Forgotten Romance: Take Me Back To You

It was already six in the evening but Jade chose to go to his favorite park near the subdivision. Still, her phone isn't turned on yet since she doesn't want to be disturbed for the time being.

She was pondering a lot of things specially the stuffs she and Rachelle talk to a while ago.

Is Rachelle really pregnant? She was thinking and it's blowing her mind. Will she tell Marcus about her pregnancy or what? She heaved a heavy sigh while ċȧrėssing her own ċhėst. It totally pained her when she learnt that Rachelle is also carrying Marcus' baby. 

She teared up and looked at the starry sky.

The sky is dark but the stars and moon were shining bright as if they know her situation and that they wanted to comfort her. 

She wiped her wet cheeks before standing up. It's getting colder and colder so she needs to go home now. 

She exhaled an amount of air before she started walking the pathway. Good thing there are a lot of people around; Some were exercising, jogging and some were dating too, both young and old. 

"Jade?"

The woman immediately halted when she heard a familiar voice. She looked behind her and found the old man Barry walking along with his dog--- Makish.

"Mr. Stones!" She yelped. "What a coincidence to meet you here." She was smiling from ear to ear specially when she saw the dog. 

She stooped down and ċȧrėssed the dog's fur on his back. "How are you, my dear?"

"We're doing a short walk as an exercise." Barry interrupted. "How are you? You look… pale. Are you sick?"

Barry knew she's not sick but he saw her crying far afar. 

And yes, he's been watching the woman since a while ago. 

"No. I'm just… tired." She lied.

"Oh okay, if that's what you say." He partly smiled. "Are you going home?"

"Yes, how about you?"

"Yes, we're going home too. Can we accompany you for a walk?" 

"Sure. Not a problem." She nodded in agreement. 

Jade chose to walk even when they reached the gate of the subdivision. There was a shuttle that could drive the residence right at their doorstep but Jade refused to get in. 

"Please go ahead, Mr. Stones. I want to walk from here, who knows I would be able to sort my thoughts as soon as I reach the house." She forced a smile.

She looked troubled so Barry insisted to join her. 

"Aren't you tired of walking yet?" Jade asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. Besides, I think my newfound friend needs someone to talk to right now." He was pertaining to the woman and just as expected, his flowery words got her. 

"Thank you." She muttered gratefully before they continued walking. 

"Care to tell me what's bothering you?" The man proactively asked. 

She heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm just stressed the past few days." She faked a smile. "Ah I remember, you said you have a child, right?"

"Yeah. Why'd you suddenly asked?"

"Just curious." Her eyes maybe looking forward but she was obviously lost in her own thoughts. "Mister, what was your first reaction when you find out that your wife was pregnant with your baby?"

"My reaction?" He ċȧrėssed his jaw while reminiscing the past. "I was thrilled."

"Thrilled?" She partly smiled. "I bet you dearly love your wife back then."

"Of course! I will never marry a woman whom I do not love at all! Why should I waste my precious time with a woman I do not like? That doesn't make sense at all."

"Right…" The woman lowered her head in sadness since she remembered the marriage agreement she signed. 

"Did I say anything wrong?" Barry was acting innocently but the truth is, he is the total opposite! Watching how the woman heaved a heavy and disappointed sigh, Barry took a guess based on her first question. 

"Wait… Are you possibly pregnant?" 

"Oh no! Are you saying you are?" For the first time in years, the middle-aged man felt thrilled all of a sudden. Not sure why but the thought of having a grandchild feels amazing!

She nodded and smiled bitterly.

"Then this calls for a celebration!" He yelped. "That is a good news but why do you have such a long and mournful face?" He thought. 

She pouted pitifully. "I… I don't know if my husband wants a baby. I wanted to tell him but I'm afraid. Afraid that he might not accept the child."

Barry raised his brow in unbelief. "Any sane father will never reject his own blood." He wanted to comfort the woman. "If he truly loves you then he will definitely love the idea of raising your own children."

"How I hope he'll accept the child." She ċȧrėssed her belly.

"Why don't you try and tell him? You're legally married so you should learn to trust each other, especially with things like that."

His words of wisdom struck her that very moment and it suddenly gave her an idea.

"Thank you mister. You don't know how I'm dying to hear something uplifting today. Thank you." She bowed in respect to him.

They were both located at the same street but Barry's house was a bit far from Marcus' house so the two has to part ways when Barry reached his home. 

"Thank you, mister. Wish you have a good night." Jade bade before climbing the slope. 

She's at the entrance gates but when she glanced at the garage, she instantly knew that Marcus isn't home yet. The car he uses to drive wasn't park yet. 

Well, what's new? She thought. 

MEANWHILE, Marcus glanced at his wristwatch and saw the time is already nine-thirty in the evening. 

The man has a lot of stories to tell but he shyly excused himself. It's late and he can't help but think about his wife. 

"I'm sorry to cut this meeting short but I need to go home now." He apologetically uttered. 

"I understand, Mr. Hanes. I'm sure your wife is waiting for you."

"Thank you." He immediately stood up and picked up his coat and left the restaurant. 

"Ah, how thoughtful." The old man voice before glancing at the woman who pouted annoyingly. "Too bad, he's married."

"Tsk! You also heard that celebrity woman, the marriage contract will expire after a few months. There's still hope for your fake granddaughter." Her taunting laugh echoed inside the restaurant. 

Peter Black didn't laugh with her joke, instead, he fixed his eyes on her and waited for the woman to look at him. 

"What now?" She raised her brow in question. 

"Zenia, do you believe in love at first sight?" The old man suddenly asked out of the blue and that confused the woman. 

"Of course, who don't believe it?" 

"Then do you believe that love can be develop as well?"

"Uhm… Yeah…?"

"How long do you think will it take for a person to like another person?" Peter kept on throwing questions at her. This time, she's getting his point now.

"Why don't you tell me your point exactly?"

"Zenia, you know I am on your side, right?" He looked at her in the eyes. "Daughter, just as you have said, there is this we call love at first sight but most of the time, it doesn't last. But remember this, a relationship that has undergone a lot of trials makes the bond even stronger. Also, the love that slowly develops is difficult to break."

"Are you telling me to stop chasing Marcus?" She pouted disappointedly. 

Peter partly smiled. "I am telling you never to chase a married man. In Marcus' situation, six months is more than enough to get to know someone and to make someone fall in love with you."

"But Marcus promised Rachelle. Do you think he'll break his promise to his longtime girlfriend?"

"Sweetheart, people change. Have you seen how troubled Marcus was a while ago? I was also married once and I know when a man genuinely worries for his wife."

Tsk! Zenia hissed within her but she lost her appetite now. Who could that nameless woman be? Does she even deserve to be Marcus' wife? She was thinking when an idea struck her mind. 

A background check! She sneered within her.

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

"Yes, grandmother. I'll tell Marcus to come over for dinner tomorrow." Jade confirmed before hanging up.

Earlier, Jade came out from the shower room and saw her phone vibrating.

She already turned it on before she washed herself and when she checked her calls, she saw Suzette called many times. Therefore, she called her back only to receive an invitation for dinner. 

She confirmed her attendance but as for Marcus, Jade isn't sure if he'll agree to it. 

Marcus. She muttered softly.

"Should I tell you now or what?" She started pacing back and forth not knowing what to do. 

She wanted to wait for Marcus but she can feel her eyes dropping. She yawned. She's definitely exhausted for the whole day so she decided to take a nap at the couch while waiting for Marcus. 

However, she didn't notice but she fell in deep sleep! 

After a few more minutes, Marcus arrived home and he surprisingly rushed to their bedroom. And as soon as he opened the door, his eyes immediately landed on the woman's bed. It's empty. 

He frowned. 

Guess it's time to report her to the authorities now. He walked towards his study desk and picked the phone, dialed the police's number and waited for someone to answer.

"Hello? 911, what's your emergency?" 

"Hi, I would like to-----'' He paused when he suddenly heard a very faint voice. Then he looked around and to his surprise, someone is lying on the couch.

Jade! He heaved a sigh of relief before hanging up and walked towards the sleeping woman. He stoops down and was about to carry her to her bed but he paused when he heard something that triggered his memory.

'Makish… Makish…Please, don't take my Makish...."