was finally becoming a different person- a nicer person, all thanks to this woman lying in there.
And it’s almost strange to imagine just how much her presence have influenced all our lives these past few months, so what more could I say?
I didn’t know how much time went by as I just stood there staring at her through the glass window in the door, until I felt someone behind me.
I was startled when I turned to see Markian looking at the same image I was staring at.
“That was quick,” I stated nervously.
“Not quick enough.” He replied casually.
I wanted to ask him what the doctor had told him, but I refrained from doing that. He seemed more like himself now and I was afraid he might just ask me to mind my own business.
“You said you needed to talk to me?” I asked instead.
“Yes… Let’s take a walk outside.” he requested nicely and I obliged.
We walked down the hall, took the elevator and soon, we were outside the hospital.
We walked towards the garden beside the hospital building, and found an empty bench were we both sat down.
“How did you find Shanghai?” he asked randomly.
Was this really what he wanted to talk about?- business?
Livy is still in the hospital because, she tried to kill herself. I flew half way round the world to Minnesota and this was all he was asking?
“Tedious. But it’s nothing I can’t handle- I like the challenge. And, you were right about the Chinese people and their culture, so I’m learning advanced Mandarin. I’m quite fluent in it now, gets the job done faster. But that’s not what we need to address now, is it?” I asked in response to how I was feeling.
“(Sighs)… About a week ago, Judy fell into a coma. She blamed herself for it all this while… But you already knew these didn’t you?” he asked rhetorically.
“You were the one she called the night of the incident… not me. I did even know. Do you know how I found out that Judy went into coma? Through Dr. Allison the next day.” Markian revealed sadly.
“Apparently, she can easily tell you things- things she can’t tell me. (Scoffs)… I mean- you got to find out that she wanted a divorce before I did, back at the Caribbeans. You knew her and what she wanted- way before I did, because you were nice and good to her, always giving her a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.” he confessed sparingly.
‘Why is he saying all these to me, and why now?’I couldn’t help but wonder.
“Markian… what are you trying to say?” I asked cautiously.
Wherever he was trying to lead this conversation to, i have to stop him. I wasn’t up for any of his games today.
“I’m trying to say thank you.” he replied bashfully.
“What!?”
“Thank you for always being there for her when I wasn’t. Thank you for caring for her and listening to her. And I’m sorry for not realizing what a wonderful person and a great friend you were especially to me.” Markian apologized- to me.
I secretly pinched the back of my hand to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, and I wasn’t.
Right in front of me, Markian was humbly apologizing for being a crappy friend and cousin towards me.
“I was always insecure when it comes to you. You were the only one that could measure up to me and that scared me a lot. A lot of things about you scared me, and because I was just Castlehill’s heir, Markian Winfrey- with nothing else to offer, I doubted all your good and nice advances towards me. Because you were not just the heir to S. Group, but you were also willful and determined to make your life what you wanted it to be- and not what our family expected from you, I was always cautious of you. Because I didn’t see you as my subordinate nor my equal, but as my superior in many ways- I was scared that one day you just might realize it too.” he continued.
I couldn’t say anything as I just sat here, staring at him wide-eyed.
My brain must be misinterpreting what I was hearing, because if I heard right it means… Markian just said that he was scare I was better than him?
“So, my only plan was to keep you at arm’s length- to be able to keep you close but not too close. When you went ahead and started dating Felicity, I spent nights awake, wondering what would happen in the future if you eventually choose to follow your father’s path. And even though I was always cautious of you, I wasn’t always successful at pushing you away. Because, deep down… you were the closest thing I had to a brother.” Markian continued calmly and sincerely.
‘Dude… Are you okay?’ I wanted to ask badly, but the words were hard to release.
“And above all, you were always braver than me. You loved me and showed it, while I loved you and hid it because, I was afraid of being betrayal. When I saw you and Livy at the rooftop of Castlehill on our engagement night, i finally let myself believe the lies that my father does fail to tell me everyday. I’m so sorry I never trusted you and accused you wrongly. I’m also sorry I never treated you like even as a friend when you treated me like a brother.” He apologized boldly and honestly.
“Are you trying to say that you’ve always thought of me as a worthy rival? And all these years I tried to prove that I wasn’t my father- that I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you- if only I had held it in just a bit longer, things would have been different?” I asked disheartened.
Suddenly, I didn’t like who I became. I didn’t like the fact that I became this person who would hurt his sister just to prove that he could measure up to his cousin, when the cousin in question have always looked up to him.
Livy was right. I let my ego and bitterness take over and I wrapped it all up with the excuse that ‘I was in love’.
Love doesn’t hurt others, it strengthens. Love is family- and once, I had loved my sister and my cousin dearly, and showed them I did. But now, I’m just an empty shell of everything that Markian had admired about me.
“Well, I’m glad you did. I’ve lived with my insecurities for so long, that seeing my fears materialize before my eyes made me understand just how much I had taken you sincerity and honesty for granted. I hope one day, you’ll forgive me for tearing apart our friendship and bond.” Markian replied, sending shivers down my spine.
Surprisingly, I pulled him in for a hug. Everything made sense all of a sudden, and nothing was wrong.
“I’m sorry I threatened to take Castlehill from you. I knew how much time and effort you put into the business, and I knew how much it meant to you. I didn’t even want S. Group in the first place, business is just too much stress.” I confessed gladly.
“But you’re handling it like a boss.” He replied with a chuckle.
“Well… that’s what I am.” I replied, laughing as well.
I released him from the hug and straightened my shirt, regaining my composure.
It became weird and embarrassing real fast and we both promised never to speak of this reconciliation.
“But, I’m still in love with Livy and I want to fight for her” I blurted out shamelessly.
I was surprised when I heard Markian laughing at my confession.
“What?… You don’t think I can?” I asked upset and insulted.
“I know you could try, but she is ‘my wife’ and I’m never going to let her go” he revealed calmly, with a wide grin.