Chapter 23 - I Am Sorry

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Cross sat beside a sad Meredith, thinking of ways to make her happy. If only he had accepted for her to leave to his office with him. This was all his fault. Maybe it was time to let her have some freedom. He couldn't bear seeing her so torn apart. 

"I am sorry" he whispered, staring into her eyes. 

"Are you really sending him out because of me?"

"Yes, I told you I would protect you and I meant every single word. I have failed already" 

He looked genuinely sad and Meredith could see he probably did have feelings for her. It made her feel a little bit better. But was it for real or was there some ugly reason behind his desire for her? 

"Don't beat yourself up! I've been through a lot and I don't know… I will be fine" 

"You can sleep in here with me if you don't want to go back to your room. I promise you will be safe with me. I am nothing like my cousin and I am ashamed to be related by blood with him."

"Meredith hesitated and asked, "Where would you sleep then?"

"Right beside you," he replied with sincerity.

Meredith bit her lip, feeling a sense of awkwardness as she looked away from him. 

"I know how it seems. But you said you couldn't sleep all by yourself. You will be safe right here with me, I promise. You have to trust me!"

Meredith nodded, left with no strength to argue with him. Her mind was still troubled by what would have happened to her if Cross hadn't come at the right time.

"Thank you"

"For what?"

"I don't know. I guess for taking me out of that dark place."

"It's no place for an innocent girl like you. I would do it again if I am ever in that situation!"

It sounded like love to her but she dared not dream of a life here. What would happen to her former life? 

She watched him take his clothes off, mesmerised by the sight of his body. He turned to her and she immediately tore her gaze from him. She shouldn't be thinking about this not after what happened to her that very morning. 

"I feel guilty for what my cousin did to you. You will no longer be locked up in here and you can come with me to my company. You are a young girl and shouldn't be locked up all day. Is that okay?"

"Yes, and thank you"

After that, they didn't say much to each other while he changed into a more homely outfit. Meredith stayed glued to his bed, trying not to replay the events of that day. 

The night came gradually and the maid was called in to bring their food which they ate in bed. It was all too sweet! All too good and Meredith was slowly warming up to the idea of being in Cross's life as his woman. 

After they ate, they chatted a little about the book she had been reading earlier. It was like they've known each other forever. They argued, teased each other a bit and bonded over the discussion and for the first time she saw Cross laugh. Could this become her new life? She wondered. 

Cross drew closer to her as she remained stuck in her thoughts and he wrapped her around his warm arms. At first she was afraid and unsure but she felt so safe that she slowly fell asleep in his arms. 

Cross watched her pretty sleepy form and couldn't understand what he was doing. Was he falling in love? How and when did it happen.

—————

Marc may have been thrown out of Cross's home but that didn't mean he would stop plotting against Meredith. He stood in the elevator that led to Cross's father's office and while in it he kept thinking of the right words to use in speaking with the man. Everyone knew Cross's father, Mr. Machi had a knack for intimidating people. He needed to be well-prepared. However, before he could complete his thoughts, the elevator's doors beeped open, leaving him with no choice but to stride toward Mr. Machi's exclusive office. The view was breathtaking, with glass windows, luxurious flooring, and an unmistakable air of opulence in the surroundings.

If only he were Mr. Machi's son, if only it were him instead of Cross. He silenced his thoughts when Cross's father's secretary announced that he could enter. The secretary appeared rather high-end, but Marc was here on serious business and had no time for distractions.

"So, Cross has one of the girls from my establishment in his home, and you're just informing me now?" he questioned, his tone icy, while regarding Marc with disdain. He calmly smoked his expensive tobacco cigar, swiveling in his opulent chair.

"I believed I could handle it on my own, but he's become infatuated..."

"Handle it yourself? You! You're just like your father – utterly useless! A coward who fumbles even with the simplest of matters. That's precisely why I'm here, and he's not! You should have involved me long ago! And now you say he's fallen for her!" 

Suddenly, Marc felt perspiration forming on his brow. Fulfilling his uncle's wishes was his life's ultimate ambition, as driven by his desire to follow in his uncle's footsteps rather than taking after his lackluster father.

"Yes, but I tried, sir, I genuinely did," he stammered.

"How did he find her? Who led him there?" Cross's father inquired.

"I honestly have no idea. It seems he stumbled upon it himself," Marc lied.

"I sense deception! Marc, you understand the importance of keeping that part of my life a secret from everyone, especially my son. He already despises me! I'm not concerned about him discovering my dirty dealings, but the timing isn't right. This situation is a mess, but I'm skilled at cleaning up messes. Perhaps it's time for me to pay him a visit. That unholy relationship won't last!"

Marc couldn't hide his excitement, knowing full well what Cross's father was capable of. Meredith would soon regret ever becoming entangled with the Machi family, particularly the son of a billionaire.

"I am going to pay him a visit tomorrow morning and I will be taking her out of there myself"

Even though Marc doubted the possibility of that he did not utter a word about it. He had other issues to address with his uncle. 

"I need a favor sir. Cross asked me to leave and I do have an apartment but I would prefer something more to my taste!" 

"What taste is that? Does a beggar have a taste? You are going to your apartment! I will only help you out when I have dealt with this decision! You have succeeded in ruinng my day. That slut must be hauled out of my son's home. This is not a joke! You should have come to me earlier!"

The story continues.