Marcel
"Wait, Edgar!" The Duke called out, but Aaron and I didn't look back as we left his mansion.
"Make sure the arrangements we made at the guest house is still intact. I need to see someone quickly.." I ordered,d and we both parted ways.
I had an old friend I needed to visit. If there was anything I needed at this point, it was a good distraction and I know just who to go to for that.
Aaron and I left our horses at one of the stables in town because I wanted to be discreet with my movements as much as possible.
As I walked down the busy streets, I came across a dress stall and I couldn't take my eyes off the stunning dresses.
"This would look great on Odessa…" I thought to myself and immediately snapped out of that crazy idea. Why didn't I think of Thana?
I continued walking and didn't bother stopping at any other stall or even checking out what they were selling until I arrived at my destination.
The house was quiet as always, and as I lifted my arm to knock, the door creaked open and there he was, lips so wide apart.
"That is the broadest smile I have seen today.." I blurted as I pushed past him and let myself into the house.
"I can't believe you're still alive, Marcel Edgar," he shot back and slammed the door shut. "I'll need to train my men better so they can eliminate you faster.."
"How the hell have you been, Liam?" I asked as I fell into the sofa while he went in and returned seconds later with a bottle of rum and mugs.
"Long story, Marcel, but the most important part is that I'm much better now and I'm ready to get out there once again!" He replied and handed me one of the mugs. I don't remember the last time I drank, but I'd do anything for Liam.
"Anyways, enough about me.." he started, and I grunted because I knew exactly where this was going. "How is the almighty Marcel coping with his romantic loss?"
I took a sip from the mug and placed it back on the center table.
"She came back.." I replied and his eyes widened as he immediately took a seat like he was just about to watch the premier of a movie.
"What did she say was her reason?" Liam asked, and I threw my hands in the air.
"She didn't say. I bumped into her on my way to a business meeting, and I panicked, so I called off the meeting and took her home with me. No matter how many times I tried to milk the truth out of her, she just kept going on and on about how she did what she did for my sake.." I explained, and Liam squeezed his face in obvious disgust.
"And you believed her?" Liam asked and glared at me sternly.
"Liam, I don't know what to believe or what not to believe. For all I can remember, Thana was in love with me almost as much as I did and for what it's worth, I just can't throw what we had away" I replied and Liam dropped the mug in his hand.
"Marcel…." He started, leaning forward on his chair like he was about to scold me or something. "Thana disappeared without a trace for five whole years, Marcel! Five bloody years"
"I know Liam and I have every right to be angry, but –"
"There are no 'buts'. You have every right to be angry and that's it." He snapped, and I rubbed my temple. I could feel a headache coming in, and I just knew it was due to all the stress I've had to face these past days.
"I just don't understand why women can be so insensitive…" Liam grumbled and gulped down the entire rum in his mug into his mouth.
"Well, I'll give her a listening ear first, and then I'll know what to do about it. She might have actually been in trouble." I explained, but Liam just started at me with irritation written all over his face.
"Whatever… lest I forget, how is your mother's health?" He asked and I immediately remembered the trouble Odessa's lack of boundaries caused.
"She… she's doing well," I replied. "I found someone to take care of her, and she might not be doing the best at the job, but at least she's getting the task done."
"I'll need to come see her sometime.. It's been a while," he said.
"Yeah," I sighed heavily and stretched my arms.
"Well, I would have loved to stay, but I have a meeting first thing in the morning, so I'll be staying at a guesthouse.." I said and got up to leave.
"I'll meet up with you before you head home, we'll ride together.." Liam said, and I nodded.
"See you later, Liam!"
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I strolled back in the direction of the guesthouse but then the sky opened and what started with a mild drizzle morphed into a downpour. I was drenched by the time I arrived the guesthouse and I bumped into Aaron.
"I was coming to get you, sire!" He said.
"What room is mine?" I asked and he handed me a key. I dragged my soaked self inside and headed upstairs to where the room was.
"Do you need me to get you a soft blanket sire?" A soft spoken lady asked and I turned to look at her. Her smile was beautiful and contagious, but I had a whole lot to think about already.
"No, but some whiskey will do.." I replied and she walked away while I let myself into the room and quickly slipped out of my soaked clothes.
After a hot bath, I changed into my night robe and a pair of comfortable pants, waiting patiently for the lady to return with the whiskey I asked for.
Almost immediately, a knock came and the lady walked in with a little bucket in her hand.
She didn't utter a word and just bent over right in front of me as she poured me a drink. I already knew what this was, and for some reason, I didn't stop it.
"Here you go, master.." she muttered softly and grazed my fingers with hers.
The rain grew heavier and thunderbolts resounded continuously. I was way beyond my drinking limit, but she kept pouring until the entire bottle was empty.
I gulped down the last bit, and she took the glass from my hand as she sat on my legs, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me close to her breasts.
This wasn't the sort of distraction I needed… but then this could suffice.
I pulled her close and our lips met. I shut my eyes, but just one face kept flashing in my head. I immediately retracted and rubbed my fingers on my lips.
"Get out," I snarled, and she immediately scurried off.