Can't - Mark Tuan Fan fic

9 - Mark

"Mark? Babe?" Her cries drown the words that come after. 

I can't believe that Lara's finally called. After my outburst a few days ago at Cristina, she has called me, and she's crying. Stay mad? But, her sobs are making me soft all of a sudden. Actually, it's like all my anger has disappeared temporarily. 

I can't let her do this to me again and again. She knows I get weak just hearing her cries, especially when I see with my own eyes the tears that are rolling down her cheeks. 

It's Lara's first day in the dance academy and she's already crying. I heard Joyce yelled at her earlier for making mistakes. As one of the student assistants, I am designated to check on the newbies. 

"Hi, I'm Mark." I put out my hankie for her to wipe the tears off her cheeks. "Joyce is really like that. Don't worry too much about it." When she looks up, I realize she's not as young as I thought she was. 

"Sorry. I'm just really emotional right now." 

"What's the matter?" I ask, just allowing her to let out whatever her problems are. I'm no guidance counselor but I can at least listen whether I can help or not. 

Ever since that time, she'd come to me with her issues that don't seem to stop. My pity turned to something more as I got to know her better. 

___

"Mark, please don't go. We've only been together for a month and you're leaving?" Lara pouted. 

"But, my parents really need me to go there. It's just gonna be two weeks, babe." I tried to reason. They wanted me to check out one of our restaurants down south. It seemed one of the managers there was embezzling money from our profit. I had to go there to investigate on it. My parents were both busy with the other businesses we have here. 

The day I was about to leave, I received a call from Lara. "Mark. I'm running away."

"What? Wait. Where are you?" I forgot about my plans and run out to my car, starting it as soon as I get in. "Lara. I'm coming to get you. Where are you?" 

I picked her up at a Star Bucks. She had a big bag of clothes with her and her eyes are puffy from too much crying. Her arms went around me instantly when she got in the car. 

"What happened?" I asked, feeling my heart aching as I watched her tears fall down again. 

"I don't think I'm good enough for anybody." She said between sobs. "I'm always a failure to my dad. My Uncle hates me because I didn't give her daughter what she wanted. I get criticized by our friends. What do you think I should do? Should I just kill myself?"

"What are you thinking, Lara? How can you resort to that?"

"I just don't know what to do anymore, Mark. You know how hard it is to be following orders all the time? Just because her father is more superior than my dad. Do I have to do everything she says? What does that make me? Huh?" She burst out.

So, I ended up asking one of my dad's right hand men to go instead of me. I was scared Lara would do something stupid that time. She had attempted suicide many times in the past, so I heard. I didn't want that to happen when she's with me. I would do everything I can to protect her. 

I really don't know what to feel this time. But, since I haven't heard her voice for a very long time and I missed her so, I have to at least listen even if a part of me just wants to hang up. 

"Mark. I'm really sorry I had to do this to you. You know I love you right? I just wanted you to do what you love doing." She starts explaining. "I know you're hating me right now but I hope you listen and soon understand why I did it."