“Why don’t you give yourself freedom? I know I can’t give your sister’s life back. But I know for sure, she will be happy if she will see you with someone you like, without holding back. I’m sure your sister will understand that you need to be happy too.” Marcus said.Mariko snorted. “It’s easy for you to say. Because you’re not in my position.”“Believe me, Mariko. I know how you feel. I’ve lost someone in my life too. And you know that. She’s the very first person I admired the most… My mom. You are lucky that you find the person who hit your mother. Even if that person is me. But in my mother’s case, until now… we haven’t known who or what group are they who killed my mom.”“Have you forgiven them?” Mariko asked bluntly.Marcus shook his head. “Not yet. Because it still hurts here.” Marcus pointed at his left chest where his heart was. “But I am trying to forgive them to give myself freedom. Freedom from the pain and be happy again.” Mariko raised a brow.“I read one of my mom’s di
The immense concrete wall she made to protect her heart from anyone who wanted her was now broken. The coldhearted and distant Mariko became soft now that Marcus had broken the barrier she had made. After fifteen years of being remote from the people, she never thought someone would come and gradually heal the wounds from her first heartbreak. After her parents died, Mariko barely smiled and only focused on her training. She buried her loneliness and heartbreak and filled them with anger.Now, suddenly Marcus came into her life, ruining all her plans. Her plan to avenge her sister’s death was now gone. All her inhibitions flew away after the ‘butterfly in the stomach feeling’ when Marcus held her hand and intertwined it with his.‘I hope this will not ruin me. I hope my sister will forgive me.’ Mariko was in deep thought when Sophie approached her.“Auntie, I want to pee,” she said.“Oh, alright. Let’s go to the restroom.” She looked around to find Marcus to tell him they would just b
“Please, tell me, Mariko. Who are her parents.” Christian’s teeth gritted, and he clenched as he asked Mariko sternly. But Mariko remained silent as she was thinking. Mariko asked Marcus to bring Sophie to their car as she needed to talk to Christian without the kid. Or else Sophie will not keep her blabbering mouth to speak. “Tell me!” His voice raised when he did not hear her talk. The other guests in the restaurant and the crew turn their heads at them as Christian’s voice roar inside the restaurant. He also slammed the table with his two bare hands. Mariko’s jaw clenched. “Who do you think are you to raise your voice at me?” Mariko’s icy tone, with his teeth, gritted and her eyes blazing with fire, looking at Christian brings chills down the spine of whoever is witnessing their conversation. “As far as I can remember… We are not that close to asking me questions like these. Besides, you have no right to know who Sophia’s parents are. Because you are not her father nor a relat
They were both gasping for air after that long kiss. Marcus saw her face, it was red as a tomato. He sat on the couch and pulled Mariko, who was sitting on the floor. It turned Marcus on, and his member hardened seeing how hot Mariko was while sitting on his lap. “You’re so hot in this position,” he whispered in her ears and it gives chills down her spine. His seductive voice was turning her on, and it made her drunk. Mariko couldn’t help but kiss Marcus on his lips to stop him from talking. Marcus traveled his hands to her body from back up to her mounds. His kisses lowered, from her lips down to her neck until it reaches one of her mounds while he was massaging the other. All of Mariko’s thoughts were gone and she forgot that they were in the living room for Pete's sake! And Sophie might wake up witnessing what they were doing. Suddenly, the image of Sophie, watching them popped into Mariko’s mind and it made her stop kissing him. “Wait! This is not right.” Marcus looked at her
“Mariko, thank you for taking care of my daughter and for protecting us earlier. Are you sure you did not get hurt? But I wonder how the media found out about my arrival.” Orianna wondered. Mariko remembered the moment she and Sophie arrived at the airport. Media were at the entrance waiting for someone they wants to ask for an interview while the other cameramen were checking their cameras. At first, Mariko thought there was a celebrity who just arrived at the airport, but to her surprise, it was Orianna they had been waiting for. Sophie ran into her mother, which made a big fuss in the media industry. Mariko hurriedly covered Orianna and Sofie from the crowd as they got cornered. Mariko got hit by cameras and microphones while protecting the mother and the daughter. She also earned bruises and scratches from pulling her just to get Orianna’s attention. But Mariko did not care at all. What was more important to her was to protect the kid. Sofie cried as she got panic at the sudden
“Stop this nonsense, Marcus. You should leave now. I still have something to do.” Marcus looked at her in disbelief. “At this late night, Mariko? Really?” He asked sarcastically. “Alexis and Megan will be coming. And you… you should not be here.” Mariko informed him. “Fine. I will leave. But I will come back tomorrow.” Mariko groaned. “Will you please give me a break?! Dammit! You are always here. And because of you, my appointments were canceled, and I can not do the things I should do.” She burst out her irritation. Mariko had meetings and other errands to do. But Marcus was always with her.“Oh, sorry. You should have told me. I don’t want to be a nuisance to you. I shall now leave. Just tell me when you are not busy anymore.” Mariko sighed in relief when Marcus understood her, finally. Mariko went back to Orianna’s penthouse after Marcus left. Alexis and Megan were already at Orianna’s. But she frowned when she saw Alexis crying. “What is happening here?” Mariko looked at t
“I am Mariko Saito. And I’m here to collect your debt.”Lucas snorted. “Debt?” He looked at her like he had just heard a ridiculous joke. “When did I have a debt from you? As far as I remember, I do not owe anyone. And I did not sleep with amazon like you either.” Mariko bit her inner cheeks and raised her brow.“I did not say… You owe me. I came here for my friend.” Mariko turned her head to look for Alexis who was shaking in fear.Lucas went down to face the fearless lady who cause trouble in his business. “Oh,” Lucas smirked as he looked at Alexis who was already trembling.“Her?” He asked. “I just slept with her once. What about it? Was she mad because I took her virginity? Well… She’s at fault here, because your friend approached me first. Honestly, I don’t like her because of her boring looks,” he sneered, “your friend should be grateful because I was the first guy who popped her cherry.” Lucas stated with a smug look on his face.Mariko clenched. “So, that’s how you treated you
“I’m alright, you can let go of me now,” Mariko ordered him as she felt unease by his embrace.“Oh, sorry,” Marcus let her go and looked at the broken window.Mariko looked around and noticed a bullet and a stone wrapped in paper on the floor, together with scattered broken glass.“Maybe the suspect used the gun first, before throwing a stone inside,” she muttered.“But how is it possible? You are on the top floor of this building. How could they shoot your penthouse?” Marcus asked.“Probably, he was an assassin like me. Assassins can climb up the building without anyone noticing,” she explained.She tucked her gun into her waist and unwrapped the paper from the stone. It was a letter written in red ink, which she thinks was blood, as the red ink smells like rusted iron.“You fool! I thought we were allies, but now… You let yourself be fooled by your sister’s murderer. I will kill you together with him!”Mariko frowned and wondered who might this person be. “Dammit!” she muttered. ‘W
FINALE!!!Mariko woke up with a dizzy feeling. She looked at the ceiling, with a frown.‘Where am I?’ she wondered.Mariko looked around and noticed that she was in the room. White ceiling and walls with a touch of the color gold. There was a round table and two chairs in front of the king-sized bed.She checked herself if she was still wearing her clothes, and Mariko sighed in relief when she was still wearing the same clothes.‘Am I at the enemies’ den? But why does this place look extravagant? Is the person who ambushed them rich? That would be possible. There are plenty of Mafia groups in this country who are billionaires as well.’ She thought.Mariko also noticed the cuffs that were made of steel locked on her feet. And they tied it in the post, but her hands were free. She also noticed that she didn't have her weapons with her anymore, which made her hiss.Suddenly, she remembered Marcus. ‘What about Marcus? Where did they hide him? Did they also lock him in a room like this?’ s
One Month LaterMariko was busy checking out the proposals that has been sent to her. It’s almost eight in the evening. And she was left alone in her office. She stood up to get another set of coffee as she was thinking of staying in the office until she finished her paperwork. She rubbed her eyes as she felt like she was feeling sleepy.Suddenly, Mariko received a phone call from Itsuki. Mariko frowned.‘Why Itsuki is calling me at this hour?’ She looked at the clock…The time difference between the two countries was four hours. And Country P was four hours ahead of country Y.‘It’s already twelve in the evening there. What does he need at this hour?’ she wondered.After a few rings, Mariko decided to answer the call.“What’s up?” she asked. But Mariko became alert when she heard Itsuki from the other line, breathing heavily.“M-Mariko,” Itsuki muttered.“Hello, Itsuki… What happened to you?” She asked but all she heard were groans from the other line.Suddenly, Mariko felt nervous.
Mariko’s tears suddenly fell from her eyes. As she felt how sincere Marcus was in his words. ‘After what I did…’ Somehow, Mariko felt guilty about everything. She felt sorry for him, as she left Marcus when he needs her the most.“But I don’t deserve your love. I’m sorry, Marcus.” Mariko pushed him slowly before she walked away.Everyone’s eyes turned to them as Mariko ran away, leaving Marcus in the middle of the stage, stunned. Bobbie called his attention.‘Maybe she didn’t love me at all.’ His shoulders fell. As he felt dismayed. ‘Maybe it’s time to let her go.’ He thought, as his face felt defeated.“Hey! Are you gonna stand there?! Aren’t you coming here for her? Are you just gonna let her leave you again? Fight, man!” Marcus turned his eyes at Bobbie.“Go chase her!” One of the lady guests cheered him.“Don’t let her leave you!” The other one said.Everyone has been cheering him and telling him not to let go of Mariko. Marcus’ tears started to fall down his face. Somehow, he f
“I need to talk to her,” Marcus informed Bobbie.Bobbie stopped him from chasing Mariko. “But, she already knew that you were in a relationship with me,” Bobbie reminded him.Marcus heaved a sigh. “I know… But I can’t take this anymore. I don’t want to lose this opportunity. I love Mariko and I missed her so much. I hope you understand. Don’t worry, I will still pay you no matter what happens tonight,” he said.“Alright. If that’s what you want. I won’t stop you. And I wish you good luck.” She smiled as she wished him good luck.“I’ll just have to wait for you in the car. Because you promised mom to bring me back home.” Bobbie wiggled her brows. She doesn’t want to go home, wearing a gown while using public transportation.“Yeah. I did not forget about that. I’ll see later,” he said before he went inside the ball and look for Mariko.Marcus was having a hard time looking for Mariko as the venue was huge and there were a total of six hundred guests who were invited to the event.‘Fuck
“Mariko!” Mariko turned to find out who owned the familiar voice that called her real name. When he turned around, he saw a handsome man in a tuxedo. The man she hadn't seen in two years. The man who melts her icy heart. Marcus Reed. Mariko was surprised to see Marcus on the Gala night.‘What is he doing here?’ she wondered.Their eyes locked with each other as Marcus approached her, but both of them got stunned when George pulled Mariko toward him and kissed her on the lips. Mariko’s eyes widened in surprise, and it felt like her body froze. Marcus stopped walking toward them. He clenched and frowned. ‘Asshole,’ he thought as he was glaring at George.Suddenly, a soft hand crawled down to his hand and it clasped to his. Marcus looked at the person next to him, who was staring at the two people kissing. While Mariko pushed George and wiped her lips. She glared at him, but George seemed not affected by her blazing stare. Mariko looked at Marcus who had now a woman beside him. She fr
“I will pretend to be your girlfriend. Why? Because you’re pitiful, and I wanted to earn money. And my mother doesn’t know about all of this. You can use me to get your woman jealous. In exchange, you will pay me the right price.” “Are you serious?” Marcus was stunned at what she just had said. “Well, I just need money… And you need someone to use to make your girlfriend jealous… So, it’s a win-win situation. Don’t you like it?” she asked. Marcus scrutinized her. If she was dead serious about what she just said. The woman in front of him will not see any remorse. And it was evident that what she said was deep. Marcus heaved a sigh. ‘I don’t want to use her if Mrs. Suarez did not know all this.’ “Go to my office tomorrow, and let’s talk about this matter with your mom. I also want to inform her about this plan before I will agree with you. But get yourself ready. Because if she agrees, then you will be my date on the upcoming gala night.” He informed her. *** Morning came, and Ma
“Was it related to Mariko, your ex-girlfriend?” Catherine asked.“Yes,” Marcus simply answered.“But I think you don’t have to do it.” Marcus frowned at what Catherine had said.“Why?” he asked.“Simply because she doesn’t deserve your love.” Catherine bluntly said.Marcus looked at Catherine. Her face was so severe, and she looked pissed. “Are you mad?” He asked.“Obviously, yes. Because of that bitch, Uncle Ethan died for nothing. He left you when you needed her. She has no conscience. She’s heartless! And I hate her.” ‘Hmp!’ Catherine scoffed. She put her arms crossed under her chest and pouted her lips. While her eyes were glaring sideways.“Are you that affected?” He asked.“Who wouldn’t be? After all the things our family has done for her. You took care of her when she was in the hospital, unconscious. But when she woke up from a coma, the first thing that came to her mind was to leave you. “ Catherine rolled her eyes.“She’s a bitch.” Catherine exclaimed. “You don’t deserve to
Country Y "Welcome, Mr. Reed. I am Mitch Suarez. I will be your executive secretary here at M2M Corporation. I’m looking forward to working with you, Sir.” Mitch said. “Thank you, Mrs. Suarez.” Mitch Suarez led their way to his new office. Marcus was the CEO ( Chief Executive Officer) of the M2M Corp, John was the COO (Chief Operations Officer), and Austin was the chairman. They arrived at the office, and Mitch opened the door for him. The office of the executive secretary was at the side of the entrance of the CEO’s room. When they entered the room, Marcus was in awe, seeing how beautiful his office could be. It was spacious enough to occupy 10 people with their tables but it was only he who will use the office. At the side of the door, before entering the room, there’s a table where the receptionist welcomed them. When you got inside, the floor-to-ceiling window caught Marcus’ attention. It has an automatic curtain operated with a remote, whether you want to close the curtain or
‘He sees me. What would be his reaction? Did he hate me? After I left, I decided not to step into this country again. But things happened and I needed to come here for my company. I did not expect that we will meet again. And this bastard did not tell me and made his actions on his own. Dammit!’ Mariko’s mind was full of thoughts that she did not even listen to what George had said. It was like George confessed his love to her, but she was not interested in what he had just said. She was just interested in the news about Marcus, who followed them. Somehow, her feelings towards Marcus never change.‘If only I could turn back the time. That time before I got kidnapped. I should have been more prepared.’“Mariko, hear me out.” Mariko came back from her deep thoughts when George spoke.Frustrated, Mariko raised both of her hands as if she was surrendering. “George… Stop it, will you? Stop this nonsense. If you don’t, you will leave me no choice but fire you.” Mariko sternly said in a war