Dangerous Desires

26

On the other side of town, Mark walked alongside me as I pushed Tenebroso in his stroller, the two of us moving lazily through the streets of town. The soft sunlight bathed the area in a warm, relaxed glow and the gentle breeze carried a sense of tranquillity. 

Mark glanced over at me, noting the slightly tired but somewhat relaxed expression on my face. "You doing okay?" he asked, his voice soft and concerned.

"Yeah, I just wanted out of that house," I replied.

Mark nodded, understanding my need to escape the tense atmosphere back at the house. "I get it," he said. "It's not easy dealing with all the drama and tension, especially with a baby in the mix."

He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the surroundings before he spoke again. "You want to grab a coffee or something? Maybe take a seat in that nearby park for a bit?"

"Sure why not," I smiled slightly and continued down that path "I just feel like even though he said sorry to me, I feel like he's going to do it again. Since he has done it in the past," I spoke quietly.

Mark's gaze softened as I spoke. He could sense the lingering doubts and worries in my voice, and he understood my concern about Arsenio repeating his past mistakes. "I get it," he responded, his voice filled with empathy. "Trust is hard to earn back, especially when it's been shaken so many times before."

He paused for a moment, trying to choose his words carefully. "But people can change, you know?" he said gently. "If Arsenio is sincere about his apology and truly wants to do better, maybe it's worth giving him a chance to prove it."

Mark smiled softly, sensing my acceptance of his words. "But it's also important to stand up for yourself and set boundaries," he added. "You don't have to forgive him immediately or forget what happened. Trust has to be rebuilt slowly, and you have every right to take your time with it."

Mark noticed my sudden change in demeanour as I checked the text from Arsenio. He shot a sharp glance my way, concern etched on his face. "What's going on?" He asked, leaning in slightly to get a glimpse of the message on my phone.

"He wants a break from the relationship," I said quietly.

Mark's eyes widened in surprise, a mix of concern and disbelief crossing his face. "A break? Seriously?" He said, his tone a mix of worry and incredulity. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to process the information. "Why would he suddenly want a break after what happened last night? That's messed up."

"I guess someone went behind my back... I'm close with all his men so I wouldn't know," I sighed.

Mark furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of the situation. "One of his men?" he repeated, the cogs turning in his mind. "Do you think they influenced him to take a break from things?"

"I guess... If he wants that I'm not going to stop him," I said gently.

Mark's expression softened as he saw me struggling to maintain composure. He gently placed a hand on my shoulder, offering silent support and understanding. "You don't have to be tough about this," he said quietly. "It's okay to be hurt and confused. What he's doing isn't right."

"I told him yesterday in that argument if he wanted to be a single man he can be but I won't tolerate it. He chose that life," I replied.

Mark's grip on my shoulder tightened slightly, his protective instincts kicking in. "And you don't deserve to be treated like that," he said firmly. "You and Tenebroso deserve nothing less than a loving and stable relationship."

He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning my face, trying to gauge my emotions. "You know you have me and the rest of the members, right?" He said. "We've got your back, no matter what. You're not alone in this."

"Yeah, I know... I just don't know where I will be living," I sighed.

Mark's expression hardened as he considered the practical implications of Arsenio's decision. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, frustration clear in his voice. He took a deep breath, trying to think through the situation. "You don't have to figure everything out right away," he said. "You can stay with me in the meantime."

"You don't mind with all the baby things either?" I asked him.

Mark shook his head firmly, a determined gleam in his eyes. "Of course not," he replied. "You and Tenebroso are family. I've got your back." He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "You're welcome to stay with me for as long as you need."

He leaned forward slightly, his expression turning serious. "But I have to be honest with you," he said. "I'm not going to tolerate Arsenio's behaviour. If he thinks he can just push you away like this after what happened, he's got another thing coming."

I nodded "I understand,".

Mark's lips tightened into a thin line, his expression steely. "I don't know what he's thinking," he muttered darkly. "But I'll be damned if he can just ditch you like this without consequences." He paused for a moment, his gaze intense. "You and Tenebroso deserve better," he repeated firmly.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his own anger and frustration. "For now, let's focus on getting you settled at my place. We'll figure out the rest as we go."

He smiled slightly, trying to bring some levity to the tense situation. "And don't worry about the baby stuff," he added. "I'm a seasoned uncle. I can handle it."

I nodded "I actually have a plan to make Arsenio realise he 'lost me'" I said quietly.

Mark lifted an eyebrow, intrigue and curiosity etched on his face. "A plan, huh?" He said, leaning in slightly. "What are you thinking?"

"I have a feeling he is going to be sleeping with other women to take his mind off the massive break we are having. He has always thought I was cheating on him with you. So why don't we fake date?" I looked at him.