CHAPTER:20

As soon as the cafe is in view, Marshall parks the car and rushes inside, not bothering to turn the car engine off. He's out of breath, but he doesn't care. All he cares about right now, is his wife. That's all. 

Elara is by the counter, and Hana notices him first. Who nudges Elara, and causes her to look up. His wife is certainly surprised to see him here, and it's evident on her face. Marshall rushes to her side, and pulls he closes to him by her arm, hugging her tightly. He holds her close to him, caressing the back of her head. As he buries his face by the crook of her neck.

"Why do you never answer your phone?!" -Marshall scolds, his deep voice full of emotions, surprising Elara as well. 

"I- uh—? I was busy.... Serving the customers." and as she says this, Marshall raises his head up and looks around. And the only customer, is the man in a blue suit.

Marshall's face contorts into one full of rage.

He lets go of Elara and storms up to him. He doesn't even give the man time to react, as he pulls him abruptly by his collar.

"W-Woah-! Hey, what the fuck?! Marshall-?"

Elara and Hana have their eyes open wide in surprise, as they stare at the scenery happening in front of them. Elara rushes to her husband's side.

Marshall's voice is deep and threatening as he speaks. "Kim Emmanuel.. What the fuck are you doing here?" 

Kim raises his hands up in an attempt to show he's of no harm, but Marshall doesn't care, nor does he intend to.

" Marshall! Let go of him. Please, he's a customer!" -Elara pleads, holding onto his arm. But he doesn't budge.

"This fucker is not a good guy, I'm telling you, Elara. Kick him out, now." Marshall orders, his voice a low growl.

Kim laughs, as if he's not surprised by Marshall's rage. And his laughter only seems to enrage Marshall even more. He tightens his grip around Kim's collar, pulling him closer, his eyes full of fury.

Kim finally speaks again, even if it is in a joke manner; "I'm gonna be paying my bill, I swear, Ms. Elara." 

"Mrs." Marshall corrects him, without missing a beat. "Mrs. Elara Valadez Wyatts. My wife." 

Its as if by saying this one particular sentence, Marshall just indirectly proved his superiority over Kim. 

Kim scoffs, letting out a soft exhale. "Come on, Marsh. You seriously don't think, I'm gonna do the same fuckery again?" 

"Knowing you, I'm not sure, Emmanuel. I don't trust you. Especially around my wife." 

Marshall gnarls. 

"Come on, give me the benefit of the doubt, at least?" 

"Don't even begin." -Marshall tightens his grip even more. 

Hana nudges Elara again, clearly excited. Loving what she's getting to witness. Whereas, Elara simply stands there, flustered. She has no clue what's going on, but she doesn't stop him either. 

At Hana's nudging she snaps out of her trance and finally, firmly pulls Marshall by his arm. Pulling him away from Kim. 

"Hana, please take care of the customer. I'll be right back. I apologize for my husband's behavior, Mr. Kim." -Her voice remains soft but confident as she speaks. And wih that, she turns around. Pulling Marshall along with her. Not giving him the chance to say anything.

Elara drags him, pulling him into the cafe's staff room, clearly about to burst out in a fit of anger. She closes the door behind them, and looks up at her giant husband. 

She crosses her arms over her chest, huffing. 

"Care explaining what the fuck was that, out there?" -She questions. 

"Your stalker. He sent me another picture. This time it was from inside the cafe, Elara!" Marshall explains. To which, she simply sighs. Pinching the bridge of her nose. 

"And you assumed that it's Kim?" 

"No.. I know the stalker isn't stupid enough to wait for my arrival." -He mumbles, his voice growing quieter. 

"Then what was that for?!" -Elara stares at him, pressing the matter. 

"I refuse to engage in this conversation any longer!" 

"Excuse me?" -She stares at him, baffled by his disinterest in answering her question.

Looking at his arrogant, cold and expressionless face, it only fuels Elara's anger towards him. She takes a step closer, hitting his chest lightly. She pulls him closer by his collar, gripping it tightly. Making him lower his head to meet eye-to-eye.

"You can't just come at my cafe and decide that you want to beat up one of my customers. I don't care about anything else, you're gonna go apologize to him." -She orders. 

Marshall scoffs, surprised at the audacity of his tiny wife. "Over my dead body, young lady." He grumbles. 

But she won't back away without a fight either. She hits his chest again. And again. But Marshall isn't a tad bit affected. He lets her do her thing. 

"For gods sake, Elara." -Marshall snatches her by her arm, pulling her closer. And picking her up, carrying her in his arms. He pins her against the wall, his nose touching hers. Elara yelps in surprise, looking right into his eyes. 

She holds onto him tightly, her hands on his chest.

"M-Marshall—" 

But he cuts her off with his lips on her mouth. He kisses and bites on her lower lip. A hint of aggression in his kiss. She can feel his rough beard on her chin, while he kisses her. As he pulls away slightly, she could hear his deep voice, as he speaks to her. 

"Just listen to me for once, woman. I don't like that guy at all. And I don't want him anywhere near my wife. Do you understand?" 

Marshall says bluntly, looking down at her. He leans in, placing a soft kiss on her neck. And ever so gently, bites the flesh. Leaving marks as he does this. 

His hands hold her against him, firmly yet gently.

Marshall presses his lips against Elara's again, his mouth eating hers up. And she has no choice but to comply. His tongue dominating inside her mouth. 

Elara closes her eyes, letting out soft breaths. 

He presses her harder against the wall, holding on tighter. She feels his body leaning right up her chest. Marshall growls softly into her ear, as he pulls away from the kiss.

He lowers his head, his lips nibbling on her neck.

"M-Marshall.." -Elara whispers, breathlessly. Trying to breathe, but it only comes out labored and ragged. Moaning his name, her voice almost inaudible.

She keeps her hands pressed firmly on his chest to stay elevated.

Marshall's arms hold her up securely, making her wrap her legs around his waist. His strong body being able to support her. Moving his lips back to her mouth, he bites on her lips and kisses her with a more aggressive and dominant force. He moves his body around hers, while his hands run freely along her back, going inside her shirt. Craving to touch her bare skin. 

His mouth tasting every inch of her skin, desiring more. Desiring her. 

Elara feels a rush of butterflies in her stomach and wraps her arms around his neck, holding him close to her as they make out. 

"Fuck, you taste like heaven." -He whispers, his voice full of desire and lust for her. 

"This heaven is mine. Only mine."