Forgotten Romance: Take Me Back To You

"Jade…" Marcus moved to her side and held her folded hands. The woman looked pretty troubled and Marcus wanted to give her the ȧssurance that he'll try to understand whatever her reasons are. "I am never against the things that you want to do. All I want is your confidence to open up to me… whatever it is, I am willing to listen and will try to understand what you're going through." He voiced with sincerity.

The whole drive was a total silence and even when they arrived home, Jade was seemingly having a hard time telling him the real reason as to why she wanted to quit her job. 

She stared at his worried eyes then heaved a heavy sigh. 

"Haven't I told you about it before?" She was trying to think if she did mention it to him.

"I wouldn't ask if I remember."

"I…" She paused for a few seconds while searching the man's eyes. "I… I don't think you'll understand." She looked away and that disappoint him greatly. 

"How do you know when you didn't even tell me yet?" His voice was a bit cold. "And how will I understand if you won't let me. Jade, I know our relationship didn't start in a good way but isn't it a good idea for us to start trusting each other? Slowly?" 

The man's phrase hit her hard. He was right but why the sudden change of heart? She was confused and didn't say a word for a few minutes. 

"Think about it for now. 'll give you time to decide whether to trust the man you married or not." He stood up and took a few stepped towards his bed when he suddenly heard the woman spoke. 

"I don't have any memory about my childhood days…" She started after giving some thoughts on the man's words. "Even my parents… I don't remember their names, let alone their faces."

The man halted from his tracks. His back was still facing the woman who was looking down as she explains. She's…. sad.

She sneered in pain when she remembered something. "All this time, I've been feeling empty inside. As if a very important part of me was missing and I wanted to find that missing piece. I think that's the only way I could get through my nightmares."

He finally faced the dejected woman still sitting on the couch. Looking at her gentle but poignant countenance convinced him that she's sincere. She's not making stories; she's telling the truth!

"That's the reason why I want to quit my job as your secretary." She met the man's blank gaze. 

"What a lame excuse." Jade jerked up at the man's response. Just as she expected, he won't understand. She glowered within her.

"I know you won't understand me and I don't blame you. But still------"

"I've been there than that so if there's someone who would understand you then that would be me." His words rendered her speechless. 

She was looking at the man walking towards her in awe. 

"Jade…" He sat at the small table in front of her. "You might not know but I also fought my own demons before… Though it didn't leave me for good since I am still fighting some of my demons until now. But I have people supporting me from behind."

"Good for you." She smiled bitterly. "You're lucky to have some people to support you."

"And you too… I believe there are people who are willing to stand up for you and with you."

She smirked mockingly. "It would be pretty amazing to have even one who understand… someone who's willing to stand beside me as I face my demons. Unlucky, I have to fight them alone. The people I thought who'll understand got scared and run away so I never had the chance to share the battlefield to anyone."

Marcus suddenly felt a sting in his heart after listening to Jade's words. Not sure why but the thought of struggling alone pained him greatly because he knew how lonely and difficult that was. However, Jade was stating her experiences as if she was already used to it.

"I thought you had your best friend." Marcus voiced.

"She stayed because she didn't know." Though she smiled but Marcus felt the sorrow behind those smiles. "I don't want to scare her just like the other friends I once had. That's why I never told her any of it."

Marcus didn't say a word but his gaze dropped on the floor when he remembered the same bitter experience he had in the past. 

"Though I think she already have an idea about it but she never asked me." She furthered. "But I can deal with this alone. I only need to search for the missing piece to fit in the puzzle. Only then can I truly solve the mystery of my nightmares."

"Still, I won't approve your resignation." He straightened his back. 

"But Marcus, I ------"

"Your dėsɨrė to find yourself doesn't have anything to do with your job, Jade. You can search for your past and still work as my secretary."

"I won't guarantee a complete attendance though." She voiced irritated.

"As long as you notify me beforehand." He replied. "Jade, look. I am not against you finding about your past. In fact, I am willing to help you in any way I could."

"R-really?" She couldn't believe her ears. Did she hear the man correctly? She may not show it but her heart was overwhelmed at the fact that Marcus is willing to help her. 

"Yes." He smiled with ȧssurance. "To tell you the truth, I already have an idea about your nightmares and traumas before but I never thought it would be this…. deep. I've been there too so I know how suffocating it is to be imprisoned from your past. So let me help you." 

He reached for her hands and held them once again. "Someone stood by me that's why I was able to get through my nightmares and I want to do the same to you. Can you let me?" His sincerity touched the woman's heart and her love for him grew even stronger. 

She nodded with tears welling up in her eyes. "Ehm." She finally smiled and immediately embraced the man as tight as she could.

"Thank you… thank you so much!" She sobbed. "You don't know how much this means to me." 

The man smiled as he raised his hand to ċȧrėss her soft and silky hair. He never knew it would be fulfilling to have someone depends on you. 

"You'll be alright, I promise." He muttered before planting a kiss on her hair. "You have me. You are no longer alone."