Unforgettable Regret

Unforgettable Regret (part 6)

The next morning, Shane slowly opened her eyes—

only to nearly scream in shock.

Marco was right in front of her.

Sitting beside her bed while quietly staring at her.

“A-Ah?!”

Shane immediately sat up in panic while clutching the blanket tightly against herself.

“What are you doing here?!” she asked embarrassingly, her heart instantly racing.

Marco only looked amused by her reaction.

“Why?” he asked teasingly. “Is it wrong for me to look at you now?”

Shane’s face immediately heated up.

“You scared me!”

Marco chuckled softly.

“You’re too cute when you panic.”

“M-Marco!”

Shane quickly avoided his gaze, but that only made Marco smile even more.

“How long have you been here?” she asked suspiciously.

But instead of answering directly, Marco only continued staring at her while smiling meaningfully.

That expression alone made Shane even more nervous.

Because somehow…

it felt like Marco was remembering something.

And judging by the way he kept looking at her—

she had a dangerous feeling it was related to what happened between them that night.

Shane immediately became flustered again.

“W-Why are you looking at me like that?”

Marco slowly leaned slightly closer toward her.

“Nothing,” he answered casually. “I was just thinking.”

“Thinking about what?”

Marco’s smile deepened slightly.

Then deliberately—

his eyes slowly traveled from her messy hair down toward the blanket she was tightly hugging around herself.

And that single glance was enough to make Shane completely understand what he was implying.

Her entire face instantly turned red.

“M-Marco!!”

Marco finally laughed softly after seeing her reaction.

Meanwhile Shane immediately grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at him out of embarrassment.

“You’re unbelievable!”

Marco easily caught the pillow while still smiling.

Honestly…

he had not felt this genuinely happy in a very long time.

And seeing Shane become shy because of him somehow made his chest feel lighter than ever.

A few minutes later, Shane finally managed to calm herself enough to prepare for the day.

But even while fixing her hair in front of the mirror, she could still feel Marco’s teasing gaze earlier lingering in her mind.

Meanwhile, Marco looked unusually relaxed the entire morning.

And somehow…

that alone already made Shane nervous.

When they finally went downstairs together, the mansion staff quietly prepared breakfast for them.

The atmosphere during breakfast felt strangely peaceful compared to the tension they always had before.

Shane occasionally stole glances at Marco while pretending to focus on her food.

But every time their eyes accidentally met—

Marco would smirk slightly like he already caught her staring.

Which only made Shane quickly look away again.

After a few moments, Shane finally spoke.

“Aren’t you going to work today?” she asked curiously. “It’s already late.”

Marco calmly took a sip of coffee before answering.

“I filed a leave.”

Shane blinked in surprise.

“You did?”

Marco nodded casually.

“For a few days.”

Shane stared at him silently.

Someone like Marco rarely stopped working unless it was truly important.

“So…” she asked carefully, “…why did you suddenly take a leave?”

Marco slowly placed his cup down before looking directly at her.

“Because I want to fix things properly with you.”

Shane’s chest tightened slightly.

Marco’s gaze softened.

“I already wasted enough time misunderstanding you,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to keep doing that anymore.”

For a moment, Shane could not answer.

Something warm slowly spread inside her chest after hearing those words.

Then suddenly—

Marco leaned slightly closer across the table while smiling faintly.

“And honestly,” he added teasingly, “I also don’t trust leaving you alone with Adrian again.”

Shane instantly choked slightly on her drink.

“Marco!”

Meanwhile Marco only laughed softly, clearly enjoying how easily flustered she became around him now.

But just when the atmosphere between Marco and Shane was finally becoming peaceful—

a familiar voice suddenly echoed through the mansion.

“Well, well… good morning, lovebirds.”

Shane almost choked on her drink again.

Meanwhile, Marco immediately closed his eyes in irritation after hearing that voice.

Adrian.

Once again, he had arrived at the mansion as if it were his own vacation house.

The man casually walked inside wearing sunglasses and carrying snacks like he planned to stay there for another few days.

Shane looked completely speechless.

Meanwhile Marco looked seconds away from throwing him outside personally.

“You’re here again?” Marco asked coldly.

Adrian removed his sunglasses dramatically.

“What kind of greeting is that?” he complained. “I came all the way here because I missed my dear friend.”

“You mean because you enjoy annoying me.”

Adrian grinned shamelessly.

“Exactly.”

Meanwhile Shane quietly looked away to hide her laughter.

A few moments later, while Shane helped prepare tea with one of the staff inside the mansion, Adrian finally found a chance to corner Marco alone in the garden.

The moment they were alone, Adrian immediately smirked teasingly.

“So…” he asked while crossing his arms lazily, “…what’s the latest update between you two?”

Marco instantly frowned.

“What update?”

Adrian looked at him meaningfully.

“Oh please,” he scoffed. “The tension between you and Shane is completely different now.”

Marco stayed silent.

Adrian’s smirk widened even more.

“You finally confessed properly, didn’t you?”

Marco looked away calmly, but the slight change in his expression already exposed everything.

Adrian immediately laughed.

“No way.” He stared at Marco in disbelief. “You actually did.”

Marco sighed heavily.

“It’s complicated.”

Adrian almost burst out laughing.

“Complicated?” he repeated teasingly. “Bro, the way Shane looks at you now? That woman is obviously already falling for you.”

Marco’s gaze unconsciously shifted toward the mansion window where Shane could be seen inside.

And just from that small glance alone—

Adrian already knew his friend was completely hopeless.

Then suddenly Adrian leaned closer mischievously.

“So…” he whispered teasingly, “…did something happen already?”

Marco immediately glared at him.

Adrian laughed loudly after seeing his reaction.

“Oh my god. Something definitely happened.”

“Shut up.”

“No wonder you suddenly filed a leave from work!” Adrian continued shamelessly. “You finally became a real man after all these years—”

Before he could finish joking—

Marco suddenly kicked the back of Adrian’s chair hard enough to almost make him lose balance.

“Watch your mouth,” Marco warned dangerously, though his ears had already turned slightly red.

And honestly?

That reaction alone entertained Adrian more than anything else.

Adrian was still trying to stop himself from laughing after seeing Marco’s reaction earlier.

Honestly, he had never seen his friend act this affected because of a woman before.

Then his expression slowly became more serious.

“So…” Adrian asked while leaning back lazily on the garden chair, “…how long are you planning to keep her here?”

Marco’s playful mood instantly disappeared.

For a moment, he stayed silent while staring toward the garden.

“I don’t know,” he admitted quietly.

Adrian raised one eyebrow.

Marco let out a frustrated sigh before running one hand through his hair.

“Honestly…” he continued, “…I’m confused too.”

Adrian frowned slightly.

“What do you mean?”

Marco looked down briefly before answering.

“We’re okay now compared before,” he said softly. “But I still don’t know if we’re really together.”

Adrian looked surprised.

Marco laughed bitterly at himself.

“She never directly said yes to me.”

“But?”

Marco’s expression softened slightly.

“…But I can feel she has feelings for me too.”

Adrian smirked knowingly.

“Oh, she definitely does.”

Marco glanced at him.

Adrian shrugged casually.

“Bro, even a blind person could notice it already.”

Marco unconsciously smiled faintly after hearing that.

But after a few seconds, the smile slowly disappeared again.

Then quietly—

he admitted the thing truly bothering him.

“I’m scared of forcing her.”

Adrian became silent.

Marco lowered his gaze.

“I already hurt her enough,” he said softly. “I kidnapped her, locked her inside the mansion, kept misunderstanding her…” He let out a bitter laugh. “After everything I did, I don’t want her to feel pressured into loving me back.”

For a moment, Adrian simply stared at his friend quietly.

Then finally—

he smiled faintly.

“You really love her that much, huh?”

Marco immediately looked toward the mansion again.

Toward the woman inside who completely changed his life without realizing it.

And without hesitation this time—

Marco answered honestly.

“More than I expected.”

“I don’t want to let her go,” Marco admitted quietly while staring at the garden ahead of him. “Not unless I’m sure about what she truly feels for me.”

Adrian looked at him seriously this time.

“Then ask her,” he said simply. “Talk to her properly and make things clear between you two.”

Marco remained silent.

Adrian sighed.

“You’re both just making yourselves suffer longer like this.”

Marco lowered his gaze slightly.

Then Adrian suddenly smirked again.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually scared she’ll reject you?”

Marco immediately looked irritated.

But a few seconds later…

his expression darkened again.

“You know what my biggest mistake was?” he asked quietly.

Adrian became silent.

“I brought her here against her will,” Marco continued bitterly. “I lied to her family. I trapped her inside this place.” He let out a frustrated laugh at himself. “So how am I supposed to know if what she feels right now is real?”

Adrian frowned slightly while listening carefully.

Marco clenched his jaw.

“What if she only became close to me because of the situation?” he continued softly. “What if she only gave in because she wanted peace while staying here?”

His eyes slowly turned distant.

“I don’t know what’s really going on inside her head anymore.”

For the first time since they started talking, Adrian completely stopped teasing him.

Because he could finally see the real reason behind Marco’s hesitation.

It wasn’t pride.

It wasn’t fear of rejection alone.

Marco genuinely loved Shane enough to want her feelings to be real.

Not forced.

Not caused by pressure.

Not because she felt trapped.

Adrian sighed heavily before standing up.

“Then stop assuming things again,” he said firmly. “That’s exactly what caused your misunderstandings before.”

Marco stayed quiet.

Adrian looked directly at him.

“You already know Shane isn’t good at expressing herself honestly,” he continued. “But despite everything that happened…” A small smile appeared on his face. “That woman still stayed beside you.”

Marco slowly looked toward the mansion again.

Adrian smirked faintly.

“And honestly?” he added casually. “If Shane truly hated you… she would’ve stabbed you in your sleep a long time ago.”

Marco unexpectedly laughed quietly after hearing that.

And somehow…

that small laugh alone already showed Adrian how deeply Shane had changed him.

“Honestly…” Marco said quietly while staring toward the mansion windows, “…I don’t think I can still bear losing her.”

Adrian slowly smirked after hearing that.

“There it is,” he said teasingly.

Marco frowned slightly.

“That’s the real reason you brought her here, isn’t it?”

Marco stayed silent.

Adrian chuckled knowingly.

“You kept telling yourself it was revenge,” he continued while shaking his head amusedly. “But deep inside, you just wanted her beside you.”

Marco let out a quiet sigh.

Because no matter how much he denied it before—

Adrian was right.

From the very beginning, Marco never truly wanted to hurt Shane.

He was simply a man who got too hurt by the woman he loved.

And instead of letting her go…

he selfishly chose to keep her near him.

Adrian crossed his arms while grinning mischievously.

“You know,” he added teasingly, “you’re seriously going crazy because of her already.”

Marco smirked faintly.

Then Adrian dramatically placed one hand over his chest.

“But honestly, with a face like Shane’s?” he joked shamelessly. “Even I might lose my mind too.”

Marco’s expression instantly darkened.

Adrian burst out laughing after seeing it.

“Relax, relax!” he said while raising both hands jokingly. “I’m just appreciating beauty.”

Marco looked at him coldly.

“Try it and I’ll bury you somewhere in this garden.”

Adrian laughed even harder.

“There it is again!” he teased. “That scary possessive side of yours.”

Marco only shook his head helplessly.

But despite Adrian’s nonstop teasing—

a small smile still appeared on his face.

Because for the first time in a very long while…

the future no longer felt empty to him anymore.

“Wait a second,” Marco suddenly said while narrowing his eyes suspiciously at Adrian. “Exactly how long are you planning to stay here this time?”

Adrian looked offended immediately.

“What kind of question is that?”

Marco crossed his arms.

“There’s a mountain of work waiting at the office,” he said coldly. “And now you’re suddenly taking leave too just to follow me here?”

Adrian laughed shamelessly.

“Well, don’t worry,” he said casually. “I won’t interrupt your sweet little moments with Shane.”

Marco instantly frowned.

“But before I leave,” Adrian continued dramatically, “we should at least have some drinks tonight.”

Marco already looked exhausted just listening to him.

Then Adrian grinned mischievously.

“And of course,” he added teasingly, “we should invite Shane too so things become more fun.”

Marco immediately looked at him suspiciously.

“Stop right there.”

Adrian burst into laughter.

“What now?”

Marco narrowed his eyes dangerously.

“Do you have some weird plan again?”

“Hahaha!” Adrian laughed loudly while holding his stomach. “What exactly are you accusing me of?”

Marco stayed silent.

Adrian smirked after seeing his serious expression.

“You’re overthinking again,” he teased. “Why would I do anything?”

Marco scoffed lightly.

“With you around? Anything is possible.”

Adrian dramatically placed one hand on his chest as if offended.

“Wow. After all these years of friendship, that’s how little trust you have in me?”

“Yes.”

Adrian laughed again.

Then suddenly his eyes narrowed playfully.

“Or maybe…” he said slowly while grinning mischievously, “…you’re only nervous because you’re the one planning something tonight.”

Marco instantly froze for half a second.

And unfortunately for him—

Adrian noticed immediately.

“There it is!” Adrian shouted while pointing at him accusingly. “I knew it!”

Marco clicked his tongue irritably.

“You’re insane.”

Adrian leaned closer while laughing shamelessly.

“Bro, your face literally exposed you!”

Marco looked away calmly, pretending nothing happened.

But the slight redness creeping toward his ears betrayed him completely.

Adrian could barely stop laughing now.

“Oh my god…” he wheezed dramatically. “You really are hopelessly in love.”

Marco sighed heavily.

Meanwhile upstairs, completely unaware of the conversation happening outside—

Shane was standing near her bedroom mirror, unconsciously smiling to herself while remembering Marco’s words earlier.

And somehow…

just thinking about him again was already enough to make her heart beat faster.

Meanwhile downstairs—

Marco was currently suffering in a completely different way.

He was losing confidence again.

And honestly, it frustrated him more than anything.

Marco leaned back heavily against the couch while rubbing his face tiredly.

“What the hell is happening to me…” he muttered quietly.

Adrian, who was casually eating snacks nearby, immediately looked amused.

“You look miserable.”

Marco ignored him completely.

The more time passed, the harder it became for him to properly confess everything to Shane.

And the worst part?

The deeper his feelings became—

the more nervous he became around her.

It was ridiculous.

Marco was confident in almost everything.

Business meetings.

Negotiations.

Handling people.

Even dangerous situations never intimidated him.

But somehow—

one quiet woman named Shane completely destroyed all his composure.

Marco let out another frustrated sigh.

“I’m seriously going insane,” he whispered to himself.

Adrian nearly laughed again after overhearing him.

Marco leaned his head back while staring at the ceiling.

“I know I can tell her what I feel,” he muttered quietly. “So why does it suddenly feel impossible now?”

His chest tightened heavily.

Because unlike before—

this time, Marco was genuinely afraid.

Afraid of hearing an answer he did not want.

Afraid that maybe Shane still did not truly love him the same way.

And for the first time in years—

Marco realized something terrifying.

The more important a person becomes to you…

the scarier it is to lose them.

That night, Adrian insisted on having a drinking session before leaving the mansion the next day.

And true to his shameless personality—

he personally went upstairs to invite Shane.

“You can’t reject me tonight,” Adrian said dramatically while leaning against her bedroom door. “I’m leaving tomorrow. Who knows when I’ll visit again?”

Shane laughed softly.

Meanwhile Adrian placed one hand over his chest like he was deeply hurt.

“Please accompany this lonely handsome man for one final night.”

Shane could not help laughing again.

“Fine,” she answered finally. “But only for a little while.”

Adrian grinned victoriously.

A few moments later, the two of them were already sitting in the garden with drinks prepared on the table.

At first, Shane was hesitant because she was not really used to drinking.

But Adrian was naturally fun to talk to.

The atmosphere slowly became lighter as they laughed and teased each other casually.

And because of that—

Shane did not notice how much she had already drunk.

Meanwhile, after finishing a phone call inside the mansion, Marco finally stepped outside toward the garden.

But the moment he saw the scene in front of him—

his expression darkened immediately.

Shane and Adrian were laughing together loudly.

And somehow…

they looked far too comfortable with each other for Marco’s liking.

Especially Adrian, who was obviously enjoying himself too much.

Marco slowly walked toward them while narrowing his eyes slightly.

“Well,” he said coldly, “looks like you two are having fun.”

Adrian instantly smirked after noticing Marco’s expression.

“Oh, there you are,” he said lazily while lifting his glass. “I told you we were drinking tonight.”

Then Adrian casually leaned closer toward Shane while grinning mischievously.

“Thankfully, Shane here is kind enough to accompany me,” he added teasingly. “Drinking feels way better when you have a beautiful woman beside you.”

Marco’s jaw tightened immediately.

And Adrian noticed it right away.

Meanwhile Shane, whose cheeks were already slightly red from alcohol, blinked slowly while looking at Marco.

Marco stared at her in disbelief.

“Wait,” he said while frowning deeply. “How much did you drink already?”

Adrian answered proudly before Shane could speak.

“Enough.”

Marco immediately glared at him.

“Can you stop giving her alcohol?” he said irritably. “She’s obviously not used to drinking.”

Then Marco turned toward Shane again.

“And you,” he added while sounding noticeably jealous now, “why are you even drinking so comfortably with this guy?”

Shane stared at him for a few seconds.

Then slowly—

a small smile appeared on her lips.

And because she was already slightly drunk…

she unconsciously answered honestly.

“Because he’s fun.”

Marco froze.

Adrian immediately exploded in laughter after seeing Marco’s expression.

Meanwhile Marco looked one second away from dragging Shane back inside the mansion himself.

Out of irritation, Marco finally pulled out a chair and sat down beside them.

Without even asking, he grabbed the glass that was originally meant for Shane and drank it himself in one shot.

Adrian immediately laughed.

“Whoa,” he teased. “Someone’s seriously jealous.”

Marco ignored him completely.

Instead, his eyes remained fixed on Shane the entire time.

And honestly…

she already looked obviously drunk.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes slightly unfocused, and her reactions were much softer than usual.

Yet somehow—

Marco found her even more dangerously attractive like this.

“Stop drinking already,” Marco said firmly while staring at her. “You’re drunk.”

Shane frowned slightly while holding her glass protectively.

“I’m not drunk…”

Marco scoffed lightly.

“You can barely even sit properly anymore.”

Meanwhile Adrian was shamelessly enjoying the situation beside them.

“Relax,” he said teasingly. “She’s fine.”

Marco immediately glared at him.

“You’re the reason she became like this.”

Adrian raised both hands dramatically.

“I only invited her for one drink,” he defended himself innocently. “She stayed because she enjoyed my company.”

Marco’s jaw tightened again.

Meanwhile Shane suddenly laughed softly while looking at Marco.

“You really get jealous easily…”

Marco froze slightly after hearing that.

Adrian nearly choked from trying not to laugh.

But before either of them could tease her further, Shane suddenly lost balance slightly while trying to stand up.

Marco instantly caught her by the waist before she could fall.

The moment Shane felt his arm around her—

she unconsciously leaned slightly closer to him.

Marco’s entire body stiffened for a second.

Meanwhile Shane looked up at him innocently with flushed cheeks.

“I’m okay…” she mumbled weakly.

Marco stared at her silently.

Then finally—

he let out a deep sigh.

“That’s enough,” he said firmly.

Without waiting for arguments, Marco carefully helped Shane stand properly.

“You need to rest already.”

Shane immediately frowned like a stubborn child.

“But I’m still drinking with Adrian…”

“No.”

Marco’s tone instantly became firm again.

“You’re already drunk.”

Then before Shane could protest further, Marco gently held her hand.

“I’m taking you upstairs.”