Chapter 5

*trigger warning* verbal abuse, adult content*

   As we walked up the stairs Manny placed one hand on my back to lead me up the steps. We reached the same security guard that sent me away only a few minutes ago, I tried not to make eye contact with him. Just then Manny told him "next time you feel the need to send someone away please check with me or my father, this happens to be my date" his voice sounded firm filled with authority, he continued to glare at him as I stiffened my body at the word he just said, 'date! He said date?!? Why did he say date?!? Oh God I can feel my face getting hot!'

"I am so sorry, this will not happen again sir, ma'am I am dreadfully sorry for this miscommunication!" The security guard basically blurted out. We continued to walk passed him and suddenly cameras were flashing on all sides of us, I began to feel very uncomfortable, I tried to bury myself into the back of Manny's arm. He quickly sensed my discomfort and asked all the camera men to back away. I looked up at his beautiful eyes with one raised eyebrow "date?" I asked.

     "Sorry about that, I just wanted to teach him a lesson to not just send people away without checking with us first. Especially someone as beautiful and stunning as you" he smiled down at me. All of a sudden it was if no one else was in the room, we looked into each other eyes and it felt like sparks were flowing through me, I couldn't look away from his soft gaze, it felt as if we were searching into each other's souls to find the answers we were so desperately trying to find. I cleared my throat and snapped out of the trance, "so tell me, where is your father, I'd like to tell him happy birthday now" he gave me a sweet smile and pulled away "right this way ma'am" as he motioned the direction with his arm, "ladies first" he said as I rolled my eyes in a teasing manner.

  'Dammit those dimples!' I thought to myself as I followed him through the crowd. 

   Everyone was dressed so elegantly, I couldn't help but to notice the whispers happening around me as people looked at me walking with Manny. I wondered what they were saying, my chest was starting to feel tight, I tried to control my breathing 'just keep walking Marianna, just say hi have one drink and go home' I kept reminding myself 

   "Ms. Milano! You made it! My dear you look as beautiful as ever!" I heard Manny's dad call out to me. Emmanuel Sr. Was a very pleasant man, he never let money get the best of him, to him everyone should be treated with respect. "Happy birthday Mr. Jennings, you seem to be enjoying your evening" I giggled 'he sure is enjoying his drinks tonight' I thought to myself.

    "Guys, this young lady right here is the best and most beautiful assistant we have ever had! I would have loved to have a daughter just like her" he announced to everyone that would listen.

   "Thank you sir, you are too kind to me, well don't let me keep you from your other guests, I will just make my way to the bar to get myself a drink" I excused myself before my face could become even more red.

   Just as I finished saying that, Manny approached me and handed me a drink. He gave everyone a nod, and led me outside by the waist. I was in awe with him, he had touched me several times today and not once had I turned away from his touch or felt insecure. Something about his presence around me made me feel safe.

    We walked side by side towards their back yard, it felt nice to get away from the crowds. The smell of the air was refreshing, it smelt like rain was on the brink of coming down. Rain was my favorite! Everything about it was so relaxing, the smell, the sound of it hitting the roof and floor. As much as I love the rain, I was praying it wouldn't start until after I got home. Seeing as I completely forgot to bring a jacket with me.  

   "I thought you might want a break from everyone in there, and I am sorry that my father put you on the spot, he's just really fond of you, I guess that must run in the family" Manny said as he gave me a wink. I lowered my head so he wouldn't see my cheeks flush, just then he lifted my chin ever so gently with his warm fingers. While gazing into each other's eyes I heard him say, "please don't hide yourself from me, you are too beautiful to hide yourself from anyone" I cleared my throat and gave him a smile. I moved away from his touch and continued to walk forward.

  

    Once we reached further out the door my legs stopped moving. I was stunned by their back yard!

    In front of me was a bridge going over a pond which that led to the most beautiful garden gazebo I have ever seen in my life! It was full of white flowers, lights hung all around the roof and wrapped around each pillar, there were red roses along the outside of the gazebo. There were heat lamps inside the gazebo, two chairs and a small bench on the right side. This looked like a perfect place to just relax in. 

    "Oh my God Manny! This is beautiful" I exhaled and held my hand up to my mouth.

  Without following him I made my way over the bridge and entered the beautiful gazebo. I placed my drink on the bench, and spun around to look at every single detail, the wood was in perfect condition, the paint looked great, no signs or ware anywhere. I looked back and saw Manny was still standing outside the gazebo just watching me in awe, his head had a slight tilt to it as if he was studying me, both his hands were in his pockets, as he stood there I just couldn't deny he looked so handsome and God like, his black jacket fit him perfectly and yet you could still see his muscles. He radiated confidence, not a single hair out of place, his hair was parted on the side, his facial hair was well groomed. He was Perfect! 

    I was so busy studying all his features I had not noticed that he was walking towards me. He stopped two feet away from me, without breaking our eye contact he took one more step towards me. I saw his hand lift up to my face and not once did in move away in fear, I almost welcomed his touch. 

    He moved a piece of hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear, and slowly let his hand glide down the side of my face. His hands were warm and soft that it sent a shiver down my spine.

   Before I could even blink he grabbed me gently by the waist and pulled me towards him, his lips had found mine. I felt both of his hands come up to the sides of my face as he cupped my cheeks. I dropped my purse on the floor, as my hands found their way to his chest, the warmth of his body was heating mine, not only on the outside but on the inside as well. We stayed like this for what felt like an eternity, afraid to move, to break the connection.

   He gently separated himself from my lips, I could feel my knees wanting to give out under me. Butterflies swormed my stomach, my head was spinning, 'He smells so good' I thought 

    His eyes were searching my face for any objection, as soon as I gave him a smile, his face descended on mine and our kiss became even more passionate. It felt as if we needed each other, that only we could give each other what we wanted, to satisfy this hunger.

    Manny was drowning in Marianna's scent, and kisses.

   I wrapped my arm around her waist, and held the back of her head, slightly bending hear back, I kept measuring her actions for any sign that I needed to stop. To the joy in my heart she was giving me no objections, I slowly lowered her to the floor, giving her kisses from her lips down to her neck. I could hear her let out a small moan when I reached her neck. Her moan sent me over the cliff, I could feel my cock begin to twitch in excitement. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back, her kisses began to feel as if she needed them, I felt her hips move up in almost a grinding motion to were my thigh was. She was enjoying my touch and my lips, which made me go even more crazy for her. 

   It began to rain, but it didn't matter, we had each other for this moment, our electricity that roared through us kept us warm.

    One of my hands traced her chin down to her neck towards her breast, just then she shot her eyes open, "stop!" She told me almost sounded as if she was in fear. She got up to straighten herself', she bent down to grab her purse and started almost sprinting down towards the house "I have to go right now, I am sorry!" Her voice sounded as if she was trying not to cry. I stood there in shock unable to speak or move. Within seconds of watching her run into the house I snapped back to reality and ran after her. My mind was working in overdrive 'what happened? What did I do? Did I cross the line? I need to find her, she can't just go like that! What if I hurt her?'

    I ran into the house looking from person to person like a mad man to see if I could see her. No one else mattered in there but her and finding her. I ran outside just in time to see her  get into a taxi cab and just like that she was gone! Gone without giving me any explanation, gone without me being able to ask what I did wrong or what was going on?

    I tried to hold back my tears as I sat in the cab, I didn't even care that I was wet from head to toe from the rain. 'What did I do! How could I let this happen!?' A million of things were going through my mind. I just wanted to get home already, I felt my chest ready to explode, and the ride home felt even longer this time around. 

    As soon as I arrived I ran in, not only because it was raining but I urgently had to let myself cry. I ran to my bathroom and started the shower, the dress felt like it was suffocating me. I practically ripped the dress off of my body. I watched myself in the mirror and suddenly the world broke under me, I let out all of my tears I was holding back. I got into my bathtub, sat down and curled my body up, I allowed the hot water to hit my back. Crying so loudly, trying to catch my breath in between my wails. 

   'You will never be worthy of any other man'

   'You are a waste of space and air'

   'Just kill yourself already'

   'How can anyone love someone as ugly as    

you?'

   'you will never find a man as good as me'

   All the pain came flooding back, 'I can never escape my past, I will never be able to escape him" 

   "He's right, how can any man ever love me! I am broken, all they see is my body, I don't even love me how can anyone else love me! I will never be worthy of any man" I cried out. I cried for what felt like hours, till I had no more tears to shed. I could barely keep my eyes open.

   I managed to get out of the shower and change into my nightgown, I made my way to my bed almost in a robotic motion, I had no tears left in me, no more energy, I felt empty inside, nothing and no one else mattered in this life.

   Emmanuel deserves better, a whole woman not someone as broken as me. If he ever knew about my past he would just walk away from me, probably be disgusted with me.... those were my last thoughts as I drifted into sleep..

   A whole day had passed since the party, I stood on my balcony looking out into the sunset. I kept repeating last nights event in my head, 'what went wrong? I shouldn't have done that, she just looked so beautiful I couldn't stay away from her anymore! To hell with everyone else, she's the one I want. Maybe I'm not the one she wants, but why was she kissing me back, I knew her body wanted me as much I wanted her. I could feel it in my heart! So why won't she let me in?!' 

    My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door'

   "Come in" I yelled from across the room in annoyance.

  "Sir, dinner is ready, and your father is waiting for you" Amanda our maid said softly   

   "Thank you, Amanda" I said as I turned around to see the sunset again

    I walked into the dining room and found my dad reading the newspaper while drinking his glass of Scotch

“My son, finally you have come out of your room. Why haven’t you come out all day?” My dad asked

“Sorry father, you know how it is, the weight of this case, I just needed some time for myself. Did I miss something important?” I asked

I noticed my father put the newspaper down and said “Well, someone came to see you during the party, but you disappeared all night, she even waited after the party but, still you were nowhere to be found throughout the house. Where did you go?”

“Oh yeah dad, I needed some fresh air, like I said the case dad.” I began to tell my father although I knew that was not true, I wanted to go and find Marianna. I even drove to her house in hopes of seeing her, but I couldn’t find my courage to go inside.

"Anyways dad, who came to see me?” I asked as I took a sip of my water

My dad lifted one eyebrow and gave me a smirk “Ms. Ariel" he responded, I only stayed quiet at that name

"My son, I just want what’s best for you, I want you to find someone and be happy, life is not all about business, life goes by so quick, and before you know it, you will grow old and alone, and I do not wish that for you.” His father grimaced

“I understand dad, however, that future is not with Ms. Peterson. I can assure you that. Yes, she is beautiful, however I do not share those affections that she does. I am sorry if you don't agree with my decision and if it some how disappoints you." I replied as I looked down at my plate 

I heard my dad let out a sigh "my son you are anything but a disappointment! Maybe, sometimes it is best to settle with what is good for you, instead of being alone. Anyways, enough of this, let's eat"

The next morning, I walked into my office and found that Marianna was not there, instead there was a young lady maybe early 2s with blonde hair sitting at her desk.

“where is Ms. Milano? And who are you?” I asked deadpan

She looked up at me and instantly stood up, trying to control the fear in her voice she said "Good msorning Sir, my name is Sarah Baxter, I am a temp here. I am unsure where Ms. Milano is, but I could find out for you if you'd like?"

 "Did they tell you anything at all when they called you in?" I asked in a frustrated tone.

 “No sir, All I was told was that she didn't show up today" she replied

I walked away from her and locked myself in my office, I stood in front of my desk with so many questions "why is she not here? Did she leave for good?"

The day left like an eternity without Marianna there, I kept looking over at her desk hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but she never showed up.

I was once again lost in my thoughts when I head “Mr. Jennings what do you say about that idea?"

 “Think about what?” he replied still confused of what was going on

Mr. Kurtland raised an eyebrow “about the proposal I just spent about 40 minutes talking to you about, setting up the dates to meet with the other lawyers? Sir, if you don't mind me asking are you feeling ok?” A concerned expression fell over his face 

 “I am sorry Mr. Kurtland, I was preoccupied with thinking about another case I've been working on, may we continue this conversation later I have somewhere to be at this moment." I hadn't even given Mr. Kurtland a chance to response before I rushed out towards the elevators.

Before I knew it, I was at Marianna’s front door. I kept walking back and forth like a wolf, I ran my fingers through my hair, and finally I stopped in front of her door, suddenly I felt like something was wrong in the pit of my stomach. I got the courage to finally knock...