Tomorrows With You (The Maria & Marcus Story)

Chapter 2 - Trip to Memory Lane

I drove as fast as I could away from that place. My hands are shaking. My heart is beating fast as if it's ready to jump out of my rib cage. My phone has been ringing non-stop since I left the villa. I know Amelia is seething right now and most probably worried, so is my dad. But I can't face Marcus yet. I just can't.

My phone never stops ringing, and it won't stop anytime soon, knowing Amelia. So I took it out of my bag, turned on the speaker and answered her.

" Amelia," I answered curtly.

" Maria! What the f**k is going on?! Why did you suddenly run and left without even saying goodbye to us? Was it Marcus? Did he say or do something that upsets you?" Amelia's worried and angry voice resonated all over the car.

" No, Amelia, it's nothing like that. I received an important call that's why I left in a hurry. I am sorry I left without telling you. Please tell Papa I'm okay, and I will call him later." I lied to her.

" Are you sure? Can't it wait until your nephew's birthday is over? We missed you, you know, and we were looking forward to spending time with you today. Do you promise to come soon and catch up? And please let us know where you are staying so Papa and I could come and visit sometime?" I know Amelia sensed something is going on with Marcus and me, but I can't tell her just yet.

" I promise I'll visit again, Amelia. I have to sort out some things first, and then I'll come home. I can't tell you where I lived until I tell you where I've been and what happened to me. In the meantime, please bear with me and wait." I begged for her understanding. I know she can be challenging most of the time, but she loves me and will wait.

" You better keep your promise, woman, or I will hunt you down myself. You know I can be very persuasive if I want to, but I will honor your decision and wait. But don't let me wait too long. I'm never the patient one, and you know that. Be safe little sis, and call me anytime." She sighed and agreed to my pleas.

" I will, Amelia. Would you please kiss Franco for me and tell Papa I love him? I've got to hang up. I'm driving right now. Bye Amelia, love you." I cut our conversation and concentrated on the road. I'm going to check out of my hotel now and head home. Depending on the traffic, I have an hour's drive to Lake Villa from Chicago, and it's getting dark.

Thinking back on what happened a while ago with Marcus, I cursed lowly. I shouldn't have come. I tried so hard to hide from him, but I guess God has a plan. I hope Marcus will stay away from me and not bother me anymore.

I don't want to have another confrontation with him, and I certainly don't want to see him again. He can't know where I live. He has trouble written all over his face. I don't care if what he claimed happened that night was true. One thing is true. He didn't give a s**t about me, and he's a scumbag.

I was naive. I gave in to my desire and let Marcus take advantage of my crush on him. He was a manipulative, lying son of a b***h! And I curse him to hell and back! I stepped on the gas and sped off. I need to be home where I can find peace and reevaluate my situation.

I checked out of my hotel as quickly as possible, and then I was back on the road again after 30 minutes. It will be dark when I arrive home, but it's okay. I turned on the radio to break the deafening silence around me.

I can't stand the silence. My brain runs wild, and it reminisces the past whenever I'm alone and in total silence. I can't go back there, but my brain has its own life. It never listens and rewinds the events that happened two years ago.

Two years ago

The day before Amelia's and Samuel's wedding, I first saw the most beautiful man I have ever met. I have to admit I was attracted to him the first time I saw him, but I had to hide it. I knew Amelia would not let it rest when she found out I had a crush on her fiance's cousin.

I had to fake my attraction with indifference when my sister introduced him to me. I stayed away from Marcus as much as possible. Marcus DeLuca is known for his womanizing ways, aside from being one of France's youngest most eligible bachelor billionaires.

His pursuit of me started that day at the DeLuca villa. He was persistent and always around wherever I went. The night of the wedding, I got a little tipsy and lowered down my defenses. We were flirting openly, and then finally, he got my number.

After the wedding, Marcus called me and asked to have dinner before going back to France. I often ignored his messages and calls, but I got irritated because he didn't know when to stop. If there's one thing I learned about the DeLuca's, it's the attitude of not giving up.

So after a hundred calls and messages, I gave in and accepted his dinner invitation. No matter how attracted I was to Marcus, I made sure to put on a mask. I will not let him see the effect he has on me. I am not giving in to these carnal longings I have.

We agreed to meet at the restaurant since I don't want my father to learn that I am with Marcus. I want whatever attraction between us to end tonight. He made a reservation at the most expensive restaurant in Chicago, the Alinea Restaurant.

I am now parked outside and was having second thoughts about my decision. But then I scolded myself. Since when did Maria Anna Rossi retreat in a fight? I can do this. I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

Tonight, I am wearing a dress. Yes! A dress, people! I seldom wear one because I am most comfortable wearing my jeans and racerback top with my leather jacket. My long jet-black wavy hair flowed down my back, and some framed my small oval face.

My stormy grey eyes are staring right at me as if asking what the f**k am I doing? My tanned skin seemed to glow as anticipating the night ahead. I got my Mexican-Italian features from my mom and dad. My momma mostly because she was born and raised in Mexico before she met my Papa.

My phone's message alert cut my thoughts. It was a text from Marcus asking where I was. He said he was inside the restaurant waiting for me. I took a deep breath before exiting my car. I'll make this quick and straightforward.

Whatever Marcus is planning, I won't give him the advantage and satisfaction. I know his kind. He is always on the hunt for someone fresh and new, and right now, I ticked all his checkboxes. Well, not me, Mr. DeLuca. I strolled towards the entrance of the restaurant and braced myself for the storm ahead.

The waitress greeted me when I stepped inside. I gave her Marcus' name and followed her to a staircase leading to the rooftop. I was in awe when I saw the place. It seemed like Marcus reserved the whole rooftop just for the two of us.

Flower petals scattered all over the floor, and small candles lit the whole place. Marcus is standing by the table near the edge with a single rose in hand. His face lit up when he saw me and walked towards me with carnal predatory eyes. Oh Boy! And now the real battle begins!