Chapter 50
Jessica maintained her pantry like a professional chef. If Samuel wanted to have steak for dinner, then it was steak for dinner, and Marcus was grateful that Jessica didn’t make a fuss when he took some premium slices for his dinner with Alicia. “How would you like your steak, medium or well done?” Marcus asked his guest to relax and feel at home while he prepared their dinner.
“Well done,” Alicia answered. “But I can help you with the preparation,” she offered as she imagined what Marcus would look like in an apron. She couldn’t explain it in detail but imagining Marcus‘ using his hands to create something delicious turned her mind towards the other things that his hand could be capable of doing…, especially on how to pleasure a woman.
“Thanks, but I can manage,” Marcus said. H
was grilling the steak when he realized that he forgot to take the wine Jessica prepared for him. “Hmmm, Alicia, I think I need your help,” he called her.
“Sure, just tell me what to do.” Alicia immediately went to his side to assist.
“I need to go back to the main house, can you continue grilling the steak? I will be back in a jiffy,” he promised.
“No problem, my dear. Just take your time,” she answered. Unknown to Marcus and everyone else on the farm, she was good in the kitchen. It was a skill required in their family. Growing up in their household, she was treated like an asset and she would be sold to the highest bidder, and she only had a year to enjoy the life that she wanted….with Marcus.
Marcus nodded and smiled before he bid goodbye. He walked fast in the dark towards the main house and called Samuel on the way but his friend didn’t answer. He thought that Samuel could be working overtime so he wouldn’t have a hard time picking up the bottle of wine that was in his office.
The door was open so he didn’t bother to knock. “Sam-“, he closed his eyes before he turned his back and went outside. It was unintentional that he caught them in a compromising position but he was worried that Samuel would be mad at him. Marcus paced back and forth in the lobby white waiting for his friend to come out.
“Marcus!” Samuel clenched his jaw as he called on his friend’s name. “Next time, you should knock before you let yourself in!” He scolded him.
Marcus ignored Samuel’s rant because it was not his fault! “Next time, just lock the door.” He reminded Samuel.
Samuel calmed down when he realized that it wasn’t his friend’s fault that he was caught in a scandalous position with his wife while inside his office When Jessica came to tell him that dinner was ready, he had different plans on his mind and he wanted to have his wife as his appetizer. “Fine, anyway, why are you here? Come in,” he led the way in going back to his office
“And your wife?” Marcus hesitated to come in but Samuel was already inside and the bottle of wine was on his table.
“She left through the back door,” he said. “By the way, can you do me a favor? Don’t show yourself in front of Jessica for the time being,” he was worried that his wife would be uncomfortable with Marcus. His friend saw them while Jessica’s body was bent on his table as he entered her.
“No problem. So, did you check Alicia’s files?” When Samuel nodded, he asked about the man who was with Alicia in the picture frame that he saw in her office.
“It was her brother,” Samuel answered because he knew about her family due to the business dealings he had with her father. He also met Troy, her older brother who literally ran their business with an iron hand. Troy Ramirez was a shrewd businessman and he would do anything just to make a profit or a sale. “Why do you want to know?” He was curious.
“I just wanted to know. How about the man that was on the video? Did Ortega already find out anything about that man?” He inquired.
“Yes, but he was her first boyfriend. Don’t tell me that you’re jealous, Marcus. thought you were in love with Daniella,” Samuel said, while casually changing the topic.
“That man he was one the gunman who ran away after killing Veronica and our daughter.” He choked on the words as memories flashed back in his head.
Samuel’s smile died on his lips. “What? Are you sure?” But no, it happened too long ago and in his estimation, Alicia was still a teenager at that time. Samuel ruled out the possibility that the woman had something to do with Veronica’s death, but if her ex–boyfriend was involved, then someone close to the woman was possibly involved or the mastermind of the massacre.
They needed an answer and only Ortega has the ability to pull out every piece of information about a person. Samuel forwarded the files to Ortega and ordered the man to investigate discreetly. “Let’s take this slow, Marcus. For now, you have to go back to your date before she will suspect anything.”
- Heart
52.1%
Chapter 50
“You are right. I better go back to the apartment now,” Marcus answered and picked up the bottle of wine that was on Samuel’s table.
In less than ten minutes, Marcus was back in his apartment’s kitchen. The steak was done and he only needed to prepare the table then they could start eating. Earlier, he also prepared some salad and mashed potato.
The salad has romaine lettuce, tomato, green apple, dried berries, grapes, caramelized walnuts, and parmesan and is topped with crispy shrimp. The mustard dressing from Jessica’s pantry made it even more delectable and Marcus was positive that Alicia would enjoy it with the steak and mashed
potato.
Alicia also helped him in setting up the table and by the time everything was ready, she was smiling from ear to ear. “Thanks for inviting me over,” she said before she started eating. Marcus didn’t know that by the time the meal was ready, she wanted to rip his clothes off, and have her way with him first and eat dinner later. But she couldn’t be aggressive tonight… “But it’s still early for dinner,” she said.
“Then we will have enough time to enjoy the food and the company,” Marcus smiled and as a gentleman, he assisted Alicia in sitting down. It was a candlelight dinner but he forgot to light the candle. “Excuse me,” Marcus stood up to retrieve his lighter.
Alicia used that time to put a sleeping pill in his wine. When Marcus returned with the lighter, she smiled while she scooped a serving of the salad. “Oh my God, this one is perfect for my taste,” Alicia said when she tried the salad.
“How about the steak, do you like it?” He asked after he lit the candle and returned to his seat.
“Yes, thank you.” Everything was good including…him!
“Then let’s enjoy our meal,” Marcus said and started to slice the steak that was on her plate. It was a sweet gesture that boyfriends usually do on their date and he was doing it to lure her even more.
The pill she used during dinner was particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol. It will leave Marcus unconscious for eight to twenty–four hours. “Why don’t you try the wine?” She coerced him to drink the wine in his glass.
Marcus smiled but didn’t respond. “Do you have a boyfriend?” He regretted asking her that question because her eyes lit up and were probably full of excitement.
Alicia was excited when he popped up the question and she was positive that before they would finish with their dinner, she would become her girlfriend as she didn’t plan to play hard to get. “Not yet,” she answered and smiled at Marcus sweetly.
“Why not? I mean, you’re beautiful and sweet.” Marcus added.
“Thanks, Marcus, but wait, are you courting me now?” She dared to ask him to make it easier for the man to confess his feelings.
Marcus narrowed his eyes at the woman because he wasn’t sure how to answer her damn question. “Does it seem like I’m courting you?” He asked.
Alicia was taken aback when Marcus didn’t answer her question but instead asked her opinion if he seemed like courting her. She sipped the wine first before she opened her mouth to talk. “We’re attracted towards each other Marcus, so I can’t see any problem why we shouldn’t level up our relationship. I mean, I can be your girlfriend and your partner.” She stated.
“Don’t you think it’s too soon for that?” Marcus asked.
“What do you mean?” Alicia inquired as she sliced the steak before she stuffed it inside her mouth.
“I mean, we don’t have to rush on things like that.” He answered and shifted his attention to the food on his plate.
“Is it because of Daniella?” The question was out before she realized that she shouldn’t have mentioned that woman’s name.
“How do you know about her?” He put down the knife and fork and stared at Alicia while he waited for her answer.
“Hmmm, you mentioned her name earlier, did you forget it?” She hoped that Marcus would buy her story or else, it was going to be the end of their relationship, but she could have told him that Samuel told her about the other woman.
“Liar. Finish your food, then I’ll take you home.” Marcus said and never talked to Alicia anymore.
