Chapter 273 - Home In Molave 19

"What do you have in mind, Dr. Charles?" Markus Madani asked, also speaking on behalf of those who didn't dare to voice out their opinions.

Dr. Charles gave out a beguiling smile and ran his eyes across the room, starting from his left to right. He paused for a while to consider the question, holding the gaze of his audience. In a span of a few minutes, he held the microphone in his hand and began to speak again.

"To our highly respected Sir Markus Madani III, in honor of our great, great grandfather Markus Madani Sr., I am leaving the wisdom of planning the next incident to you. As you know,  I don't possess the skill of strategic planning as much as you do. Rest assured that I will give my full support in whatever ways I can be of help to the plan."

Dr. Charles bent down for a polite bow as he gave the floor again to Markus. A round of applause erupted, and another round broke out when Markus took the stage. Exchanges of ideas then began and plans to outwit the government laid out. Charles also lent his full attention, sharing his opinion every now and then.

When the meeting finally adjourned, Markus approached Charles on his way to the parking.

"Dr. Charles, thank you for your brilliant ideas." Markus extended his hand to him, and Charles accepted it with a warm smile.

"I would be happy to know if in some way I will be able to contribute to the success of our plan."

"Of course, you do," said Markus, a  genuine smile also spread in his face. He then cleared his throat, and his stare implied that he wanted to say something.

"Is there something you want to say?"

Markus chuckled and nodded. "Dr. Charles, I hope you will forget whatever was standing between us-"

A wide grin appeared in Charles' face. "At the end of the day, we are still family. If I did not consider this, I would not have joined the movement."

"Thank you so much."

"My pleasure."

They hugged and laughed afterward, not saying a single word, but when they both slid into their cars, mirthless laugh echoed within the constraints of each of their car.

__________

Nine years ago...

"Markus, please meet me at Billows Beach Resort. Now."

"As you wish."

Riza paced back and forth in her cottage, her hair disheveled due to the constant and careless brushing of her hair with her fingers. She slightly pulled the curtains to the side to check who was coming close to her cottage. No matter how she moved around, she could not keep up the rapid pacing of her heartbeats and the weight that overlaid it.

As the familiar footsteps penetrated into the hollows of her room, she jumped for joy, only to sink back in pain. Markus knew she was waiting and so he turned on the knob without knocking. As soon as the door clicked to a lock, Riza threw herself at him.

"Markus, I don't want it. Please find some ways." Riza's pent-up tears fell like a deluge and Markus held her tenderly.

"I'm sorry, Riza. I'm powerless against our families. I'm really sorry."

Riza didn't need to argue. Even if she was going to marry a distant relative, their local law didn't allow a first-degree of sanguinity into any marriage. Markus was her cousin, and nothing was going to change that.

"Why don't we go out of the country and go to some place where no one knows us?"

"Who said I am not hurting, Riza? But you know the answer to that."

Riza and Markus cried for who knew how long until they both fell exhausted emotionally. Lying on his arms, she looked up to him and traced his lips with her fingers.

"Make me yours today, Markus."

"Riza-"

"Please."

"You know how low is my threshold against your charm."

"I don't mind."

"Are you sure about it?

Riza didn't answer anymore. She sealed his lips with hers and taunted him. She then planted hot and wet trails on his forehead, his eyes, and down to his earlobes. Markus did not move; he allowed her to say her love and goodbye in a way, her heart could deeply express. Soaked by her tears, her kisses found its ways to the crook of his neck. He allowed her to lift his shirt out, slightly breaking the kiss.  Her drenched mouth then descended to his chest while her hands roamed everywhere. When finally her lips trailed down below his navel, she unhooked his pants and slid her hand under his undies.

Markus couldn't hold himself anymore. He slid down his pants and threw it on the floor. He pushed Riza gently into the bed and laid her on her back. He began returning the kisses she gave, inch by inch, in a more intense aggression. When he threw the last piece of her lingerie to the floor, she closed her eyes.  

Riza's thoughts went to the man she would be marrying in a few days. How would Charles react if he would know that someone else was ahead of him? She recalled the night when they and their parents gathered for the wedding plans.

"Charles, I guess you understand the reason behind your marriage set up. The production for the velvet diamonds should only be on our line."

"I understand."

"Are you willing to take Riza as your wife?"

Riza watched him through the corners of her eyes. Who wouldn't want a brilliant and handsome man for a husband? Sadly, her heart belonged to someone else.

"I am. As long as she is a v.i.r.g.i.n."

She was, but in the next moment, she would give herself to his cousin.

Looking into the eyes of Markus, who positioned himself between her thighs, she raised her hands and placed it on the edge of his shoulders. The stifled scream of pain that followed signified her breaking of Charles' only condition. The following day, she signed the consent to undergo a v.a.g.i.n.a.l repair.