Chapter 104: Soften him up.

The next day, Marcus again found himself at the gym.

The date with Kinsley yesterday was great, but he couldn't enjoy it fully. His mind was stuck on the nagging sense of dread he felt. "What is wrong with me?" Marcus asked as he shook his head. 

Jogging on the treadmill, he continued to put various pieces together, but none of them fit.

"Maybe I am paranoid," Marcus said to himself. As Luna was attending Kinsley's practice along with Cora. 

Leaving Marcus alone. 

However, that loneliness lasted for about ten minutes before eventually, Kira made her way onto the treadmill beside Marcus. She wore a similar outfit from yesterday and even came with a water bottle and earbuds. 

"Hi Marcus," Kira said with a smile as took her earbuds out of their case. "Are you ready for another day of exercise?"

Marcus chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so," he replied with a hesitant smile. 

Kira smiled back as she placed her earbuds in her ears, before jogging right alongside him.

Marcus was surprised at how casually Kira was interacting with him. She hadn't done anything remotely similar to her previous behavior. 

She hadn't even looked at him suggestively.

Marcus found himself staring at Kira as they both jogged, studying how peculiar she was acting. 

It didn't take long for Kira to notice Marcus staring at her. Tapping her left earbud, she gave Marcus a curious expression. "Something on your mind?" She asked with a warm smile.

Marcus shook his head as he turned his attention towards the TV on the wall in front of him. "No, I just, I can't believe how different you are, it's… it's nice." He said with a smirk. "It eases my mind."

Kira giggled. "I'm glad because I mean it Marcus, I want us to become friends." She said genuinely. "I want to change for you."

"F-for me?" Marcus stammered.

Kira nodded. "If I can't have you romantically, then I can at least have a friend to confide in, right?"

Marcus nodded. "Y-yeah you can." 

Kira nodded back as she tapped her earbud once more, and continued her jogging session as if nothing happened.

Marcus chuckled in disbelief as she shook his head slowly. Maybe he was just being paranoid, as his life was becoming better. He and Kinsley had a growing relationship, Kira seemed to have mellowed out, and he didn't have to think about work for a while.

He began to grow cautiously optimistic. His life was finally starting to turn around, it almost seemed too good to be true. Was it because he finally decided to take back the wheel from the universe, or was it because the universe felt pity?

Either way, things were changing for the better.

Marcus found himself smiling softly as he began to jog just a little faster. 

The rest of his gym session went about the same as yesterday. Kira respectfully keeps her distance, while also giving or receiving help from Marcus.

By the time they had finally finished their session and headed out, Marcus felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders. 

"You look radiant Marcus," Kira said with a giggle as she pulled out her phone. "Maybe the gym does wonders after all."

"I don't know," Marcus said with a smile. "I came here to get stronger, but it's honestly just clearing my mind." He answered. "I'm starting to feel like things will get better."

Kira smiled as she tapped her phone in her palm. "Marcus." She said softly, "If you say no I completely understand, but I was hoping I could get your number." She asked curiously, a twinkle of hope in her eye.

Marcus raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. "Why?" He asked curiously. 

"It's a little embarrassing to say out loud," Kinsley said with a blush.

"Is it now?" Marcus replied skeptically.

Kira nodded, "Yes, but if you wish to know right now, I'll whisper it to you."

Marcus sighed, a hesitant expression plastered on his face. "How do I know you won't try anything?"

"Because I know my place Marcus, and I don't want to jeopardize the fragile trust you've given me."

Marcus sighed deeply as he tapped his foot. He stared at Kira for a moment, studying the woman that stood before him. She looked innocent enough, and she seemed to be genuinely trying to become better.

So maybe…

"Ok, but if you try anything–"

"I know," Kira replied, cutting him off.

Marcus nodded as he lowered himself to Kira's level, turning his head to give her access to his ear. She approached it carefully, avoiding touching him unnecessarily. 

"I've been lonely Marcus." She began, her breath hot and voice soft. "I don't have anyone to talk with, Kinsley has been busy with you, school, and sports, Cora has been busy with school, and everyone else, they all want something from me."

Marcus felt a pang of sympathy as he pulled his ear away from Kira. As he looked down upon her, he studied her for any signs of lying.

But there weren't any.

Just a woman opening up to him with a genuine call for companionship. Marcus then sighed as he crossed his arms. He didn't have many people to talk with either, and besides Luna, he's been forced to hide most things from others.

But Kira pretty much knew everything about him, so it's not like he'd be risking much. Marcus sighed as he reached for his phone. "Okay." He said hesitantly, "But you cannot ask about my work or anything work-related, because the organization can check my messages."

"Really?" Kira asked. "How does that work?" She asked.

"There's an AI that monitors the flow of information on my phone, it's a safety feature put in place by the organization, to stop leaks or whatever."

Kira nodded. "But if it's not work-related…?"

"Then it's fine," Marcus said as he unlocked his phone. He then held it out to Kira. 

Kira placed her phone over Marcus' phone, and after a moment both phones received a notification.

Both parties pressed to accept, and they successfully exchanged numbers. "Don't ruin this Kira." Marcus said with a stern point, "I'm trusting you."

Kira nodded as she pocketed her phone. "I understand, and I won't, I promise." She said with a warm smile. 

As she turned on her heel to leave, Marcus watched her with a thoughtful expression. He then turned his attention back to his phone, a smile dancing on his lips. 

Things were changing for the better.

— — —

Later that evening, after Marcus and Kinsley shared a shower, and were now sitting on her bed cozying up to each other. 

Marcus was lost in thought as he fondled Kinsley's breasts, massaging them as she lay against his chest. "Mhmm, that feels good after wearing that sports bra all day," Kinsley commented softly.

Marcus chuckled as he looked down at Kinsley. "I don't know, I'd say letting your balls hang after a long hot day feels better." He joked.

Kinsley chuckled as she looked up at Marcus. "Is that so?" She asked curiously.

Marcus smirked, "maybe." He replied, "But I'm curious about something."

What's that?" Kinsley replied.

"Do you think people can change?" Marcus asked curiously, "I mean, do a complete 180…"

Kinsley nodded. "Yeah, you're a prime example of that." She replied. "At first you were indecisive, rude, and stupid." She then looked up to Marcus with a warm smile. "Now you're committed, calm, and stupid."

Marcus chuckled as he rolled his eyes, before leaning in for a kiss with Kinsley. 

"Hey, you've changed too," Marcus replied. "At first you were reserved, mean, and demanding." He then smirked. "Now you're open, somewhat nice, and freaky." He said with raised eyebrows."

Kinsley chuckled as she grabbed Marcus's hands. "Because you're mine." She said with a smirk. "So now I don't care what happens, because I know you're mine." She then pulled Marcus' hands from her chest as she flipped around. "Take it out." She said with a smirk as she began undoing her towel.

Marcus smirked as he removed his towel. 

— — —

While Kinsley and Marcus began to engage in intimate activities, Kira, Cora, and Luna all sat in Kira's dorm to further their agenda.

"So far, everything is moving along smoothly," Kira said with a clap of her hands. "So I think it's time I up the stakes a bit."

Cora nodded in agreement. "Yes it's about time, we can't keep drawing this out forever, it's sending me mad."

Kira giggled as she crossed her arms, "Don't get excited just yet, because I'm only talking about spending time with Marcus outside the gym, since tomorrow is Monday, I thought maybe I could skip classes and take him out on the city."

Luna nodded at the idea. "That could work to further solidify his fragile trust, but Marcus is more interested in video games than exploring anything, so…"

"I'll take him out to buy a game system, then we could play it together in my dorm!" Kira said with eagerness. "It's perfect, not only can I familiarize him with my room without arousing suspicion, but I can learn even more about his tastes."

Luna and Cora both widened their eyes in awe of her quick-witted thinking. "I haven't even thought that far," Cora said in a baffled tone.

"I… I haven't either." Luna added a look of bewilderment etched onto her gentle features.

"It just falls in place," Kira said with a passionate smile. "It's like a puzzle that solves itself the longer you play, this… this is… this is fate!"

Kira laughed while grabbing at her cheeks as she looked up to the ceiling. "It all makes so much sense, it just works!"

Luna and Cora exchanged perturbed gazes, their faces sharing an unsettled expression.

"Let's just… set this up," Cora said with a nervous chuckle, clearly unnerved by Kira's sudden delirium.

— — —

Marcus lay in bed with Kinsley sleeping on his chest. 

He hadn't fallen asleep yet, as his mind continued to wander, from various topics and things. He went from thinking about his future to his past, to everything in between.

While lost in thought, Marcus' phone buzzed with a message as its screen illuminated.

With a mix of curiosity and restlessness, Marcus picked up his phone. Looking at the screen he saw a message from Kira. 

Unlocking his phone, Marcus opened his messages and there he saw Kira's text.

— — —

KIRA

Kira: I know it's late, but I was wondering if you wanted to go to the city tomorrow, maybe do some shopping?

— — —

Marcus stared at the message curiously, his eyes filled with curiosity and caution.

He then replied.

— — —

KIRA

Kira: I know it's late, but I was wondering if you wanted to go to the city tomorrow, maybe do some shopping?

Marcus: For what? Don't you have school tomorrow?

Kira: I do, but I was going to skip class today, I figured why not go shopping for something fun?

Marcus: I don't know, seems suspicious. :/

Kira: I get it, you're probably not even interested in hanging with me anymore are you?

Marcus: huh? I didn't say that. You're putting words in my mouth.

Kira: then…?

Marcus: Okay, but no funny business, Kira I swear.

Kira: promise! 

— — —

Marcus sighed as he stared at his phone. "This is suspiciously convenient." He muttered to himself as he put his phone down.