[ Mark's penthouse at the heart of Branlowe City]
Mark lounged back in the infinity pool perched on the edge of his penthouse. A few remaining skyscrapers of the city glittered below. The water shimmered around him…a little warm, salted, pristine. Unbothered… just like his mind.
The bass throbbed through the marble walls…a low, repetitive heartbeat for a man who no longer had one.
One of the girls perched beside him giggled as she draped her arm around his chest, leaning forward just enough for her voice to purr against his ear.
"Another drink, babe?"
Mark didn't answer. He swirled the half melted cocktail in his glass, letting the ice knock lazily against the rim. He didn't even know the woman's name. Didn't care.
Another girl swam up between his legs underwater and came up slowly, flicking her platinum hair back, water droplets catching the sunlight like glass rain.
"God, you are so tense today," she murmured, pressing against him. "Want me to help you loosen up?"
He shifted slightly. Not in response…more like avoidance.
"No," he muttered…flat on her face. "Just… shut up for a bit."
The girl blinked, then smiled awkwardly and retreated into shallow giggles with the others.
Another woman giggled and climbed behind him trying her luck, letting her arms snake over his shoulders as she pressed her breasts against his back.
Her wet hair draped across his neck. "You never smile, Mr. Woods," she whispered near his lips. "Let us see that devilish grin... or do you only show it in the dark?"
Mark lowered his shades to stare at her. With a wicked smirk he caught her by her throat and flung her back in the water. " You wouldn't want to know what I can show in the dark. Stay where you belong! " It wasn't a growl but it did make them shiver.
Mark leaned back again throwing his sunglasses in frustration, eyes fluttering shut as the sun hit his face. He lifted his chin towards it, letting the heat soak into his cheekbones. For a moment, he simply existed.
And then… his ears caught a faint sound. Some commotion.
It started like a murmur behind the loud music, barely audible. At the edge of the gate. Some idiot was yelling. Then someone shrieked.
Mark's brows twitched.
Still, he didn't move.
The shriek came again. This time clearer.
Then he heard it…the mention of…"…Father Gonzalez…"
His eyes snapped open.
The cocktail glass cracked in his hand.
He was out of the pool before any of the girls could ask what was wrong. Water poured off him, down his sculpted torso, catching in the deep grooves of his abs, sliding down his boxer briefs. He didn't stop to grab a towel. Didn't care actually.
He was halfway across the marble deck, leaving a trail of water in his wake, when the third shriek rang out… "Let me in, please!!"
By the time he reached the edge of the property…barefoot, half drenched, half naked…the gates were open just enough to frame a strange sight.
A girl.
A schoolgirl to be exact.
She was standing there alone, clutching two oversized backpacks, one on each shoulder. Her skirt was slightly wrinkled, socks bunched around her ankles, hair windswept.
But what stopped him… was her face.
Porcelain. Fragile. Like a doll coming to life.
But it wasn't the beauty that jolted him.
It was her eyes.
Big. Soft.
Brown.
Exactly like Father Gonzalez's. Ditto carbon copy.
The same shade. That disarming, innocent, untainted brown,shinning…like candlelight trapped in glass.
Mark stared.
She looked up at him.
Their eyes met.
The world halted.
He didn't breathe.
She did. But barely. Her eyes glanced over him.
And then her entire face turned crimson.
"Shit," Mark whispered under his breath as he glanced down following her gaze.
His heart almost stopped.
His boxers were...well out of shape!!!
Must have been the girls in the water? He had no clue but he was showing…and it was hard. Like full length standing in attention.
Fuck!!!
She quickly turned away, pressing her hand over her eyes like she had just witnessed a car crash.
One of the security guards came jogging up behind her, clearly out of breath and ten shades flustered.
"Mr. Woods," he huffed. "This child insists on coming inside. She says she is supposed to stay here?" He wrinkled his nose like this was something not just unimaginable but also repulsive. His voice was thick with disdain as he added. "With you, sir."
Mark didn't answer.
He walked forward slowly. Still dripping.
The girl kept her eyes shut. Wouldn't simply look at him again.
"Who are you?" Mark asked finally, his voice low, unreadable.
The girl took a deep breath.
"My name is Arabella Noelle Gonzalez."
She turned now, slow but steady, and carefully looked up to meet his gaze ( avoid his body) despite the residual pink on her cheeks.
"The lawyer said I was supposed to be living with you, sir. Starting today."
Mark frowned. "What lawyer?"
Arabella shifted her bags on her shoulders. "My grandfather… was my only family. He left behind a lot of debt. After the funeral, they sealed our house. Took everything. I have no place else."
She pointed at her bags.
"This is all I was allowed to bring."
Mark remained absolutely still.
Arabella bit her lip, then straightened up, voice firmer now. "I am not asking for much. Just… Please let me stay the night. I will find a new place tomorrow…or maybe in a couple of days. I promise.I won't be a burden. I swear." her voice cracked just slightly. " But…but please don't make me sleep on the streets tonight.Please. I don't want to be on the streets with those beasts lurking everywhere. I…I can make do on your porch, or your walk way…doesn't need to be inside the house…"
Her hands balled into fists at her sides, but her eyes didn't leave his.
"Please, mister." She whispered.
Mark's chest rose once. Then again.
He felt a subtle summer breeze. And then that same goddamn breeze tore through the hollowness inside his ribs.
He didn't say anything.
Just turned to one of the guards.
"Get her bags inside."
The guard blinked. "Sir…?"
Mark's voice was ice. "Ask the maids to prepare the guest room. And give her something to eat."
Then he walked away.
Didn't even glance back once or wait to see her reaction.