“Marcus, please,” she murmured at last just as his lips grazed her soft lower lip in a feather-soft touch. She herself had no idea what exactly she was pleading with him for, to be kissed or not to be kissed. Marcus stilled on hearing her whisper out his name. It sounded very intimate, almost like an endearment. He closed his eyes for a split second to calm himself and then abruptly released her, striding off towards his closet. Cara stared at the rippling muscles on his back, suddenly missing the warmth of his touch. She slowly dragged herself towards the door, feeling a little disappointed by his dismissal. A tiny part of her had wanted him to kiss her. She had wanted to experience how it felt to be passionately kissed by someone. Not by anyone else, but Marcus Donnelly.
Marcus scowled more as a frustrated grunt escaped his mouth hearing the click of the door shutting behind him. She had escaped again. Would she return tomorrow or would she leave his work forever? He punched the wall with frustration. He was on the brink of losing control around her again! Thankfully this time he could save his self-respect somehow. He couldn’t force himself upon her for the second time, knowing how much she was hurt the last time he had. He tried hard to remind himself that she was eight years younger, a teenager, fresh and innocent. She couldn’t deal with the intense passion and obsession that had overcome his senses lately. He walked into his closet, the wound on his hand had started to bleed again. He needed to fix it himself since by now Cara might have reached the main gates. Anyway, he couldn’t call her. It was best that she stayed away from him. He was bad for her.
Wearing his clothes, he went downstairs to his bar to pick up a drink. The whole house was eerily quiet but Cara’s sweet smell lingered everywhere making him go crazy with longing. Her sweet voice echoed in his head calling him again and again.
“Marcus.”
It was the sweetest whisper and he poured a peg full down his throat to drive that voice away. The whiskey burned him but didn’t help at all. He was still thinking of her. He knew that it was a useless obsession as she didn’t return his feelings. She didn’t want a no-strings-attached fling with him. For her, he was just her employer, nothing else. The thought made him restless and he continued to drink to calm his lonely heart. Of course, it didn’t work. He was tired of this lonely life. He needed her!
Bob Franklin stopped the car right in front of Cara’s house. They all thanked him and tumbled out. It was already 5:30 in the evening and Cara was dead tired. She didn’t wish to go to Kingston Club at all. Her body was aching and she had a splitting headache as well but she knew that Rudolph would suffer losses if she canceled her show at the last minute. He wouldn’t be able to arrange for a singer to take her place at such short notice.
Uncle Joe walked into their home the moment they all went in. “Your aunt Maggie is fine and there’s no need to take the children every day to work, Cara,” said Uncle Joe.
“What did the doctor say? She needs to continue with her treatment, right?” asked Cara.
“Yes, it was just the start and we’re going for therapy as well as treatment. She’s on her feet already,” said Uncle Joe. Everyone smiled looking relieved.
“I’ll be going to the club now,” she said hesitantly. Uncle Joe nodded at her.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take them to my place. We need to talk when you return,” he told her.
“About what, Uncle Joe?” she asked with worry.
“The legal formalities are complete. We’re now your legal guardians so we both want the four of you to move into the main house with us. We could put this place up for rent for extra income. It would be easier for us as well as the children since your job at Mr. Donnelly’s house is permanent. We’ll discuss this in detail when you return,” said Uncle Joe. Cara wasn’t surprised at all by their decision since aunt Maggie had been harping on it for the last few months, ever since their parents died.
“Okay, Uncle Joe. I’m willing to move in,” she said with a smile. The children were happiest since they were tired of being shuffled here and there the whole day. Uncle Joe also looked happy and ushered them all towards his house.
Cara quickly got ready and in five minutes, she reached the bus stop. In her haste she had forgotten to take medicine and could feel a fever coming on. Still she dragged herself to the club and somehow performed. It wasn’t her best performance but something was better than nothing.
“You look very sick. Why are you killing yourself, Cara?” asked a concerned Carlton.
“I couldn’t cancel at the last minute,” she said, by now her whole body was burning with fever.
“Come, I’ll drop you home,” said Carlton but Cara noted his drooping shoulders and sad smile as he unlocked his car.
“You don’t look too well yourself, Carl. What’s up?” she asked, sitting on the passenger seat beside him.
“Rudolph has given us an ultimatum,” he said with a sigh. The news shocked Cara immensely. She had no idea about this. Why didn’t Rudolph think it fit to inform her?
“Ultimatum? Why? Is he thinking of canceling our show?” she asked, panicking a little.
“He has roped in Dj Remi’s friend who is quite famous. She has two hit albums to her name, she dances while performing, and strips as well. She is a better crowd puller than you are, my dear. She has her own band and Rudolph wouldn’t need to pay anything extra for them. It’s a win-win situation for him,” said Carlton. Cara’s mouth hung open with shock. She loved performing here at the club. It made her feel alive!
“He should have informed me at least,” said Cara, brokenly. Carlton’s face was grim as he drove on.
“He didn’t tell us either. It was only when Remi tried to rub it in our faces that we confronted Rudolph,” said Carlton.
“That’s very selfish. Our families depend upon this income. He can’t just throw us out,” said Cara, feeling very upset.
“He only cares about money,” said Carlton.
“When is he throwing us out?” she asked, at last, massaging her temples.
“This weekend will be our last performance. The new artist is joining on Monday,” said Carlton.
“Oh, my God! That soon?” She gasped with horror. “What will you guys do?” she asked curiously, thankful that she at least had Marcus Donnelly’s job.
“We are going to Broadway Theater tomorrow morning. My uncle is there, he’ll try to get us in,” he told her.
“That’s great. I hope you all get in,” she told him.
“Thanks, take my number, Cara. If you want, I could arrange for you too,” he offered.
“I don’t have a phone, Carl. You have to write it down somewhere,” she told him. They reached her house and he picked up a scrap of paper and a pen and jotted down his number.
“Keep in touch and take care,” he said.
Cara walked towards her house feeling upset and dejected. She had been attached to the club and it was the only thing permanent in her life. She was very hurt by Rudolph’s treatment. Her dreams of becoming a musician were crushed and she felt tears prick at her eyes. Maybe she was doomed to be a maid all her life! Tears trickled down her cheeks while her head throbbed with pain. She somehow dragged on to her home and sank into the bed immediately, unable to stay awake. She had no idea when her siblings came home or what they ate.
“Let her sleep it off,” said Uncle Joe fondly. The children had their dinner at aunt Maggie’s house and returned back to sleep. The talk could wait till the next day!
The next morning, Cara felt as if a truck had mowed her down. Her limbs refused to budge and she just couldn’t get up but she couldn’t stay at home. She had already lost one job and couldn’t afford to lose the other. Somehow freshening up, she left a note for Uncle Joe.
Leaving for work. I’ll come back and shift everything. In the meantime, the kids can stay with you. Thank you for everything that you’re doing for us. Cara
Leaving it on the table, she ate a toast and popped a pill, and walked out of the house. The children were still asleep and she didn’t wake them up. To her surprise, Bob Franklin stood beside Marcus’s car with a smile on his face.
“All alone, today?” he asked with a smile, climbing into the car.
“Yeah, they have school,” she informed him.
“Good, even my children go to school. They’re twelve,” he told her. The whole way, he kept chatting about his family and Cara listened. She was too weak to say much and longed for her bed. At last, they reached and Cara thanked Bob and walked in. Ben Duncan waved at her from the gate.
Cara dragged herself to the front door and rang the doorbell. Her head swooned and she closed her eyes, making a valiant effort to keep steady. The door opened and she just lost it. Catching onto Marcus’s shirt, she swayed towards him. Everything darkened around her and she lost consciousness!