Twists Of Fate

CHAPTER TWELVE

It was a new day, a day filled with uncertainty.

The sun rises on a day unsure that my dreams could either thrive or fade away. The outcome was a mystery, leaving me in hope and worry. Today holds the power to shape what I've envisioned.

Dragging myself out of bed, exhaustion weighed down my eyelids and a headache throbbed in my head. My disheveled appearance spoke volumes about the turmoil within.

"Ahhhh!" I let out a deep yawn, trying to shake off the weariness.

My feelings toward Marcus were a maze of uncertainty; I can't definitively say whether love resides within me for him or not. Maybe, just maybe, it would be wise to leave these all behind and move forward.

I left the room and headed towards the living room, where I unexpectedly encountered a tall, broad-shouldered man holding a coffee cup. The sight startled me, realizing I was still in my nightwear.

“Oh” I let out.

It dawned on me that I was in someone else's house.

"Hello," I greeted, hastily attempting to shield my body with my nightwear. His intense gaze bore into me, causing an instant wave of discomfort to wash over me.

“I don’t look like a model figure. So he obviously doesn’t appreciate my body.”

I thought to myself. Well, a lot of people have told me I look attractive, but obviously not because of the figure standing in my front.

He nonchalantly took a sip of his coffee, his gaze lingering on my body, making me feel uneasy and self-conscious.

“I-I only spent a night here.” I stammered, attempting to explain my presence.

“Oh God! Where on earth is Marcus?”

“I’ll get in and gather my stuff. Sorry for anything and everything I don’t know.” I stammered, feeling embarrassed before I hastily turned back to the room I had occupied the previous night.

“Are you always such a people pleaser?” His question hung in the air, stopping me dead in my tracks, freezing me with surprise and self-reflection.

“What???! So rude!”

“What do you mean?” My attempt to mask my emotions was in vain; his smile had a disarming effect on me, but I fought to maintain a composed face.

“Why’d you apologize for nothing? Only people pleasers do such, which I suspect you are.”

He said as he walked over to sit down.

“It’s your apartment. It’s not a nice feeling having to bump into strangers very early in the morning.” I responded trying to justify my unease.

He nodded. “Hum uhn.”

I turned away, my mind set on gathering my belongings and leaving, feeling abandoned by Marcus in this awkward encounter.

The uncertainty of the situation gnawed at me—was this person in the living room Marcus's brother? It didn't matter to me at that moment; I just wanted to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere.

But just as I began to step away, my hand on the doorknob, Marcus's voice rang out, calling my name. “Em!”

Relief surged through me, grateful that he was here, safe and sound. The tension that had been building inside me released its grip, and for the first time that morning, a flicker of hope ignited within me.

"I hope you had a great day and you're having a wonderful morning," Marcus's voice was friendly, and he moved to join his brother or the stranger, their camaraderie evident.

I shifted my gaze towards his brother, noting their closeness and Marcus's chuckle. Suspicions tingled through my body, leaving me wondering about their relationship and the reasons behind my unease.

"You look great," Marcus offered a compliment, attempting to lighten the situation.

"Well, not good enough. Because your brother just gave me the dreaded eat and most disgusting look,"

I responded, addressing the discomfort I felt from his brother's scrutiny. The tension in the room continued to mount, and I was eager to gather my belongings and leave.

"I knew it," Marcus' brother chimed in, his laughter filling the room.

"Don't be like that," Marcus cautioned him, attempting to diffuse the situation.

I couldn't help but feel a wave of embarrassment wash over me, though I couldn't stay mad at this guy, who had an undeniable charm.

Despite my annoyance, I couldn't deny his appeal. I was caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, struggling to process the situation and my feelings.

I made my way to the room, anticipating that Marcus would follow and perhaps offer an apology on his brother's behalf. However, to my surprise, his presence was absent, and his shadow was nowhere to be seen.

Disappointment weighed heavy on me. Maybe I had expected too much. I reminded myself that I had made it clear I couldn't be with him just the previous night.

Yet, despite that, a part of me yearned for him to take responsibility and apologize for his brother's behavior.

I sighed!

Packed my little bag, dressed and left the room.

“I found some news online.” Marcus' voice vibrated and I tried to reposition myself.

My face scanned through the two hot guys sitting in my front.

“This is temptation!”

I thought to myself.

“About the hotel,” Marcus added.

My face immediately lightened up.

I ran closer to him.

“What is it?” I leaned in, eager for any glimpse of good news.

Marcus cleared his throat, reading aloud from his phone. “The fire was contained before reaching your hotel. It’s safe!”

Relief surged through me, a weight lifted off my chest. “And my apartment?”

Marcus grinned. “Your apartment building is untouched. The fire didn’t reach that far.”

Marcus, with a genuine joy in his voice. “That’s amazing news. A glimmer of hope in this darkness.”

With a nod and heartfelt thanks to him, a renewed sense of purpose ignited within me. “Thank you, very much. You’ve been my anchor through this storm.”

I pulled him into a very tight hug. I felt a surge flow through me. My heartbeat felt him in my chest and under my arm.

“I love this position.”

I whispered to myself, praying he didn’t hear.

Just then, Marcus’ brother cleared his throat and chimed in with a teasing comment, “You both get a room.”