𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

xxi

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Marlee confidently approached the large house, her footsteps light on the gravel pathway. She knocked on the door with a firm knock and waited for a moment but there was no response from inside. She tried once again, hoping that Mr. Clark would hear, but still, there was no sign of any activity from within the house. Feeling a bit impatient, she decided to knock once more, this time a bit louder. But still, the house remained silent and still. The stillness of the farm only magnified her uncertainty, making her feel more and more uneasy.

Marlee glanced back at Viktor, her fingers playing nervously with a loose thread on her tank-top. A hint of uncertainty flashed across her face. "He probably went back to the barn," she said, attempting to conceal her growing unease with a light smile. "He's usually working on something out there this time of day."

Marlee stepped carefully into the barn, trying to avoid making any unnecessary noise. Viktor followed close behind her, his tall frame towering over her petite form. The creaky side door to the barn yawned open, revealing a spacious room filled with hay. Marlee stepped gingerly over the soft, straw-covered floor, her eyes darting around nervously, taking in the dimly lit interior. The faint musty smell of hay hung heavy in the air, filling her nostrils. As she walked further into the room, the hay floor crunched lightly under her feet.

"Hello!" Marlee's heart leapt as an old, raspy voice echoed through the barn. "Mr. Clark," she called out in relief, her voice bouncing lightly off the walls and the hay flooring. She glanced around the dimly lit space, trying to spot the old man, but he was nowhere to be seen. The darkness seemed to swallow up the vastness of the barn, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of the voice.

Marlee chuckled softly to herself as Mr. Clark's voice echoed through the barn again, muttering about the cellar door. She knew exactly what had happened; this wasn't the first time the old man had gotten himself stuck in the cellar. "I got a feeling I know where you are, Mr. Clark," she said aloud, a wry smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Marlee walked across the hay-strewn floor towards the heavy cellar door, the sound of her footsteps soft and muted in the stillness of the barn. She grabbed hold of the door handle and pulled with all her strength, but the door did not budge an inch. She tugged it several times more, frustration mounting as the stubborn door refused to cooperate. With a huff, she wiped the perspiration forming on her brow and continued pulling to no avail. Suddenly, a deep voice broke through the silence.

Marlee felt a shiver run up her spine as Viktor strode forward, his strong presence taking command of the situation. His voice was gentle as he told her to move aside, gently ushering her away. She obediently stepped back, watching as Viktor approached the door and effortlessly tugged it open. A ray of light spilled into the cellar, illuminating Mr. Clark's weathered face. The old man struggled to climb out of the cellar, grunting with the effort, but before he could make any progress, Viktor extended his hand, offering to help.

Mr. Clark let out a hearty chuckle, patting Viktor on the back in appreciation. With a twinkle in his eye, he added, "Thank you, son." Despite their height difference, the old man was dwarfed by Viktor, who stood like a towering giant next to him. Viktor merely responded with a hum, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the older man's gratitude. Marlee observed their exchange with a smile, finding it both endearing and amusing.

Marlee and Viktor got to work, tackling each task with efficiency and diligence. Mr. Clark, true to form, found every opportunity to take a break, sitting back and observing the young pair's efforts. They cleaned the barn, scattering fresh hay, mucking out the stalls and scrubbing down the walls and floors. Next, they filled the feeders and mangers with food, making sure every animal was well-fed. They also collected the eggs from the chicken coop and sorted them, setting them aside for sale or use. As the day wore on, Marlee and Viktor's clothes began to cling to their sweaty skin, the physical labor making their bones ache.

Mr. Clark had expressed his gratitude, offering the pair a glass of homemade lemonade, which Marlee gladly accepted with a warm smile. But when it came to Viktor, Marlee insisted he have a glass as well, even though he seemed less than enthusiastic. "Come on, it's impolite to turn down Mr. Clark's kind offer," she'd said, pushing the glass into his hands. Reluctantly, Viktor took the glass, his expression a mix of resignation and mock irritation.

Later Marlee and Viktor walked towards the car, the exhaustion they had felt earlier replaced by a sense of accomplishment. The sun was setting, bathing the sky in a warm orange glow. Marlee couldn't help but smile as she observed Viktor, her eyes dancing over his features. She playfully tugged on the sleeve of his t-shirt, revealing a faint tan line. "You're starting to get a little bit of a tan," she teased, her laughter light and melodic.

Marlee's laughter echoed around the farm as she took in the sight of Viktor's flushed ears and the faint tan line on his arm. "Looks like someone didn't listen to me when I told them to put on sunscreen," she teased, a playful gleam in her eye. "Now you're stuck with a sunburn." Marlee grinned, clearly enjoying the chance to poke fun at Viktor's expense.

Marlee chuckled softly, still feeling amused by Viktor's reaction. He muttered a reluctant "yeah, whatever," but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. With a gracious nod, Marlee thanked him as he held her door open, and she climbed into the car.

Marlee let out a weary yawn as the car journeyed through the snaking country roads. As they pulled up to her home, she waved goodbye to Viktor, who sat patiently in the car, waiting for her to safely enter the house. Once she was inside, he drove off, disappearing down the street. Marlee felt the exhaustion of the day wash over her as she fell onto her bed, a smile still dancing on her lips as she drifted off into a deep sleep.

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Lame chapter sorry it's gonna get crazy soon though 🤭