12 CHAPTER: 12

Marshall swiftly pulls Elara close to him. Softly placing his lips on top of hers. Promptly kissing her, gently and sweetly on her lips.

Elara is stunned by the sudden kiss, she wasn't really expecting him to kiss her. But then she feels herself relaxing, her heart rate slowing down. She feels more centered and grounded. She wraps her fingers around the nape of Marshall's neck, kissing him back. Pulling him even closer, closing whatever distance was there between the two of them. She feels a sense of comfort and trust in his presence.

Marshall feels a bit glad when Elara kisses him back. He can feel himself fill with desire. Their bodies heating up from such intense contact.

Marshall breaks off the kiss, pulling away slightly, as they both silently try to catch their breaths. He stares at Elara, waiting for her to say something.

Elara looks at him, and out of nowhere, her demeanour changes. She takes one of the pillow, and starts hitting him with it.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR??"

Marshall is clearly surprised by this reaction. He.. honestly wasn't expecting her to react like this, like what? He stares at her, baffled.

"What do you mean? You kissed me back?!"

Elara feels her cheeks flush, "Well... I wasn't thinking right! Why'd you even kiss me?!" -she says, still hitting him with the pillow.

"Okay okay, put the pillow down. NOW." -he says in a stern voice, his expression changing into one filled with such cold expressions.

Elara slowly puts the pillow down and looks at him.

He lets out a frustrated sigh, running his hand through his hair. "What will you do about this? Will you be taking this to the police?"

She silently ponders on what she should do. "I'll take it to the police first thing in the morning. Sorry for dragging you into this mess."

"If you're forgetting, you're Mrs. Marshall now. Protecting you is also one of my duties. So, I'll go with you too, tomorrow."

"Wha- What? You don't have to... I can take Hana with me.."

"I wasn't asking Elara. I am coming with you, whether you like it or not."

"M-Marshall? Seriously, I'll be able to manage it on my own.."

"And how do you plan on doing that? You and Hana are nothing more than just a bunch of weak women. I appreciate you for being brave all this time, but how would you defend yourself if he came out of nowhere?"

"Then... send any of your bodyguards?" -Elara says, she really doesn't want to trouble Marshall.

He stares at her for a moment, thinking about what to say. After a short moment, he simply says; "You would trust a random bodyguard over your own husband?" in a deep, low voice. His voice dominating the room. And his gaze piercing through her soul. His stare makes her feel shy.

For some reason, Elara finds it attractive. She stares at him, as red heat spreads across her face. Unable to form any words.

"I- what.. no.. its..." she lets out a sigh and continues; "Fine... I'll let you come along with me."

Marshall leans closer to her, his face inches apart from hers. He lets out a sly smirk, "I'm not 'coming along'. No no, I am going with you, as your husband, to protect you. After all, if it infuriates your stalker, he's bound to show himself some time soon." -He says, as if he's planning to catch the stalker himself.

"That's absurd. Why would he show up? He hasn't ever shown himself in the past couple years. How're you so sure?"

"You're a married woman now, Elara. To him, this is like they took his heart and gave it to someone else. And from the letter, he sounded pretty mad." -he explains.

"Wait.. you think so? He'll actually show himself?" -Elara asks, a pit of fear starting to form in her mind.

Marshall nods, "Who knows."

And with that Marshall gets up and leaves. Leaving Elara alone, with her thoughts, filled with fear.. eating her up.

. . .

The next morning, Elara and Marshall both set out for the police station. The box with them. Marshall seems unbothered by it, whereas Elara's mind is racing with thousands of thoughts. What will her next step be?

As they rode in the car to the police station, the tension between her, and Marshall is palpable. Marshall is the one to break the silence, with a sarcastic comment, of course. "Well, isn't this just the perfect date?"

Elara rolls her eyes, "Oh yes, because getting stalked and harassed is the epitome of romance."

"I was talking about us, going to the police station." -he says, chuckling dryly.

"Thats your idea of a perfect date? You're seriously disturbed, Marshall."

As they continue driving, Marshall suddenly slams on the brakes causing her to jolt forward. She turns to him, annoyed. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I don't know, why don't you tell me. Since I am 'seriously disturbed'. So I thought it'd be fun to pretend we were in a car chase." -he says, trying his best not to laugh.

Elara's sarcasm is pretty evident in her voice as she speaks; "Yeah, because that's the kind of excitement I need in my life right now."

Marshall lets out a soft chuckle. "Oh come on, you make everything fun! Even getting stalked by some creep."

She stares at him, baffled. "Oh wow, thanks."

He smiles back sarcastically; "Anytime. Anything for my dear wife."

. . .

Once they arrive at the police station, Marshall takes hold of her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. He takes the lead from here. His entire demeanor changing into one full of authority, and sternness. His eyes hold some kind of dominating power to them, and he exudes such aura. It's hard not to think this man is ruthless if it comes down to so. Elara tries not to stare at him for too long, but she's just awestruck. Awestruck by this man, who's also her husband.

Marshall steps forward, and speaks to the first officer he finds in front of him. He speaks in a calm but authoritative tone.

"My wife here is being stalked. And I want to make sure my wife is safe. Is there anything we can do that'll help in such situation? The stalker sent a parcel to our home yesterday. I'd appreciate it, if you could take immediate action against this." The officer looks at us both and sighs, "Ms. Elara-"

"Mrs." -Marshall corrects. "Mrs. Elara."

The officer stares at him for a moment, trying to process it. And then he speaks again; "Mrs. Elara has been a frequent to our police station due to this matter. We cannot do anything unless he shows himself or harms her directly. And none of this parcels are leading us to anywhere." he explains calmly.

"Why am I not surprised?" -Marshall mumbles under his breath.

The officer and Marshall continue speaking to each other. Elara feels suffocated in this place. So she gently squeezes Marshall's hand, before letting it go. Marshall nods and continues talking to the officer.

As she's about to leave, she catches glimpse of a familiar face just by the corner of her eyes. She walks up to him.

The man is buys writing something down. Elara stares at him, trying to remember where she saw him. Or if, in fact, she knows him at all.

The man raises his head and finds Elara staring at him, he looks at her, a puzzled expression on his face. "Is... everything okay ma'am?"

After a moment, Elara lets out a gasp, clasping her hands over her mouth. "Jake? Jake Woods, am I right? Oh my God, what're you doing here?!"

The officer looks at her with a smile. "Oh wow, Elara right? It's so good to see you!"

She nods, "I can't believe you're a police officer now!' -Elara says, clearly surprised.

Jake lets out a chuckle, "Yeah, I know. I've come a long way since my substitute teaching days, huh?"

Elara nods again, still in disbelief. "Yeah wow. I am actually pretty surprised. I thought you loved teaching?! But it's actually pretty cool. How long have you been with the force?"

Jake smiles softly, "I've been with the force for about three years now. After I finished my degree, I figured I should follow my father's steps and decided to become a police officer. I still do substitute at a nearby college every once in a while, no pressure. But hey, tell me about you. What brings you to the station today?" -he asks, putting up a serious face.

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm here actually with-"

Before she can continue her sentence, Marshall comes up from behind her, and wraps his hand around her waist, resting just above her hips. Moving so close to her. "Marshall Wyatts. Her husband." he says as he extends his other hand to Jake to shake. Jake is clearly surprised, but clears his throat and shakes his hand.

"Oh wow, Elara. I didn't know you got married already." -Jake says, still surprised.

Elara lets out a chuckle, "Well.. it just kind of happened."

Elara looks at Marshall, and she can clearly see his whole personality change into something else. Is he.. perhaps jealous?

Over what? And why? They literally just got married a few days ago, and none of them can stand each other. Yet, here he is. Marshall's hand around her waist, as if screaming 'this is my wife'.

"And who might you be?" -Marshall asks, with a serious and dominating tone. His voice clearly states he's not messing around, as he asks him so.

"I am Jake. Jake Woods. I was a substitute teacher back in Elara's college days. She was one of my student." -Jake explains.

All the while Marshall's eyes piercing right into Jake's. An intimidating look in his eyes and his face completely cold.

Elara doesn't like the way he's looking at Jake. So she gently squeezes Marshall's hand and turns to Jake. "Oh well Jake, it was nice to meet you. But we have to go right now. You're a busy man, we wouldn't want to take up much of your time." -she says, smiling kindly. Her eyes squinting a little.

Jake nods and they say their goodbyes. All the while Marshall shoots daggers with his eyes to Jake.

As they get out of the station, Elara turns to Marshall, annoyed. "What was that for?"

He looks at her, "What was what for?" -he asks, confused.

"You looked like you wanted to murder Jake. Why were you staring at him like that? Were you jealous, perhaps?" -she says, crossing her arms over her chest.

Marshall scoffs. "Jealous? Me? Keep dreaming bunny. Thats just absurd."

"Don't call me bunny."

"But you act like one. What? You thought I wouldn't notice how you keep biting your nails, especially when you're nervous?"

"We're going off track here! Why were you staring at him like that?"

"I just don't like him. He doesn't exactly seem like good news."

"And what makes you say that, Mr. Marshall Wyatts?"

"He gives off a bad vibe, Mrs. Marshall.. who knows, maybe he's your stalker?"