Blood Luster

Chapter Nine

Before Marcus could respond, Benjamin shut the door and turned to Magnolia.

"What the hell was that?" she asked.

"It's complicated. I have some stuff to take care of; I'll be gone for a couple of days." He began pacing the living room.

Why is he being vague?

"What? You're leaving now?" She felt the breath catch in her throat.

"I don't have any other choice, I'm sorry. Nat will look after you while I'm gone."

"No, this is not okay Benjamin. I don't want Nat's help. You promised you'd be here, now you're bailing on me?" Anger flooded her body.

He closed his eyes. "You don't understand Magnolia. I want to stay, but I can't."

"Then please, help me understand."

"I can't," he whispered, his eyes evading hers.

"I have been honest with you from the moment we met. But you've never opened up to me, you've always kept me at an arm's length." Tears fell onto her hands when she looked down. "Why don't you trust me?"

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him. He cupped her face and lifted her chin, quickly planting a kiss on her lips. Without resistance, she let his mouth captivate hers. He released her and took a step back, as if to create a safe distance between them.

"Please just trust me one more time. When I return, I'll tell you everything you want to know." His eyes narrowed as he searched her face.

"I'll miss you," she mumbled.

He sighed. "Not nearly as much as I'll miss you."

***

"And just like that, he was gone." Magnolia spouted through the phone.

Noelle had called to check on her. She was the only friend Magnolia had made while in the city, and they were friends of circumstance. They both worked crazy long hours and their offices were side by side, thus making it easier to build a friendship. Magnolia had paced the floor long enough she was certain if she didn't sit down, she'd wear holes in the carpet. She sat at the table and leaned back in the chair, propping her feet on the table legs.

"Gone? He isn't coming back?" Magnolia could hear the confusion in her voice.

"He says he will, but it was so strange. Seeing the Marcus guy definitely threw him off kilter, it was as if he flipped a switch. I'm genuinely worried about him." Her voice shook slightly.

I've cried enough, I'm not starting that up again.

"You're staying in his house; I highly doubt he's going to leave everything behind to avoid you."

"I know he's coming back, Noelle. I just don't know when and it's just a lot right now." She hoped to ward the tears off by changing the subject. "How are things at the office?"

She wouldn't understand anyways.

"Things are good. Richard is lost without you, naturally. We're all ready for you to come back."

Magnolia lost in thought, didn't respond.

"You are coming back, right?" Noelle asked.