He nodded and whispered, “Don’t worry about that. Focus on your coming examinations.”
Indeed. Why bother? That was none of my business anyway.
Independence Day holiday.
Thanks to Emery, I got to sit in on classes at K University. That would really help with my revision for the examinations.
I met Emery’s fiancé, Hunter Zane, as I got out of class. He was a tall, soft-spoken, bespectacled man, every inch of him was gentlemanly.
He was the one who wrote the recommendation for me to attend classes at K University. “Prof Zane!” Waving my arms, I called out to him from afar.
He saw me, smiled and stopped in his track.
I went up to him and saw he was holding some law books. He must have just finished his class. “Anymore classes later?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I am done for the day. What about you? How was the English class?”
“I have learned a lot!” I replied as we walked out of campus together. “Are you going to Clermont later in the day?”
“I may not be able to make it. I have guests coming, so I have to pick them up. Please help me get a message to Emery—ask her to join us for dinner tonight.” Hunter replied.
“Sure! Your parents are coming?” I probed. He smiled and nodded.
Hunter’s from J City. Since it was nearing their wedding date, I supposed the family came for the wedding.
We parted at the car park as he had to rush off for his next appointment.
I walked to and from class most of the time as K University was not far from Clermont. The weather was refreshing, perfect for a nice and relaxing stroll.
I did not notice the black Bentley that stopped by the side of the road until someone blocked my path.
It was Marcus.
“What’s up?” I grunted.
“Where are you heading? Let me give you a lift.” He stood there leisurely with a hand in his pocket and a cigarette between his long fingers.
A chance meeting? Or maybe he had it all planned out?
Well, it did not matter.
“That’s not necessary. I am just a short distance from home,” I replied with indifference.
“Home? The home with Ashton Fuller?” he responded sarcastically with a frown.
I had no intention of elaborating. I just stood and stared at him with impatience.
“Scarlett Stovall, how foolish can you get? If he is true to you, he would not have kept your relationship a secret.”
“That is between the two of us. Please mind your own business. If that is all you have to say, then I will take my leave.” I brushed him off.
“Are we worse than strangers now? We went through so much together in that one month. Does that mean nothing to you at all? Am I so repulsive that you would not wish to even talk to me?” He held me back and lashed out.
I let out a sigh and asked, “Camelia should be due soon, right?”
He was stumped. “Is that what is bothering you?” He paused and then continued, “That was an unplanned pregnancy. If that bothers you, I will send her back to M Country after she gives birth. She will not come between us.”
I pushed him away angrily. “What do you mean she will affect us and you want to send her back? Marcus White, do you know what sets Ashton apart from you? Ashton takes responsibility in a relationship. Even if he does not love someone, he would not hurt her. He may be a little clumsy when it comes to love but he shows respect to the other party.”
I took a deep breath to calm myself before continuing, “I know I have no right to criticize you. Four years ago, what I did was not to one’s satisfaction. I will make it up to you. You can state your demands. Just don’t ask me to love you. As for you, please man up! If you are not in love with Camelia, why did you cozy up to her? How could you be so callous now? What has she done wrong? The only mistake she made was to fall for you.”
That was the problem with most of us. The grass would always be greener on the other side. We would fail to treasure the relationships we have and long for the ones who left. How tragic.
Marcus contemplated for a moment. “You will fulfill any demands I have?” he asked.
“Anything, other than to love you.” Sometimes, one just got to bite the bullet and face the consequence.
“Come work at White Corporation, move out of Ashton Fuller’s place, and do not see him ever again.” Marcus listed his demands.
“I will be having my examinations next month so I can’t take on any work for now. As for my relationship with Ashton, that is none of your business. Marcus, please quit pushing my buttons!” I was annoyed.
“No to everything? So that is what you mean by fulfilling any demands?” he sneered.
“I… I can agree to work at White Corporation. Just not now, since I am having my examinations soon. That is something beyond my control.”
Marcus deliberated over it. “Since you have your examinations coming, I wouldn’t get in your way. Let’s do this instead. Come to Moonlight Bay and cook for me every day. Take that as repaying me for saving you back in those days.”
