Sometime later, it started raining.
Along with it came storms and strong winds.
Marley got up, stood at the corner of the second floor, and saw someone laying on a couch. He got curious and turned on the lights.
The bright light woke Sylvie just as it filled the living room with light. She turned her head and saw Marley, who was on the second floor. Startled, she immediately lowered her head.
Marley saw everything from where he was standing. He observed Sylvieâs behavior transitioning from loneliness, to shock, and then to panic, and finally returning to her normal state.
Still in his pyjamas, he appeared worried but did not say a word.
âWhy are you up now?â she collected herself and looked towards Marley.
He stared at her while walking downstairs, still not saying a word.
She sat on the sofa and looked at the rain outside. The dark, night sky bewildered her, and she said leisurely, âItâs raining!â
âI heard that, too!â replied Marley.
âI like storms,â said Sylvie, âBecause they can make people stronger. I am also afraid of storms since they can just as well demolish oneâs determination.â
Marley held her hand and said, âLetâs go, Iâll bring you to see something different!â
âWhat is it?â Sylvie replied, confused as to what Marley was referring to, but stood up anyway and followed him.
He led her next to the bed on the second floor. Raindrops were pummeling the window, making a loud noise. Marley pointed towards the sea, which appeared black beneath the night sky, and asked, âDo you like the sea?â
âI do!â she nodded in agreement.
âThe seaâs depth knows no ends, yet the sea surface is deceivingly calm,â he said, âSo, we must be like the sea when it comes to dealing with everyday problems. For example, smiling doesnât mean that weâre not in pain. Crying doesnât mean that weâre in despair. Being cold doesnât mean that we donât care.â
She thought of something, then turned and looked at him. She realized that Marley actually knew that thing!
âIf you canât let it go, weâll go together!â Marley added.
Sylvie could feel her chest contracting, and said, âNope, Iâm not meeting her! Never!â
âSylvie, the more you donât want to meet her, the more you are caring about her!â as sheâs not facing it, Marley intensified his advance, âShe wonât control whatever you do, now that sheâs detained. Come to think of it, sheâs probably going to be checked into a drug rehab center. Meeting her is your duty as her daughter, and she could already be regretting her decisions. If youâre trying to cover something up, it means you care more about it and are struggling to get over it deep down in your heart.â
âI...â
âArenât you unable to sleep because youâre thinking of her? Itâs already this late in the night, too.â He asked.
Sylvie couldnât sleep, she really couldnât. Despite what that woman did, she still couldnât stop worrying about her. Is this what is meant by their âconnection through bloodâ? Sylvie absolutely hated herself, why couldnât she just make a stand and stop caring about her?
The rain kept pouring, and the two hearts were getting closer.
Both of them looked out the window on the second floor, enjoying the scenery of the sea in a storm.
Sylvie leaned into Marleyâs chest as if sheâs obtaining warmness from his embrace.
His originally stern expression had been replaced by a gentle and warm one. With Sylvie in his embrace that night, showing her powerless side to him, it provided him with a desire never seen before to care for her.
Marley surrounded her waist with his warm arms. Her thin, almost fragile-looking waist, being held by his large hands, it seemed as if it could snap any moment.
He lowered his head, her body fragrance invaded his nostrils in an instant. Touching her smooth neck with his nose, his heart started racing.
At that moment, Sylvie resembled a doll perfectly. With her leaning in his embrace, both of them looked like they belong in a beautiful painting.
Sylvieâs elegantly beautiful face housed her thin eyebrows, eyelashes that were twitching slightly, and lips that looked like full-grown red roses, ready to be picked. Her long hair rested on her chest and continued downwards. All in all, she was looking extremely pretty.
Marley started taking deep breaths, with his eyes slowly taking on a dark expression. Then, his breathing started getting irregular.
âThank you.â All of a sudden, Sylvie muttered.
That barely audible voice instantly recalled Marleyâs mind. He started thinking that somethingâs wrong with him, how could he even fathom such a thought?
Then, he took a deep breath, and after collecting himself, he asked in a raspy voice, âGo to sleep, okay?â
âI canât sleep!â she then whispered, âWonât you please stay with me a little longer?â
While saying that, she leaned back even more, pushing her entire body against Marleyâs chest, played with his hands that were on her waist, and asked, âThatâs one heck of heavy rain, isnât it? I like watching rainfall, too bad itâs already nighttime, and I canât see anything.â
âSylvie...â Marleyâs mind went on the same tangent as it did last time thanks to her mindless actions. âItâs already too late!â
âHmm?â she tilted her head in confusion to look at him.
His eyes were darker than ever, and his eyes appeared as if they were on fire.
âCanât sleep, huh?â he said with an even raspier voice and tightened his grip on her body.
âYup!â Sylvie figured that forcing Marley to keep her company was not really that good of an idea, and suggested, âOr, you can go to sleep first. Donât worry, Iâll sleep later!â
âWell, since you canât sleep, we might as well go and do something else.â He lowered his face and whispered right into her ears, startling her with his extremely raspy voice.
âEek!â shocked, she asked, âW-what is it?â
Marley held her waist, hugged her closely and said, âWe can do âthatâ, exercising uses up a lot of energy, so it helps with your sleeping problems!â
âOi, Marley!â she whimpered, as she realized his intentions in an instant.
He princess-carried her and went back to the bedroom.
Itâs all over, Sylvie couldnât catch her breath. Exhausted, she was feeling sleepy.
Marley whispered into her ears, âSleep now, good girl.â
Sylvie utilized his gentleness and slept.
He joined her in her sleep and hugged her.
The next day, the weather was sunny. After a whole nightâs rain, the air outside was really fresh.
Both of them had their breakfasts before Marley took Sylvie to her office. She did not mention going to the detention center, and neither did Marley force her to go. Dropping her off at the office, Marley said, âIâm gonna go and settle some stuff first, Iâll be back at half past nine. Regarding the USB drive, Iâm still going to have a word with you, so you better prepare yourself!â
âAye!â she nodded. Thinking about what happened yesterday, she agreed that she deserved to be scolded.
âNow, go!â he said.
âSee you later!â she said and left the car. She saw the car make a u-turn, and she stood in place, thinking of something. A while later, she turned and walked towards the office.
However, she started regretting it after she took two steps. She took out her phone and gave Marley a call.
The call went through, and she heard his raspy voice, âSylvie? Whatâs going on?â
âI...I...â Nothing came out of her mouth, despite her really wanting to go, too. However, she was unable to speak her mind.
Then, she heard Marley said, âAlright, get in the car, Iâm waiting for you!â
Sylvie looked back and saw that his car had returned. She felt touched, Marley read her like a book and had already seen through her indecisiveness.
Heâs back now, waiting for her.
She froze in place, her hand was shaking, and her heart was pounding faster by the second.
âSylvie, get over here!â the voice from the phone sounded as powerful and meaty as if he was right next to her.
Marley sat in the car and looked at her. She looked lost and confused. Through the car window, he could almost see her tears, shining under the sunlight. Then, she looked happy, like a lost kitten who had just been rescued.
âHurry up, Sylvie!â he said as he saw other employees were gradually making their way towards the office.
She heard that, rushed towards him and got in his car.
âThere we go, thatâs a good girl!â he patted her on the head, pampering her.
âI... I think I should go.â she lowered her head and said with a barely audible voice, like a child who had done something wrong. âYou were right, sheâs still my mother, after all. Even if she had done something wrong, I should still do the right thing myself!â
Suddenly, he was stunned briefly. He almost teared up, lifted her face and looked at her with his eyes full of kindness.
Sylvie panicked just as Marley leaned forward and kissed her gently on her forehead.
With his strong arms, he pulled her gently into his embrace. His light tobacco scent suffocated Sylvie, his chest exuded warmness. As her forehead was against his chin, she could even smell the shaving cream he used.
âSylvie, you must keep being this kind, and repay grudge with kindness, okay?â his deep voice unbelievably sounded gentle. This almost made Sylvie tear up, and she nodded lightly.
âI still have my limits, you know,â Sylvie replied.
âGood, thereâs nothing wrong with having a limit.â Marley kissed her lips, before finally letting her go.
She blushed and lowered her head as the car lurched into action.
As they were on the way, he saw that she was still looking downwards, thinking of something. Marley frowned and reassured her, âDonât worry, Iâll be there for you no matter what happens.â
Sylvie was startled. It was the first time that she felt someone was protecting her. Before this, she was fighting all alone. And now, someone told her that theyâll be there for her.
Just like that fateful night back when she was still seventeen, he did not know her, but still gave her a cheque. She thought that he had forgotten what he did in the past, and he definitely did not remember that she was that girl back then. That was the most precious treasure in her heart.
As they made their way towards the detention center, Marley did not talk much, if at all during the journey. The car entered the detention center, he then got out of the car and talked to someone. After that, he returned and told Sylvie to leave the car.
She got out of the car, holding her handbag, and stood next to the car, looking a little anxious. Marley could sense her anxiousness, he held her hand and walked her inside.
When Sylvie saw Sadie Porter, she was absolutely shocked.
Was that even Sadie?
A Moment in Destiny ï¤Chapter 733 You Still Have Me The convenient Bride ï¤Chapter 414: There Is Nothing Happier Than This (Ending)
Predestined Marriage ï¤Chapter 1718: The End Sadie had always dressed in a very posh fashion, and now she was wearing dirty clothes, lowered her head, with her messy hair as if she had been rolling on the floor for an extended period of time. She was also yawning, crying and her running nose never stopped running.
Marley was also surprised by this, he felt that Sylvieâs hand was getting cold. He gripped her hand as if heâs providing her some energy.
Sylvie turned, looked at him and shook her head, indicating that sheâs alright.
He still did not let go of her hand.
Sylvieâs ears blocked out whatever was being said between Marley and a police officer. She stood and stared at Sadie without any reactions.
Sadie possibly heard his voice, lifted her head and looked around. When Sadie saw Sylvie, she sprung up from her seat as if she saw her savior. She would have ran into them if the table was not there blocking her advance. She shouted, âOh Sylvie, my good daughter! Get me outta here, now! I canât stand a second in here, get me out!â