Chapter 3 -

Marcus Espinoza founder and head of Espinoz Technologies had been in tech since age twenty. Before his independence, his business ranged from a lowly processor to V.P of Operations of a major electronics company. Most recently, unbeknownst to him, Marcus gave satellite access to K-Directorate businessmen. The reason SD-6 had sent them here. Now at forty-two, Marcus wed Consuela Frias, faithful companion of over ten years, also ten years his junior.

Sydney walked by the table, catching a glimpse of the couple. Consuela's raven hair was swept up in a loose wrap, showing off what looked like two-karat diamond earrings. A handsome man in his own right, Marcus Espinoza sat across from his bride, and even by candlelight one could see him watching her with a spark of love in his eyes.

Properly, Sark stood behind the chair, waiting for Sydney to sit as the maitre de looked on. "Your waiter will be here in just a moment," he dismissed himself. Sitting across from Sark in silence, Sydney reached for the menu to have something to take her attention away from the quiet.

"I love you so much, my dear. I can't go a day without you."

Sydney did her best to eavesdrop on their neighbor's conversation. At last glance, Marcus was holding his wife's hand, stroking it gently. Having gone through two bottles of wine, both should be fully intoxicated by now, she guessed.

Both Sydney and Sark had finished their dinner over five minutes ago. Hoping to drown some of her nervousness, she finished at least half of their bottle of wine. Sadly, all she succeeded in doing was getting lost in more thought. This man, her husband, sitting across from her, was ever so quiet. His comfort level must be near hers, for she had no idea where to begin this.

Surprised at his movement, Sydney watched Sark stand to leave, pausing first by her chair. As she looked up at him, he lowered his head to gently place a kiss in her hair. "I'll be right back," he whispered in her ear. 

Curiously she watched as he walked toward the lobby of the hotel, disappearing from her sight. Placing partial concentration back on the Espinoza's, Sydney sighed, a bit frustrated by the night's slowness. One of them needed to ease this tension before they blew the op.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sydney spied the couple sharing a moment of intimacy, their lips engaged so sweetly. How wonderful it must be, to be in that sort of love, where you were unable to live without the other. Danny loved her when he was alive, as she did him, but just listening to Marcus' words of genuine adoration for his wife had Sydney now believing that something was missing. That ache, deep in your gut when your partner was away only dissolving once you were in their arms again. Sometimes she was saddened by the thought of that type of love, or even that one person didn't exist for her, again that was in the rare moment when she could reflect on it.

Just as she finished her glass of wine, Sark returned to the table. From the look in his eye, Sydney could tell that he had seen the kiss the Espinoza's were still working on. In their first moment of ease, they smiled at each other, mildly embarrassed with the display. As if on cue, Sydney heard a small commotion from behind, and she turned to find the house band approaching their instruments.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the emcee began. "Although we told you our set was complete over an hour ago, we've been inspired to return for an encore." The entire restaurant fixated on the dance floor in front of the band, as he began to read from a slip of paper. "The love for a woman is difficult to put into words, so much so confessions of such are rarely ever made by a man. Only when you find that one person, the one that brings you into the life you never dreamed existed, can a man begin to express what's truly in his soul. In mine, what I can tell you is you are the most beautiful person in my life." The emcee placed the paper in his pocket, "Claudette Binoche, your husband wanted to express his love for you with those words and this song."

Sydney watched as Sark stood, just as the band started to play 'Only Time Will Tell' by Etta James. The familiar tune Francie made her listen to when she went through one of her many music phases. Right before her, he extended his hand, inviting her to the dance floor. As she met his eye, she noticed a smile so much more the opposite of any she had seen in their previous encounters. Wiped clean of any cockiness, arrogance or spite, what was left was perfect, boyish charm. Of course she accepted his invite by placing her hand in his, and allowing him to lead her to the floor.

I just needed someone, somebody to hold
When the bottle was empty
And the nights grew cold
In my hour of darkness
In my time of need
You were my angel of mercy
And helped me to believe

No notice was given to the thirty or so pairs of eyes that had followed them as they approached the dance floor. Nor was any notice given to the few gentlemen who unconsciously wrapped their arms around their companions, touched by Mr. Binoche's words. All she could watch was the man in front of her, as he led her to a dance.

You touched my soul
When I was lonely
You held me up
When I couldn't fly
There's no words could explain
How I feel inside

Finally after what seemed more like a few minutes, they reached the floor. Sark faced Sydney and slid his hand around her waist, slowly pulling her to him. In return, Sydney placed one hand on his shoulder while laying the other in his free hand.

And this I tell you
In a world full of anger
In times gone strange
You held me close
You held me close to you

Moving as one, they slowly swayed to the music. Finding it easier to play her part now, Sydney looked at Sark, hoping it appeared to be with the kind of love a wife would show her husband. She took it a step further by slipping her hand up the back of his neck, messing with his small curls. Acting like he enjoyed the sensation, Sark closed his eyes with her touch.

Lay my head on your shoulder
I finally let it all out
It felt good for a moment
Not living in a shadow of doubt

Sark brought their intertwined hands near his heart, drawing Sydney to lay her head on his shoulder. In a voice rich with sultriness, he whispered near her ear, "They haven't taken their eyes off us yet."

But everybody needs a little something
To pull them through
I gave one for the other
And God know that the other was you

Sydney closed her eye, beginning to get lost in the moment. Even though it was all staged, his words were some of the most romantic she had ever heard. The song was a perfect addition.

Now only time will tell
If our love is scratched in sand
Or if it's etched in stone
Only time will tell
If our love will stand
Or walk the road alone

When Sydney reopened her eyes, she was pleased to find The Espinoza's had joined them, dancing within a few feet. Surprisingly, Sydney made eye contact with Consuela, who smiled cordially. Sydney did the same, making the initial contact.

My angel of mercy
Pulled me through somehow
I just hope you know
I need you now
You're the one
That touched my very soul
The one who held on tight
God knows you never let go

The song nearing its end, Sydney took her head from Sark's shoulder. With a handful of couples around them, most engrossed with their partners, Sydney watched Sark as he momentarily looked to his side, finding their target couple watching the two of them.

Angel of mercy
It's time we closed the door
Put out the lights
And burn the fire
Burn the fire inside
Angel of mercy
You pulled me through
And this I tell to you
Lord know I'd tell it to you

Playing to the crowd, Sark met Sydney's eye. Gently he moved a stray hair from her face. His eyes sparkling with the brightest blue, he spoke just loud enough, "You're everything." Sydney reacted by returning a loving look. Catching her off guard, Sark lowered his mouth to Sydney's, overpowering her lips.

No choice in the matter, Sydney responded by first cupping the side of his face, then partially opening her mouth and allowing his tongue room to explore. The taste of wine on his breath was sweet, and just like hers his breathing became irregular as the kiss grew with intensity.

What is he doing, she screamed internally, feeling his tongue as it massaged the inside of her mouth. Almost terrified by the rush he was sending all through her body, awakening feelings she thought were permanently dormant, she realized her inability to stop their exchange without looking suspicious.

Thankfully a few moments after the song ended, Sark stopped the kiss by softly grazing her cheek with the back of his hand. Before they part, Sark stayed less than an inch from her face, she assumed to catch his breath. Sydney watched, as his eyes appeared to transform into a darker blue as he spoke, "I love you."

Frozen by what she read as truth, Sydney took a moment before placing her hand in Sark's so he could guide her back to the table. Making her way back, she listened as the band began to play 'Parker's Mood', and was perplexed by the question that had surfaced.

Did Sark realize that Marcus and Consuela were no longer near when he spoke? She had no idea that they had left, for some reason that was the furthest thing from her mind. Something had awakened in her, and she felt it winding through her body, enhancing everything around her. Calming herself, she reasoned that Sark must not have noticed that the couple had left either.