Chapter 273: Not broken
After a tiring day at the office, Marcus arrived at his apartment, feeling drained from having to deal with Sofia's antics and the project simultaneously. He kicked off his shoes and let out a tired sigh. Deciding to take a moment to relax and recharge before doing anything else, he decided to change into something more comfortable.
He headed to his bedroom, a space that reflected his personality and smelled opulence, soft, ambient lighting cast a warm glow across the room, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.
He walked over to his spacious walk-in closet, filled with neatly organized clothing options. Marcus scanned through his collection, his eyes falling on a comfortable cashmere sweater and a pair of well-fitted jeans. Wanting to unwind and feel at ease, he selected these items and proceeded to change.
Slipping out of his formal attire, Marcus relished the sensation of shedding the weight of the day. The soft cashmere material hugged his skin, offering a gentle embrace. Marcus couldn't wait to unwind in the familiar comfort of Diana's company. The thought of being in her presence brought a sense of ease to his weary soul. Without wasting a moment, he headed straight to Diana's place.
He held the spare key in his hand, he couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement coursing through him. It was a small token, but it held great significance to him. The key represented the trust Diana had bestowed upon him, allowing him access to her private sanctuary.
As Marcus settled into the cozy confines of Diana's living room, he allowed himself a moment of solitude to collect his thoughts. The gentle hum of the shower echoed through the apartment, he couldn't help but feel his legs moving on their own towards the bathroom.
The house was dark with the bulbs not on but his senses were wide alert and he didn't need to grope around in the dark. As he neared the bathroom, the sweet smell of lavender and her beauty bath assaulted his nose, stimulating this arousal and lust which have been taunted numerous times by Sofia during however he was close to losing his mind now.
Without as much as a knock, he opened the door of the bathroom, and dashed in with a red face of arousal.
Seeing the door abruptly open, Diana gasped in shock as the soap dropped from her hands as she turned to face the intruder with her mind thinking a million things at the moment.
As she realized it was Marcus, she sighed a relief as her breathing gradually grew to normal as she tried to compose herself and then she realized something else, "Why is in the bathroom?" she suddenly wondered.
She heard him gulp heavily and feeling his stare on her skin, "do you mind me joining you for a shower," he asked in a gruff voice that seemed to indicate a no wasn't an option as he had begun striping.
"Hey, what are you doing," she asked as she tried to grab a towel but he was within a space and the sudden loss of personal space as well as the handsome face made her lose concentration for a second or perhaps longer, she couldn't recall as she felt his lips crashing into hers with a strong desire.
One thing led to another and there went a twenty minute long shower that made her legs soft and desire not to even move a finger.
"Gosh," she tapped on his chest as they lay down on her spacious bed, "you really didn't even ask me if I wanted to have sex or if I was tired, you didn't even stop until I was begging multiple times," she pouted as she made her complaints.
Her face red, ruddy like an apple, tempted Marcus as he couldn't help pull her into a long french kiss. "That's it, you are always bullying" she said in a tiny voice as they broke the kiss. Marcus, unable to answer, just gave a big toothy grin as he pulled her closer as they cuddled on the bed.
Remembering Cole, Marcus frowned a bit and felt it was strange that after such a happy moment, he still thought of that loser and lost concentration on what Diana was saying for a while. "Hey, are you listening to me?" Diana asked in a frown as she felt in lost in thoughts
Marcus snapped back to the present as Diana's voice broke through his reverie. He blinked, realizing that he had drifted off into his own thoughts, momentarily forgetting to pay attention to her words. "I'm sorry, Diana," he replied, his voice tinged with regret. "I got lost in my thoughts for a moment. Please go on, I'm listening."
Diana's frown softened, and she leaned in closer, concern etched on her face. "Is everything alright, Marcus? You seemed distant just now," she inquired, her eyes searching for any signs of distress.
Marcus looked into Diana's eyes, a mix of curiosity and compassion in his gaze. He knew that their relationship had been built on trust and honesty, however he felt now was a good time to delve into the depths of their past and uncover the reasons behind their choices.
"Diana," Marcus began, his voice gentle yet filled with a genuine desire to understand. I've been wanting to talk about something that has been on my mind for a while," Marcus began, his voice gentle yet determined. "I've always wondered why you stayed with Cole for so long, despite the warning signs and the pain he caused you. Can you help me understand?"
"Marcus, when I met Cole, he seemed charming and attentive," she started, her voice tinged with a touch of sadness. "But as our relationship progressed, he became possessive and manipulative. He made me believe that no one else would love me, that I was lucky to have him. Over time, his words chipped away at my self-esteem, leaving me feeling trapped and unworthy."
Marcus listened intently, his heart aching for the pain Diana had endured. He reached out, resting a hand on hers, silently offering his support.
"I stayed with him because I was afraid," Diana continued, her voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "Afraid of being alone, afraid of starting over, and afraid of what he might do if I left. He had a way of making me doubt myself and my worth, convincing me that I deserved the treatment he subjected me to and perhaps he was right."
"Never, don't ever think like that" he growled softly as he pulled her closer with a his ears muttering comforting words to her being. Tears welled up in Diana's eyes as she recalled the emotional turmoil she had experienced during her time with Cole. She gradually calm down as she listened to Marcus' words and felt his warm embrace.
"And Marcus, there's something else," Diana whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "Cole once told me that no one would ever truly love me, that I was too broken to be loved completely. It became a haunting thought, a constant fear that no matter how hard I tried, I would never be enough for someone to truly accept and love."
Marcus felt a surge of anger rise within him, directed at Cole for inflicting such pain on Diana. He held her waist a bit tighter, his grip offering both solace and reassurance.
"Diana, I want you to know that you are not broken," Marcus said firmly, his voice filled with conviction. "You are strong, resilient, and deserving of the purest form of love. I see your beauty, both inside and out, and I am committed to showing you every day just how much you mean to me." he whispered into her ears as he hugged her.