Love and history

Marcucifer

Gaspar could be seen in his father's room with reddened eyes. He had just gotten ready for his prom date but was informed that his date was cancelled. He couldn’t explain the disappointment that washed over him.

“Mr. Brown said his daughter won’t be able to make it,” he said. “Something came up. For tomorrow, then,” Mr. Nashville said.

Gaspar scoffed and walked out. He didn’t and couldn’t explain why he felt so disappointed. He went down the stairs and headed to the door, hoping to get fresh air.

The door opened wide, and Cecily barged in. Gaspar frowned. He couldn’t describe the expression she had on her face.

She bumped into him and walked past him. Gaspar could swear he heard sniffing sounds from her as she walked past him.

Thane walked in and Gaspar raised his brows at him, waiting for an explanation.

“Why is your suit stained?” Gaspar asked when Thane said nothing to him.

“She… cried on me,” Thane hesitated. “Her powder…”

“She cried?” Gaspar’s eyes went wide in alarm.

“Her boyfriend broke up with her.”

“What?! And I already had high hopes for her.”

Thane sighed and walked past Gaspar. He went up the stairs to his room.

It was only after Thane shut his door that he showed his true emotions. He clenched his fist hard, and his face was etched with real anger.

He recalled how Silas, Cecily’s ex, broke up with her.

_FLASHBACK_

“Hi, babe,” Cecily ran toward Silas and made to hug him, but Silas pulled back.

Cecily frowned. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No. My ex and I got back together.”

“You were two-timing.”

“No, I wasn’t. We both just found out that we still liked each other, so we got back together. We have to break up.”

Cecily scoffed. Salome, her friend, had told her Silas was a guy who dated rich women. If it didn’t work with one woman, he’d move to the next. Stella James was Silas’s ex, and he broke up with her with a reason Salome said was because Stella’s brother would be the heir to Stella’s father’s businesses. But her brother just died in a car accident, so Stella will now be the heir. Silas probably got back with Stella because of that.

“Are you in shock?” Silas asked, seeing that Cecily didn’t say anything for a while.

“No! I’m actually thinking of how you’ll feel if I tell you that I wanted to dump you first. This guy—” Cecily held Thane’s hand. “—is my new boyfriend. We were both two-timing, so that’s fine,” Cecily said and walked away, dragging Thane with her.

She gave way to tears as soon as she got into the car.

“Cover me,” she whispered.

Thane, who didn’t know what to do only pulled her closer to himself and hugged her.

_REALITY_

Thane sighed.

*Brown’s residence*

Amber was in her room, shaky. Her father had calmed her with a drink, but she was still sweaty with cold sweat dripping down her face. What had happened in her grandpa’s room still left her in shock and fear. If only she hadn’t called the name three times, no one would have been in the brink of death. Fortunately, Grandpa Brown had called the name three times, and everything went back to normal.

The door opened and Alfred, her father, walked in.

“Are you okay, Boo?”

“Alot better, but still shaky,” Amber replied.

“I can see that,” Alfred said as he watched her bed still shaking.

“Where’s grandpa?” Amber asked, feeling guilty.

Her grandpa started acting strange when everything went back to normal.

“He’s fine now. The doctor said he had a heart attack.”

“That’s a relief! I’m sorry for not believing him."

" It’s okay. We all never believed until we saw it ourselves.”

“But what does he want from us?”

“No idea. He has been tormenting our family from generation to generation.”

“Why?”

“I still don’t know. The last person who saw his face ended up dead." Alfred paused and continued. "I just cancelled your date. You’ll go tomorrow.”

“Dad, let’s forget about marriage. Even if we keep running, I’m sure he’ll find us.”

“Then what do we do?”

“I’ll stay low and leave the house. While in hiding, I’ll find every information about him.”

“You can’t stop him.”

“I know, but I’ll find someone who can.”

“How? And where?”

“I know someone,” Amber smirked. “I know a friend who knows a friend who knows someone.”

“Hmm. Are you sure it’ll work?” Alfred said, his voice filled with doubt.

“Don’t you trust me, Dad?”

“I do, but…”

“No buts. I’ll start digging and make sure to stay out of trouble.”

“You…” Alfred got interrupted by Amber’s phone ringing.

Amber picked up her phone and long-pressed the green button. The call connected, and a voice sounded. “She’s available. Let’s meet up. Our favorite place. Xoxo.”

“OK,” Amber stood up.

“What is it?” Alfred asked.

Amber rushed to her wardrobe to pick up the best dress and said, “I called Harper, and she said she’ll introduce me to her friend who knows someone who can help. That friend is available, so I have to go.”

“Be careful. Use this if you get attacked. It may not kill him, but it’ll buy time for you to escape.” Alfred gave her a taser.

“Thanks, Dad. You can leave my room now.”

Alfred dropped the taser on her bed and walked out of her room.

After dressing up in the most comfortable wear for the summer, she stepped out with a taser, lip gloss,her phone, a pen, and a notebook in her bag.

She arrived at the agreed place and saw Harper sitting with a lady. Harper waved, and Amber rushed to them. She glanced at the lady beside Harper and admitted that she was beautiful.

“Hello,” she greeted with a smile.

“Hi.”

Amber took a seat and Harper began. She was the type of friend who would talk all day without getting tired, and whenever she laughed at her own lame jokes, she expected anyone around to laugh too. Else… she’d give you attitude for a whole month.

“So… um, Amber, meet Summer Berry, and Summer, meet Amber Brown. And… let’s not forget me! Harper Harp!” Harper laughed.

Summer and Amber joined. They didn’t get the joke, but they also didn’t want an attitude for a whole month.

“Our names are very funny. That’s why we’re friends,” she continued v,.

“Only yours is funny,” Summer and Amber thought and smiled at each other as if they could tell they thought the same thing.

“Let’s get to business. We are here because Amber is curious about finding the force who’s been terrorizing her family, but I’m more curious than her which is funny because I’m not her family. Hehehe! Funny, right?” Harper laughed.

Summer and Amber laughed too.

“As an inspector, I’d love to know what part you’ll be playing to help solve this case,” Harper asked Summer.

“I know a friend who’s a bibliophile and his uncle is an explorer who’s also a victim of Marcucifer.”

Amber’s eyes lit up. “A victim of Marcucifer and an explorer? That’s a perfect person to help.”

“Wow! That’s a great advantage, Summer. We’re meeting that friend of yours.”

“I’ll call him, but he might not be available ’cause he just got back to Texas today.”

“Wow.” Harper clapped, unnecessarily.

“When she comes, can I talk to her personally?” Amber asked Summer.

“He, actually.” Summer replied, emphasis on 'he'.

“Oh!” Harper cooed. “Is he your boyfriend?”

“No, but he’s a childhood friend.” Summer smiled, her cheeks getting red.

“And I assume you like him?” Harper asked, grinning from ear to ear.

“Well, he’s handsome, so yes.”

“Oh! Then just confess your love to him.”

“No, I can’t. I’m scared of getting rejected.”

“You shouldn’t be scared. I’m sure he likes you too.”

“You’re sure?” Summer raised her brows.

“Of course, you’re a darling. Who wouldn’t like a darling? If he doesn’t, then it’s his loss.” Harper said, cheering Summer on.

“Is he cute?” Harper asked, repeatedly winking at Summer.

“Yes. He’s my prince charming.”

“Then pay him a visit and tell him your feelings,” Harper pressed.

“Hey, guys, if you tell him how you feel, what will happen to the force tormenting my family?” Amber cut in, irritation edging her voice.

"She'll tell him that too.” Harper said, almost yelling. She hated being interrupted

“Can you stop talking about relationships and focus on why we’re here?” Amber said.

“Yes. That’s true. I’m so curious about the Marchuchifer of a guy.”

_DARK LAIR_

“Why on earth is she curious about me? And why would she call my name like that? For chrissakes, it’s _Marcucifer_ — from the names Marcus and Lucifer,” a charming, masculine voice said.

“What will you do with those ladies?” someone asked.

Marcucifer turned the swivel chair and faced the direction of the light.

“I’m sure you were expecting to see a devil, but no…” He was super handsome and was clad in Roman wear. His muscular physique — nothing compared to ‘The Rock’ — was eye-catching. He looked straight ahead, and a smirk appeared on his handsome, lovely face.

“I’ll find them,” he said.