Progress and then some [On Hold]

Chapter 5

Victoria's P.O.V

Victoria awoke to the sun blazing through the curtains. She instantly smiled when she felt Marks chest pressed against her back and an arm slung securely over her waist, his breath quietly brushing over her neck. She slowly turned around to face a sleeping Mark. Why her? She thought. I'm nothing compared to the rest of the women out there. She carefully placed a kiss on the tip of his nose and Mark had smiled. Not even opening his eyes yet he had left a lingering kiss on Victoria's lips. His eyes opened and she couldn't help but gasp at just how beautiful they were. "They're only eyes Vick." He said, sleep still clear in his voice.
"You have no idea how gorgeous they are do you?" She said. He didn't understand why people felt so loving towards him. Everything about mark is just too perfect.
"I suppose not." He replied "then again, I bet you didn't know how gorgeous you are in the morning."
"Hmm, didn't know you liked looking at trolls in the morning." She stated, smiling and rolling onto her back. Mark shot her a look, "don't say that V. That's not true at all." He always seemed alert whenever Vicky says something Horrible about herself. She nodded slightly, amazed that Mark had noticed. He had got up to sit on the edge of , which he claimed to be, his side of the bed. Only then did she realise he was shirtless. She couldn't help but reach over and run a hand over his bare back. "God Victoria. I wouldn't do that if I was you otherwise it would be a repeat of last night." He groaned. Arching his back at her touch. She smiled but blushed all the same. She carried on, ignoring the threat and even placed little butterfly kisses leaving his skin heated at her touch. Without missing a beat Mark turned around, straddling her and lifting her hands above her head. "You never listen, maybe that's just what I love about you, little rebel." He said huskily before dipping down for a passionate kiss. As much as she regretted it she had pulled away. Mark looked at her concerned. "What did I do?" He asked climbing off of her and sitting beside her instead. "Nothing. I promised to meet Robbie today." She replied.
He groaned in response "urgh. I just want to lie in bed with you all day can't you just put it off? At least for another hour?" He pleaded. She looked at the clock 12:51 p.m. She considered it for a moment, the offer very tempting but she knew just as much as Mark did that it would turn into the whole day. "We've been in bed for the whole morning. I promised I'll call him this afternoon. We need to sort this out." She saw Marks face fall a little. "You're too selfless Vicky. Ok, but I want you to myself tonight. Understand me?" He demanded.
"Yes Sir!" She exclaimed, leaping off the bed and saluting him. She ran downstairs with her phone to make the call before Mark Tempts her anymore.
"Hey Vick, thought you'd forgotten" Robbie started the conversation off.
"No way. I only just got up you see-"
"So no morning sex after all?" He asked, making Victoria blush like mad "No. If you must know. How about I come to you? In about an hour or so?" She was trying her best to change the conversation.
"Um, yeah sounds good see you in an hour I suppose."
"Yeah ok. Bye." She said before hanging up. Running upstairs again she heard the shower running so decided to skip the shower and just get changed. It's only Robbie he doesn't think me a model. Pulling out a pair of leggings and a jumper, she caught herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess and she looked so pale, however a hint of a blush still clear on her face. She pulled the clothes on to herself and then got to sorting out her make up, applying foundation, then eyeliner and then mascara, she seemed a little more presentable but still had a nest on top of her head. Smoothing her blonde hair down with a brush, she caught a glimpse of Mark in the doorway. Only a towel hung below his waist. She smiled into the mirror, plaiting her hair into a side braid then decided that she looked half decent. "Howard called, said we need to be in the studio at four." He said walking over to her then massaging her shoulders. "It's meant to be our day off" she moaned, wishing that she had just stayed in bed. "I know, you know what Gary's like, he needs to slow down." He said.
"Yeah- oh god Mark where the hell did you learn this?" She said leaning into him.
"No where. Mum always said I'd be a great masseuse if the band thing didn't work out." He smiled "or a model."
"Now that's just modest." Victoria smiled back. She had never felt so relaxed in all her life. "That offer is still there. An hour won't hurt." He said eventually letting go of her shoulders and planting a kiss on top of her head. She sighed, "I wish. I promised to be at Robbie's in- 15 minutes." She said then began rushing around grabbing her handbag, chucking in essentials. "Later then." He chuckled as she watched her panic.
"Yeah. Later." She said giving him one last kiss then headed for the door.

*****

Victoria was greeted by A smiling Robbie. He looked a lot better than Victoria did. She smiled back and walked through the door, walking straight into his living room where two steaming cups of coffee already sat. She sat down and Robbie sat down next to her. "So, yesterday-" Robbie started.
"Was a huge mistake, you were right and I'm sorry." Victoria finished. Robbie was astonished, Vicky always stood her ground. Even when she knows that she's wrong she tries to turn everything right. "He's important Vick. You need to understand that it's hard to see your loved one not care for your feelings" he said. Vicky was overwhelmed. Since when did Robbie gather emotions? "Believe me I know" he muttered then instantly regretted it, that was not meant to slip out.
"What do you mean? Since when have you been in love to know?" She said, probably a bit harsh. He didn't know what it's like to be in such a position. "Nothing. Forget I said it." He waved a hand dismissively. "No it isn't nothing Robbie what happened?" She asked, genuinely concerned now. Maybe he should tell her? After all what has he got to lose? "I-" Robbie started but couldn't find the words. After all this time of knowing her, he never felt so shy. She leaned closer, she could tell there was something "tell me" she whispered. So he did. But not with words. He leaned closer and kissed her. Letting all that he felt for her into that kiss. She pushed him away, tears forming in her eyes. "Me? I did that to you" she said, aching with guilt. She hadn't noticed, surely the flirting when they were younger meant nothing? He nodded, "all that time. You just watched me give everything I've got and you left me confused."
"I didn't know-"
"No. You didn't want to know. I remember what you said to Nigel 'just a flirt' to you maybe but not to me" he said angrily. Victoria felt weak and horrible. She shook her head "I came here to resolve this. Well done Rob, how about I just go crawl into a hole and then I won't have to hurt anyone else!" She screamed running out the door and starting up the engine of her car not even looking back.

****

She walked inside her house and instantly screamed, letting her tears and emotion take over. She cowered and slid down the wall, curling up into a ball of uselessness. "What happened?" Mark asked. She forgot he was here and he obviously didn't leave the house. She just sobbed uncontrollably, her breaths coming out fast and hard but short. Mark lifted her up taking her into the kitchen and sat her on the work surface. "Sit up straight babe, you need to let some air through your lungs. Calm down what's the matter?" He said trying to calm her down
"What's the use. I'm just a poor excuse of a human being." She stated. She looked so weak and defeated. "I let Robbie and you feel worthless and you know what's sad? I didn't even realise. What a bitch I am." She yelled. Mark kissed her but she pushed away. "No. Mark."
Instead mark grabbed her face and looked her straight in the eye. "You are no where near useless. I need you. You didn't hurt any of us."
"I did." She whispered.
"Who?" He asked wiping the tears from her face.
"Robbie"
It all landed into place. Robbie has feelings for Victoria. "This is my fault." He said backing away slightly. "How? It's my fault! I have practically cheated too so just get out while you can Mark otherwise you'll be in for a lot more hurt." She said coldly.
"What? You cheated on me?" Mark said in disbelief. So it wasn't just Robbie she went to see. "I asked Robbie what he meant about getting hurt himself and he kissed me. I feel guilty believe me." She said no emotion in her voice but relief washed over Mark. He would laugh if she wasn't so torn. "You haven't cheated on me babe, that was Robbie showing you his feelings." She looked at him. He wasn't angry at her. "Mark, make it stop. I don't want to hurt anyone else. I love Robbie like a brother but not like that. I love you like that. I can't change it." She pleaded. He pulled her into a tight hug. "I will V, for you I'll will do anything" he said finally letting go of the tears he tried so hard to keep behind his eyes. He pressed his forehead to hers for quite a while until he heard her breath become soft and quiet. Victoria had drifted off. Scooping her up, Mark took her to their bedroom.