The Chronicles of Bewa 109: The Dream

 CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINE

The Dream

I let out a heavy sigh as I read through the email. I didn't bother disputing the accusations because I knew every word was true. Ever since that dreadful night, I had struggled to concentrate and keep my mind on the things that mattered. I had become so distracted that even my work was beginning to suffer. I quickly typed out an apology, promising to do better and ensure it wouldn't happen again.

When I was done, I got up and left my room, hoping a change of environment would help clear my head. I walked into the dining room, opened the fridge and grabbed something cold to drink. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the outside, I took slow sips of my drink, hoping the cold liquid would help refresh me.

But how was I supposed to do better when my mind was consumed by a man who had betrayed me and, in the process, killed my child? I was the one left to suffer the pain of our loss while he went about his life, gallivanting with other women as though nothing had happened.

For days, I had scoured the internet for any useful information about my husband's mistress, but all I had managed to uncover were traces of her other relationships. There was nothing substantial about her and Kylian. Nothing that could confirm what had happened between them or give me the answers I desperately wanted.

I downed the rest of my drink and tossed the empty bottle into the bin. As I turned to leave the dining room, I bumped into Lucia, causing the things she was holding to slip from her hands and scatter across the floor.

“Oh my God!” I exclaimed, quickly bending down to help her gather her things. “I didn’t see you coming.”

“It’s fine,” she replied with a chuckle. Then she turned to me, her face breaking into a bright smile. “But do you know what’s not fine?”

“What?” I asked, looking at her in confusion.

“The fact that we live in the same house, yet we hardly ever see each other.”

“Ahhh…” I let out, not knowing what else to say.

“Girl, what’s up with you?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy.”

“With what exactly?”

I recognised the voice before I saw its owner. A moment later, Marcus walked into the passage, dragging two suitcases behind him.

“Hey,” I greeted quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. I quickly looked away, pretending to be more interested in the things in my hands than in his presence. Turning my attention back to Lucia, I asked, “Are you leaving?”

“Yeah. I have some business to attend to in Manchester, but I’ll be back as soon as I’m done,” she explained.

By the time she finished speaking, Marcus was no longer beside us. Lucia stretched out her hands to collect her things, but I held on to them.

“Let me help you with those.”

“Thank you.”

I walked out with her, and we found Marcus loading the suitcases into the car. I pulled Lucia into a hug, holding her for a moment before watching her settle into the back seat. When the driver got in, I stepped back and waved as the car pulled away.

It was then that I caught Marcus turning towards me.

Damn it!

I immediately dropped my hand and turned away, hoping to make my escape before he could say anything.

“Bewa!”

His voice made me flinch. I stopped reluctantly, closing my eyes for a brief moment before turning around.

“Can we talk?” he asked, his voice carrying a firmness that made it difficult to pretend I hadn't heard him.

I hadn't spent the last few days locked away in my room only researching Kylian. I had also been deliberately avoiding Marcus ever since the day he failed to deny that he still had feelings for me.

What was I supposed to do with that information? I could barely make sense of my own feelings, let alone deal with another man's. I wasn't ready for another emotional complication, especially not one involving Marcus.

So, I turned to face him, already determined to shut down whatever conversation he had in mind.

“I don't have anything to—” I didn't get to finish my sentence. He simply walked past me, heading back inside, leaving me standing there with my words hanging in the air. I watched him disappear into the building, momentarily confused by his reaction.

You already know where you stand on this. After everything he has done for you, I think he deserves at least the chance to be heard.

I sighed, my eyes following the direction he had gone. With a heavy sigh, I finally gave in and followed him. A few moments later, we were standing inside his home office.

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked impatiently as soon as I stepped inside.

He didn't answer. Instead, he walked around his desk and pulled open one of the drawers. I watched him bend slightly, retrieve a small brown box, and place it on the table between us. My eyes settled on it.

Wait... Is that what I think it is?

“What is that?” I asked, even though I had a pretty good idea.

He opened the box, and a beautiful, sparkling ring greeted my eyes.

Oh my God! That's beautiful!

For a moment, I was too stunned to speak. Then the reality of what I was looking at hit me, and my expression immediately changed. I took a small step backwards, frowning at him.

“What is this, Marcus? You're buying me a ring when you're with Lucia?”

What!

He stared at me, clearly taken aback. “What?” he asked, his brows drawing together.

“This is not for you, Bewa. It's for Lucia,” he clarified.

Oh.

I could have disappeared into the floor.

Wow! You have managed to embarrass both of us. Where on earth did that assumption come from?

Heat crept up my cheeks, but I forced a smile and moved closer to the table to have another look at the ring.

“Oh! Well, it's beautiful, Marcus. I'm sure she'll love it.”

“The fact that you could even think this ring was meant for you is exactly why we need to talk.” His words caught me off guard. I immediately straightened and shifted away from the table, suddenly finding it difficult to meet his eyes.

“It's just a misunderstanding,” I said with an awkward laugh, hoping to brush off the embarrassment. “You have always had an eye for beautiful things. That's a really beautiful ring.” I glanced at it again, forcing myself to sound casual. “I'm sure she'll say yes.”

“So, I can ask her?”

I looked at him. “Of course, you can. You don't need my permission to propose to your girlfriend.” My discomfort became increasingly difficult to hide.

“Why would you ask me that?” I added,

“Because I'm not sure where I stand with you.” His voice had softened. There was something vulnerable in his expression that made my smile slowly disappear.

“I'm not sure what I am to you, Bewa,” he continued, looking directly at me. “Is there really nothing more than friendship between us?” My heart sank.

How do you want to handle this?

With the truth.

I took a deep breath and moved towards him until there was barely any space between us. Gently, I reached for his left hand and held it between both of mine, running my thumb over his knuckles. I looked up at him, managing a small smile even as I felt the familiar sting of tears gathering in my eyes.

“Of course, there is something more than friendship between us, Marcus. There will always be something between us.” His expression shifted, but before he could say anything, I continued.

“But the timing is wrong.” He looked away, his jaw tightening slightly.

“The timing was always wrong,” he said quietly.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“Back then, I was married. And now that I want out of that relationship, I'm not in the right place to be in a romantic relationship. I have so much to figure out about myself, Marcus. I'm still trying to put my life back together.”

“I know,” he murmured. “You're rebuilding your life.”

“Yes.” I squeezed his hand gently. “And you're ready to take the next step in yours.” He nodded, but I noticed the tears gathering in his eyes. Seeing them made my own heart ache. I wanted to take away whatever pain my words were causing him, but I couldn't do that by giving him false hope.

“I'm not going to hold you back, Marcus. And I'm certainly not going to ask you to wait for me. That wouldn't be fair to you, and it would be cruel to Lucia. I think you know that.” He lowered his head, letting out a slow breath.

“I just needed to ask,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I know.”

“I love you, Marcus. So much.” I smiled, even as a tear escaped and rolled down my cheek. “And I will always love you. But I think we both need to accept that we're not meant to be more than friends.”

He nodded slowly, seemingly struggling to find the right words. Then he pulled me into his arms and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

For a moment, I simply stood there, allowing myself to sink into his embrace. The familiar scent of his cologne filled my senses, and without even realising it, I felt my body relax. The tension I had been carrying in my shoulders gradually eased, and I wrapped my arms tighter around him.

There was something comforting about being held by someone who had become such an important part of my life. Someone I didn't have to pretend with. Someone I could love without having to possess.

“Maybe in our next life,” He whispered against his chest.

“Definitely in our next life,” I replied with a chuckle, resting my cheek against him and closing my eyes. For a few seconds, neither of us said anything. We simply held on to each other, perhaps both wishing that things could have been different. A little while later, he gently pulled back.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Of course, I am,” I answered, still smiling.

“I mean, about Kylian and Ester.” And just like that, the little bubble of comfort we had created around ourselves burst. I slowly withdrew from his embrace, the smile fading from my face as I took a step back.

“Of course, I am,” I said, shrugging as though his question meant nothing to me. He studied my face, clearly unconvinced. “Seriously, Marcus. I'm fine,” I insisted, forcing a reassuring smile. But judging by the look in his eyes, he wasn't buying it.

“Okay, but Kylian sent me a video.”

My brows furrowed. “What video?” Marcus picked up his phone, tapped the screen a few times, and turned it towards me.

“His encounter with Ester,” he explained. I immediately took the phone from him and pressed play.

My eyes remained glued to the screen as the scene unfolded. It was at a gala. Ester was standing on the staircase, posing for photographs, while Kylian happened to be walking past her. Just as he approached, she lost her footing and nearly fell. Kylian, who was closest to her, instinctively reached out and caught her before she could hit the ground. For a few seconds, she remained in his arms as he helped her regain her balance.

Oh, thank God!

I let out a quiet breath. “Turns out she almost fell,” Marcus remarked.

I replayed the video, watching it more carefully this time. Then I watched it again. There was nothing particularly intimate about the gesture. Kylian had simply reacted out of instinct, helping someone who was about to fall. It was the photographer's timing and the camera angle that had made the entire encounter look like something else.

I exhaled deeply, only then realising how tightly I had been holding my breath. For the first time in days, I felt some of the heaviness in my chest lift. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make me feel a little less miserable.

“Why would he send this to you, anyway?” I asked, still staring at the screen.

“He said you haven't been checking your messages, and he didn't want you to misunderstand.” I slowly lifted my eyes from the phone, only to find Marcus watching me. His gaze made me uncomfortable, he was reading me

“You know, when he told me that, I asked him what the point was,” Marcus continued, taking his phone from my hand. “I mean, you're getting divorced anyway. But judging by your reaction just now, I suppose he was right to send it.”

I pressed my lips together, unable to come up with a suitable response. Rather than subject myself to more of his knowing looks, I turned towards the door. “I need to get back to work.”

“Happy birthday.”

I stopped abruptly and turned around. “What?”

“Happy birthday in arrears. Yesterday was your birthday.”

Shit! He's right.

“Oh my God!” I exclaimed, bringing a hand to my forehead. “I completely forgot!”

“I know. I would have gotten you a cake yesterday, but you were avoiding me.”

“What? No, I wasn't!” I defended myself

He narrowed his eyes at me, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “What did you just say?”

I stared at him for a moment before finally giving in. “Fine! Yes, I was avoiding you.”

He chuckled, looking rather pleased with my admission. “I know. I'm glad we've cleared that up.”

He turned back to his desk and pulled open a drawer. “Anyway, I have a gift for you.” My face immediately brightened.

“Oh, really?” I asked excitedly. “Another Porsche?” He threw his head back and laughed.

“Don't you wish?” He retrieved a file from the drawer and placed it on his desk before sliding it towards me. “Open it.”

I looked at the file, then back at him. “What is it?”

“Open it, Bewa.”

My curiosity got the better of me. I picked it up and opened it, but the moment my eyes landed on the document inside, my mouth fell open.

“University of Manchester!” I exclaimed, looking up at him in disbelief. He smiled.

“Yes. I think you'll do very well there.”

I looked down at the document again, struggling to process what I was seeing.

“How did you even do this?”

“I contacted an academic adviser, and she asked me to send in your details. She took it from there.”

“But I don't even have a background in writing.”

“You have your blog, don't you? They looked through your work and felt you had the potential. They decided to award you the scholarship.”  My eyes returned to the letter. I read the opening lines aloud , almost afraid that I had misunderstood what was written.

“Miss Bewaji Emily Bendal,We are pleased to inform you that you have been awarded a two-year scholarship in Playwriting and Screenwriting...” I stopped reading.

For a moment, I couldn't speak. I simply stared at the letter, allowing the words to sink in. Then, with a squeal of excitement, I dropped the file on the desk and threw my arms around Marcus.

“Thank you, Marcus!” I exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

He laughed, wrapping his arms around me. “I'm just helping out a little.” I pulled back enough to look at him, my face still beaming.

“Thank you. Seriously, thank you!” I couldn't stop smiling. This was it. This was the dream I had held on to for so long, even when life seemed determined to take everything else away from me.

If I wanted to become one of those Oscar-winning screenwriters whose stories touched millions of people, this was where it began. My first real step towards becoming the woman I had always imagined myself to be.

But is this the right decision?

My smile faltered.

What?

We are supposed to be rebuilding our lives. Do you really think we should take on something this big while we're still trying to find our footing? And in another country, too? Have you forgotten how difficult it was for us to settle in France? How lonely and overwhelming everything felt? Do you honestly think moving to an unfamiliar environment is what we need right now, in this fragile state?

“What's wrong?” Marcus's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I blinked and looked at him. “What?”

“You have that look on your face. You're bothered about something. What is it?”

I stared at him, momentarily wondering when I had ever thought it was a good idea to encourage this man to propose to his girlfriend instead of me.

Remind me again why I did that?

I don’t know, maybe because you're not selfish.

I sighed and looked down at the admission letter. “Settling down in France was really difficult for me, Marcus. You know that.” He nodded, his expression turning serious.

“And I'm not entirely sure I want to put myself through that again, especially in the state I'm in right now. I don't know if moving to another country and starting all over is what I need.”

“Then it's a good thing you won't be alone.”

I looked up at him. “What?”

“I'm leaving Paris after this session and moving to Manchester. I was thinking you could come with me.” I stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate. “You can stay with Lucia and me until you're settled and able to stand on your own.”

My mouth fell open. “What?”

As sweet as this sounds, I think it's even worse.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SATURDAY, 9PM WAT

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