My afternoon with Angela was the most fun I had had for a while. She forgave me easily and we just hung out like we used to. I made my classic lasagna and then we watched some movies while eating ice-cream straight from the tub. After that, we talked about anything and everything, just catching up on things we had done last year. I couldn't say much because the reality was that I had done nothing except tend to the shop but, I was happy to hear her stories about college life. She invited me to stay that weekend at her house and I agreed.

I hummed softly while I made breakfast for the both of us. It was a dreary Monday morning in Forks as always but I couldn't help feel a little content despite this. I had missed the routine of doing regular mundane tasks such as making food for someone you care about. It brought back many memories of better times. I was the one that cooked when my parents were around. Dad couldn't cook for the life of him and mom just forgot all together or left a mess in the kitchen when she was done. I felt the tears gather around my eyes and I had to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat.

The image of me teasing my mother for burning some eggs because she forgot them on the stove while my dad looked on with a smile on his face made my heart hurt. I breathed in and out, scolding myself for thinking of the past. There was a reason I still avoided going to where my house used to be and avoided using my Chevy. Those things made realize that I missed them so, so much. The flower shop was the only place I willingly stayed in despite how emotionally crippling it could be sometimes. I heard a loud yawn from behind me interrupting my painful musings.

"Mm-morning, Bella."

"Morning." I mumbled, cursing my trembly voice.

I quickly dabbed my eyes and made sure to turn off the stove before fishing the pieces of bacon out to the pan. I took what I had prepared and set it on the table. If Angela noticed my red puffy eyes, she didn't say.

"Mmm. This french toast is amazing."

I gave her a small smile and pushed around the eggs on my plate. I had lost my appetite quite quickly so I poured myself some coffee and just filled up on that. We cleaned up after breakfast and we took my truck over to work. Angela was frowning deeply but she had promised me to keep an open mind once I had told her about the interview. I stayed quiet about the dreams and feelings though. I didn't want to alarm her too much.

As the shop came into view, I couldn't notice the lone figure already in the parking lot. He was leaning against a black Mercedes-Benz, completely still with his hair falling freely around his shoulders. He wore a forest green dress shirt, sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His black dress pants and equally fancy shoes completely his look. He looked unreal, like a beautiful, intricate statute carved by Michelangelo himself.

I became extremely nervous all of a sudden as I parked, butterflies flying wildly in my stomach. He had looked at us when we had come around the corner and he had yet to tear his eyes away from me. I stepped out, feeling heat rise up to my cheeks as I held his undivided attention.

"H-Hi Marcus." I greeted, as we walked over. "This is Angela. She's going to be working with us for one more week before leaving for college."

I couldn't help when my eyes strayed from his face to his open shirt which exposed his chest and a heavy-looking gold chain which had a 'V' engraved with emeralds. My eyes shot up quickly as I noticed dark chest hair, a flush of heat rushing up to my ears.

Marcus finally looked away from her to her friend who seemed a little intimidated by the tall man.

"Hello, Angela. It is a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance."

He inclined his head politely and took her extended hand, brushing his lips over her knuckles briefly. Angela stuttered a greeting and turned a bright red at the antiquated gesture.

"And good morning, dear Isabella." He said, turning to me and taking my hand in his. I shivered at the familiar coldness as his lips pressed against my skin.

He seemed to linger there for the tiniest of moments making my pulse sky rocket before he reluctantly let go. How he got such reactions from me was beyond me but I hurriedly opened up shop and started for the day.

The next few days went quite well. Marcus was a natural and Angela eventually warmed up to him. Though, she was still a bit wary and avoided being alone in the same room with him. Despite this, we fell into a familiar rhythm with Marcus caring for the flowers, Angela cutting and preparing bouquets with the intent of keeping me away from anything that might prickle, poke or pinch me, while I took to the register and welcomed the few customers that came in.

At lunch, Marcus would excuse himself and disappear leaving Angela and I to chat. Where he went, we didn't know. When I asked him, he simply stated that he preferred to have lunch at home which made sense so, I dropped the matter. Afterwards, during the afternoons we would all simple talk, well mostly me and Angela. Marcus preferred to stay silent and listen, giving the smallest of reactions at what we would talk about and always, gazing at me when he thought I wasn't looking.

However, I as the days passed, I began to notice things that stood out about him. Odd things.

Sometimes I would find him sitting as still as a statue, lost in thought and looking almost as if he wasn't breathing. His eyes would also change from a dark burgundy to a muddled brown to a pitch black. It made me wonder if he wore contact lenses… He would also often stare out the front windows, his eyebrows scrunched while he accompanied me at the register when days were slow.

No matter what was being said, he maintained his gaze fixed with concentration, as if he could see something that I could not. Which frankly, unsettled me a bit. My dreams of him also seemed to vanish and were replaced by a nightmare I couldn't seem to remember when I woke up. The only thing that lingered in the morning was a gripping fear and knowing I had been chased all night.

As I yawned for the millionth time, I couldn't help but become distracted while removing rose thorns. Something which in retrospect, I should not have been doing but, Angela wasn't there that day. She had left early to pack since she was leaving already. I bit my lip, my thoughts straying to Marcus, who was currently out front, once again. There was this nagging feeling, that wouldn't go away but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

I sighed, stopping mid snip and looking to the doorway that lead to the front of the store. He stood half turned to me, arranging some potted plants and my heart beat a bit faster as I focused on the delicate way he was handling the flowers. His eyes, a liquid onyx today, focused solely on what was in front of him. I had to admit that Marcus was an attractive man despite his strange behavior. He was lean and muscular and his eyes— those sad and longing eyes— were like windows into his soul.

"He's beautiful…" The hushed words slipped through my lips without my permission and, as if he had heard the barely audible whisper, his eyes snapped towards me.

I quickly looked away, letting my hair fall like a curtain and a blush dusting over my features. Had he heard me? That would be impossible but with Marcus, one could never be sure. Everything about him was anything but normal. Flustered and now acutely aware of being watched, I nearly jumped out of my skin at a light touch on my shoulder.

"Isabella?"

Marcus's hushed tone held hesitation. I turned to see Marcus now standing behind me which surprised me as I hadn't heard him approach. Nervous butterflies erupted in my stomach at the way he was softly gazing at me.

"Y-yes?"

"If I may, I have been meaning to ask you something but I did not know how to approach the subject." I blinked at his sudden words, feeling my legs slowly turning into jelly under his attention. "I wish to know about you, my dear. Would you accompany to dinner tonight?"

I felt heat creeping up to my face as I processed his words. Was he… asking me on a date? Tonight?!

"U-um… I-I..." I stuttered, feeling like I was making a complete fool of myself in front of him. I cleared my throat and breathed in to calm down the wild beating of my heart before focused on him again. He had been watching my flustered reaction with a glimmer of amusement yet fondness.

"I-I would love to, Marcus," I finally managed to reply, seeing an opportunity get to know more about Marcus and possibly find answers to all my questions.

His eyes seemed to soften more and a small yet sincere smile graced his lips, as if my reply had made him the happiest man on Earth. "I shall pick you up at 7 then."

Author's note: Finally, another chapter after a year and a half! I am sincerely sorry at the radio silence on my end as things in my life have been a little hectic. My studies occupied most of my tim along with doing research in a laboratory so, I was left with no time to work on my story. However, I am back! I'd like to thank everyone for their patience with this story.

Now, I hope you guys liked this chapter! Sorry if it was a little slow but I promise things will start to move forward from this point on. Also, yes, Marcus invited Bella to dinner even though he doesn't eat. There's also a reason for this. You'll find out very soon! Thank you once again and please forgive if any of their intereactions seem a bit out of character as I am revisiting this fandom after a long time of inactivity.