"Once again, we would like to thank everyone, most especially our good sponsors, Mr. Alfred Jones and his son, Mr. Marcus Jones. As you all know, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Jones has been an active member of our foundation and constantly helped in pursuing our projects for the less fortunate children in New York City.In honor of her, we would like to recognize her efforts by giving her an honorary award to thank her for everything she did to the New York Children's Foundation. We would like to call on Mr. Alfred and Marcus Jones to receive this award," said Allison Scott, the CEO of the foundation.
The crowd clapped their hands as Alfred and Marcus went on stage. Alfred took the award from her and shook her hand. Marcus shook her hand as well. Alfred then started speaking to the crowd through the microphone.
"My late wife, Beth, had been the most amazing woman I have ever met, and I know she was very well-loved by many because of her big heart. I believe that now, even that she is gone, her spirit still lives as her legacy stays with those lives she had touched. In behalf of her, we would like to thank you for this honorary award and we promise that we will continue what she has started. Thank you," and the crowd clapped their hands once again.
Alfred was about to go when Marcus held his arm and whispered to him. He stood by his side as Marcus went to the microphone. The crowd stopped clapping as he spoke.
"I'm sorry to interrupt everything but I wanted to take this opportunity to make an announcement," and he looked at Nikka who was sitting in the front table from the stage. She smiled at him as he continued.
"As you all know, my dad passed away when I was 12 and I saw how hard it is for my mom to lose someone she loved. But after five years, she met Alfred, my stepdad, that had made her happy, and I had never been happier for her as well. I have always dreamt of finding true love and tonight I wanted to tell everyone about her. So I would like to take this opportunity to announce to you that in a few days I will be marrying my one true love and fulfill a longtime promise, to take care of her no matter what. Please meet my fiancee, Nikka dela Cruz," and Marcus motioned her to come.
Everyone was astonished as she stood up and went up with him as the crowd cheered and clapped. Alfred hugged her and kissed her on her cheek.
"My dear daughter, Nikka. Welcome to the family," he told her. "I always knew you would be together."
"Thank you, Tito Alfred."
"You can call me, Dad from now on."
"Okay, Dad," and she smiled.
Soon she joined Marcus and he kissed her quickly as the crowd continued to clap.
As they came down from the stage, a tall blonde haired woman walked towards them. She was wearing a red silky dress, diamond dangling earrings and her blue attractive eyes pierced through Nikka. She felt a bit intimidated by her that she tightened her grip on Marcus' arm as she placed a kiss on his right cheek.
"Congratulations, Marcus! No wonder you haven't been around lately," she teased, glancing a bit at Nikka. Nikka knew exactly what that meant. This woman was probably one of Marcus' past "adventures," and Nikka felt her blood boil with jealousy as she stared at her.
"Olivia, this is Nikka, my fianceé. Nikka, this is Olivia. She is a family friend of the Joneses."
"Hi, Olivia," she said, simply.
'A family friend? How come I never heard of her?' she thought.
"Nice to meet you, Nikka. I guess I'll be seeing more of you now that you will soon-to-be Mrs. Jones."
She smiled faintly.
'I hope I won't be seeing you forever', she thought to herself. She had never felt so jealous until now.
"I hope she's all worth it, Marcus," she whispered. "You know I don't want to see you disappointed," and she tried to fix his tie.
"Olivia..." warned Marcus, glaring at her.
"I'm kidding. C'mon, loosen up," she turned to Nikka. "Don't mind me, honey. I just loved to annoy Marcus. Best wishes to you. Go have fun, you two." And she walked away towards the crowd.
Nikka followed her with her eyes as she disappeared inyo the crowd. Her back was as creamy as milk and suddenly she felt suffocated that she felt the room was clsoing in on her.
"Let's go home," she demanded silently. She felt like she coukd not stay longer knowing Olivia was just around.
"Are you okay?" Marcus asked worriedly.
"Yes. Just... tired. It's getting kind of late, too," she lied.
"Okay. I'll just tell, Dad," and he released her for a moment to go to Alfred. Five minutes later, he came back and Alfred smiled and waved to her. She waved back at him and smiled.
"You ready?" he asked and she nodded then, he took her hand.
Nikka was quiet the whole time she was in the car. She could see Marcus' glancing her from time to time while driving. She did not want to worry him but her insecurities were starting to eat her up.
"Nikka," Marcus said as soon as she opened the door of her apartment. "Are you okay? You haven't said anything since we left. Did I do something wrong?"
"No. I'm just tired. You should go home, Marcus," she replied and walked inside the apartment.
"I'm not leaving till we talk, Nikka,"and he locked the door behind him. "I'm staying here tonight."
She sighed and turned to face him when he quickly pulled her to him, kissing her passionately that left her breathless. She held onto his neck as she felt her knees weakening and he held her tightly. As he let go of her lips, her mind was in a daze.
"W-what was that about?" she managed to say. He had kissed her before but that one made her completely lose herself.
He chuckled and whispered, "Just my way of telling you that I love you."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"I love you, too, but this doesn't mean you're forgiven."
He smiled and teased, "What? I didn't do anything wrong."
"Yeah, right," and she rolled her eyes.
"You're jealous, I could tell," and he chuckled.
"Well, I bet Olivia's good-" and he captured her lips again, distracting her from what she's about to say and she kissed him back forgetting all about it.
"I wanted you to know, you're the only one I desire, my beautiful girl," he said huskily as he let go of her lips, "And the only one I would marry and spend the rest of my life with."
She smiled as her insecurities slowly fade away. She gazed at his eyes and hugged him. Marcus might have a million women by his side before, more experienced women, but she knew, though young and inexperienced, she was the only one for him and that made her heart leaped with joy.
But she needed to tell him what happened to her so she could heal completely, and give herself fully to him especially on their wedding night. She needed to face her fears and moved on...
But how?
She was so afraid the first time she and Philip saw each other in court. She could not even look at him and her hand shook the whole time she was testifying against him. The memory of that day was so fresh that she just wanted to run out of the courtroom and hide as his eyes pierced at her. She felt like he was doing it all over again to her at that moment. She could not believe she had loved a man like Philip for almost two years and just did what he did to her. It had costed her brother's life.
She never forgave him.. and the pain never stopped..
"Come back to me, Nikka," Marcus whispered, caressing her cheek with his finger, as she stared in the ceiling. They were both lying in her bed on their pajamas. "You seem far away... what is going on in that beautiful mind of yours?"
She turned to her side to face him and she held his face. Marcus had been very patient with her and made sure she was comfortable and safe. It would be unfair for him if she won't allow him to make love to her even after they get married. Though she knew he loved her so much, she couldn't bear to see him suffer like that...not to be able to express his love for her. He is a man and he has needs, too, and she needed to allow herself to heal so she could perform those duties to him as his wife.
Tears started to form in her eyes and Marcus held her closer to him. He didn't know what was going on with her and he was beginning to worry.
"Hey, what's wrong? Talk to me, Nikka," he told her softly.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Y-You're a man, Marcus, and I know you have needs... and I just felt like...I won't be able to...satisfy you in bed."
"Is that what's been bothering you?"
She nodded and her tears continued to fall as she added, "What if you-you look for someone else when time comes? You get tired of me.. you found someone more-"
"Shh," and he put a finger on her lips. "Stop, Nikka. I told you, there will be no one else. I love you and that will never change because you think you cannot satisfy me. There are many ways to express love not just sex. I don't need you to feel forced in doing it with me just because I have those needs."
"Really?"
"Yes," he said and kissed her forehead. "Now, go rest, okay."
"Okay," she said and hugged him, pressing her head on his chest. She relaxed in the steady heartbeat of his heart, telling her she will be safe.