C2 Chapter

"Here I am," Emily said, after opening the bathroom door.

"We are leaving," Marc said.

"Leaving to where?" Emily asked, confused.

"For our honeymoon," Marc said.

That wasn't the plan at all, Emily stood staring at him. Her whole head felt like it was on fire, so many things all at once, in her head.

"I thought that was still next week," Emily said.

Marc could sense the discomfort.and the worry. It was visible on Emily's face. Marc knew her plans, he knew everything she was up to.

He had been listening to her call, through an app he had on his phone, that connected her phone to his. She was oblivious but he knew what he was doing.

"Change of plans," he said.

"Our flight is in an hour, so we better start moving now."

"I have to pack," She said, hoping she could use the time to call Fred.

"You don't need to, everything has been arranged."

"I need to say bye, to my parents," Emily said.

"I already told them and they are fine with you leaving, you can call them later." He said

Emily knew she had no choice and since all her plans seemed to have failed, her best bet was to go with him.

Emily and Marc arrived in Maldives. It was everyone's favourite honey moon spot and also Emily's dream place to be.

Marc knew that. He literarily knew everything she wanted and everything she dreamt of.

He had stalked her for months, knowing every single details about her life and making it his priority to impress her everyday.

Emily was impressed. It was visible in the smile on her face, as they both walked towards the resort reception, of one of the biggest resort there.

Marc knew how to impress any girl, he would always tell his friends, how that was his superpower.

"Welcome to the Lover's Resort, how may I help you?"

"Reservation under Marc bellow," he said.

"Here is your key, I will have a staff show you to your lodge."

Marc collected the key and Emily and Marc followed the staff behind.

Marc had made reservations, for one of the most expensive rooms at the resort. He was determined to do everything to win Emily over finally. He knew even though they were married, her heart wasn't fully his.

"You will be staying here."

"Let's go in," Marc said.

"Thank you." Emily said, facing the hotel staff, who showed them the way.

Marc held Emily, as they made their way inside. He smiled in excitement, everything was going according to his plans.

Emily looked around, taking in the beautiful scenery she was surrounded by. This was the first time she was travelling to somewhere so exquisite.

Marc slipped his hands around Emily's waist, he had been waiting for the perfect opportunity all day. Seeing that Emily was carried away by all she was looking at, was the perfect time.

There was a living room, which was beautifully decorated and arranged to suit their style. Rose petals, were on the floor that led to the bedroom.

As Emily and Marc walked into the bedroom. Emily realised that wasn't all there was and that there was more.

There were also rose petals spread on the King sized bed, which was layed with utmost perfection. The Rose petals on the bed, were used to form the shape of love.

The room had a scent of vanilla scented candles, that filled the air.

Marc stared at Emily, waiting for a reaction. He had planned all this for her. Emily let out a smile at the corner of her mouth. It wasn't much but Marc was glad she at least liked it.

"Isn't this all too much though?" Emily asked.

"Why would it be? You deserve the world and more and I want to give it all to you."

"I have another surprise, you should change your clothes and let's go for dinner."

"I will meet you down, I just want to use the toilet for a bit," Emily said.

"I can wait for you, I want us to leave together," Marc said.

Emily went to the bathroom, to get changed but also to be able to call Fred.

She knew it wouldn't be a good idea, to call Fred because he could easily listen, from the room.

Emily checked her phone, she had not been able to do so, without Marc looking over her shoulder every minute during the travel.

She had five missed calls from Fred. She decided to text him instead.

Emily: The honeymoon was scheduled earlier than I thought.

She waited a bit, anticipating Fred's response. It felt like she was waiting forever. She was finally relieved when she saw "typing......."

Fred: where are you now?

Emily: Maldives

Fred: what's going to happen to us and our plan?

Emily: when I get back

Fred: when would that be?

Emily: I think we are spending about a week.

Fred: That's a long time to be away from you

Emily: just a little more time and we would be together forever.

Fred: I can't wait for that.

Emily: I wouldn't be able to call you because he is everywhere I go.

Fred: its fine, I love you.

Emily: I love you more.

Marc knocked on the bathroom door, wondering why she was taking so long. Emily's phone dropped from her hand, as she jolted in fear.

Marc was about to pick it from outside, when Emily made a run for it.

Emily opened the door, few minutes after she had changed her dress.

"Who were you talking with?" Marc asked narrowing his eyes at her. He wasn't sure, if she had been talking to anyone, but her demeanor had gave it away.

Emily got anxious, a little more than the average person. She could easily bat her eyelashes, a hundred times when she said a lie and it would give it away.

"It was my mum," Emily said, her voice a little shaky.

"We should go now," Marc said. Emily was glad he didn't ask any further questions because then, she wouldn't be able to defend herself.

Marc knew she probably wasn't telling the truth, but he chose to believe her, to not spoil his mood for the night.

Marc held Emily's hands tightly, as they made their way to the dinning place at the resort.

They got to the big dinning area, it was filled with alot of guests, mostly tourists. It was visible in the different way they were dressed and in the way they looked. Emily had never seen so much diversity in one place, it made her so glad.

They made their way to their table. Marc drew out Emily's chair, for her to sit.

Marc had ordered a buffet, the biggest and most expensive order available. He liked to go for the big stuffs, to choose the most expensive wine, pick the most expensive things. He grew up like that.

"Isn't all this too much, for just two of us?" Emily asked, watching as the different plates of food were places on their table.

"Can you just stop complaining and enjoy everything," Marc said, the tone in his voice had changed. It wasn't sweet anymore, it was more of frustrated and annoyed by Emily's behaviour.

"I was just saying, maybe....."

"Don't!! Don't say, it's my money and I choose how I spend it," Marc said. He was on the verge of shouting at Emily. He was short tempered and Emily was really pushing him.

Emily picked up what to eat. She knew she was starting to get on his nerves and wouldn't want to create a scene. It was all his money, like he said.

Marc stood from his chair, with his glass filled with champagne. Emily wondered why he was up. Marc hit the side of his glass, trying to get the attention of everyone and he did.

"I got married to this beautiful lady, here today" Marc started, after he had gotten everyone's attention.

Everyone seemed to be interested in what he wanted to say. Emily was starting to feel a little shy and uncomfortable. This wasn't the kind of things she liked.

She was more reserved, shy and loved her space alot. Marc was clearly the opposite.

"I met this amazing lady a few months ago, when I had spotted her from afar. I had grown to love her alot and with each passing day, my love for her grows even more. I wouldn't have this any other way and I am glad I get to live the rest of my life with the best person I have ever met," Marc said with a smile.

"Cheers," he said, raising his glass and everyother person in the room did the same. Emily also raised her glass, forcing out a smile.

Everyone in the room clapped at the amazing rendition, of poetic words, that had come out of Marc's mouth.

Marc sat back down.

"Did you like it?" He asked facing Emily.

"Yeah," Emily said, in a low tone.

For the rest of the evening they ate mostly in silence while saying one or two things. They didn't know so much about one another and so didn't have much to say.

"I need to excuse myself, please," Emily whispered into Marc's ears.

He had invited some other tourists over to their table and they all seemed so comfortable, listening to Marc go on and on about his business and all his achievements.

Emily's introverted self couldn't take all the attention and just wanted to be on her own.

"You can't go, we are still talking," Marc said with a stern.

"I don't want to stay here, it's just a walk on the beach."

Marc noticed everyone's attention was now in their direction. He faked a smile at everyone then Emily stood from where she was sitting, picking up her purse to leave.

She made a quick stop by their resort room, to change into something more comfortable and then picked a book.

Emily walked towards the beach, their room was a little distance from the ocean itself. She needed to clear her head and also wanted to just get away from Marc.

Her only opportunity was at the table while he did what he loves doing the most, talking about himself.

The night was falling and within a moment, the setting sun had disappeared below the horizon and the sky was darker now.

Emily strolled at the shore with water under her feet, the water seemed like they shone or it was just probably the reflection from the sky but it looked beautiful.

Emily gazed into the depths of the ocean. It was a full moon, so the beach was lit. The tide edged closer to the shoreline and the wave deposited seashells as it reached the shore.

Emily lay down her mat by a corner, sitting on it. She watched as the tourists take pictures of the ocean and pick seashells in excitement.

There were a group of people sitting a distance from her around a bonfire, drinking, laughing and talking.

They looked like friends have so much fun. Emily smiled as she looked over at them.

She picked her book, turning the page over to were she had stopped. Reading was the only thing keeping her sane, in all that was going on.

Emily had sent Fred a voicemail earlier, since she couldn't get through to him. She was worried but hoped he was okay.

"I just finished dinner with Marc and I have been trying to reach you. Please call me back once you get this. I really want to talk to you."

"Excuse me."

Emily raised her head from her book, her eyes meeting those of a lady standing next to her. She looked like she was in her twenties.

She wore a denim short and a pink top. Her black hair fell over her shoulder.

"I am Anna, saw you and your husband the other time at dinner," She said, with the most welcoming smile. "Can I sit?" "Yes, sure."

Emily created space on her mat for Anna.

"I am Emily."

"Nice to meet you, Emily."

"I was just taking a walk and saw you from afar."

Emily was definitely someone who loved her company a lot and would do anything to be alone there but Anna seemed like a nice person and she needed a distraction anyway.

Emily smiled politely at Anna who didn't seem like an introvert at all, from the way she spoke. She didn't seem to care if Emily was listening or even interested in what she was saying.

She just spoke on and on.

"I am here on my honeymoon with my husband," Anna explained.

"Wow, Same here. This place is really amazing though. It's a favourite honeymoon spot."

"Our families never wanted us to get married, you know?"

"That must have been hard."

Emily was interested in what Anna wanted to say, especially since she was in a similar situation.

"So, what happened?" Emily asked curiously, dropping the book next to her and focusing on what Anna had to say.

"My wedding is supposed to be today, my parents found this charming man whom they arranged for me."

"I didn't want any of it, so I ran."

"You ran?"

"Yes, we left yesterday which was a day to my wedding."

It was the same thing Emily had planned to do with Fred but Anna seemed to have so much more confidence than her and she wasn't even sure she could have pulled it off and ran if Fred had come.

"What happened? Are they not looking for you? Are you not worried about every one?"

"I changed my cell, so no one would contact me, I sent my mum a message, letting her know I was fine."

Emily stared at Anna like she was some hero in a romantic movie.

"I am happy for you two."

"We don't know what's going to happen next or where we are going to be next month but we are both eager to start this journey together."

Anna smiled as she explained to Emily. Anna loved to talk about her love story and she always hid the fact that she was scared and maybe starting to regret her decision too.

"I guess you and your husband don't have similar problem, you two seem so perfect," Anna smiled, remembering the toast Marc had made at dinner.

"Why do you say that?"

"Look at you two, he made the most beautiful toast at dinner. You two seem so in love."

Emily half smiled at Anna, who seemed struck by the romantic display, that had happened at dinner.

Marc's plan was finally working, he had everyone believing they were the perfect couple.

"I guess so," Emily said, turning her face towards the ocean.

Anna was awaiting a follow up story, like the one she just did. She was expecting Emily to give her a beautiful love story between her and Marc and even Emily knew by the silence that followed.

"It's so beautiful here at night," Emily said, her face still fixated on the ocean.

"It really is," Anna smiled, looking in same direction.

"I should get going now," Anna said, going through her phone. "My husband wants me," she said smiling.

"See you around, it was nice talking to you."

She sat from where she was and left "see you around too."

Anna seemed so in love and to Emily, that was life's greatest gift to man and it made her even want to be with Fred more.

Emily spent the next hour reading, then her phone started blowing up with messages and calls from Marc.

She picked up her mat and left for their room.

Emily walked into the lodge. She scanned the living room but there was no one there and then she figured he was probably in the room.

She got into the room and has she had thought, Marc was sitting on a chair. His face wasn't welcoming, he had a blank expression on his face, his hand was held in a fist and he had a smirk on his mouth.

"Is everything okay?"Emily asked in a low tone.

She stood wondering what could have happened. Was he upset that she left? Or that she didn't come early? Something about Marc always made her tensed.

"The resort receptionist called and do you know what they said?" He asked staring at Emily.

He had creases on his forehead, he stood from where he was sitting, moving closer to Emily who was starting to feel so uneasy.

"No, I don't,"

Her voice shaky, as she said each word with a stern face.

"They said a Fred Hill wouldn't stop calling and that he wants to speak with my wife."