Chapter Four

Mark instinctively tries to put some distance between him and Blake's naked body lying next to him. Because of his panic, he forgets that he is already at the edge of the bed. He falls to the ground with a thud. Panicked, Mark looks at the sleeping figure hurriedly. He sees Blake frown slightly, then makes some small muffled noises, turns his back on him, and returns to his peaceful sleep once again.

 Mark doesn't even dare to move. He is observing Blake's every small movement. When he confirms that Blake is not waking up anytime soon, only then does he sigh with relief. He doesn't even realize that he's been holding his breath the whole time.

He then frantically searches for his shirt and pants amongst the clothes that have been scattered all over the floor. After he finds them, hurriedly he puts on his clothes, no longer daring to stay around any more minute.

After he is done wearing it, he looks at Blake's sleeping frame once more. Regarding him, Mark's emotions are exceptionally complex. Mark knows that he loves him, wants to cherish him well and spend the rest of his life with him. But at the same time, he knows well that he cannot afford to have such thoughts because revenge is what he wanted most in his past life. And if they realized Blake's presence, then they would try to harm him and use him against Mark. So, he always avoided Blake as far as he could. 

This sounds more like an excuse to him because it was he who harmed this person the most, to the point of killing him. Even at this moment, when he's been given the chance to amend his mistakes, he did the same once again. Mark knows that Blake will be incredibly hurt when he wakes up, but he just doesn't know how to face him. He also feels guilty towards him so much so that he flees reflexively.

Mark runs his eyes over the figure for the last time and tries to engrave this image deep into his memory. Suddenly his eyes run over a wound near his clavicle. Rather than a simple wound, it looks more like a bite mark. But under the pressure of this situation, he cannot realize the significance of that mark. The only thing in his mind now: "Hurry! Run! Before Blake wakes up." 

No longer willing to waste any more time, he reaches for the doorknob, opens it, and steps forward towards the hallway. But as soon as he steps out of the room, he finds the entire setting spin around him suddenly. He staggers and his eyes blur. When his vision returns, he is shocked. He stands inside a room. He looks around and notices the familiar figure of Blake sleeping on the bed soundly. 

He is confused. He is quite sure that he has walked out of the room earlier. But he doesn't think much about it and tries to walk out of the room once again. He finds himself inside the room once again. He tries a few more times and, to his horror, he stands in the same position repeatedly.

Mark suddenly has an awful premonition in his heart. He feels as if someone is playing with him. He looks around and tries to feel a presence near him. As expected, he sees Glinda stretching herself on the sofa in a leisurely manner, looking at him with an amused expression.

Mark looks at her with a guarded expression, as if, asking her " What is the meaning of this? What are you trying to do with me this time?"

Glinda can read his questioning look clearly but chooses not to answer him. Anyway, she has lots of time in her hand. She stretches her back slowly and changes to a sitting position on the couch. After that, she takes her own sweet time to look around the room and appreciates its beauty. 

1 minute passed, 2 minutes passed, 3 minutes passed...with each passing minute, Glinda was getting on his nerves more and more. Mark loses his patience. His already frowned eyebrows deepen even more. Glinda still has no intention of talking first. Just like that, 10 minutes have passed. Mark can see clearly that this old deity is playing with him. So he selects to bow down first. "Why are you doing this?"

Feigning ignorance, Glinda answers," What did I do now?". Mark can see a hint of mischief in her eyes. Mark feels vexed by this old spirit who has been repeatedly interfering in his life. 

Mark doesn't like the feeling of being controlled and now, when he knows that his life is no longer within his control, he becomes irritated even more. With an annoyed tone, he said, 

"Don't act like you don't know. Isn't it you who has been preventing me from leaving this room?"

Glinda doesn't reply, instead looking at Blake's sleeping face says "If one day Blake knows that his dear friend has abandoned him for the second time, how will he feel?" She then turns to him. "what do you think Mark?"

Mark's body stiffens. He subconsciously looks at Blake. Not finding anything appropriate to refute her, he finally loses calm. "T...this is None of Your Business. You...You are enjoying this, Right...? Do You think this..this.. is some kind of game?..." He shouts incoherently. 

"Ah! You have such a loud voice. Oh my, pitiful ears! Glinda rubs her ears exaggeratedly. Seeing this, Mark's blood boils even more. When he opens his mouth to say more, he finds that he cannot make any sound. He doesn't need to think here who the culprit is. He immediately shoots an angry look at her.

"Sigh! Young people these days. No patience at all. I thought we could have a peaceful conversation. But…!" Suddenly Mark gets a bad feeling in his heart. Glinda, understanding his inner thought, gives him an eerie smile. " Since you don't want to listen, then I have left no choice. I hope you will enjoy my small gift." She winks at him, gives him a mysterious smile, and disappears into thin air.

Mark hurriedly looks around and then at his body. He doesn't see any changes. Still, he is not so assured. But he doesn't want to think about it for now. Seeing that this nosy spirit has truly left this time, he walks towards the door and takes this chance to leave. 

Suddenly he hears the same irritating voice in his head " Oh dear! it seems like I forgot to tell you something. I have connected your fate with your little mate. If you are over 20 feet away from him, it will hurt your mate". After listening to this, Mark is so angry that he wants to kill someone right now "what the…" Glinda interrupts him "Why are you overreacting?" as if questioning him "Haven't you two bonded already? So, how is that a big deal?" She then continues, "I think you two can use this chance to ma.. *cough* I mean *cough* experience your life together as a couple and strengthen your bond. No need to thank me...hehe… ok., ok...I won't disturb you two love birds any longer. Hehehe...Good luck."

Hearing this, Mark's whole body shakes with anger. But he is helpless, and he doesn't dare to treat that crazy deity's words like air, especially when Blake's life is at stake here. Although this old lady talks crazy, he has a feeling that she is someone not to be trifled with. For now, he keeps this lunatic at the back of his mind and concentrates himself on Blake, who has been sleeping deeply this whole time. He knows that the noises they just made are enough for any normal person to wake up easily but with Blake; it seems like he has been under some kind of spell. He shows no sign of waking up at all.

Suddenly, remembering Glinda's last remark, he immediately checks if he is in some kind of pain or if he is wounded anywhere. Not noticing any such signs, he finally sighs with relief. His eyes then go to the wound near his neck. Earlier, in a hurry, he couldn't see it properly. Now, when he sees this, he wobbles. "This..this..how is this p...possible!" He feels the world spinning once again. He cannot believe that he has done this to Blake. "I, I...D...Did I do the same then? Did...Did I mark Blake in my previous life as well?" He sits beside him, and looks at his sleeping face, and caresses it with his fingers slowly. He takes a silent oath to treat him better, to protect him well, and to never hurt him again in this life.

After a few minutes, Mark walks out of the bedroom he was just in and looked around the house. The entire house has been meticulously made. It was big and spacious, but Mark cannot seem to feel at home here. The entire space looks luxurious, but empty. He feels like this house is missing something.

Suddenly, Mark hears footsteps coming from behind him. He slowly turns his head towards that sound. He sees the figure walking towards him. When their eyes meet, he feels as if time has stopped for them. Mark's heart is beating violently in his chest. He wants to look away from him. Still, he cannot seem to break his gaze free, as if he's been hypnotized. In Blake's eyes, he sees a torrent of emotions. - for him, he sees adoration, a hint of possession, and something more.