“What do you mean? I’ve seen her photographs with Frederick Gardner, the famous Music Director,” said Marcus bitterly. His mom shook her head.
“I don’t think she has accepted him willingly. She still loves you,” said his mom with conviction.
“How can you be so sure, mom?” asked a confused Marcus.
“I saw the way she was looking at you. I’m sure she’s still in love with you.” Marcus was stunned to hear her. As far as he had noticed, she hardly even looked at him as if she hadn’t recognized him. He was sure that his mom was mistaken.
“I don’t think so. She didn’t look at me at all. For that matter, she hardly recognized me,” he sulked. His mom handed the plate to him urging him to eat.
“Of course she did. She looked at you every time you weren’t looking.” This was news to Marcus and he looked at his mom blankly.
“Oh!” he just gasped as words refused to come out.
“I think you should pursue her. Go to LA and bring her back,” she told him. Marcus was quiet as he contemplated what she said. Could he go to LA and confess his feelings to her? Could he compel her to return with him? What if she has already moved on? What if his mom was wrong? What if she loved that man more than him? All his hopes crumbled as these questions played havoc in his mind.
“No mom, she isn’t mine anymore. She has moved on and is in a relationship already. I don’t think it would be a good idea to disturb her,” said Marcus, looking dejected. He ate what he could as his appetite left him completely at the thought.
“You shouldn’t give up that easily, Marcus. It’s never too late,” she said, getting up. “Think about it and act.” After she left his room, Marcus was in deep thought. He somehow finished his food absent-mindedly and sat down to check up on Rohesia. What was she up to in the last few weeks? Was she in LA or on a tour somewhere? However the moment he searched for her, the latest update on her stunned Marcus.
Pop-Star Set To Break Hearts
The article informed readers about Rohesia’s upcoming wedding with Frederick Gardner. Although the date hadn’t been fixed, it was scheduled to happen in a month!
Marcus sat dazed thinking about what his mom had just said. Should he give up on the only woman he loved or should he pursue her and win her back? Surely she loved him more than Gardner else why would she buy his paintings? Why would she look at him longingly as his mom said? He had to try his luck! He just couldn’t sit and watch her get married to that old man, fifteen years older than her!
Determined, he got up to pack. He had no idea how long this would take him but he wouldn’t give up. He would stay in LA and chase her around till she gave in. Having packed up, he booked himself a flight to LA and went out of his room to inform everyone. The children had gone to bed and everyone was sitting and sipping some wine while watching some late-night show on television. They all looked up at him curiously.
“Where are you off to at this time of the night?” asked Lucas, sitting up warily.
“I’m leaving for LA, bro. Cara is getting married to Frederick Gardner, the music director and I can’t let that happen. She’s mine and I’ll pursue her till I’m able to win her back. This might require time so don’t worry about me,” said Marcus. His mom smiled, quite satisfied that he finally listened to her.
“Call me if you need any kind of help. Don’t do anything illegal, don’t get involved in any fight,” said Lucas worriedly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” assured Marcus.
“Stay safe and keep us updated about your whereabouts,” said his mom.
“Sure, don’t worry.” He left in an hour, feeling apprehensive about his sudden visit. He had no information about Rohesia’s current schedule. Was she in LA? He would go to her Malibu home and remain there till he could meet her. He slept all throughout the flight and reached LA in the early hours of the morning. Taking a cab, he went straight to Malibu and booked himself into a hotel near Cara’s house. After a shower and breakfast, he felt rejuvenated enough to go hunting for his Cara.
He reached her mansion located on Paradise Cove Beach and smiled at the grandeur of it. His heart swelled with pride seeing her home. It was the outcome of her hard work and dedication. The security guards stopped him at the heavily guarded property. They communicated through the intercom for permission to enter and Marcus was sure that he would be denied permission. However, to his immense surprise, after a few minutes, he was allowed entry. The moment he went inside, he was greeted by uncle Joe and Vera near the gates.
“What a pleasant surprise, Marcus! Seeing you almost after eight months,” said Uncle Joe, giving him a hug.
“Yes. I’d been to your Southampton home but you weren’t there,” he pointed out.
“Yeah, we shifted here around seven months back,” informed uncle Joe. Marcus found it strange that they didn’t once invite him inside the house. Was Cara there? Maybe she didn’t wish to see him at all! He glanced around the sprawling property and the driveway all the way to the magnificent mansion at a distance. His eyes took in every window for a glimpse of Cara.
“Marcus, I waited for you every day. Why didn’t you come to see us?” asked Vera with an upset look on her face.
“I didn’t know that you were here, cupcake. Now that I’ve come to see you, won’t you give me a hug at least?” he asked her. She smiled and obliged.
“So what brings you here, Marcus? Are you here on work or something else?” asked Uncle Joe, making him feel weird. Didn’t they know that he wanted to see Cara?
“I wanted to meet Cara. Look, I can explain everything if only she would give me a chance. She just disappeared from my life and I’ve been searching for her for a year or so. It was only when she came over to my gallery to buy my paintings did I come to know of her whereabouts. I know that now she is a celebrity, I know that she’s busy yet I want to meet her, please?” he pleaded with them. Vera looked down at her feet while uncle Joe looked uncomfortable.
“She doesn’t live here,” he just said, making Marcus’s eyes pop out. This was her home. If she didn’t live in her own home, where else did she live?
“Oh then where does she live?” asked a clueless Marcus.
“I can’t tell you, Marcus. I think you should forget her and move on,” said Uncle Joe, his shoulders sagging as he looked around. Marcus found his behavior strange. It was as if he was almost scared of something. “Goodbye Marcus!” he said, walking away without waiting for him to answer. “Come, Vera,” he called over his shoulder. Marcus stood stunned feeling insulted and unwanted. All he wanted was to meet Cara. Why couldn’t they just help him out? He wasn’t here to fight with her! Then how was he a threat to her? He glanced at Vera who seemed to be wanting to say something to him.
“Bye Vera. I guess I’m not wanted here at all. I wanted to meet aunt Maggie as well as the boys but maybe I’m not allowed inside the house. Maybe I should go,” he said, turning away.
“Won’t you give me a hug before you go, Marcus? I thought we were friends,” said a sad Vera. Marcus turned to look at her. It seemed she was as upset as he was. He smiled at her and held out his arms to her. Vera ran into them and hugged him.
“Please save Cara, Marcus. She is at Frederick Gardner’s house at Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills,” muttered Vera with her face embedded into his side. Marcus was stunned by her words but before he could ask anything, she dashed into the house. Marcus stood staring at her retreating figure. Did he hear her correctly? Did she ask him to save Cara? But from what? What sort of danger could Cara be in? Why did he need to save her? Puzzled, he turned around and left the house towards his car. He needed to go to Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills to get answers to his questions.
Marcus drove over to Frederick Gardner’s house in a state of shock. He just couldn’t figure out why Vera wanted him to save her sister. Seeing the heavily guarded place from a distance, he knew that he would be denied entry. Also, if Cara was in some kind of danger, his presence would alert Frederick Gardner. He had to first find out what was going on. He stayed at a distance and kept a watch on the house, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Time ticked by yet even after six long hours, no one emerged. He started wondering if Vera gave him the wrong address. He checked on his mobile phone and found that she actually didn’t. This was Frederick Gardner’s house. Then why did it look deserted?
As if to answer his query the gigantic gates slid open and four black cars emerged guarding a limousine.