Cara sighed for the millionth time as she completed her work for the day. With Marcus drowned in his work, she knew that he would complete the series soon. The finishing touches shouldn’t take long. Completing all her work, she dragged herself to bed knowing Marcus would work till late in the night. She knew all along that this wasn’t forever yet she couldn’t stop her heart from bleeding with dejection. Will this be the last time they will meet? Will he go away to New York forever?
‘No Cara, you have to be stronger than this. You’re a music artist. You cannot be an art model forever!’ chided her inner self.
She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes. It was true. She had a long struggle ahead of her in her chosen field. She needed to make it big but first, she needed work in her field to provide for her siblings. Suddenly thoughts of Carlton and his offer flashed across her mind. He had asked her to join them at the Broadway Theater. Could she leave this life behind and go away forever? Could she forget Marcus and move on?
The bed dipped and Marcus climbed into the bed. “Thinking about me, mia Cara?” he whispered, leaning closer and brushing his lips against her neck. Cara’s eyes flew open and she nodded silently, her fingers embedding into his soft, silky hair as she caressed them. She tried to memorize every detail of his body for the last few days to last her a lifetime. In the past month, the physical intimacy they shared was more tender than wild, more desperate and lingering than ever before. Although Cara could almost feel his love for her, she knew that it was just her mind playing tricks with her heart. He didn’t love her at all and neither did he believe in it.
“Have you completed your work?” she asked softly, avoiding his earlier question.
“Almost. Just two more to touch up,” he said with a sigh. Cara’s heart soared with hope as was always the case when you were around your first love. He seemed reluctant to complete the work. Was it because of her? Could she hope? ‘No, face the reality, Cara,’ said her mind, jolting her back to reality.
“Hmm,” was all she could say, closing her eyes to hide the pain in her heart.
“Cara, open your eyes and see me make love to you,” he said, his deft fingers already removing her clothes. Cara wanted to correct him, she wanted to point out that it wasn’t lovemaking, it was just se*. You had to feel something to make love! But without a word she opened her beautiful doe-shaped eyes, shuttering her feelings from him. After a year with him, she had mastered the art of hiding her love for him.
“Marcus, don’t be gentle, be desperate, be wild,” she whispered, making Marcus’s eyes glitter with excitement. He had no idea that she wanted the physical pain to forget the dull ache in her heart and the upheavals in her mind.
“Sure, baby,” he whispered, as his mouth started working wonders on her naked body. Soon he stripped off his clothes and plunged into her, not gently this time. Cara held onto his shoulders for support and he rammed into her just as she wanted him to. It had the required effect and soon her mind was completely blank. All she could feel was the desperation, the crazy se*, the heavenly pleasures, and the out-of-the-world release as they climaxed together. She initiated the second round and it was just as desperate, just as wild as the first one, leaving both of them sated. The sheer exhaustion made Cara’s eyes droop and she soon fell asleep but Marcus couldn’t get a wink of sleep. A strange feeling of desperation overcame him as he stared at Cara’s innocent and angelic face. He was at his wit’s end trying to figure out the cause of it but couldn’t. Every time he thought about completing the series, he felt heartache rather than happiness. It wasn’t normal since this was his first artwork after three years of being unproductive. He should be excited and already in New York, gearing up for his first exhibition instead of postponing everything. But why wasn’t he happy?
Unable to get any answers to his questions, Marcus gave up and pulled Cara into his chest. A deep sigh escaped his mouth into her soft hair and he soon fell fast asleep.
The next day, Cara waited anxiously for him to announce that he didn’t need her any longer yet he didn’t. The whole day passed by and there was a big elephant in the room between them. After dinner when Cara walked into his studio, to her surprise, she found him packing the paintings up with utmost care. He looked a bit taken aback by her sudden invasion into his private space.
“Looks like you’re done at last!” she said with a fake smile plastered on her face although her heart sank with every passing minute.
“Yeah. I’ve called the packers and movers tomorrow. These need to be taken away to my art gallery in New York for the exhibition,” said Marcus breathlessly with a small unhappy smile on his face.
“That’s wonderful, Marcus. I’m so proud of you.” She helped him with his packing till late in the night, talking about his paintings and the art exhibition only, steering clear of all topics related to them. There was no ‘them’. It was all over. She couldn’t hold him to herself any longer. She knew that after the paintings were sent, he would pack up everything and leave forever.
“There, done. You must be so tired. I could give you a massage, mia Cara,” he grinned mischievously. Cara smiled and nodded. Yes, she needed it, anything she could get out of him. They would be her last memories with him! Marcus picked her delicate, soft body up in his arms, cradling her against his chest as he carried her to their bedroom. His heart skipped a beat as he inhaled her intoxicating sweetness. Yes, he was intoxicated by her. What would he do?
He bathed her with amazing tenderness, while her big doe-shaped eyes watched him tiredly. Although a few teardrops fell from her eyes, he was oblivious to them as they merged with the water droplets while they showered together. Later on, he made passionate love to her, giving his heart and soul into it. Cara could feel every emotion he tried to convey. It was like an unspoken farewell.
“Cara, I need you again, please,” he begged and they went for a second round. It took him four explosive climaxes to be completely sated.
“Sleep baby. Tomorrow will be a very hectic day. Please can you pack up? I need to be there in New York to accept the delivery the day after.” Cara nodded, closing her eyes as her heart shattered finally. So he was leaving tomorrow. She waited for him to say more about releasing her but he didn’t. Taking that as her cue, she tried hard to sleep. Her mind was made, she wouldn’t stay here and wait for him to throw her out. She would pack her stuff as well along with his and leave before he did.
The next morning Cara was quiet as ever as she packed up everything. Marcus was busy with the packers and movers who packed all his paintings as well as his other art supplies into their vehicle. After lunch, she was done and ready to leave. The packers had left and Marcus was in the en-suite, taking a shower. He would just get ready and leave to be able to take the delivery on time. Cara sighed and looked at everything for the last time. Picking up her suitcases, she slipped out of the house as quietly as possible. Thankfully, Ben Duncan was busy at his garage since Marcus had terminated Bob Franklin’s job. Cara slipped out of the gates and took the bus to the station. Her heart was heavy and her eyes were blinded by tears yet she didn’t look back even once.
As the train pulled out of the station, the tears spilled out and cascaded down her cheeks. Everything was over, her life was doomed. She had nothing left to move on, having given up everything to the man she loved. One year was over and all that was left with her were a few photographs and a mountain load of memories to last a lifetime.
She knew she would have to pick herself up and start looking for a job, not for her own sake but for the sake of her siblings.
Marcus was ready finally and emerged from the bedroom, ready to leave but where was Cara? He searched for her in the whole house but couldn’t find her. Going back to their bedroom, he carried his luggage outside not having any time to waste. Strangely he couldn’t find her luggage anywhere. It was then that realization dawned upon him and he slumped into a chair nearby.
Cara had left!
He closed his eyes as the thought devastated him. In his haste, he had forgotten to inform her that he was taking her with him to New York!