Chapter 38
"What?!!!!" exclaimed Mark as he sat upright in bed. He couldn't believe Marlie's intentions. Spark was not part of their original plans.
"That jerk said the mistress is superior to my sister. Isn't she just a home wrecker? Well, I'll make him regret saying that about my sister!" Marlie stated furiously. She still couldn't calm herself down when she remembered Chad's annoying smirk.
"Marlie, is there something you're hiding? About you and Chad?" Mark inquired, seeking confirmation of his thoughts. Was Marlie feeling jealous? If not, what was the purpose of involving Spark in this whole game? But as always, Marlie tried to avoid the question.
"What on earth are you talking about?! How can you even ask such a question?" Marlie fired back defensively.
"Are you sure it's not jealousy on your part?" Mark let the accusation slip. After all, they planned to seek revenge, so why was there so much anger?
Marlie cursed at Mark, who was unfazed, having grown accustomed to her curses. "Fuck you!!!"
He could even imagine the expression and demeanor Marlie had while cursing him. However, his suspicion about Marlie's true feelings persisted. Nevertheless, he knew better than to argue with her.
"So, what's your plan for Spark?"
"It will just involve a few conversations, but I can't guarantee anything on the second date!" Marlie revealed with an evil grin.
"There will be a second date? What outrageous ideas are you entertaining, Marlie? Do you really want to expose yourself that much?" Mark questioned, finding Marlie's intentions to be reckless.
"I know Chad will want to keep a close eye on me, and he will end up hiring me at the company. I have to get into the company no matter what!" Marlie justified her risky plan.
"And how can you be so sure of that?" Mark marveled. Was Marlie completely out of her mind? He had witnessed how protective Spark was of Charlie (Marlie). What if this plan backfired? What if Chad didn't fall for Marlie's little trick?
Before Marlie could respond, Chad walked through the door. Startled, she hastily pretended to be asleep.
He had just returned from work. Chad approached the bedside and affectionately covered her with a blanket. He gazed at her with a smile, then went to change his clothes and headed to the sofa to sleep.
Unable to reply, Marlie lay there cursing at the fact that she couldn't signal to Mark that Chad was nearby. Annoying!
But fortunately, Mark realized the situation and decided to offer his advice. "Marlie, your plans are starting to frighten me. Let's take things slowly, please. I think you are letting your emotions get in the way of everything. You are taking everything personally. However, don't forget that you are Charlie and not Marlie." Mark advised her sincerely.
What could Marlie say? She simply lay there until sleep overtook her until daybreak.
She couldn't even stop cussing Chad in her dreams. The man just annoys her even in her dreams. What the heck!
********
The following morning, Mark came to the house to check on Marlie. He desperately wanted to talk her out of her crazy idea which might backfire at her.
The servant allowed him into the hall, and Chad descended the stairs to meet him.
"Good morning Mr Baristana. How was your night?" Mark greeted Chad with his signature smile.
Chad smiled back and responded politely. He was starting to like Mark even more.He always appeared whenever his help is needed and has also proven to be trust worthy. Just that, the little demon inside him always reminds him that Mark was his rival in love.
Audrey was coming to the living room when she saw the back of her brother and a strange man, Mark.
She couldn't help but question the servant, "Who is that?" She couldn't discern the man's face as he was already ascending the stairs when she spotted him.
"And what is he doing here?" Audrey continues questioning the reason behind Chad leading the person to his bedroom.
"Ma'am, he is the doctor attending to Ma'am Charlie." the servant responded respectfully.
As much as she could care less, Audrey pondered why a new doctor was tending to Marlie instead of their family doctor, questioning again, she asked...
"Is she dying or something?"
The servant was taken aback by her inquiry, startled at such a question early in the morning. "Ma'am, would you like me to get you anything?" he offered, not wanting to answer such an unauspicious question.
Audrey sat in the hall, still staring puzzled at Chad's departing silhouette, and requested a cup of coffee.
In the room, Marlie remained fast asleep as Chad and Mark approached. Resting in the bed, Marlie experienced a dream, or rather, a fleeting glimpse of her prom night.
She saw fragments of the event unfold before her eyes, with one detail remaining obscure - the man with whom she exchanged words. Despite her efforts, she could neither discern his face nor recognize his voice.
In reality, the two men stood there dumbfounded. How was she still sleeping at 10 am? Chad, particularly shocked by her behavior, questioned himself. Before leaving, he had instructed her to get ready for the doctor. And now, over 30 minutes had passed since he woke her, yet she remained in bed. Furthermore, her disheveled hair resembled that of a wild animal. Unbelievable!
Mark's face showed complete astonishment, causing Chad to feel mildly embarrassed. "Charlie!" Chad shouted but received no response.
Marlie simply emitted a vague "hmmm," torn between wanting to see the face of the man from her dream and distinguishing between reality and fantasy.
After all, who wouldn't wish to gaze upon the face of the man who had forcefully kissed her in her dream? Not only that, but Marlie felt the sweetness of that kiss and when the man broke the kiss, Marlie wanted more. What a hell!
Chad's shocked expression transformed into a glare. Hastily, he approached Marlie and shook her, but she merely turned over, continuing her slumber. His annoyance grew. "What the...!" Chad muttered. But he refrained from using the f-word in front of Mark.
Yet, a mischievous idea crept into his mind. Chad had always suspected that Mark's presence around Charlie (Marlie) was due to his affection for her.
Looking at Marlie, Chad silently reasoned, "Let's see if this guy will still be interested in you after witnessing your untidy state." Without hesitation, he grabbed a glass of water from the bed stand.
Mark quickly comprehended what was about to happen and was shocked. What the hell was he witnessing early in the morning?
But wait, wasn't the man standing before him the inflexible and unpleasant individual Marlie frequently spoke about? Yet, the person standing in front of Mark appeared to be quite lighthearted. Was Marlie blind by her hatred for this man?
With the intention of avoiding any spillage on himself, Chad rose from the bed. Mark couldn't fathom the events unfolding before his eyes. He stared at Chad, completely stunned by his mischievous behavior. He was behaving like a teenager who wanted to prank someone.
But then in his mind, he shook his head, realizing that Chad should refrain from pouring the water on Marlie as she would be furious. He wanted to stop the big yet small man.
However, Chad's countenance remained resolute. It seemed as though he wouldn't yield, even if an entire army were to prostrate themselves before him.
Unexpectedly, the mischievous smile appeared on Chad's lips again. He elevated the glass, poised to pour the water on Marlie while endearingly calling her name, "Charlie."
Once again, Marlie mumbled and turned, facing Chad with her face, but stubbornly refusing to awaken from her slumber.
In her dreams, she slowly opened her eyes, expecting to see the man who had passionately kissed her. Though it started rough, they both enjoyed being in each other's arms.
Who in this world wouldn't want such a dream to come true? Marlie wanted it to be real so she had to see the face of the man she was yearning for. But can she, when someone is readily prepared to wake her from such a sweet dream?
Mark felt a sense of remorse, dreading the reality that awaited Marlie. Nevertheless, the scene unfolding before him, with Chad and Marlie, was truly captivating.
With utmost gentleness, Chad lowered the glass and proceeded to pour the water on Marlie. In a sudden motion, Marlie jolted awake. With her disheveled hair and drenched countenance, one could undoubtedly mistake her for a stray cat.
She began hurling cusses at Chad, oblivious to Mark's presence, despite his attempts to signal her to compose herself. Alas, she couldn't control her fury, especially with Chad maintaining that wicked smirk on his face.
Amidst the chaos, Mark couldn't help but believe that Chad was not an evil person and genuinely cared for the woman before him. Mark believed Chad actually cared about Charlie.
However, what could Mark do? Is not like Marlie will let him communicate his thoughts on this side of Chad he is witnessing.
He stood there, observing them, silently praying that Marlie's irrational behavior wouldn't spoil their plan while she continued to rant and curse.
Among the multitude of harsh words she uttered, Chad stood his ground, smirking all the while, until she finally exclaimed, "FUCK YOU, CHAD!"
Those words struck a nerve in Chad's mind. The attitude and tone she used were undeniably reminiscent of the Marlie he remembered.
Chad stared at Marlie in silence, his expression a mixture of shock and realization. His stern face indicated he couldn't possibly be mistaken.
Marlie remained immersed in her fit of rage until Chad inquired, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?" The look on Chad's face revealed a combination of astonishment and recognition of the real woman standing before him.
Marlie suddenly comprehended the magnitude of her mistake. How could she have been so foolish? How would she explain herself?