After the meeting, Yeshua prayed over us then dismissed us and withdrew to His room. The boys, after saying good night to us, also withdrew themselves to their rooms. "Maria, aren't you coming?" Tabitha asked, I looked at her then released my knees from my hug. "Oh. Uhm. I-you go ahead. I need some fresh air." I answered while nodding. "I can come with you if you like." Tabitha said, looking at me with concern. I smiled then shook my head, "I'm-I'm good. Thank you, Tabitha." I replied with a smile. "Okay." Said Tabitha then stood up from the sofa and slowly walked towards our room.
"Knock on the door if you need me, okay?" Said Tabitha, making me stand up from the floor then look at her. I nodded. "Yeah! Yeah. Thanks." I answered with a smile. Then Tabitha entered our room.
I sighed then looked around. I guess it's only me that's left in here. Then I saw a door which leads to the balcony. That's the spot. I walked towards the door and went outside the balcony. I then stood near the railing and looked down to see the lights of vehicles passing by and the street lights. "What a great view," I said to myself.
"The greatest view here is seen during the sunrise and sunset." I jolted and saw Mark standing beside me. "Wha-ho-?" I stuttered while holding tightly to the railing and my chest. "Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Maria. Forgive me if I'm intruding into your private moment but I am told to keep you safe." Mark explained.
I fixed myself then looked at him. "By who?" I asked as I slowly hugged myself. "By the people who care for you." Mark answered, then he looked at me. But not even a second, he looked away. Why?"I could've given you my coat so that you won't get cold but uhm…" Mark said… "Oh! Right! I have your coat. Back. In. Our room. Not OUR room but Tabitha and I room. Oh, right this is not actually our suite. We're only the occupants at the moment. What am I even blabbering about now?"
Mark giggled. Cute. He then walked toward me then put a blanket on me. "But that doesn't mean I would let you be cold." He said as he made sure that I was wrapped in the blanket. Dude! I grew up with 5 boys! And this kind of closeness with them I've never-! What is this feeling?! "Maria?" Mark called my name softly as he looked me in my eyes.
"Oh! Uhm." I gulped. "Thank you." Then I thanked him. He smiled. "Why did you go out here on the balcony?" Mark asked as he looked away. I then looked away too. "I was just trying t- uhm to let everything sink in." I answered then held on tight to the blanket that he gave me.
"They made a scene, you know," Mark said, making me look back at him. He then looked back at me. "Your friends. When you fainted earlier at the venue," he continued. "Oh." I already know that they would, especially Simon and Matthew, but not in an event where people should be enjoying and celebrating.
Mark chuckled then looked away. "You've got great friends, Maria," Mark said as he looked down the road. No 'miss' this time?"You're talking casually with me now, huh?" I asked while grinning. He looked back at me then smirked. "Did you really think I wouldn't know how old you guys are?" Mark asked still with a smirk.
I squinted my eyes at him because I have no clue what he's talking about. "I know you're 4 years younger than me, Maria. But if you like being called 'Miss'... just say so," Mark said as he looked away again. Why do you like to look away? Also, "Wha-? N-..." I tried to speak but I am at a loss of words. And so I inhaled and exhaled deeply before I tried talking again.
"I did a background check on each one of you as Jude came to your town." Mark answered the question I haven't even asked. Can you also read my mind as well?"You didn't think that Boaz would let his wife's close cousins be sent to an island where they know no one, did you?" Mark asked as he looked at me again. I opened my mouth and was about to reason with him but then realized he has a point so I closed my mouth and nodded in response.
Mark chuckled then crossed his arms. "Then why allow Jude to go?" I asked with my brows furrowed. "The guy can take care of himself. He even managed to know right away that your water was spiked." Mark answered with a proud smile. "He did." I replied and nodded. "The background check failed to tell me that you're this adorable." Mark said then looked away again. Excuse me, what?