The Search for Truth.

"I guess we need to find the truth first," Erica said as she sat straight and rested her hand in Mark's. Even though she hated to admit but she was kind of grateful that Vanessa got back. She still saw a sliver of hope behind the gloomy clouds that were surrounding Nicholas. And Mark sitting by her side gave her a warm and safe feeling which she longed for ever.

"Didn't she tell you the truth?" Mark looked unsure if Erica knew the truth or not. He was trying hard to listen to her last night but the sleepiness had its effect on him, causing him to miss out on some of her seemingly endless words.

"No, I tried asking but she was adamant on keeping it to herself."

"Maybe you could try to ask her again?" Austin remarked, hope filled in his voice. He knew that as long as Nicholas is worried, Erica won't be emotionally available. If he wants to ask Erica out, he would have to clear the tension about Vanessa. He decided that after things sort out, he would talk to Erica before Mark has a chance.

"I am sure she doesn't want to talk about it," there was a tinge of fear apparent in her voice.

"But you could still try, Erica. Don't be such a kid about it," Mark insisted despite her refutations. He knew that Vanessa had refused to talk and threatened Erica that she will contact the HR department but he thought he might tease her just to see the blush that overtakes her face when she tries to lie and gets caught.

"No, I am not going to go there again."

"You have to do this for Nicholas," Mark reminded her.

A slight frown appeared on Erica's features as she defeatedly said, "She kicked me out. Anything else you want to know?"

She looked cute when a blush crept up on her cheeks and her nose started turning a slight shade of red. Mark tried to suppress a chuckle and tightened his grip around Erica's shoulders, giving her a side hug. Austin shifted in his seat and turned to face Erica, whose face was hidden in Mark's neck.

Erica didn't take embarrassment well, and having to admit this was on a whole another level. She was used to saying others what to do but being ordered around and being told to leave had embarrassed her to no end. Mark knew of this trait and Erica had already realised that he won't leave a single chance to tease her.

"You enjoy my misery, don't you?" Erica said as she looked up at Mark.

"Well, one might say that," he replied playfully.

"How would you like if I said one of your stories?" A smug smile formed on Erica's lips.

"I don't have any stories and you know that."

"I beg to differ," she tapped on Mark's knee lightly before continuing, "remember that night at Nicholas's birthday party?"

Realization made its way into Mark's mind and he sat up, feeling uncomfortable. He stammered on his words and excused himself, trying to stand up. Erica grabbed his arm and pulled him back on his spot.

"You're not going anywhere, Mister Mark. That night you were so drunk that you ki—"

"Nothing! I did nothing but a drunken mistake. It can happen to anyone. Let's just leave it at that," Mark hurried his words out before Erica got a chance to finish her sentence.

"Is there anyone you guys know who might be able to talk Vanessa into telling the truth?" Austin tried to change the direction this conversation was headed into.

"How about you, Mark?" Erica chirped in. "You and Vanessa were close back in the day. Maybe she would tell you the truth?"

"I am not sure. She hasn't been in contact for a long time now. I tried calling and messaging her endless times after she disappeared but she never responded. And when I went to her place, I found out that she had moved," there was disappointment clearly visible in Mark's voice.

"It's worth a shot, I guess. If it works, then we will know the truth. But if it doesn't work out, then the worst thing that could happen is you getting kicked out. Just like we got," Erica's words seemed to have worked because Mark agreed to go and meet Vanessa at her apartment.

They talked for a while until Erica got a call from a client and she excused herself. Austin and Mark sat in an awkward silence for a few seconds. Austin stood up, followed by Mark, and exchanged contact information for just in case. Austin gave him Vanessa's address and flat number, which he found out after talking to Nicholas and Erica the previous day.

They left the cabin together and headed for the elevator. Once they reached the basement parking, Mark got in his car and drove away while Austin contemplated going back and talking to Erica. He measured the pros and cons and decided that it wasn't a good time. He pressed the unlock button on his key fob and climbed into his car before speeding down the road.

~~~~~

Mark knocked softly on Vanessa's door, waiting patiently for her to open up. The chances were low, given the situation with Nicholas yesterday. After a few moments, he heard footsteps inching together.

"Who is it?" came a question through the closed door.

Mark's heart seemed to skip a beat on hearing the voice he longed to hear day and night for the past ten years.

"Vanessa…" he tried to talk but words refused to leave his throat. He felt his mouth go dry and needles pricked him from inside all the way to his voice box.

She recognized the voice and had to fist her fingers tightly in order to stop herself from opening the door.

"Why are you here?" she questioned.

"I heard you… live here… and… couldn't… stop myself," he said, taking long puffs of air in between.

Vanessa and Mark were the best of friends, but for Mark she was much more than a friend. He was in love with her but he swallowed his feeling when Nicholas started dating her. He later started developing feelings for Erica but as soon as he heard that Vanessa was back, Erica was long gone from his mind and he was glad he didn't ask Erica out. Now, Nicholas was out of his hair too, and he could confess his feelings in front of Vanessa without any fear. He could take her out on dates and spoil her with his love, care, gifts, surprises, and so much more. But this wasn't going to be easy, he couldn't tell her anything until he was sure that Vanessa didn't want Nicholas anymore.

"Open the door, Vanessa. Please."

"Is he with you?" her voice was shaky as she tried to calm her nerves.

"It's just me," he said quietly, almost a whisper.

Mark heard a jingling sound of keys and a relief washed over him knowing that the door could open anytime now. But the door didn't open, he heard Vanessa struggle with the door knob and the keys.

"Vanessa?"

"I can't find the key," she said, anxiety filling her voice, "I must have dropped it somewhere yesterday after Nicholas came over."

"Do you have a spare key?"

"No, I had but I gave it to my friend last month for emergencies. Can you knock on next door and ask Mr. Wilkins for his copy of the key."

"You still give your neighbour a copy?" a smile formed on his lips, knowing that Vanessa doesn't seem to have changed much.

"I still lose my keys every few times," a soft giggle escaped Vanessa's lips with the words.

"I will be right back."

Mark strode over next door and knocked timidly. The door opened almost immediately and a man stood in front of him, his brows pinched together and a beer bottle tightly gripped in his hand. He gave Mark a once-over before starting his questions.

"Do I know you?"

"I highly doubt that. I was visiting Vanessa and she said that she has lost her key," he said, pointing over his shoulder at the door which separated the girl of his dreams from him.

"Why do you want to meet her? Did yesterday's guy sent you? I told him that I am not g—"

"I have nothing to do with Nicholas, I am here to meet Vanessa because she is my friend," he interrupted.

Mr. Wilkins strode past him, pushing him out of his way with a hand. Mr. Wilkins knocked on her door.

"Vanessa! You there?"

"Yes, sir. I'm locked inside. Can you open my door, please?"

"This guy right here. He says he is here to meet you."

"Yes, he is my friend, Mark. I want to meet him."

Without uttering another word, he gestured Mark to follow him. Mark stood at his door as he rummaged through the table adjacent to the door and pulled out a key, handing it over to Mark. He told Mark to remind Vanessa that she ought to make a few extra keys this time and give him the key back.

Mark thanked him and went back to open Vanessa's door. Mark put in the key in the door knob and gave it a twist, pushing it open. He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation and pulled Vanessa into a hug. She resisted slightly at first but eventually snaked her arms around him. She melted in his embrace and it was reminiscent of the old days when Nicholas, Mark, Vanessa, and a couple of other close friends would forget all the worries when they met each other. There was not a single problem which couldn't be solved with a game night or a movie marathon.

"How are you, Vanessa?" he loosened his grip just a little to see her face, which was now soaked with tears.

"I am sorry, Mark. I had to leave, I couldn't stay there anymore," she said between sobs.

"Shh… It's alright. Calm down," he lightly stroked her hair, as her breathing returned to normal.

He closed the door with one hand, and held Vanessa with the other, guiding her and himself toward the couch. They sat there in a comfortable silence for a few minutes when Vanessa excused herself to get some water. Mark followed her into the kitchen as she made two cups of coffee for them, remembering to make it Irish for Mark.

"What happened, Vanessa? I won't force you to tell me anything but you know that you can trust me, right?" he said as they made their way to the dining table.

Vanessa had a hard time trying to figure out what to say, or rather how to say this. She fell short of words, her mouth became parched. Mark reached out and took her hand that was laying on the table into his hand, pressing it lightly to assure her that he is going to be always here for her.

"He cheated," tears spilled down her eyes in streams as she looked around the room at anything but Mark.