NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35: Chapter 33
It had been 2 weeks since Marshall's one-night stand in the nightclub. He missed Emily terribly. They hadn't spoken in over two weeks, and he had no idea how she was doing. He thought about going to her house so he could apologize for the way he treated her that day.
But he always stopped himself, afraid of her reaction, afraid of facing the inevitable pain and disappointment in her eyes.The last thing he said to her was so harsh, so cruel. He knew that she probably hated him now, and he deserved it for what he'd said. But even so, he couldn't help but yearn for her presence, for the way she used to make him feel alive and loved.
Besides, he had been trying to forget that night he passed with that girl Lana, but he couldn't shake the memories. The guilt and shame were still there, weighing heavily on his conscience. He spent every day trying to push the thoughts away, but they always returned.
He tried to distract himself with work, but he found himself making mistakes he wouldn't normally make. His thoughts were still consumed by the memories of that night, no matter how much he tried to ignore them. The constant thoughts of the guilt and the memory of Emily's face made it hard to focus on anything else.
The fact that he had cheated on Emily after being so hurtful and cold towards her made his guilt even worse. He hadn't even apologized yet, hadn't explain himself to her. The thought of facing her, of admitting what he'd done, filled him with dread and fear. He will certainly bury this secret and pretend it never happened just like he hides all his others horrible secrets.
The memories of that fight and the subsequent cheating made his frustration grow with every passing day. He was angry with himself for being so weak, for allowing himself to be swayed by momentary desire. He was also angry at Emily, for feeling bad because he cheated on her. But deep down, he knew that the anger was really directed at himself, for being such a coward and a liar.
At night, he found himself restless and unable to sleep. Feeling frustrated and caged, he decided to go out for a drive, hoping that the night air and the open road would help clear his mind.
He climbed into his car and started the engine, the low rumble of the motor filling the quiet night. He didn't have a destination in mind, he just wanted to drive, to be away from his thoughts and his guilt for a little while.
He drove aimlessly through the city, the familiar streets blurred into a haze of neon lights and shadows. The radio played softly in the background, providing a faint, static-filled soundtrack to his solitary drive.
As he drove, he found himself drawn to the more run-down parts of the city. The areas where nightclubs and all-night bars were open, their bright lights and loud music calling to him.
He parked his car and glanced around, taking in the sight of the people lined up outside the clubs, waiting to get in. The music pulsing through the air was a mix of thrumming bass and electric beats, and the air was filled with a mix of sweat and cheap perfume.
He stayed in his car, watching the people outside the clubs, the couples and groups coming and going. He knew he should just drive away, go home and try to get some sleep. But he couldn't bring himself to move, the draw of the crowded, sweaty clubs too strong to ignore.
Suddenly, a girl approached his car, her body silhouetted by the lights from the clubs behind her. She was pretty, with long blond hair and big doe eyes. She tapped on his window, a smile on her face.
__The woman: "Hey there stranger. You look lonely in there all by yourself." she said, her tone friendly but suggestive. She looked him up and down, her eyes lingering on his chest and shoulders
__Marshall: "Yeah, I guess I am," he replied, rolling down the window a few inches. The sound of the music from the club was now louder, almost overwhelming. Her perfume was floral and sweet, and it filled his car with a heady, intoxicating scent
__The woman: "What are you doing out here all alone, handsome? She leaned forward, resting her arms on the edge of his window and giving him an excellent view of her cleavage under her tight dress.
__Marshall: "How about you? Where's your friends?"He ask with curiosity
__The woman: "Oh, I don't have any friends here." she said with a pout. "I'm new to this town, just moved from a few states over few days ago. Delaware is kinda boring to say the truth."
she replied, stepping back and leaning against his car instead.
__The woman: "Though, you're not exactly helping me feel less bored, just sitting in here all alone."
He chuckled at her comment. She was cute, charming even, her pouty lips and large, innocent eyes making her look younger and more vulnerable than she probably was. Her outfit was skimpy, revealing a lot of tanned skin and curves in all the right places. She was clearly flirting with him, but he couldn't help but respond.
__Marshall: "And what would you suggest I do?" he asked, his voice teasing. "Invite you in and keep you company?"
The woman's eyes widened slightly, clearly excited by his suggestive tone. She gave him a coy smile, twirling a strand of her blond hair around her finger.
__The woman: "That's not a bad idea," she said, her voice sultry. "I could definitely think of a few ways to keep each other company...
__Marshall: "Oh yeah?" he said, his voice getting lower as he met her gaze. "And what kind of ways might those be?"
He leaned closer to the window, his eyes roaming over her body.
The woman giggled, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on him. She ran her fingers slowly down the window, her touch light and teasing. The air inside the car was thick with tension, and the sound of the music from the club seemed to get even louder.
__The woman: "You know..." she murmured, her voice low and sultry. "I could show you...if you let me come inside..."
__Marshall: "I have a better idea. What about I bring you to my house?" He said with a smile
The woman's expression went from coy to surprised. He'd clearly taken her by surprise with the offer, but he could tell she was intrigued. She looked at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face, then she smiled)
__The woman: "Your place, huh? Sounds...intimate," she said, her voice a little breathless. She ran her hand through her blond hair again, her fingers twisting and playing idly with the ends.
__The woman: "I like the sound of that..."
__Marshall: "Good," he said, a smirk on his face. He unlocked the passenger door, gesturing for her to get in. "Climb in, I'll give you a ride you won't forget."