Forgotten Romance: Take Me Back To You

"Jade?!" Marcus yelped in excitement. The joy within him when he unexpectedly saw Jade in the shore is painted all over his face.

"Jade! I've been searching for you for God knows how long!" He runs to her and was about to hug the woman tight but Jade immediately walk a few steps back. 

"I'm sorry but I think you got the wrong person." She uttered and run to the opposite side. 

"Jade… Jade… wait! Let's talk." Marcus catches up and holds her arm to stop her from running away from him.

"Let's talk, please." He begs.

"Sorry, but I don't know you. Please let go." She voiced not looking into the man's eyes. 

"I know it's you, Jade. My eyes can't be wrong." 

The woman pursed her lips not wanting to say a word. Her tears might burst when she says another word.  She's not dreaming. It's definitely Marcus! His scent, his eyes, nose, lips, his husky voice … It's definitely him and he is standing right in front of her!

"How are you? I've been looking for you since the day you left without a word. I was so worried that-----"

"What?" Marcus was taken aback. He couldn't believe his own ears. Is this really Jade speaking?

"I don't know why you're here. You are probably one of the guests so while you're here, please do me a favor… please don't ever talk to me or come near me. Let's consider each other as strangers. No past, no history…"

"How could you say that? Why is it too easy for you to say those hurtful words?"

Jade pulled her arms and walk past him. "Because I am no longer the Jade you used to know. Loving you and marrying you was the biggest mistake in my life. I truly regretted that. I have already moved on and I'm more than happy with my life now. So please, don't disturb my peaceful life…. again." The words she's uttering also pierced her heart. It's killing her. But what else can be done? This is for the best of everyone.

"And you want me to believe that?" He sneered in contempt. He can't bear hearing the words of the woman who was once head over heels of him.

"Believe whatvere you want to believe but I got over you now. So please… leave me alone. And we don't know each other starting now."

"Our child… how about our child?" Marcus asked curiously. 

Jade clenched her fist in anger. The thought of her other child who died in her arms was too painful for her to remember. "She died." Her voice was filled with remorse. "She didn't make it."

"No… It's all a lie." Marcus wanted to cry hearing about the misfortune of their child. 

"No." A tear fell from his eyes. He could only see the woman's back but he can feel the bitterness as well as the grief surrounding her. She's silently crying as well. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you were having a hard time." He embraced her from behind. 

The atmosphere changes and two souls are comforting each other's grief. They stayed connected like that for a few more minutes before Jade decided to break away from him. 

"It's painful… too painful I know. But we must get through it." She breathes out an amount of air. "Anyway, it's nice seeing you again." She never bothered to look at him. She just walks away…. away from the man whom she misses the most.

If she stays a little longer, then she'll probably lose to her heart once again. And she can't risk being foolish and stupid just because of him. Not anymore. 

Jade didn't know how she managed to reach the room without fainting. Her heart has been beating wildly fast since the moment she saw Marcus. 

How the hell did he come into this place? The reason why she chose to hide here is because she knew that this would be the last place on earth anyone would want to visit or make a dwelling.

And when there was an announcement that there will be a medical conference in the hotel, she proactively volunteered to help with the preparation. But never in her wildest dream did she hope to see the man whom she's been trying to forget for almost a year.

***AS FOR MARCUS, he silently followed the woman who entered the hotel lobby. Is she staying here? Could she be one of those who attended the conference? But he didn't see her during the dinner party. 

To his surprise, the woman entered the staff's room. She's working in the hotel! He wanted to follow her inside but it's a restricted area and he doesn't want to cause any trouble at the moment. It's already 2 in the morning therefore he decided to go back to his room. They both need to rest. 

Not a million chance. 

****************************************

He grinned as if he already had a plan in mind. 

Marcus woke up early that morning only to hear some information about Jade. 

One staff came knocking at his door at seven in the morning and reported her findings about the hotel worker—Jade. 

He finds out that Jade is a working as a room attendant. And also working as a part time server at a restaurant near the beach coast. The staff gave him her weekly schedule as well as the address where she's living. In addition, she is a volunteer worker in a shelter home.

Jessa Montana, Jade's friend and the owner of the house where Jade currently stays. Also her workmate. Nice. 

"Thank you." Marcus uttered and handed her an envelope with a big amount in it. The woman widened her eyes in surprise. It's even bigger than her salary! "Is there any other information about her beside this basic ones?"

"I don't think there's more. She's quite the mysterious worker. Nobody here, except Jessa knew about her that much."

"As far as I know she's not married. Though she came to the city pregnant but we never saw her husband nor heard if she's married. And rumors say she gave birth but unfortunately, the child died."

Marcus paused a little. She didn't lie. The child did die.

"If you're curious about her love life, the hotel manager is actually an avid suitor of her. He's been pursuing the woman openly ever since the day she started working here. Everyone knows how he deeply loves her."

"Did you say your hotel manager?" His tender eyes suddenly changed into a terrorizing gaze. 

"Y-yeah… I-it's what I heard, s-sir." The woman didn't dare to look up. She's afraid. The man's good aura earlier is gone. Now, she feels like she's in front of a deadly monster ready to slaughter anyone.

"Get out." 

She heard the man and she immediately sprint outside the room. She's rushing as if her life is on the line. 

"The manager? Huh!" He scoffs. "Is he the reason why you turn me down as soon as you saw me? Well, I won't go easy on him. Jade, you'll regret it if you end up choosing him over me." Marcus unknowingly crumpled the paper in his hands. 

MEANWHILE, Jade sneezes out of the blue. 

"No, I'm fine. My nose… it's just itchy." She grinned before she walks past Jessa. It would be a long busy day since there are a lot of empty rooms that needs to be clean.

"God, please don't let us cross path any further." Jade prayed silently.