WRITER'S POV
As Marcus got settled in the airplane's first class, something he could only have daydreamed about, he was unable to feel as excited as he should have been. His mind suddenly took him back in time to the crying face of the woman he loves above everything else in life. He couldn't help but acknowledge how beautiful she had looked in the wedding gown, and jealousy suddenly spewed from his heart when the realization, of the fact that she was liking that beautiful for another man, hit him.
A part of him couldn't help but hope Sophia notices this behavior of his as strange and convinces herself that he had lied about not loving her. That she is able to see through this really thin facade and know that he has not given up, and neither should she.
As he pondered about this thoughts, a voice in his heart urged him to undo this decision of his; to go back and at least tell her the truth about everything but not sooner had that convincing voice popped up that it disappeared.
Refusing to turn back, and fighting hard against the tears that threatened to break loose, Marcus reassured himself that Sophia was someone that he could trust. It was just 365 days and after which, they'd both be together, happily and in love.
Although he had just driven a nail through both of their hearts by uttering those words to her, but he convinced himself that she would figure things out and know that it had to be done.
Nothing for now was making any sense but one thing was clear, and that he was going to come back for her. He was going to make the best out of this complicated situation and better his financial life to take back his girl. While some will see this as biting the hand of who fed you, Marcus was determined to not let such silly morals weigh on his heart.
The plane had already started its journey to China and Marcus continually muttered to himself as a way of reassuring his own doubtful soul, "I'm not giving up on Soph. I'll be back for her. It's just 365 days. Sophia is going to keep her end of the deal, and I will too."
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Wondering what caused the sudden change in Marcus?
Well, his present actions were nothing but a mere reflection of the agreements he had made for his bail while he was at the station.
Marcus, himself, still hasn't been able to get over how that night had gone and he still ponders on whether or not he had made the right decisions, even with Robert constantly reassuring him that it was the absolute best decision.
Mr Scott Morrison, one of the attorneys representing the Smith's chain of companies had given him (Marcus) some conditions, when he had excused Sophia out of the room, to fulfill for him to walk out of the station with a clean slate. One of which was leaving Sophia and leaving the country immediately.
"And go where? I don't have anywhere else I can go. Every single member of my family is either in New York or cities that are just a day drive from here." Marcus had protested thinking of how ridiculous the whole idea sounded, trying to laugh it off as a weird joke that only happens in movies.
"The Smith family is offering to take good care of you. You'd be given a very good job in the company and most of your expenses would be well taken care of." The Lawyer replied with a smile on his face that suggested he was used to settling issues like this for the family in this kind of way, "it's the best kind of deal you're ever going to have in your entire life."
"I don't understand," Marcus said with a confused look on his face as he tried to make sense of the words he was hearing, exchanging glances with Robert, who seemed really invested in whatever was coming out from the lawyer's lip. They held eye contacts for a few second and an unheard message was passed from Robert to Marcus, asking him to just listen.
"My client wishes to send you to China to oversee his companies over there as the managing director." He announced with a grin, that only seemed to be growing wider, across his face, reaching for an envelope which he placed on the table. This, he knew, was going to be what breaks the camel's back and he couldn't wait to get back to the hotel where his mistress was waiting to give him a fun filled night.
Upon hearing the offer for a job, Marcus couldn't hold back the excitement that suddenly flickered through his eyes as he stared unbelievably at Robert, who had a clear smile on his face. He was being offered a job that would potentially change the entire course of his destiny but as he was about to be excited, he suddenly remembered that this was only a term for him to fulfill his bail.
And the price for such a ridiculously good offer was giving up his love for Sophia. As amazingly tempting as it sounded, the quiet voice in his head wouldn't stop whispering about there being a sort of foul play in it.
"Mr Smith could easily ask me to leave the country for his son. Why would he offer me a job too?" Marcus asked looking at the lawyer with suspicion in his eyes. He was not one to easily trust anyone especially not now when the woman he trusted with all of his heart was suddenly turning against him.
"You must have heard of my client. He is a man of his word and a businessman. After his family, the next thing that comes to his mind is his business. You will be shocked at the decision he has made for this business. He had had your records carefully scrutinized and came to a reasonable conclusion that someone with your capacity is what is needed in China, hence he is making very good use of this opportunity. If you look at it from this angle, you'd see that it is a win-win situation for everyone." He explained calmly and coherently, without a stutter in his voice.
"My capacity?" Marcus asked, more surprised about how much power and wealth can get you, than what he (Mr Scott) was actually saying.
Without saying a word more, Mr Scott pulled out a file from his bag and placed it before both of them and Marcus could see his name boldly written on it.
"We know everything about you Mr. Marcus. We know you graduated top of your class in business management and we have a good review of you from your former employers." Mr. Scott said tapping the file on the table.
Marcus was speechless as he saw that a proper study had been carried out on him. This was an opportunity for him to get the dream job he needed desperately but the price he would have to pay for it was what scared him.
"Let me be clear here, all I have to do to get this job is agree to leave this country?" He asked to be sure he hadn't misinterpreted anything.
"Not just leave this country, you would change your lines and never try to contact Sophia for at least a year. The day we discover you made contact with her, that day your job will be terminated. You are not even permitted to tell her of this arrangement. You are to leave this country without breathing a word to her." He replied with a smile that only his lips held, this time, an indication he meant everything he just said. Marcus knew that leaving in this manner would shatter her, and he just might come back to meet her no longer waiting for him.
Marcus was left confused about what he should do. He had promised to wait for Sophia now he might just have to break that promise.
"What other options do I have?" It was a foolish question to ask but he did, nonetheless.
"Just one." Mr Scott replied with a broad smile that suddenly made Marcus' face light up with a smile of his own.
"What is it?" He asked impatiently with excitement lacing his tone.
"You just have to pay the bail money yourself or win in court." He replied still maintaining the smile that Marcus now found annoying this time.
"What are you trying to do?" Robert asked, speaking for the first time since this negotiation started, directing his question to Marcus. All this while he has been watching his best friend and the lawyer speak, as he quietly studied the terms of the contract placed before them.
"I am trying to save my relationship can't you tell?" Marcus asked, more surprised that Robert would ask that question.
"Save what relationship? You are talking about someone who is going to leave you for a year, living in wealth and you are still considering suffering for her while she enjoys herself? C'mon man don't be silly." Robert scolded, not wanting to believe the foolishness spewing from his best friend's lips.
"You don't understand, I love this girl. I still very much do."
"Your love can come later. For now, you need to make money. If you had money you could easily have been able to pay your bail money or even help her in paying her father's debt. But you don't hence we are in this present mess. Use your fu*king brains my man." Robert yelled at him.
Marcus, reluctantly admitting the fact that Robert was right. He had no money to bail himself, no money to pay the debt of Sophia's father, no money to elope with her, no money to save himself. The odds were against him and the only solution he could think of was succumbing to pressure at this point. He had to save himself from the tight clutches of jail and as he curses himself for being poor, he reluctantly signed the papers placed in front of him.