CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The sound of the door lock turning followed by the gentle creaking sound it made woke me up from a nap I didn't even plan on having. I was still seated on the floor besides the door and as the door gave way, I forced myself back on my feet, ready to pounce on him with all of my might but he wasn't the one who stood at the other end of the door; it was the head maid.

"Good morning ma. The boss already left and asked us to help you get ready so you'd leave." She said, answering the unasked question in my mind.

The anger in my veins desired to push out some words but as I glanced over at the window to meet with the rising sun, I knew exchanging words with her would be an unnecessary waste of time. Last night didn't go half as planned but right now wasn't the time to ponder over that, rather I found myself in a state of panic over Marcus. Thoughts that he must have been worried sick made me even more impatient as I half ran through the front door, ignoring the kind gestures from the maids who greeted me.

Once out into the compound, I tried calling Marcus but his number was not reachable. To be honest, I didn't think much of it as I, too, would have been really upset had the tables been turned. Coupled with the fact that my sudden disappearance now left room for doubts and suspicions, I felt an even more desire to get to Marcus and explain everything that happened.

Question now was, would he actually believe me? Would he believe that monster of a man locked me inside a room and turned off the compound's Wi-Fi so I'm unable to communicate with the outside world? And can I really be able to tell him that he kissed me?

Shaking my head roughly in an attempt at shoving away these intrusive thoughts, I focused on getting to the cafe. It wasn't like I was expecting him to still be there but I still needed to cross that off my list.

Upon arrival, I met with the receptionist, who fortunately turned out to be a very familiar face. After the exchange of pleasantries, I went on to inquire about Marcus, who I was told, by the waiter on duty last night, never came to the cafe. At first I was surprised and doubted the authenticity of the information but when another waiter, who was also on duty the night before, was called and he reiterated the information that had been earlier passed on, I had to accept it as the truth.

Before I could question what was going on, my mind had immediately come to the conclusion that Marcus must have been waiting outside the cafe as he hated eating in public places alone. Yes, that would make perfect sense and with that conclusion established, I felt more guilty about having stood him up as he must have stayed out in the cold, worried about my safety.

As I was about to make my way to his apartment, a text suddenly popped up on my screen, it was from Natasha, my work colleague and friend, and it read, "The boss is having an emergency meeting this morning. I won't be able to cover for you much longer."

Well, just because I was having problems doesn't mean the world would stop moving and as much as I hated to admit, I needed to be at work. Hailing down a taxi, I got in and started the journey for home as I couldn't go to work dressed the way I was. On getting home, I went straight to my room, had a quick shower, dressed up quickly and applied a light makeup on my face, hoping to still be able to meet up with Marcus before heading to work. His number was still not going through and Robert was declining all of my calls, making me even more worried about everything.

"Where are you going this early morning?" My mother's voice came out, and for the first time I noticed her, sitting down with her knitting tools. She must have seen me walked past her, but I, unfortunately, was too distracted to even notice.

As much as I wanted to blame and lash out on her, I just couldn't bring myself to be that disrespectful, and although every fiber of my being wanted to ignore and just walk out, my feet remained firmly planted.

"I am going to work." I said, with as little emotion as possible.

"What work? Today is a public holiday and I know you don't go to work on public holidays." She gave me this knowing look, but it was then I realized that text was sent yesterday when I must have been running around for Marcus' bail. I had placed my phone on silence and muted texts so I could focus on getting my man out of the tight situation he was in because of me. I had just undone that while in search of him and that was why I saw that notification pop up. Sh*t!!

"I know you are going to see Marcus. Is it because I have not openly forbidden you from seeing that man? Are you so stupid that you choose to suddenly forget about everything that happened yesterday because of that good-for-nothing man?" She yelled, dropping her knitting materials angrily on the table.

"And did you also suddenly forget about whose husband put us in this mess in the first place?" I yelled back in anger, wondering why my mum was hell-bent on talking down on Marcus with each giving opportunity.

"How dare you talk about your father like that? My mum asked with anger flickering in her eyes. I sure have hit a nerve in her body and although I knew I went far with that statement, I didn't really care much. I just wanted her to know how it feels to hear someone talk down on the love of your life.

"Mum you cannot forbid me from seeing Marcus." My voice was softer this time as I didn't really see the advantages of yelling. "I can even decide to see him after I am married. I don't think it is any of your business what I choose to do, as I have after all signed the contract as you wanted." As the last word fell from my lips, I tried walking away but she sprang up suddenly, blocking my path to the door.

" I will allow what you just said slip by but I won't allow you to leave this house unless you agree that you will stop seeing that boy. Don't you know that your continuous seeing of each other can affect this marriage?" She yelled, determined to make her voice heard, loud and clear, no matter what.

"It doesn't change anything, they are the ones who need this marriage. I don't care." I responded in the same tone as her as this had now turn into a competition of loudness.

"Oh! You are going to care, Sophia. You think getting married to a billionaire is something you wouldn't care about?"

"I don't have time for this." And with that, I made my way out of the house, though my mind still replayed what my mum had just said.

Whether it was an arranged marriage or not wouldn't matter to the press, the paparazzi, social media and the numerous eyes which would be invested in it. Can I really go on with this while knowing fully well that my life and privacy would be invaded once this becomes public. It was going to be yet another Cinderella story with a handsome Prince Charming to the rescue. This would simply restrict my movements and association with people so as not to tarnish my own image as I do, after all, have a life to live after this one year.

The elevator ride to Marcus's apartment felt like I had been stuck in it for days on end till finally, the beep sound followed by the doors being open, relieving me from my anxiety.

Walking down the lobby, I finally reached Marcus' door and placed two knocks on it. My mind suddenly raced back to the last argument I had with Robert and I couldn't help but feel even more nervous about seeing him this early. Silently, I prayed for Marcus to be the one to open the door but as the door opened, it was Robert who stood shirtless on the other side.

He had a disdain look plastered across his face and as he stared me up and down, "What do you want?" he blurted out, probably irritated by my entire existence.

Should I be upset at this sudden change of feeling towards me?

Well, I guess I don't have the right to be as I had been the one putting his best friend through hell.

" Good morning." I replied, ignoring his countenance and smiling with all the muscles on my face, hoping it would have a positive effect on him.

"There is nothing good about this morning. Just tell me what you want, ma." He said sternly.

"I am sorry for everything Robert, but please allow me into the room first." I requested wondering why Marcus had not yet come out as I was sure he must have heard my voice.

'You can keep your apologies, I don't need them. There is also no need for you to come in. Marcus is not in the house. He has left town." He dropped all the information in one breath, probably not willing to spend an extra second having this conversation.

"What?" I said, roughly pushing him to the side, or maybe he just stepped aside for me to have a look and confirm what he had just said.

I headed straight for his room only to find his bed properly laid and untouched from last night, and his wardrobe missing all of his clothes. Even his guitar that he doesn't take around carelessly was also missing. I went to his work desk to find no trace of a human ever working there; he was actually gone.

"Where did he go to?" My tears clogged voice came out shaky as a tear slid down my cheek.

"I don't know, Sophia. What I do know is that you should please leave this house immediately and never come back here. Go back to the man you wish to marry and have your happy ever after." Robert said, unmoved by my display of sadness, as he held the door wide open, gesturing for me to leave.