Chapter 97: Wondering

Hershey sipped, head bowed. She looked back at him. "Yes of course." She stated, feeling guilty

She knew Marco would come out when he found out she was really enjoying talking to another guy in the neighborhood, where she enjoyed their time together. This made her laugh. Why should she feel inferior? He is what she wants. "I'm glad to see someone who knows how to laugh."

Hershey sighed, "I'm sorry. I was just wondering how my boyfriend would react if he caught me talking to you."

Rey smiled, raising his hands, "He need not to worry, I don't go around stealing other men women. I prefer to find my own."

Hershey nodded, "Alright. He'll respect you more than that one."

Rey nodded, "Alright, thank you, well, I should go if you know what I mean."

Hershey sighed, "Yeah, alright, it was nice talking to you.

Rey nodded, stepping back from their conversation, "Yes, you too."

With that, he distanced himself from her. He started walking towards Danny's car. Hershey watched him, curious.

Marco took this time to walk up to her. Hershey's face lit up, "Hey baby."

Marco took her hand and placed it in hers. "Hey, honey."

He raised his mouth to her hand and kissed it.

Willie and Jade were so deep in whatever they were talking about, they didn't even notice the two. Marco pulled Hershey's hand, signaling for them to go for a walk.

"How is your day?" She asked when they reached the gate of the dorm.

Marco sighed, "It was alright."

"You stink." Hershey commented.

Marco looked at her, "I didn't notice. Do you want to have dinner?"

"It's not like you smell like that."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "Aww, come on Chocolate. You know there's nothing better than the smell of sweat and the smellier the better."

Hershey laughed. "Yes, I must be thrilled, right?"

Marco laughed, "Yeah, it's proper etiquette to go to dinner smelling like an old gym locker."

Hershey licked her lips, "Nothing like seeing and smelling dirty socks."

Marco laughed and leaned in, kissing her forehead. Despite the stench, Hershey felt her heart skip a beat.

"We went and played ball in the other gym as a group."

Hershey smiled weakly, asking, "Group?"

"Yes, Danny Robert, his brother John Philip, Gary, who really doesn't like me, Willie, the guy who went up to talk to Jade and Rey."

Hershey felt his heart sink. "Rey?"

"Yes, Hershey, Rey."

Hershey took a deep breath, "So you heard us talking?"

"Yes."

"He knows we are dating?"

"He may not know I'm with you, but at least he knows you have a boyfriend."

"Why don't you come and tell?" asked Hershey. "You seem fine on your own."

"Aren't you afraid that the same thing will happen to John Philip?"

Marco stopped and turned to her. Running his fingers through neatly arched eyebrows, he whispered, "No."

"Why not?" Hershey stared into deep green eyes full of beauty.

"Because, he's not like Danny. He won't stop the issue."

Hershey closed her eyes. He touched her forehead, "Are you okay?" Marco smiled, "Yes, I'm fine, Chocolate. I trust you. I know you wouldn't do something like that."

Hershey sighed, "Have you forgotten everything that happened in high school?"

Marco swallowed, "I haven't, but that's what destroyed us the first time, Hershey - Lack of trust in one another. Why do you think we spent all that time bickering back and forth? Why not love each other since we got the chance too?"

Hershey put his bottom lip to his mouth. Where was Marco who always protested even the slightest hint of any man being interested in her? Where was the Marco he knew? The passionate, possessive guy she's crazy about? Did their experience really change him? Did he like this change in him? His coffee-brown eyes stared in confusion. Did he really love her as much as he said?

How can he love her and still trust her? Did he think that she would be as good a woman to him as his mindset thought? His eyes were fixed on hers, not sure what was going on?

Marco stared into her beautiful eyes, not sure if he did the right thing. Was he given too much trust? Did he cause an open door of infidelity to flood in?

He seemed lost when it came to her knowing thoughts about giving her the space and trust she needed. He remembered vividly what had happened the last time he had been so possessive, she had suffocated. This caused her to separate and she didn't like that. He wants to believe that she can be trusted. He knows she can be trusted. Sure, it was more than she could handle, but he didn't want to let her go. He doesn't want to destroy her love for him. He wants it to grow. He wants her to grow strong and strong.

He leaned down to her, he whispered, "Hershey Villamor Harus, I love you. I just want you to know that I trust you and I believe you're capable of making the right decisions."

Hershey swallowed, feeling her heart pound, "Really?"

Marco let out a haggard look, his breath hot. Running his hands through her hair, he nodded, afraid to say the fear he was holding.

XXX

Jade sighed, "Please tell me there's a legit reason as to why you interrupted my favorite show in the whole world, Cleopatra."

Hershey swallowed, "This is important."

Two days after Marco told Hershey that he trusted her, she ran to Jade, unable to stop thinking about what was said. "I need help, Jade."

Jade patted the pillow next to her, handing Hershey the can of sour cream pringles she was eating. Hershey released some.

"What's up?" Jade asked, turning down the volume on the television."

"I don't think I can handle this."

"Hold what?" Jade asked, her gaze landing on Hershey's questioning honey-colored hazel eyes.

"This. I can't handle..." Hershey swallowed the chips she had just chewed, "he said he trusts me." She stated.

"What's wrong with that?" Jade was confused. What is she talking about?

"Nothing, but I don't know if he should trust me because Rey is really handsome, the type of man I've always admired."

Jade frowned, "What?"

"Marco said he trusts me with Rey. I don't think that's a wise decision."

Jade cleared her throat, "Just because a guy's your type, doesn't mean you got to sleep with him. Do you see Rey behind his back?"

"No, but who knows, I mean we might accidentally run into each other, start a romance and then I'll leave Marco heartbroken."

Jade caught up, covering her laughter. "If you don't see her, Hershey, don't worry. I'm sure the attraction will wear off."

"That shows how much you know." said Hershey.

"What do you mean?"

Hershey swallowed, "When Marco and I first met in high-school, it was an instant attraction. Very much so like the one I feel toward Rey."

"You and Marco have been dating since high school?" Jade was surprised. "Well, we broke up two years ago, but we got back together this summer."

Jade raised an eyebrow, "You guys got back together this summer after two years of not even being together?"

Hershey swallowed, "Yeah, but you have to understand..." She sighed, feeling heavy in her heart. His love is strong. "We've been like this since high school. I mean, when I first met him, I swear I couldn't think straight. I was likes this other guy too, you know? He's our classmate, but he's abusive. . We're friends Marco. We started dating about three months after I dated our classmate, before they broke up."

Jade swallowed, "So, wait, you dated this classmate of yours when you know you like Marco?"

Hershey shrugged, "Yeah. I mean, I liked the other one too."

Jade laughed, "That's funny."

"It's not funny, because this classmate turned out to be bull shit. He was abusive. Throughout the relationship, he really controlled me and what kind of people I could be with."

"I take it Marco was a no, no."

Hershey sighed, "Yeah, he hated Marco's guts. They got into a fight sophomore year."

Jade raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

This caused Hershey to laugh. He remembered how tired he was, but how dear everything was now. "Yeah, Marco didn't like the way he treated me, so he told him. They got in and that's where we started."

"So, you and Marco started dating after the fight?"

Hershey sighed, "Not necessarily. We weren't officially dating. We just kind of snuck around here and there, kissing and stuff."

"Oh really, so you mean to tell me there's something wrong with your perfect bones?" teased Jade.

Hershey laughed, "Wait until I finish the story and then you tell me if you think I'm a good girl or a bad girl."

Jade stared at Hershey, not sure how to take everything she told her. "Wow. That's a lot. No wonder you're the way you are."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you and Marco just met on campus or something, because you don't seem to be the type to have a boyfriend that you put as much emphasis on at school, but then again I'd sooner believe that than to believe you'd sleep with a man without knowing him."

Hershey rolled her eyes, "So, what do you suggest I do?"

Jade raised her hand to his cheek, "Well, you love Marco, right?"

"Of course."

"So, if you love him, just take the trust he gave you and treat it like gold. It takes a lot for a guy like him to trust after what you've guys been through, but apparently, he wants to make things work for you, so if he does, why not try?"

"I know, but what about Rey?"

"What about him?"

"Well, I am attracted to him..." Hershey stated, her tone soft.

"So what. There's no law against being attracted to a guy. You'll only meet on campus, right?"

Hershey tapped her on the shoulder. "Of course."

"Then there's nothing to worry about. Just let your doubts go." Jade stated, staring at her friend, curiosity taking hold. "Besides, isn't what you want now, what you hated before?"

Hershey ran her arms over her body, "Yes, but now it seems different, because he doesn't seem to care."

Jade furrowed her eyebrows, confused for a moment. "So you mean to tell me that his possessiveness actually made you feel loved?"

Hershey shrugged. "It was his passion. That's how he showed he cared. I knew without doubt that he loved me."

Jade cleared her throat. "So, why can't you make sure that he is more secure in his love for you now that he knows what you like and what you don't like?"

"What do you mean?"

"Hershey, he obviously saw that whatever he did before didn't work, so he wants to make up for it now. Sit back and enjoy the gentle and confident person in him. When the time comes for him to show his attachment to you, it will be shown."

Hershey sighed, "Ok, whatever."

Jade grinned, "You're weird. I have a feeling Hershey that if he shows that side of you again, you won't feel love or security anymore. You'll probably feel the same way you did before. I hope you can breathe."

Hershey licked her lips, "Sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone."

Jade raised an eyebrow, agreeing, "You're right. You're absolutely right."

XXX