“Master, I found the evidence.” “What evidence are you talking about?” Ethan asked Itsuki over the phone. Itsuki was holding the wire that was supposed to connect to the brakes but it was cut. “I think someone cut the wires on purpose, Master. After the incident happen, we thought it was just an accident. And Marcus was at fault. But we were all wrong. We did not investigate that incident thoroughly. And I am sorry, Master. I’m sorry for failing my duties. But now, I know and I’m sure it’s not just an accident. Marcus was a victim of all of it. I just need to find more evidence to support my conclusion about the accident. Once I find out the cause, I will come to Mariko and explain it to her. So, she will not detest us.” Itsuki explained. “That’s good news then. Good work, Itsuki. I need to go now, I have a meeting with the board of directors.” Ethan said, before ending up the phone call. ‘Now I need to find more evidence so Mariko will forgive me.’ he thought. *** “Marcus!” Joh
“Dammit!” Mariko cursed as soon as she rode on her motorcycle. She took her helmet from its box and wore them.‘Why did I tremble? It was my chance to kill him… Why am I hesitant about killing him when I should not?’ She sighed exasperatedly and closed her eyes to cool down her annoyance before turning on the engine of her motorcycle.***Two weeks LaterMariko went to the famous cafe to meet Megan as she promised to accompany Megan. From the entrance, Mariko looked around and saw Megan, elegantly sitting in the corner, while drinking her coffee sophisticatedly. She looks like she’s in a tv commercial, promoting a cafe.‘Is she promoting this cafe? She looks like she is in a tv commercial, endorsing a coffee shop.’ Mariko tilted her head with her thoughts.Megan’s eyes darted to Mariko, who was still standing at the entrance while looking at her with her head tilted to the side like she was in deep thoughts. Her brows furrowed. ‘What is she doing there?’ she wondered. Megan raised her
Marcus shook his head and smiled at the woman’s silliness. He turned around and got stunned when his gaze met hers.“Mariko,” Megan called her.Mariko walked towards Megan, sulking.“What happened?” Megan asked.“The fabric of this one irritates my skin. I don’t like this.” Mariko tried to pull the zipper from the back of the dress she was wearing inside the fitting room.She sighed in relief, after taking out the clothes. Mariko wore her clothes back before she went out of the fitting room.“I mean, why are you sulking?” Megan asked.“Uh, nothing. Are we done here? I can’t stand staying here for too long. We’ve been here for three hours. And I’m tired.” Mariko complained.“Right. Let me pay this, first.” She took the black dress, that Mariko wore earlier.“No… I don’t like any of the clothes here.” Megan was stunned at her remarks.She looked at her in disbelief. “Come on, Mariko. We will go to an event later that’s why I brought you here to buy you clothes, and you have not chosen a
“What the hell are you doing here?” Her eyes were flaming with fire as she looked at the newcomer whose hand was still leaning on the door. Although she’s tall, she still needs to tilt her head up to look Marcus in the eyes.How dare he come over and show his face to her. Didn’t Mariko warn him to stay away from her if he did not want to be killed? Why does he keep on showing up? Did he not know how mad she was right now?Marcus did not say anything but stared at her. His eyes tell his longing for her. He wants to hug her… kiss her, and tell her how much he misses her, but he knows he can’t. “I said, what the hell are you doing here? Do you really want to be killed? You have your date earlier. Don’t tell me you left your ‘LOVE’ in the mall.” Marcus smirked upon hearing what Mariko had just said, especially the last sentence she mentioned.“It seems like someone is jealous right now. I can feel it.” Marcus teased.He was not afraid of Mariko’s threats. Because if she really wanted to
Suddenly an image of a woman who was with Marcus earlier popped into her mind. And she felt cringe as she kept hearing that woman calling Marcus, hon. The anger that had been melting away little by little, now resurfaced.‘Right. I should not get swayed by this asshole. He is not worthy to give him my trust.’ She thought.Mariko made a firm decision and looked at Marcus, straight into his eyes.“Stop, Marcus. Get out and go back to your girlfriend,” she sternly said.“Girlfriend?” Marcus frowned as he asked, confused.Mariko scoffed. ‘How dare he forget his date earlier. Do you think you can fool me?’ she thought.“Don’t tell me you have already forgotten your ‘LOVE’.” Mariko raised her hands and made a quotation mark gesture using her fingers.Marcus sneered. “Are you jealous?”Mariko rolled her eyes in annoyance. “I’m not jealous, okay? I don’t need you here. Get out!” She firmly said.“She is not important to me. And her name is Love… Love Marie Mercado. She is Christian’s half-sis
“Hello? Mariko?” Lincoln asked on the other line while Mariko muted the call.“Will you shut up? Go there. Stop eavesdropping.” Mariko hisses as she glared at Marcus.Marcus stood straight and looked at Mariko with a stern look on his face. “Why? Are you trying to hide something from me? Am I not your boyfriend, now?” Marcus asked.Mariko scoffed. She unmute the phone call and talked back to Lincoln. “Lincoln, I will call you later.” She didn’t wait for his response and pressed the red button to end the call.“You? My boyfriend? Who says you’re my boyfriend?” Mariko asked sarcastically.Marcus shrugged as he looked at her in disbelief. “Am I not? Then, what does all this mean to you?”“There is nothing between us, okay? Don’t be too full for yourself. What happened between us is nothing. So, don’t expect me to accept you.”Marcus scoffed. “Why? Is it because you have your Lincoln now?” His jaw clenched when jealousy rose in him.Mariko raised her brow. “And what does Lincoln have to d
“Wait, what? No way!” Mariko declined.She doesn’t want to expose her name in the crowd. Mariko likes hiding in the shadows rather than being exposed to the limelight.“Yes, way,” Megan said.“But I am not rich.-”“Don’t tell lies. We already knew who you were.” Mariko’s eyes narrowed as her brows knitted quizzically.‘What are they talking about? Do they know who I really am? Did they make an investigation towards me?’ she wondered.“We just found out that you were the sole heiress of Japan Tech Corporations. You are a secret multi-billionaire woman and a member of one of the richest families in Japan.” Alexis stated.“Did you guys have investigated me?” She asked.Megan raised her hand. “I did. After seeing your luxurious closet, I can’t help but figure out who you really are. So I asked someone I knew about your identity. And he gave me the details.” Megan said happily with a smug look on her face. She felt proud that she was the one who found out about her identity.Orianna kept q
“Not on my watch,” Marcus said to the gang's leader.“Stay right behind me,” Marcus said to Mariko.“Did you forget? I am a skilled fighter. I don’t need your protection.” Mariko whispered.“But you are wearing that. Of course, you can’t fight,” he stated.“Fine. If you insist, let’s see, how good you are at fighting, right now.” Mariko challenged him.“Blah… blah… blah… Stop talking will you? If you are not good at fighting, then might as well give me your woman.” the leader said.Mariko raised her brow and pushed Marcus forward.Marcus was almost tripped by Mariko's push, was immediately balanced, and faced the opponents with his head up high. While Mariko was leaning on her car with her arms crossed on her chest. The leader of the gang ordered his minions to attack Marcus.The fight has begun. Marcus was attacked by the gang and he was struggling on fighting. He never thought these guys have knives. He could punch them, but one of the guys was holding a knife. Marcus was taken abac
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