The Devil In Disguise

Farewell to Mary

The car was packed as Rufus drove, the quiet hum of the engine filling the air as they headed toward the airport to see Mary off. Gianina sat between Marcus and Cal in the back, doing her best to avoid Cal's glances while Marcus's steady hand held hers. She kept her gaze on the window, the scenery blurring as they drove through town, her mind wrestling with an uneasy tension that had been building all morning.

Mary, her cheerful energy trying to fill the space, sat up front beside Rufus. She was determined to keep things lighthearted, chatting about her family's plans for the holiday, but her efforts barely masked the weight between the others. Marcus squeezed Gianina's hand in reassurance and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. The warmth of his touch made her heart calm for a moment, even as she felt Cal's gaze flickering toward her, his presence heavy in the close confines of the car.

"You good?" Marcus asked softly, his voice close to her ear.

She nodded, managing a small smile. "Yeah, just... got a lot on my mind."

To keep things from feeling too tense, Mary turned in her seat, directing her smile at Gianina and then everyone else. "It'll be so strange being away, but Scotland over Christmas—I'm kind of excited to meet the whole side of my family I've only heard stories about," she said with a bright grin. "And the castles. Imagine the pictures I'm going to spam you all with."

Marcus chuckled, lightening up. "Good, we need photo proof. Loads of it. And don't forget to dig around for family secrets."

"Oh, I'll be looking," Mary replied with a laugh, rolling her eyes. "Who knows what I might find hidden away in some crumbling castle wall?"

Rufus laughed, glancing at her with a smirk. "Just don't go falling for any Scottish princes, alright?"

"Oh, please," she scoffed, her cheeks pinkening slightly. "You think a prince would look twice at me? That's too much holiday movie magic, even for me."

Their laughter continued, but Gianina felt like an outsider, her thoughts still spinning from the tension in the car. She kept her gaze fixed on the scenery, tracing the buildings and trees as they blurred past. But she couldn't ignore Cal's presence beside her, the way his arm brushed hers, each accidental touch sending a wave of awareness through her. His attention was both unsettling and... intriguing. She shook her head, feeling a pang of guilt, and squeezed Marcus's hand a little tighter.

It wasn't long before they pulled up to the airport terminal, the looming building buzzing with activity as holiday travelers hurried in and out. Rufus parked, and the group climbed out to say their goodbyes.

Gianina reached Mary first, pulling her into a tight hug. "Stay safe, alright?" she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Mary nodded, her smile warm despite the hint of sadness in her eyes. "You too, GG. I'll miss you all... but I'll be back soon." She stepped back, looking between them all with a bright smile.

Rufus was next, pulling Mary into a playful hug, lifting her off her feet as she let out a surprised laugh. "Remember, we'll be expecting stories. And a million pictures. Seriously, Mary."

"Oh, you'll get them," she laughed as he set her down, nudging him with her elbow.

Then Cal stepped up, giving Mary a quiet smile. His expression softened as he hugged her, his voice gentle. "Take care of yourself. And don't forget we'll be here waiting for you."

Mary's face softened as she looked at him, something unspoken passing between them before she nodded. "Thank you, Cal," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Finally, Marcus wrapped her in a quick hug, ruffling her hair with a grin. "You better come back with all the Scottish gossip. Don't let them keep it a secret."

Mary rolled her eyes but laughed, fixing her hair as she stepped back, looking between each of them with a smile that was both bright and sad. She waved one last time, flashing them all a grin before she turned and walked toward her parents, who were waiting nearby with open arms.

The group watched as Mary joined her family, hugging them tightly before disappearing into the terminal. Once she was out of sight, they lingered by the car in silence, the realization settling over them that, for a little while, they would be one person short.

After a few quiet moments, they piled back into the car. The lighthearted atmosphere from earlier had faded, leaving a somber stillness behind. Rufus took the wheel, and Marcus and Cal climbed in beside Gianina in the back. She felt the weight of Cal's gaze as they settled in, his eyes following her with an intensity she couldn't ignore.

Marcus leaned close, resting his hand on her knee, his voice soft. "You okay, GG?"

She nodded, giving him a reassuring smile, though her mind was racing. She felt Cal's eyes on her, a quiet presence that lingered, making her feel exposed. She shifted in her seat, focusing on Marcus's warmth beside her, but every so often, her gaze drifted to Cal, catching the quiet intensity in his expression.

As they continued the drive back home, Rufus and Marcus resumed their conversation, but Gianina couldn't shake the tension building between herself and Cal. She felt like there were things unsaid, truths lingering just beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered.

When they finally arrived back at her house, they all piled out, heading inside to shake off the lingering chill from the airport farewell. The silence that had followed them home was punctuated by the click of the door closing, and everyone dispersed through the house, slipping back into their routines.

Rufus went to the kitchen, rummaging around for a snack, while Marcus and Gianina lingered in the living room. Cal stayed back, leaning against the doorframe, his gaze lingering on her as if he were waiting for something. She looked at him, his short brown hair and captivating eyes added to his charm, giving him a confident and intriguing look. His gaze always seemed to hold a hint of mischief, drawing you in with it's intensity. She could feel his eyes on her, the weight of his stare unsettling yet compelling.

"GG?" Marcus's voice brought her back, and she turned to him, offering a small smile.

"Yeah?" She says looking at Marcus studying his face. She looked at his dark, intense eyes that could draw you in with a smoldering gaze that hints at both charm and danger. His slightly tousled dark hair falls perfectly around his face, giving him a rebellious edge. His sharp cheekbones and strong jawline add to his rugged, yet undeniably attractive appearance. There's a certain magnetic quality to his look, making it hard to look away. His expression is a mix of mystery and allure, perfectly capturing the essence of a him as a person who's both captivating and enigmatic.

"You want to watch something?" he asked, gesturing to the couch with a warm smile. "Might be nice to just relax for a bit." How was she supposed to pick between these two. Poor Marcus who doesn't even know that she was beginning to have feelings for his best friend. How was she supposed to choose. Either way they both got hurt. Not that her choice mattered much anyway with the devil looming over her. He said "if I can't have you no one else can."

She nodded, settling into his arms as he pulled her close, the comfort of his presence calming her. But as the minutes passed, she found her gaze drifting back to Cal, who had moved to the edge of the room, his gaze intense as he watched her from afar.

A million questions filled her mind, but for now, she pushed them aside, letting herself sink into Marcus's embrace, grateful for his steady presence, even as her thoughts spun, trying to make sense of everything that lingered between her and Cal and her, and the devil.