Cara was exceptionally quiet all the way to Marcus’s apartment. She couldn’t drive away the strange sense of dread that crept into her mind every time she thought of the uncertainties that lay ahead of her. Would she collide with Marcus’s mom again? Would she insult her again? Was this what she wanted in life?
“Are you having second thoughts?” asked Marcus noting the frown that marred her face. In the short span of a few weeks, she seemed to have forgotten the magic they shared together. He needed to fix that first, he needed to rekindle that magic again. Cara shook her head slowly, unable to tell him that she was dreading meeting his mom.
“No, why should I? Should we start working tomorrow? You have to guide me since this isn’t my forte.” She tried to divert his attention away from herself.
“Sure.” Marcus wanted to say more, he wanted to say how much he had missed her. He wanted to tell her how he’d been hurrying to complete the renovation work only to be able to get her home. After all, it was for her that he renovated his home! He wanted to tell her that he was keen to marry her but he just drove on, unable to utter a single word further. It was as if he was dumbstruck and all he wanted to say remained hidden deep inside his heart. He knew how teenagers were. They have a habit of getting over their crushes and moving on ahead. Maybe she too had buried her feelings for him and moved on ahead!
“So, tell me how have you been? Haven’t you missed me?” he asked after a bout of silence. Cara sighed and turned to look at him at last.
“I’ve been busy looking for an internship opportunity. My college sent me places. Now I’m waiting for the results,” she said quietly, completely avoiding the other question.
“I see.” His grim expression was proof enough that he realized that she wasn’t in the mood to answer his other question. Well, he would have to strive harder. He stopped at a pizza joint for dinner, more to brighten up her mood than anything else. Cara’s face brightened up and she turned to look at him.
“Are we celebrating something?” she asked eagerly. Marcus smiled and led her inside, occupying a seat at the far end, away from the crowd.
“Yes, we’re celebrating our reconnection. We’re together again like before, Cara. Let’s start where we left off?” he asked, his eyes twinkling hopefully. A happy smile broke out on Cara’s face. Her heart always melted when he said such words to her. It seemed as if he knew how to charm her, how to impress her.
“Oh, I missed us so much,” she whispered shyly, making Marcus’s eyes blaze with happiness and hope. At that moment, he wanted to grab her and kiss her to his heart’s content. He gazed into her twinkling eyes and the wish to plunge deep inside her was utmost on his mind. His organ started to twitch to life in anticipation of what was to come.
“Me too. You have no idea how much!” he whispered hoarsely. Sudden squeals echoed in the air, muffling the noises of the crowd around them. A group of five women of Cara’s age rushed inside and seemed to be approaching their table. Marcus groaned and looked away while Cara sat frozen, not knowing what to do.
“Oh my gosh, Marcus! What a pleasant surprise to see you here? Don’t you remember me, I’m Kelly, we had the most amazing time three years back in Hawaii. What about a repeat?” asked a woman wearing a leather skirt and a skimpy top that exposed her huge bo*bs. She leaned on their table, trying to shove her organs in his face. Cara froze and stared at them with horror. Marcus looked taken aback at their attack. It was clear he didn’t remember the woman at all.
“At least, you remember me, don’t you, Marcus? I’m Sonya, we did a threesome, right?” said a dark-haired beautiful woman with loud makeup and attractive honey gold eyes. Cara felt dull in comparison to the beautiful women who surrounded Marcus. Her head reeled realizing what the women were hinting at. So were these Marcus’s true colors? Of course, she knew it but witnessing it all, hearing it all, made her feel cheap and used. Was it the same with her too? Was he with her only for se*?
“Ladies, please. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not interested, okay? So if you’ll excuse us,” said Marcus, his eyes going to Cara’s pale face. The women snickered at his words and glanced at Cara with jealousy.
“Of course, you have a new woman every night. Do you seriously like to do it with kids like her?” asked the woman called Sonya, her eyes glinting with malice as she stared at Cara who looked dazed and clueless. She wanted to escape the ordeal but she was new to the place. Where could she go?
“That’s none of your concern,” scoffed Marcus getting up and pulling Cara away from the women but they were like leeches and followed them out. Their crude remarks and leery behavior were becoming too difficult to avoid. Marcus made a phone call and two bulky men wearing all black outfits emerged from a car and efficiently escorted them to Marcus’s car. Cara sat dazed as they silently drove on towards his apartment with the bulky men tailing them in their car.
“I’m sorry you had to see that. These people are everywhere and it’s difficult to go out without bodyguards,” said Marcus.
“They are a result of your own misdeeds, Marcus,” she pointed out, her eyes looking hurt.
“I know. Three years back I was hurt and reckless when Cassie betrayed me with my best friend. I tried these things to divert my mind. I know it wasn’t the solution but I was devastated then.” Cara was stunned at his confession. They had spent a year together, yet he hadn’t opened so much as he did now.
“Please don’t leave me, Cara. I swear I’ve changed. Since the day I met you there hasn’t been anyone else but you in my life,” he said with desperation, a pleading look in his eyes. Cara sighed and turned to look him in the eyes.
“I know. I believe you, Marcus.” It was a simple statement but it made Marcus realize that she still loved him.
“Thank you, mia Cara. I’m glad that we reconnected,” he said, smiling at her. Cara noted the way his eyes crinkled at the sides as the smile made him look radiant and happy. She smiled back, glad to be the cause of his happiness. His phone buzzed with an incoming call and he swore angrily seeing the caller ID. The phone kept on vibrating, yet he didn’t accept the call. Cara glanced at him and then at his phone and to her horror, it seemed to be a call from his mom. Thankfully, he didn’t receive the call and she sank into the seat with relief. She looked out of the window, gazing at the familiar sights of the city where she was born and brought up in. It seemed nothing had changed here in the last five years that she’d been away!
“We’ve reached,” announced Marcus and Cara looked at the huge luxurious condominium with the name engraved on the grand entranceway, Parc Windsor Towers. It was the grandest residence in the entire vicinity and Cara’s heart constricted seeing the opulence. How would she fit in here? She could feel the sneering looks being cast in her direction as Marcus led her to the elevator. Suddenly, she wanted to go back to his Southampton beach home where no one was there to judge her, and she could hide from the prying eyes.
“Marcus, I don’t want to stay here,” she whispered when they were alone in the elevator. Before Marcus could answer, the door opened and a tall woman with long blonde hair, wearing a little black dress entered the elevator. Her eyes lit up seeing Marcus and she came forward to give him a hug.
“So nice to see that you’re back, Marcus. We should catch up. What about tomorrow night at my place?” she purred. Cara was shocked seeing the way she hugged Marcus. It seemed as if they had a history together. Marcus looked uncomfortable seeing the woman and tried to free himself.
“I’m a little busy with an exhibition, Kaylee. Maybe later.” She pouted and released him reluctantly and then her glance fell upon Cara and she gave her a look of disgust.
“No, problem. I can see that you have company tonight. Get rid of her fast, I’ll please you better.” The elevator opened at her floor and she walked out, swaying her hips more. Cara closed her eyes at the insinuating remark. She realized that there was no respite from this, it would follow her everywhere.
“I’m sorry that you had to face that, Cara.”
“Cut it, Marcus. I’m amazed at the kind of life you lead. You sound like a man-whore, the type of man I hate the most.”