Anna"We're back to this?" Mark groaned, raising his hand to order another glass of cocktail."Yes...I'm curious to know." I slurred. I know I said I would not get drunk, but somewhere along our conversations, I no longer felt the need to be guarded and one glass of wine had turned to two and then three.His eyes lingered on me for a moment as he picked up his cocktail, taking a sip. He seemed reluctant to tell me his reasons which only made me more curious."Alright, alright. Have you ever been with someone you don't have to try so hard to have a good time with?"I shook my head in response and he sighed again, "Well, ever since Luara, I'd never truly want to date anyone. But I was tired of the pressure from people who thought I should move on already. Mia is great, but she doesn't have what I need, and neither does Josie.""What's that?" I asked, my voice lingering with curiosity"Someone that sees me."I quirked my brows quizzically, confused by his statement."What do you mean by
Anna"I know some people who can trace this organization. They can find anything and anyone. There's an encrypted code registered on the back of that card. My assistant Eric has been trying to decrypt it. I'm sure that code will lead us to their organization, an address, another member, or anything that can give us information on what you're looking for.""We're going to find them Anna, for now just try not to put yourself in any more danger. Going after Brent will be dangerous." Mark spoke convincingly.I knew he was right. As much as I wanted to find my real family, I didn't want to risk putting my children in danger. However, at that moment, I'd lost all interest in this party.Staring at me, he could see my disinterest and asked, "Shall we head out? We can continue our evening back at the house, there's somewhere I think you'd like to see."I nodded my head slowly. We stood but didn't get far before a voice called out to me. It was a woman, and when I turned to look at her, I noti
Anna"Nothing Mark," I replied still marching away.A chuckle left his throat as he nodded,"Oh, so you're just suddenly in such a hurry to go home for no reason?"I turned around, glaring at him for some moments, then continued walking away with no response, heading towards the front door.If he wanted to chase some other girls, then so be it. I would leave him to do exactly what he wanted and pretend I didn't care. Even though, deep inside, I was more confused than I had ever been.Why did all of these things suddenly matter to me?Stepping outside, with the gentle breeze of the night sky sweeping across my face, I felt alive once again as the dizziness reduced slightly. The airy breeze was a welcoming clearance my mind needed, considering everything that had happened that evening.Letting out a heavy sigh, I brought my attention back to Mark who had the driver bring the car around. He strode towards me with a look on his face that almost read concern, but I didn't bother to ask."A
AnnaAs I lowered the dress strap over my shoulder, the only thing I wanted to do was to enter the bathroom, let the hot water run across my skin, and try to take my mind off of everything that had happened that evening. Most especially Mark.I tried to push away the thoughts he created, but that wasn't any easy either. If he wasn't before, tonight made it clear now that he wanted me as bad as I wanted him. I couldn’t shake the thought of his rugged, well-cut toned body pressing up against me, sending sensations to my core that I couldn't handle. This was becoming so difficult. Why could I not just have sex with him and get it over with? Why did I have to torture myself over something my body clearly yearned for just because I wanted his affection?There was no stopping the images when they started. The thought of his plump lips against mine as they moved from my lips down every inch of my body dominated my thoughts and the pleasure that grew in the pit of my stomach was like a raging
AnnaAs if he could read my precise thoughts, Mark turned swiftly towards me, capturing my lips with his, taking my breath away.The kiss was not as slow and passionate as I expected it to be. It was heated and hungry as if he had a deep-seated desire he could no longer control, and kissing me was the only way to satisfy it.His hand fisted my hair as he pushed me back against the wall, biting my lips softly and moving onto my neck.I gasped and moaned softly, feeling his fingers slide down my thighs and then between them into my panties to my soaking wet core.Slowly, he ran his fingers across, teasing me and trailing his tongue behind my ear, his hot breath increasing my pleasure, before diving deep inside me and at that moment I immediately returned to my senses."No. No, I can't do this." I gasped as he pulled away, looking at me with nothing but amusement."I'm sorry, I can't do this Mark," I repeated, suddenly feeling conscious of myself.He had a confused look like he needed an
MarkSince that night at the party, all I did was fill myself with work. Over and over again, I made sure I was busy. So busy that I wouldn't even have time to think, let alone sleep. Although I was tired, I needed this. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face and could remember her soft moans and whimpers that night.I wanted her, yet I knew that it wasn't going to be possible just yet, not while I was still with Mia. Besides, this was a game we were playing and I wasn't going to be the one to bow out."I've seen that look before, tell me which girl is it?" Eric, my assistant asked with a teasing smirk, walking into my office."Nothing, I was just thinking about something," I replied as I looked back down at the clipboard in my hand."Yeah, I know. A woman, so who is it?" He asked again, taking the seat in front of me.I shot him a warm smile and asked, "Have you found anything on the circle?"Eric brought out his laptop, and setting it on my table, he glanced at me as he opened
Mark"If you need to talk to Anna, then go talk to Anna. Why are you wasting time here with me?" I blurted angrily.Hearing her say we needed to talk about Anna struck a nerve with me. After that night, I was trying to get my mind off her for a while, and here Chloe was, forcing me to revisit those intense urges.However, I knew that she wouldn't go anywhere either till she got what she wanted. Letting out a heavy sigh, I looked at Eric and nodded for him to go.Eric's eyes lingered between Chloe and me for a while, checking for facial cues. He had been with me for a long time and always thought of some work emergency whenever he noticed I was being held up in a conversation I didn't want to have or ask questions I didn't want to answer.Upon seeing that I was intent on having this conversation with Chloe, he nodded and turned walking off.As soon as he left the room, I shifted my stern gaze at Chloe, "What do you want? I don't have time to do this today,""Don't be such a baby, Mark.
AnnaSince that night, I'd been avoiding Mark more than the plague. He had promised me that wasn't the end of things between us and in the heat of the moment, I'd stupidly egged him on.Most girls might have given in in my situation. Being grabbed in the darkness by your sex on a stick boss, ready to be used for his pleasure was all it'd take for a girl to give in.But something pulled me back, something stopped me right then. I'd been here before and it didn't end well and this time was even more messy. Not only was he my boss, but his girlfriend was definitely out to get me.Moreover, despite all the bad things I wanted to do to him, I couldn't let him know that. I couldn't allow myself to be the fish that took the bait. I had a feeling once we went down that road, we wouldn't be able to stop and that would just complicate things for me.Walking down the hallway, I stopped at his door, wondering if he was inside. He hasn't been around the mansion much lately and I couldn't help but
The day of reckoning had arrived. In a few minutes now, Anna and her troop will be taking Edgar and his men by surprise. The stage had been set with everyone working together to end Edgar’s tyranny.Under the cover of the night, Anna, Mark, Jack, and their allies positioned themselves near Edgar’s main hideout. Zach had fed them crucial information about the hideout's layout and where Edgar and George would likely be during the operation. Armed and ready, they moved swiftly, slipping through shadows and avoiding detection.As they closed in, Anna felt a mix of fear and exhilaration. She knew this confrontation would determine everything—her role in The Circle, her fate, and Mark’s future with his family. She glanced at him, catching his gaze, and a silent understanding passed between them. Finally, they reached the inner sanctum, silently taking down Edgar’s security guards, until they reached where Edgar and George were having a conversation. The two men looked surprised but quickly
As Mark prepared to find his brother, Zach, he couldn’t help but feel a mixture of fear and hope. Although he had agreed to work with Anna, he wasn’t convinced she understood just how deep the roots of The Circle ran or how much any of this had affected him. However, seeing how resolved she was to take down Edgar had swayed him, and he knew that, for his brother’s sake, he had to give her plan a chance.Meanwhile, after Anna walked out of the room, she now decided to contact Jack. As soon as he picked up, she explained her suspicions about The Circle and how their influence might reach farther than even she had initially thought, informing him that she needed him now more than ever. A few hours passed and Mark arrived at a small, dimly lit bar where Zach was known to spend his evenings. Immediately he walked in, he spotted Zach sitting at the far end of the bar, looking troubled. Mark approached him slowly, and as soon as he sat down, he placed a firm hand on his brother's shoulder.
Author’s POV“So you’re telling me that you are not just a part of an evil organization that has been around for years, but you are also the head?” Mark asked, staring at Anna in disbelief. “I know this is difficult to process, but it is the truth. But we are not all like Edgar.” Anna said.“Right…” Mark scoffed.“No, I mean it. We don’t all want the same thing. The Circle has been in operation for years, working to maintain the balance and smooth operation of the surface world. Edgar and his associates are the only ones with the ideals that things need to change, and that for some reason they are the ones to affect that change. That’s why we are fighting them. We are trying to retain order and balance in this world.”“And how do you do that, huh?”“Tell me, Anna, does it involve letting the people up here decide for their lives or does your organization plan out the course of their lives?” Mark asked with a pruning look.“I don’t know about that, I’ve not been a member for long.” A
Author’s POV“What?” Mark recoiled in shock.“Who could have done that?” Anna hesitated for some moments, afraid of how he would take the news. “Tell me, Anna.” He demanded.“Zach!” Anna blurted. “Your brother Zach did.”Mark staggered for some time, trying to process what I had just said. “Are you serious?” He asked, still in disbelief.“I am,” Anna said softly. Mark remained frozen in place for some time, deep in contemplation. I could imagine how difficult this was for him to hear. Zach was a lot and had caused a lot of problems, but at the end of the day, he was still his brother. “I can’t believe this,” Mark muttered and immediately started searching through his drawers.“What are you doing?” Anna asked, to no reply.“What are you doing Mark?” She asked again. “What does it look like I’m doing?” Mark snapped irritably.“I’m going down to have a conversation with my brother and give him the chance to explain how he almost got me killed.” He raged and grabbed his car key.Ann
Author’s POVThose words filled Anna with a sudden dread. She hoped that somehow Mark would not ask her that because she still wasn’t sure who the father of her children truly was. There was that stranger from that night, and then there was Luke. For all she knows, it could have been either of them.Seeing how hesitant she was, Mark asked again,“Is the father still in the picture Anna? What happened with him?” At that point, Anna quickly turned around, “He’s not in the picture and that’s all that I can say. I don’t really like to talk about him.” She said, her heart beating out of her chest.Much to her surprise, Mark did not ask anything concerning him again. He waited for some time and then his lips curved into a smile,“I’d like to meet them.” As soon as she heard these words, Anna’s eyes widened in shock.“I’m sorry. You want to meet…”“Your children,” Mark interjected. “Is that okay with you?” He added.Anna remained frozen for some moments, her thoughts running wild. This w
Author’s POVUpon hearing that, Mark’s face reddened with humiliation. He didn’t think she would figure it out, but she was right, he was afraid. After Lydia died in that car accident, Mark had spent his entire life afraid of being abandoned, and that fear resurfaced when he learned of Anna’s children.“No Anna, the issue here is that you could not trust me. I’ve already been down that road once with Mia, and I don’t want to be in another relationship where my girlfriend is keeping secrets from me.” He argued.As much as he had a point, Anna was still not convinced. She knew Mark was trying to change the course of their conversation and she would not let him.She shot him a soft gaze and slowly walked toward him, “I know it’s not easy to admit Mark, and I know that I shouldn’t have kept this away from you for so long, but I am afraid too.” Anna said and Mark’s eyes shot up with curiosity.Anna heaved a deep sigh and continued, “When I first came into town, I didn’t know what I was goi
Anna“Who’s there?” Mark’s voice sounded through the door.I hesitated to answer. One word from me and he’d be calling the guards to throw me out, or at least that’s what I thought, so I knocked again and waited a while for his answer. This time he did not bother to say anything, and after waiting for a while, I knocked again.“I already told you, Rita, I don’t need anything!” His voice echoed in annoyance as he approached the door, and unlocked it.As soon as his gaze met mine, he froze in shock for some moment, unable to find the words to say anything.“Anna?”“Wh-what are you doing here?” Mark asked, and immediately his brows creased into a deep frown.“Mark, I just want to talk…” I started to say, but he rudely cut me off.“I don’t have anything to say to you.” He replied coldly and tried to close the door, but I quickly put my feet through the doorframe, stopping him.He shot one look at me and sighed heavily, turned his back, and walked inside the room, leaving me at the door.
Anna“You want my advice? Go for it.” I said, encouraging Jack. Deep down I knew it was a selfish act. As much as I hoped that he’d find love somewhere else, a part of me wanted to believe what it told him about Anna, that deep down she did not still harbor any feelings toward Mark. I’d hate to be in competition with my sister over a man we both wanted. Jack seemed flustered when I said that. I could tell he hoped that no one would spot his feelings toward Chloe, especially not the girl he was just trying to get over.Still, he managed to keep his composure and quickly tried to change the focus,“You should try taking your own advice with Mark. I know I’ve not always made your relationship with him easy, and I apologize for the part I played in that. But whatever this thing is between you and Mark, it’ll be a shame if you both fall out.” He said.“Jack, what happened between Mark and I is not because of you. He just couldn’t stand the honesty he wanted.” I said, pushing the bangs on
“Mark and I used to date.” The words echoed in my head like I was reliving a nightmare. I froze in shock, not sure what to say or how to even react. Deep down, I couldn’t help but dismiss the thought that this was the relationship Chloe and Mark shared, but I always tried to convince myself it wasn’t anything like that. Mark never talked a lot about her even after we met at that party, and I just assumed there was nothing much to say about an old friend.Now I see I was just trying to keep my thoughts away from a fear I didn’t want to have to face.However, I couldn’t understand why Chloe chose to tell me at this point and why Mark never said anything. Was he hiding something about their relationship? I didn’t know Chloe was my sister then, and I’m sure he didn't know either. Certainly, I wouldn’t have minded much about a girl he dated in the past, and at this point, I was convinced he was hiding something.As much as it should have felt good that I now had something to call him out