Chapter 105 Think I betrayed her too

Marina's POV

"Ahem... Ahem". I coughed some of the wine which I had just taken into my mouth.

A part of me knew that was what he was going to say, but why was I so surprised by it? And why was he so brazen?

"Are you alright?" Mark stood up and came to my side of the table, crouching down in front of me and staring at me worriedly.

This is not fair, how was I to focus on helping Rachel now? I groaned in my head as I got drawn into his beautiful but concerned-looking eyes.

"I'm... I'm fine". I said looking away, a slight blush already creeping up my cheeks.

"Is it because of what I said?" Mark asked again, and I refused to look at him.

"Why did you have to be so forward like that?" I mumbled, but could bet that he heard it.

He leaned closer to me, nudging me to look at him but I refused.

It was temptation, and I knew it.

The moment I would glance at him, I would forget everything and confess my feelings for him like he had just done for me, and I wanted to do that so badly. His gaze on me was getting more intense and my nose even picked up the scent of his perfume.

Lavender.

He was so close to me now I could feel the hard muscles under the black shirt that he wore, why the hell was he doing this... Of all times now!

Marina, you got to stay strong, or at least say something... You can't keep playing mute!

I took a deep breath before standing up from my seat. "Mark, what are you doing?" I asked anxiously, trying to act stern, but the look in his eyes... It was breaking my resolution fast.

"Mark, what are you doing?" I asked again this time letting my guard down. He just looked so hurt when I moved away from him; it was breaking my heart to see him in that manner. "You can't like me, not now".

"Why can't I?" Mark stood up and stared at me.

He knew the answer, I could tell, but I was going to tell him anyway.

"You know what's going on between Rachel and Ethan., it's just a huge misunderstanding, but the fact remains that they are not on good terms".

Mark scoffed, looking around in frustration "And how does that stop my feelings for you?" He asked almost yelling.

Thank goodness Lorena gave us a booth, but even with that, people were still on the top floor, and they could hear him.

" Mark just calm down and let's talk about this". I said calmly taking a seat where Mark had originally sat.

He hesitated, looking conflicted, but after a few seconds, he finally took his seat, crossing his hands.

"Rachel..."

"That's the thing. " He interrupted before I could get two words out.

" You're right. Rachel and Ethan are not getting along right now, but what does that have to do with us?" He asked.

Is that really a question? I resisted the urge to scoff.

" She's my best friend, and Ethan is yours. " I said in a matter-of-fact voice, and Mark shrugged. " And so what? "

" And so what? " I repeated looking around.

And so what??!

And so everything!

Right now, Rachel thought that Ethan was cheating on her with Lana, and most probably had been informing Lana of all her plans from day one when she and Ethan met, so she not only felt hurt, she also felt betrayed. If she even as much as think that I had anything to do with anyone close to him, she would think I betrayed her too.

Why can't he see this?

"Mark..."

" Do you like me, Marina? " He suddenly asked.

What?

"What?" I blinked in shock.

Why was he asking me that?

"Mark you're changing the topic..."

Mark shook his head firmly. "No, I'm not. I just want an honest answer from you. Do you like me?".

"Do I like you... Do I...? " I laughed in frustration.

What kind of a stupid question was that?

Was he blind or just playing stupid?

" Marina answer the question, goddamnit! " He cursed hitting the table with his fists. I flinched at the sound.

He was actually seriously asking me that?

" Do you like me?! "

" Yes! " I yelled back, standing up from my seat. Unable to take his shouts anymore, I allowed my true feelings to myself

Mark just said nothing, and I immediately realized what I said. I nervously gulped, sitting back down.

This was officially the most awkward moment of my life.

"Yes, I like you... But that..."

"Then that's it. " Mark announced. Taking back his hands from the table, I blinked again.

This guy had shocked me more today than anyone had ever done in my entire life, and most of them were just with his words.

What was it? I asked with my eyes because I was very sure they only held confusion.

" You like me, and I like you; we both like each other, Marina. I don't see why we should keep away from ourselves just because our friends are not on speaking terms ". He said nonchalantly with a shrug, crossing his hands on his chest.

Did he just say that?

" Mark, Mark, Mark. I called you three times hoping you would come back to your senses, but the look you're giving me now just says you're not back yet". I said when he just kept his gaze on me like he wanted to do something naughty with me.

I would have blushed under his gaze or, even worse, turned my head away with a small smile if this was any other case.

" I know what you want to say but before you do, I want us to make this official". He said again, shocking me.

Was this guy even listening to anything that I've been saying?

Official? God!

It seems like he hadn't been listening because if he had, he wouldn't have just asked me to be his girlfriend after I just tried talking sense into him. For fuck sake what was going on in that head of is? And why was he looking at me like that?

' Marina, this has to stop. You've not been completely straight with this guy, so that must be probably why he was acting like this '

"Mark, I just don't get it. Are you even listening to me?" I paused taking in a sharp breath before releasing it slowly.

This guy had tested my extremely low patience to the limit, and I couldn't even snap at him because I liked him.

" Rachel is my friend". I began in a calm tone.

How I managed to stay calm in a situation like this was really shocking. Normally when an actress didn't listen to me after I had corrected them, that was the end of the road for them... But this was Mark here.

Even if his Innocence was really cute, it was also as annoying, or even more annoying than cute.

But just breathe Marina, and don't lose it.

"Right now, Rachel thinks Ethan betrayed her and is in love with Lana. I can see that's a misunderstanding now on her path, but this is Rachel we're talking about here." I paused again to look at Mark checking if he was following, and thankfully he was.

"Rachel only, mostly listens to herself and her head. It would be hard to convince her nothing is going on between Ethan and Lana, and until then, she would still think of Ethan as a betrayer and anyone close to him. If she finds out that, that I'm close to you, or that I'm dating you or anything, she would think I betrayed her too." I sniffled, feeling my eyes water with tears.

Curse you sensitive eyes.

"I don't want Rachel to think I betrayed her. I'm sorry, but I can't accept your proposal." I finished my long speech, and I saw Mark's shoulder plump down.

As far as he listened, at least.

"I had a feeling you would say no" He said with a small smile leaning into his chair.

Does that mean that he understands?

But wait again, what does he understand?

But then he looked up at me. "But why do you care so much about what Rachel thought of you?"