CHAPTER XII.
Caught in the crossfire
Marlene remained silent listening to Grace's revelations, "Please tell me that you know this," Marlene groaned, "I don't know what you want me to say," She felt awful inside the hurt she was causing to the people around her, "Tell me the truth, that's all I'm asking, you can't go on like this Marlene," Marlene began to weep. "I've never nor will I ever love anyone the way I love her, I just don't know how much more heartbreak I can take, I love her Grace but there's nothing I can do about it, our lives have changed and," Grace stopped her, "Do you want to make a life with Mark? Have a child? Live this fantasy dream?" She asked rationally, "I don't want to hurt him, I can make all kinds of excuses for my behavior but deep down I'll always be thinking of her, what we had, what we could've had if I only pushed for it," She answered pressing her hand to her forehead, "I know when I talked to Rebecca, I asked her how she felt about you," She stuttered briefly, Marlene shifted her eyes to hers, "And?" She clinched her jaw tightly waiting for her response, "You were her greatest love or at least that's how she said it, she hurt you badly and there wasn't another chance for you two, she knows now that she had to let you go, the pain it brought to you both but she realizes that moving on and starting a new life was for the best," Marlene nodded in affirmation for what she said. "Did she say she still had feelings for me?" Grace smiled, "She didn't have too, she can tell me any lie she wants but the truth of the matter is she's still in love with you too, I know there's Lizette and she says she's her future but she didn't convince me," They began to walk again.
"Are you angry with me?" Marlene asked kindly and with sincerity, Grace giggled trying to ease the tension, "We all have secrets or things we wish we could keep hidden, I feel for Mark and that's what's so hard about all of this, you've married someone you say you love and want to make a life with he's clueless and will become hurt when he finds out," Marlene stopped walking, "I can't hurt him, I need to tell him about my life before I came to New Haven, I just can't walk away Grace," She implored loudly, "And you can't live a lie either," She reminded her, "You love Mark but not the way you love her," Marlene sighed, "I never wanted to return here, it hurt to see her, to want her, to be jealous of the woman who holds her heart now," She pleaded realistically. Grace began to think hard, "The other night when you went out for a walk, where did you go?" She moved closer to her gazing at her with a look of determination. Marlene could only stare before speaking, "I really don't want to talk about it Grace," She left the door open with her words, "You went to her didn't you?" She grasped her keeping her still, "I did, I had to clear the air, I had to make sure that what I felt was or wasn't reciprocated," She answered lowering her head, "You slept with her?" Grace cornered her shaking her mildly, "I don't think I need to answer that," She remarked pushing her hands into the pockets of her blue jeans. Grace sighed, "You have to tell Mark Marlene, everything, he needs to know," She had a tear in her eye, Marlene looked at her strangely, "Grace, I love her but I can't hurt Mark," She began to feel uneasy.
"We should get back the guys will start to wonder where we are," She clutched Grace by the elbow they turned around and headed back to the apartment, "Not a word Grace," Marlene reminded her as they began to enter the door. "Hey, how was your walk?" David ask laying the magazine he was looking through back down, "Good, good," Grace seemed distant to him, "Where's Mark?" Marlene questioned, "Shower," Grace motioned for David to head upstairs with her, "Goodnight," She offered going into the bedroom she took off her sweater and sat on the bed lowering her face into her hands and breathed in deeply. "Oh I didn't here you come in," Mark walked into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around himself, "Hey, I just came in from our walk and I was going to shower and ready for bed," She worded he slipped the towel off exposing his nude body he ran the towel through his hair drying it, "Hurry and shower," He grabbed her around the waist and teased her with his kisses she pulled away and walked into the bathroom and showered, "Come to bed," Mark patted the top of the mattress with his hand she climbed in next to him, "I just want to hold you, I missed you and it was lonely in Zurich," He started, "I want to hear all about it but I'm tired and have an early morning, get some sleep you must be tired also," She rolled over facing him, they kissed she closed her eyes and dreamt of Rebecca.
"Good morning your up early," David whistled with a smile, "Coffee?" He was filling the water into the coffee pot, "Yes, thank you," Marlene answered, "Grace sleeping in?" She further inquired, "Yes we are going in to Köln today and shop, view the sights, what's up with you?" He grunted mildly, "Dr. Kessler has asked me to start therapy on a young boy who broke his arm and needs some therapy he took the cast off yesterday and he's asked that I give it a look this morning," David poured her a cup, Mark yawning walked from the bedroom, "Marlene's working this morning, care to join us in Köln for some sight seeing?" He smiled opening the paper, "Thanks but I need to go to the hospital and review some files, get caught up," He answered, David poured Grace a cup and headed up stairs, "Enjoy your day," Marlene quickly finished her coffee not saying much, "Are you riding with me?" She asked him plainly, "Let me get my jacket," He winced they left for the hospital, Mark entered his office and rifled through the files that lay piled on his desk, "Dr. Blair," The door opened, "Yes," He spoke to the receptionist, "A Mrs. Von Lahnstein is here to see you, "Please show her in," He stood up from his desk greeting her and offering her a seat, "Mrs. Von Lahnstein, it's a pleasure to see you again," He quipped, "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice and on a Saturday morning," Her smile charming to him, "Is everything alright with Rebecca?" She grinned, "Actually she's fine, appears to be taking the therapy well but I'm here in gratitude for what you've done for her, I'd like to know if you and your guests could join us for dinner at the castle tomorrow night as a celebration for your successes," Mark straightened up clearing his throat, "I would love to, let me touch base with Marlene, we don't have plans for tomorrow evening and our friends are out sightseeing today, can I have Marlene call you?" He further asked, "Certainly," She stood up shaking his hand.
"Where do you think your going?" Rebecca barked rolling over and stretching, as Lizette got dressed, "I told you I leave for Berlin today or did you forget?" She asked placing her hands on her hips, Rebecca squinted her eyes, "Do you have to, I mean you've been gone a week and we need some much needed time together," She begged, "Stop pouting Rebecca," Lizette sat down on the bed next to her, "Come back to bed," She teased placing her fingers on the top button of her shirt, "I can't," She stood up and entered the bathroom her cell phone lie on the night stand her text chimed, "Lizette," Rebecca called out she didn't answer she picked up her phone looking at the message that was posted on the screen, "When do you arrive?" It said she looked at the name, Francisco," She thought of the name and it was familiar to her she just couldn't remember she closed her eyes and strained herself but the connection just couldn't be made, "Lizette," She called out again, "Yes Rebecca," She walked out brushing her hair, "Your text," She handed her the phone, "Who is Francisco?" She questioned knowing she had asked her about him before, "He's the photographer that is used on many of the shoots I'm on, why?" She furrowed her brow. "He's text before and why should he be concerned when you arrive? You've always been prompt," Lizette swallowed hard and attempted a grin, "Don't tell me your jealous," She picked, "Should I be?" Her answer harsh, "I love you baby, Francisco means nothing to me," She bent down kissing her lips, "I have to pack," She giggled, "When will you be home?" Lizette began to pull her clothes from the closet, "Monday afternoon, we do a shoot tomorrow after brunch with the client, Monday I meet with a new agency about some work in Lisbon," She remarked neatly folding her clothing.
Rebecca sighed deeply, "I guess I can't stop you," Lizette moved towards Rebecca, "You know how work is and I have to make it while I can," She placed her hand to the side of Rebecca's face caressing it, "You, if anyone knows about devotion and dedication to their work Rebecca," She crossed her arms giving her a stare. She sighed, "I know, I'm just disappointed that's all, I was hoping for more time with you, we haven't had much lately and I miss you," She lightly complained, "I know baby but I'll be back Monday and we will have a few days," She promised, "I've got to go my cab will be here shortly," She closed her suitcase and kissed Rebecca again, "I love you," Rebecca laid back in the bed as she watched her leave out. Rebecca closed her eyes falling back to sleep she began to dream, this time about Marlene and their affair she abruptly woke scrambling for her phone she text her asking if she could come to the castle. Rebecca shower and dressed and awaited her arrival. "Marlene thank you for coming," She entered the orangery and took a seat on the sofa, "Are you alright?" She questioned surprised by the call from her, "I wanted you to know that I decided not to tell Lizette about our affair at this time," She began, "I couldn't let you worry about what you think she might do or say, I thought hard about it and I have to agree with you but eventually you will need to tell Mark the truth," Rebecca grasped her by the hand, "I know I don't need to tell you how infidelity hurts and when you lie for weeks or months about it you not only hurt yourself but the person who means the most to you, I will tell Lizette because it's the right thing to do but not while you're here," She stated with a sad expression on her face.
Marlene stood up and paced, "I can't believe I let this happen," She looked at Rebecca, "That I put you in this situation," She continued wiping a tear from her eye, "I have to ask what your motive was, I mean, why?" Marlene cleared her throat and rejoined her on the sofa, "I love my husband and lying to him is not something I wanted to do, ten years was a long time not seeing you, I was happy, found a career and never really wanted to come back here," Rebecca gazed into her eyes, "I thought when he took your case and insisted that I would be good for you that I could handle it, our lives have changed, you said it yourself," She grimaced and groaned before continuing, "But the only thing I could think about was what I missed with you," She stuttered continuing, "I was jealous of Lizette, your life with her, it was mine once but I just couldn't see past your actions and our unhappiness, I guess you could say I was selfish and needed to find myself," Rebecca stopped her, "You may not know it but you did need to find yourself it would've been selfish of me to beg you to stay in a place where things just weren't right, I look back and I think of how I treated you and how I let my family and the business overtake me, I beat myself up over it for a long time until I realized that you would find your way and be happy," She touched Marlene's face with her hand, "Mark is a lucky man and I wish I could tell him that, I wish I could tell him how witty and smart and talented you are, if I could only share with him what we had," Marlene chuckled, "He's knows what kind of person I am, he loves me and treats me like a queen," Rebecca's look became somber, "Then why are you here? I know I called you and asked you to talk but," The tips of Marlene's fingers found their way to Rebecca's lips, "Please Rebecca," She softly spoke.
"What is it that you want from me Marlene?" Rebecca questioned calmly, "Isn't it obvious," She replied in a whispered, they stared momentarily their faces moving closer until their lips touched softly they kissed, Rebecca's tongue parted Marlene's lips in a passionate kiss they moaned and groaned as they began kissing wildly and out of control, "I want you," Marlene spoke her lips brushing against Rebecca's she pulled back, "I can't," She stood up and turned away from Marlene, "Rebecca," She stood up walking up behind her and turned her around to face her, "Do you know how you make me feel?" She asked trying to ease Rebecca's angst, "I, I know how I used to make you feel but now," Marlene stopped her from talking by placing her lips against hers with erotic force she began to undress her, Rebecca tightened her muscles trying to stave off her advances, "Please stop Marlene," Her breathing shallow as she panted. Marlene's lips caressed and kissed Rebecca's neck she could feel the tiny beads of sweat raise up on her skin, as she tasted its sweetness, "I've missed you so much," She uttered gently taking her breasts in her hands and slowly massaging them. Rebecca's heart raced with wild desire she clutched Marlene by the back of her head and drew her in to her the tip of her tongue traced Marlene's lips. Rebecca undressed Marlene gazing lustfully at her nude flesh she wrapped her hands around her waist and then led her to bed. Rebecca lay, on top of her their fleshes fused in the heat of passionate sex hands and fingers meandered over each other with guided desires, Marlene's tongue traveled slowly and methodically down to Rebecca's awaiting mound she slid her tongue deep inside of her causing and explosion of orgasms to streak through her like fire, she twitched and jerked, moaning in ecstasy she quickly rolled Marlene over her fingers piercing to the touch she stroked her vibrantly her mouth meeting Marlene's void with shear force until she climaxed uncontrollably.
The rays of sun shown through the window causing patterns to form across the naked bodies of two women wrapped tightly in each other's arms. Marlene took her finger and traced the bridge of Rebecca's nose, "What are we doing here?" Rebecca proposed the question to Marlene, "What do you mean?" She questioned quietly, "Is this an out for you?" Rebecca further inquired, "I don't know what this is, really," She became sullen, "You say you love your husband but yet your in my bed," Marlene raised up rubbing her face, "I should get dressed and go Mark must be wondering where I'm at," She began to climb from the bed, "Not so fast," Rebecca clutched her by the hand, Marlene fell back beside her they kissed tongues entwined in a lost moment, "I have to go," She suddenly pulled herself from Rebecca's grasp, "Marlene, please," She quickly buttoned her shirt not answering her, "I have a lot to think about Rebecca," Rebecca stood up and put on her robe, "Is this about sex for you?" She broached the subject again, "I have to go," She grabbed her purse escaping out the door leaving Rebecca in a tender yet uncertain moment. Rebecca laid back covering herself up she felt a twinge in her leg and some stiffness she quickly text Marlene complaining of the symptoms she tossed her phone back down to the bed and sighed loudly her thoughts on Lizette and how she once again had hurt her.
"Marlene," Elisabeth called to her as she was about to exit the front door, "Is Rebecca alright you're here early," She looked to Elisabeth and hesitated briefly, "Oh, I" Her text chimed she quickly retrieved it, "Actually that's Rebecca again, some stiffness, I should make sure she's alright," She stuttered, Elisabeth looked at her strangely, "I wanted to talk to you if you have a moment?" She asked, Marlene grinned tightening her lips, "Yes," She moved closer to her, "I've spoken to Mark this morning and asked him to have dinner here tomorrow night, you and your guests, he told me he would ask you but since you're here, well," Marlene remained silent and looked to see if she had a call or text from him, "He hasn't asked me yet but I think we can besides Grace's husband David hasn't seen the castle, so yes it's a date," She replied heading back down the hall, "Marlene," Elisabeth stopped her, "Six?" She nodded in affirmation.