CHAPTER 43: AWKWARD
"You still didn't find him?" Suzette creased her brow upon receiving the report of the private detective.
"We didn't find his name on the list of passengers. Though I found similar names but with different surname. It may take some time to monitor them one by one."
"Then get more staffs if that's necessary." The detective could sense the impatience in her voice. "And I hope the next time you call me, I will be hearing a good news already.'' Then she dropped the call.
'I should have thought about that possibility.' She muttered before she continued watering the plants in her garden.
Barry…. Her mind traveled in the past. How did we end up like this? You were such a sweet boy when you were little. You've been such an obedient boy until you grew up. But what made you betrayed me? The old woman suddenly clenched her chest. The pain of such memory surged within her once again.
A lot of innocent blood were lost but for what cause?
Ah! Grief wrapped her heart once again at the thought of the individuals who sacrificed their blood in the past. Was it wrong for her to protect her beloved company? The company she worked so hard to build from scratch but due to an ungrateful brat, it was almost crushed.
Once again, her mind recalled another event in the past.
FLASHBACK:
"If I knew you wouldn't act after you found out about your son's crimes, then I should have not reported it in the first place." A man drenched in the rain was standing in front of the woman with his fist curled in anger.
"The truth cost my wife's precious life and it almost took my daughter away from me too. But here you are telling me stop? Are you in your right mind, huh?!"
"Vista, I'm sorry about your loss. But in order to punish him, we need more evidence---''
"Aren't those innocent bloods not enough evidence yet?!" He was already shouting. "Damn it, Suzette!"
"I also wanted him to take the responsibili----"
"But your conscience was holding you back because he is your son! Is that correct? You are willing to cover up all his crimes for the sake of your family? Then how about me? I want justice for my wife and for the other families that he destroyed. But if you can't work with me, then fine, I will do this alone."
"Vista, you have to understand that I am protecting you and your daughter's ----"
"Enough! I'm tired dealing with your lies." His eyes were bloodshot red. He looked like an angry beast ready to devour anyone that comes in his way. "If I knew you would betray us like this then I should have let him destroy you and your company!"
"Vista…" She couldn't bear to looked at his eyes filled with hate.
"From now on, I denounced my family's relationship with you and your family. And bear this in mind, I'm not going to rest until justice is serve for all the people you and your family had killed!"
Filled with hatred and bitterness, the man stormed outside the woman's office. And as soon as he left the room, the woman fell on her knees while tears fell from her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry. But that was the only way for me to protect you and your daughter…" The woman cried.
"Madam!" Her personal assistant dashed to her as soon as he entered the room. "Are you alright?"
"What will I do now?" She was breaking as she speaks. "H-he deeply hates me now."
"Don't worry. He will soon understand your intentions." Her personal assistant held her and caressed her back.
***End of Flashback***
A tear fell from the old woman's eyes. She waited for so long but the man never came back. He completely severe all their ties as he pursued the man who killed her wife… until he too died in pursuit of justice.
'I'm truly sorry, Vista. Please forgive me for ruining your life.'
Meanwhile, Jade had been pacing back and forth after the conversation she had with Jasmine a while ago.
Will she inform Marcus about it? She was thinking. After some considerations, she called Jasmine back.
"Tell Jackie that I will be seeing her tomorrow." Then she hanged up. Hope her plan will work.
On the other hand, Marcus was excited to go home for some reason, but when he was nearing the house, his heart started beating fast that he couldn't control it.
Dang it! Why was he nervous all of a sudden? He then parked the car in a corner then he begun caressing his chest.
'Inhale, exhale… inhale, exhale…' He kept doing it over and over again. 'Marcus, just be yourself. Relax. You can just tell her that you were caught in the moment… or it doesn't mean anything. Ah no! You can't possibly say that, you'll hurt her feelings."
He kept tapping the steering wheel while in deep thought. 'Why did you even dare to touch her?' He scolded himself. Though he must admit that he enjoyed the night with the woman. The joy of knowing that he was Jade's first gave spark in his heart. He seemed to be happy about it for who knows why.
Ah, come what may! He squealed as he continued driving.
Watching the woman prepare the table for dinner lit him up. He seemed to be getting used to this kind of married life. Looked like marrying a complete stranger was not actually bad as it seems.
"Hey." The woman forced a smile at the man standing at the doorway. "Dinner?" She tried to act normally even though her heart was pounding fast. Her eyes couldn't even look at him properly because whenever their eyes met, they both looked away-----awkwardly.
It was totally awkward!
Seeing how restless the woman was, Marcus grinned. Looked like they were both feeling the same way because of what happened last night. Therefore, he took the chance to tease the woman.
As soon as the man settled on the table, Jade gathered her courage to speak up in hope to break the gawky air around them.
"M-marcus…" She softly mumbled. "I have something to tell you."
"What? Are you pregnant?" He voiced but his eyes were on the food he was eating.
He originally wanted to tease the woman but unknown to him, Jade misunderstood his intention and misheard his teasing tone into a mocking one.
She suddenly forgot the things she wanted to tell him. Instead, a deep pang of sadness surged within her. Dang it! She cursed within her then shook her head to get back to reality. She almost forgot about the marriage contract. Did she hoped that the man would love her because she gave him her precious virginity?
You're a fool for thinking it was that easy, Jade! She scolded herself within. Marcus is a man with sexual needs after all.