Chapter 22: Chapter 22

07:45pm.

I blink at the red numbers on Kyle's bedside digital clock.

I didn't intend to sleep.

I didn't intend to sleep for this long.

I didn't intend to sleep for this long on Kyle's bed...

Yawning, I sit up and observe the room. The shirt he wore today is on the bed, along with his watch and iPad.

"Kyle?" I call out as I slide out of the huge king sized bed and walk bare feet out of the room....all the while remembering the heated, hurtful argument I had with Maya.

I couldn't bear it.

The hurtful words we said to each other...the way she stared at me with tears and anger.

But I didn't mean it....

I swear I didnt mean it, it just slipped out. And she had stormed off before I could apologise.

Still, all those things she said about Kyle were just too much. He isn't like that....well, not anymore.

I can still remember the sincere look in his eyes this morning when I woke up next to him, when he apologised for leaving to go to work on such short notice.

I just wish I could make her understand...he is different.

The smell of sauce pulls me into the kitchen where I spot Kyle carefully setting two plates of pasta on the table.

I bite back a smile as i watch him wipe the edges of the plate and arrange the wine glasses.

Maya should see this.

Should see him now. Making all this effort...for me.

"You made dinner." I blurt out, unable to hold my surprise as he looks up and smiles at me.

"I promised to make it up to you...remember?" He says as I approach him, then he pulls me close with his hands firmly round my waist.

I look up at him now, at the blue eyes that I've known to be so cold and unforgiving....yet here I am, dwelling in the beauty of the Crystal colour.

His naughty grin wipes off immediately as he observes my face.

"Marcy...have you been crying?" He says and I quickly look away but he catches my chin and raises my face back up.

I feel exposed under his gaze, under his intense, scrutinizing eyes.

"What happened?" He asks now and the memories of this morning only cause the tears to return.

'This coming from someone who got pregnant in college.'

"Marcy...talk to me." He says now, dipping his voice a bit lower and those few words suddenly make him so reliable.

So trustworthy.

Like a bestfriend.

And I feel like I can tell him everything.

"I had an argument with my friend today and..." I pause to choke back some sobs as Kyle leads me to the table and sits me down.

"And I said some pretty hurtful things, but I didn't mean them I swear."

"Hey, it's okay." He says softly as he pulls me close and I lean on him with his scent of spices.

"Whatever the argument was about...it's not worth your friendship. Okay?" He says and I look up at him.

I can't help wondering if he would still say the same thing if he knew the argument was about him.

"Kyle..."

"Yeah?"

I readjust so I can look directly at him, at his concerned blue eyes.

"Am I....am I just a game to you? Another score? Because I don't think I can--"

"Marcella." He says as he uses his thumb to wipe my wet cheek and keeps caressing it.

"You are my score. My only score. You're the one I'm fucking proud off because I'm more than lucky to have you. Every other girl that walked into my bedroom, they were the game. Don't bother yourself about your value to me, because you're priceless." He says and I bite my lip.

"Yeah?" I ask and he chuckles.

"Yeah." He says and plants a soft kiss on my lip.

Kyle's P.O.V

I lied.

I want to say it out so badly...to tell her the truth.

Especially with her staring at me with so much trust and belief, which is what makes it even worse.

The fact that the first few weeks of our stay together, I was nothing but a heartless jerk...And yet she could still forgive me.

Still let me have sex with her.

Still believe my every word.

Making dinner was one way I was hoping would ease the guilt I'm feeling, but the minute she walked in with that innocent smile...I felt like a jerk all over again.

"So, did you resolve the emergency at work?" She asks, violet eyes twinkling as she zips her wine and I just blink for a moment.

There was no emergency...

Is what I should say. But looking at her expectant eyes now, and....

"It was fine. Wasn't that big of a deal, they just needed something in my office." I lie and try to maintain a straight face.

"I guess you were made to be in control." She jokes with a tilt of her glass.

'What do you mean by you're staying in with Marcella?'

'Exactly what it sounds like.'

'Jesus, Kyle. Please tell me you didn't have sex with her.'

Ronnie's words from over the phone this morning echo in my head.

'I can't. Because I did.'

'Are you out of your mind?'

'Why exactly are you making a fuss out of this?'

'Kyle, it's one thing to bring your numerous girlfriends into your bedroom and have your way with them. But you should atleast give Marcella a little more respect. She is your maid and too good and innocent for your games.'

'It's not a game Ronnie. It was different with her.'

'Oh, really? What happens after a month has passed and you're tired of sleeping with the same girl that you see in your house every single day.'

"You know, I'm almost sure that you ordered take outs just to convince me you can cook." Marcy says, snapping me out of  my thoughts and give her a look.

"You insult me, Marcella Anne Jensen."

'Well its not gonna happen, because I won't be tired of her.'

'Did you even consider her before jumping into this? First you spend today with her, then it's surprise gifts and breakfast in bed. Next thing she is thinking it's a relationship. What are you going to do then? Because I'm sure as hell you didn't tell her that this was going to end in a relationship.'

'Well, I didn't tell her that I was going to play her either.'

'You know what? Since you're so stubborn, do whatever you want.'

And then Marcy came with the coffee and her innocent expression, asking if everything was alright.

I should have told her then and there, dammit.

I should have told her that I AM serious about her, no matter the doubts everyone else has.

But I couldn't.

I couldn't.

Because more than half of me didn't even believe it...didn't believe that I was serious about her.

Somehow, Ronnie's words affected me more than I wanted.

What if I did get tired of her after seeing her everyday of a month?

What if I missed the thrill, the excitement of meaningless sex?

So I lied.

Told her it was an emergency at work and left to the club instead...though it was also part of my work considering I own it.

But I didn't do anything work related...And that's what worsened the guilt.

Got a billion lapdances, took a few drinks and then....

'Having a bad day?'

Dianne had said, the stripper with the tattoo on her right breast.

Her hands were already down my trousers and her lips were already on mine.

And I kissed her back.

Kissed her without a thought.

As soon as the kiss started however, it was over. I pulled her off me and drove back home.

And if I had any thoughts of telling Marcy where I really was, it flew out the window the minute I spotted her curled up on my bed.

I couldn't hurt her.

So I made dinner instead...but it's still no comfort that I lied.

I lied to her.

"Oh my God!" Marcella's squeal snaps me back to reality and I turn to her now standing at the sink.

She is staring down at the t-shirt she has on with a playful delight on her face and look at it as well.

It's my t-shirt for sure, but more importantly, it's my secret t-shirt. The one with the colourful writing of 'World's Best Brother' and a picture of me at the age of 14.

The one Ronnie gave me as a gift when we were living with our aunt.

"Is this you?!" She squeals and looks up at me.

"Where did you find--"

"It is you. You look adorable!" She says with bubbles of laughter.

"I have to take a picture of this." She is reaching for her phone now but I grab it before she does.

"Take it off." I say playfully and she just dances around in silly moves.

"Take a picture of me first." She giggles and I get up.

"I'm going to count to 3." I say as I walk towards her and she backs up.

"And then I'll take it off you." I say and she keeps backing off.

"I'm shaking with fear in your cute baby t shirt." She says with a mock shiver and I dash after her.

She is fast, that's for sure.

"One." I count and she runs into the living room, standing in the couch.

"Two."

I reach for her but she jumps down and heads for the stairs,  making a beeline for my bedroom.

Catching her is easy here because by the time she is done struggling with the door knob, I grab her from behind and we both stumble into the room and land on the bed.

"Three." I say, trying to catch my breath while she is on top me, giggling endlessly.

"Go ahead. Take it off." She teases in a husky voice and I flip her over, so she is now lying on the bed.

"With pleasure." I say and yank the loose shirt off her. By the time the shirt is off, her dark eyes are staring at me and I don't resist the need I suddenly have to taste her.

The exciting taste of her lips only draws me to wanting more of her as she kisses me back.

Clutching my hair.

Grasping my shoulders.

Moaning my name.

"Marcella..." I groan as my belt buckle comes undone in her hands.

"Please...." she is moaning and I reach for her panty strap when the bed starts vibrating.

"Its my phone." She breathes when I pause and pulls me back to her, enchanting my senses with her kiss.

It's all I want to take her now but the vibrating phone won't stop ringing.

"Marcella--"

"Let it ring, Kyle." She moans, digging her hands in my shorts and caressing my evident arousal.

"Fuck." I groan and unhook her bra but the constant vibrating even gets worse if possible.

"Baby, you have to answer it." I say and pull away completely.

"For Fuck's sake!" She yells in frustration and I chuckle as I watch her pick the phone without even bothering to check the caller ID.

"Yes?" She says into the phone and I watch her frustrated expression change to shock as her hand covers her mouth in pure fear.

"Oh my God. When, now?!" She demands and tears roll down her face.

"Marcy...what's wrong?" I ask, unable to control my sudden concern at her panic-stricken face.

Watching hurt envelope her beautiful, passionate eyes tears at me.

"No....no, no, no, no, no. Please no." She is choking in sobs now.

"Marcella." I reach for her now but she scurries out of the bed.

"I'm coming...I'll be right there." She says and hangs up. Then she begins frantically dressing up.

"Whoa, talk to me. Marcella?"

She leaves the room and heads for hers and I follow right behind.

"Marcella!" I yell, unable to hold the panic and she turns to me.

"My dad had a heart attack and is possibly dying!" She yells as she throws on a gown and looks around frantically.

"Where the hell are my keys?" She is crying now but I dig into my back pockets for my keys.

"I'll drive you." I say and we head for the car.

The hospital isn't far, and I want to tell her that it's going to be okay.

That nothing wrong will happen.

That her dad is just fine.

But staring at her in the passenger seat, with her face buried in her hands and quietly sobbing....I'm not even sure I can convince myself that it's going to be okay.

So I reach for her hand instead.

But the minute I make contact with her, she pulls away and stares out the window.

Okay..

She is not ready to talk.

The rest of the drive is quiet and the minute I drive into the hospital premises, Marcy rushes out the car without even waiting for me to park well.

"Marcella!" I yell and hastily park the car, then I run after her.

She is fast.

I follow her into the hospital which she apparently knows too well because she heard straight for the emergency room, yelling,

"Dad?! Daddy?"

Tyler comes out of the room instead and abruptly stops Marcella from running in.

I stop in my tracks now and watch them.

"No!" She is screaming.

"No, I have to see him!" She is struggling against Tyler's hold, trying to reach the door but he holds her firmly.

"Marcy, stop." He says, trying to look at her but she won't meet his gaze.

I should go there.

I should help him to get her to calm down.

But I can't move.

It's almost as if I know...

Even as the doctor comes out, grasping his stethoscope and looking at the siblings with pitiful eyes.

I can already tell.

"NO!! YOU'RE LYING!" Marcella is screaming at him.

"YOU LET HIM DIE! HOW COULD YOU LET HIM DIE?!!" She screams at the doctor and immediately pushes Tyler aside  as she rushes into the room.

I can hear her sobs.

Her deep, soulful crying.

Filled with so much pain.

"Come back to me...." She is crying.

"Please come back to me...."

I move now, and meet Tyler at the door to the room where we both stand and watch Marcella clutching the body of her father....soaking the sheet with tears.

"I'm so sorry..." She is crying and Tyler goes to her.

He sits on the floor next to her and pulls her to him.

"Its okay." He is murmuring as he hushes her.

"Its okay..."