Book 1: Chapter 6 - Realizations

Marcus reached home and slumped to the couch with his head in his hands realizing what a grave mistake he had made. After waiting to punish Cara for days, he couldn’t take it any longer. He went to the Kingston Club and followed her around for the last few days like a crazy stalker.

The slap had been too hard to forget and he wanted his revenge but all his evil intentions completely changed when he saw how hardworking she was. He saw her working non-stop at a small cafe and then rushing over to Kingston Club to sing. Initially, he had been apprehensive about going inside but last night he had bought a ticket to watch what she did for a living.

Shocked was an understatement to what he felt when he saw her perform. It was amazing to see how the audience loved her performance. She didn’t need to dance or do any tricks to get their attention. All she did was sit on a high stool and strum her guitar while singing. Her clear, melodious voice had the power to touch one’s soul.

Guilty of having misjudged her, Marcus was keen to give her the money she had left behind. He realized that she had left it not for any ulterior motive, she left it because she thought it was too much for her.

Getting up, he picked up a bottle of whiskey and poured himself a glass. The guilt of having hurt a pure soul was so extreme that he just couldn’t do anything else. His older brother Lucas had called him twice already but he wasn’t in the mood to handle his business in his absence.

Lucas Donnelly was two years older and a self-made man, Founder, and Director of his technology-based business, Donnelly Technology Corp., known for its innovative home as well as industrial products.

Whenever he was away, he usually wanted Marcus to look after the business. With nothing worthwhile to do, Marcus was a free man. He helped his brother out. So was the case with his younger brother, Nicholas who managed his dad’s financial firm, Donnelly Financial Services. Marcus wasn’t interested in business but with his high IQ, managing their businesses didn’t take much effort on his part.

The next day he started arranging his art studio in case it inspired him to complete his incomplete paintings, but his heart was heavy and his mind felt blocked. He couldn’t focus at all. It was worse than what he had been suffering for the last two years. At least he wasn’t guilty after catching Cassie Thornton red-handed with his best friend.

Now, not only was he guilty, he was confused, too. Marcus just couldn’t figure out how to apologize to Cara for everything that he had done to crush her. He wanted her to forgive him. He saw how needy she was as she worked the whole day with no break whatsoever. It only added to his guilt.

The whole day he moped around as Cara’s innocent and beautiful face crept up in his mind. He had to apologize or else the guilt would eat him alive. He might be a player, but he didn’t force anyone ever in his life. Women came to him willingly, so he did not know what came over him when he was around Cara. Why did he always act like a jerk in front of her? She would hate him now! She would never talk to him.

He fidgeted around restlessly the whole day, not having anything to do. Lucas called again and yet he didn’t have the wish to talk to him. He couldn’t concentrate on anyone's business right now. He had only one business to attend to. To apologize to Cara and beg for her forgiveness! He could only move forward if she forgave him!

It was evening, and he drove over to Kingston Club to see her performance and then have a talk with her.

Cara was ready for her performance at the Kingston Club. Through the little gap between the curtains, she scanned the crowd for Marcus Donnelly. Was he here tonight as well? The boys were bickering behind her over who would pay for a treat at the pub tonight. She wasn’t interested and continued with her mission, yet she didn’t find anyone.

Sighing, she started tuning her instrument. Maybe he wasn’t here. It was only her imagination playing tricks on her mind. The loud sound of applause from the audience jolted her back to reality. Their names had just been announced.

However, when the curtains opened, she was so absorbed in her performance that she forgot all about Marcus. She poured her soul into her own composition, You’re In My Heart For Now And Always.

Marcus was mesmerized by her. She looked so sinfully gorgeous in a shimmery, body-hugging sequined dress that Marcus Donnelly was floored. All he could think of was how soft and sweet her lips had felt against his. All he wanted to do was to pull her into his arms, feel her every curve molded to his hard torso. But when he heard her soulful voice, he was lost.

Closing his eyes, he just got wrapped up in the lyrics of the song. It felt as if she was singing only for him!

Love, won’t you give me a chance?

To show you how much you mean to me,

Holding one another as we dance,

I know you don’t feel a thing for me

And as I leave you to your happiness,

I know I cannot settle for anything less

With me, I take away the memories and the pain

But my love for you shall always remain

You’re in my heart for now and always

I’ll always love you, for now, and always

There’s no greater truth than this

I’ll always seek you, for now, and always

Ooh, ooh……

So kiss me, baby,

tell me you’ve been thinking of me lately

Hold me in your arms tonight

I don’t want you to fight

This feeling we share for now and always

You’re in my heart for now and always

I’ll always love you, for now, and always

There’s no greater truth than this

I’ll always seek you, for now, and always

Ooh, ooh…..

He opened his eyes and gazed at her luscious lips as she sat on the high stool, strumming her guitar. Could he get a taste of them once more? Not forcefully, he wanted to savor their taste. He wanted her to kiss him out of her own free will.

Cara sang three more songs, but the audience went crazy, requesting her to repeat her first song. This time when she sang, Marcus recorded it on his mobile phone. The song kindled a hidden spirit in his heart; it was like a drug that he needed badly to cure his broken life.

Eagerly, he waited outside her dressing room to talk to her, to apologize to her, to beg for her forgiveness.

Cara was exhausted and walked to her dressing room to change into her street clothes.

“Cara.” Marcus’s husky voice pulled her out of her reverie. She glanced up and saw him waiting for her, leaning against the door of the dressing room.

A gasp escaped her mouth and fear soon replaced her shock. So he really was here! Would he punish her now? She trembled like a leaf, her face paled considerably as she looked around, ready to flee.

“Cara, look at me,” he stated in a grim voice, and a tremor went down her spine. Her wild and scared eyes looked into his.

“Mr. Donnelly, I have nothing to say to you. Please leave me alone,” she said in a low whisper, not wanting to draw attention to herself.

Marcus pulled out the envelope he had been carrying. “I guess you have forgotten this,” he drawled, his eyes taking her in minutely. From near, she was looking se*ier and more grown-up. He couldn’t look away! Cara shook her head, not wanting it back.

“I don’t want it. I want nothing to do with you. This is my workplace and I don’t want a scene. If you want to punish me, do what you want to, but not here,” she said sternly.

“I didn’t come here to create a scene. I just came here to return to you the money you’ve worked hard for. I don’t accept free service. Take it and I won’t bother you at all,” he said grimly. Cara sighed and took the envelope from his hands.

“Goodbye,” she said, picking up her street clothes and storming out of the dressing room. She needed to get away from him. She would rather change in the washroom than here.

Marcus sighed. His apology remained in his heart forever. Was this the end, then? What if he never saw her again? Would he never be able to beg her for her forgiveness? Would he never be able to taste those lips again? His heart constricted, and he felt a strange dull ache in his chest. He walked away with his phone buzzing with an incoming call from his brother, Lucas. He couldn’t escape his duties any longer.

He had to move on from Cara. He had to live with his guilt forever.