Chapter 443 - 443: Rejection

That day, Marie and Black Shadow became officially a couple. It was like starting over again for both of them.

After the road trip, Black Shadow dropped Marie off at her house. It was already evening when they arrived.

"Sweety, I will not be able to see you in the next three days. I have some out-of-town work once again. Once I finish the job I will come and visit you," Black Shadow informed Marie.

"It's okay. I understand. Your work is important too. Besides, you always visited me for the past few days." Marie said while smiling at him.

"I have too. Because I want to see you every day," Black Shadow said, making Marie blush.

Black Shadow couldn't help but laugh seeing her fl.u.s.tered cheeks. He pulled her again closer to his body to hug her. Marie returned his hug.

She loved this simple moment. Her heart was at ease whenever she was with him, being engulfed by his arms just like this. It gave her a different sense of comfort and security.

"Take care while you're at work. Don't exhaust yourself too much," Marie reminded him. 

She thought he was a businessman. She had no idea that his job was dangerous. Black Shadow would be preparing for the upcoming mission.

Skull Gang would launch another attack against the Dark Knight Organization. Black Shadow would be the team leader for this mission.

"Yeah, I will take care of myself. You too… keep safe while I'm not around," Black Shadow softly said to her, stroking her hair.

Unknown to Marie, Black Shadow assigned some Skull Gang members to monitor and safeguard Marie while he was on the Mission.

Marie just bobbed her head as a response. Black Shadow's grip on Marie's body tightened and he bent down to smell her hair and kiss her head.

They would not see each other for a few days but just thinking about it, Black Shadow was already missing her. He would think of a way how he would make it up for her once he came back.

"Are you going now? Do you want to get inside first and greet my parents? They are inside," Marie invited Black Shadow.

Black Shadow released her from his warm embrace before responding to her.

"Sorry sweety, I have to pass for now. I'm nervous. I didn't prepare anything for them. But promise, once I return, I will meet them. You can introduce me to them." Black Shadow reassured her.

Marie just giggled after hearing that. She didn't expect that a guy like Brandon Stone aka Black Shadow would be nervous while meeting his girlfriend's parents.

But she could understand him. They said it was common for other guys.

"Sweety, I have to go now. I'll see you next week. Okay?" Black Shadow stole a kiss from her before he left.

Marie just watched him drive away from her place. That was the time Allen arrived to visit Marie.

He continued courting her and still waiting for her answer. Allen and Erick's team were very occupied for the past few weeks because of the case they were handling.

He was very busy, that's why he was able to see her only tonight. He saw Black Shadow from a distance but he didn't recognize him.

"Marie, good evening!" Allen greeted her while giving her a bouquet of flowers.

Marie was a little bit surprised when she saw Allen. The moment Allen extended the flower to her, Marie felt a pang of guilt deep inside her heart.

She had not talked to him yet regarding her answer and her feelings. Allen had no idea that there was already a man who owned her heart and that person was Black Shadow.

Marie knew that she became unfair to Allen. She also cared for him. She loved him but only as her friend, not in a romantic way.

She didn't want to hurt his feelings but she had no choice but to tell him the truth. That was the right thing to do. She shouldn't give him false hope.

Allen noticed her troubled expression so he asked her right away.

"Hey what's wrong? Is there a problem? Who's the guy who just left with his motorcycle? Did he do something to you?" Allen bombarded her with so many questions. His face was painted by worries and concerns for her.

Marie shook her head and said, "Allen, we need to talk."

"Hey, don't give me that kind of serious face. You are making me nervous." Allen said, smiling while scratching the back of his head.

He meant it. He was nervous now. It seemed like Marie was about to give him an answer to his proposal and love confession.

Marie was still holding the bouquet of flowers when she asked Allen to follow her. They sat down on the bench near their garden.

There was a lamp post in that area so it had lights. It was also a perfect place for them to talk privately, only the two of them.

Marie invited him to sit beside her. Allen complied with her request. When they were already settled down in their seats, Marie started to speak.

"Allen, I don't know how I will tell you this without hurting you. But I have to be honest with you." Marie held Allen's arms as she looked into his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Allen. I can't accept nor reciprocate your feelings for me. I love you too but as my good friend."

"I appreciate all the efforts and help you've done for me for the past two years. But I can't fool my heart, Allen. I can't force my heart to love you. You're a good man. I hope you can find the right woman who can love you back. I'm really sorry." 

Marie's heart felt heavy, knowing that Allen was hurting right now. She couldn't help it.

Allen looked down. He heard it. He knew it. He had a bad feeling the moment he saw her troubled face while looking at him.

His heart was being squeezed right now. It was slowly breaking into tiny pieces. The woman he loved didn't love him back. It hurt a lot but he had to endure it. He had to respect Marie's decision.

Marie continued speaking.

"I hope nothing will change between us after this. I want our friendship to remain the same. I don't want to lose a good friend. Please tell me that we can still be friends, Allen? Am I making a difficult request?"

This time Allen gazed up to meet her eyes. Allen put on a faint smile to hide his pain.

"Don't worry, Marie. I understand. I respect your decision. Of course, yes! We can still be friends. We should remain friends. I can't be your lover but I can always be your one good friend, forever." Allen tried his best to sound and look cheerful in front of her.

Marie felt relieved when she heard that.

"Thank you, Allen!" Marie said before hugging him.

Allen just let her hug him. He was trying his best to hide his pain and sadness from her. He didn't want her to worry about him.

But there was something he was dying to ask her.

"Marie… Do you love someone already? Is that person... the one I just saw a while ago?"

"Yes, he is... I'm sorry." Marie apologized to him once again.

Allen just smiled bitterly, "Who is the lucky guy?"

"His name is Brandon Stone."