CHAPTER 73

Casabella’s POV
“What do you mean? I don’t understand.” I asked confused, taking steps backward but he kept coming even closer.
“Why did you keep such a thing away from me? Do you know how I tried every means to search for answers and do you even consider what I went through?”
“I still don’t understand what you’re talking about, Mark. You’re really scaring me.”
“Why did you keep your real identity away from me? Why didn’t you tell me you’re not Madison but the woman I have been searching for?” He started, which made me stop on my spot.
“How… how did you find out about it?” I stammered.
“Why didn’t you tell me you’re Casabella? Did you know how I have been dying to find you and profess my love to you.” He asked sadly and walked towards me.
He held my hands in his as the tears I never knew filled my eyelid began to fall freely down my cheeks.
I can’t believe I have been scared to open up to him unaware I was the one he had eyes on all along.
“I’m really sorry. I didn’t know how to bring such news to you and I was considering spending a little more time with you before you hate me.”
“I would never hate the woman who has tamed my heart completely. I fell in love the moment I laid eyes on you. At first, it didn’t occur to me until we kept crossing paths each time. That’s when I realised it's nothing but true love I have for you. I searched everywhere for you but you just seemed to disappear into thin air but I never lost hope in.”
“I never knew you loved me all along. I’m really sorry for keeping my identity away from you.”
“It’s alright. I’m so happy you’re really the one. I never doubted you when I heard your voice again. My gut was right all along about you but I wasn’t too sure about it. Come here, baby.” He admitted and embraced me tightly to his body.
After long minutes in the position, we pulled away from the hug and stared into each other’s eyes.
“I love you so much Casabella.” He uttered caressing my cheeks and crushed our lips together.
“I love you too.” I reciprocated in between the kiss as we moved over to his desk without breaking any contact.
He placed me on the desk and grabbed hold on my leg caressing my thigh as the pleasure was becoming too much to take in.
“Oh…” I mouthed in between the kiss.
We pulled away as he made for my neckline and began to rain kisses all over.
"Ohh.. god..." I parted my lips in pleasure.
He further moved his hands towards my pants when a knock disputed our moment.
"Fuck!" He cursed under his breath and urged the person to come in while we remained in our position.
It was his personal assistant, Thomas who walked in with a file in his hand.
"I'm sorry to interrupt sir but the meeting is about to start." He uttered politely, bowing his head.
"Alright. I'll be there in a minute." Mark answered before taking his leave.
"You have to go now baby or the investors will think otherwise."
"I don't feel like it. I just want to be with you."
"I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here until you're done with the meeting."
"Do you promise?"
"Yes, I promise." I chuckled as we kissed before he left for the meeting.
Mark’s POV
“I can’t believe we share the same enemy. Do you know anything about him?” She uttered, sitting on his laps.
“Not as much as I need. His full details and identity is hidden and also he works and his involvement with other things.”
“Seems Madison made mention of something about his business in the video before her death. I'll give you the video and audio clips."
“Can you recall anything?”
“Not much, just that the land she owns can’t be touched by him no matter how he tries. In other words, if the construction continues he will definitely come back for the land.”
“I can’t let you continue with the construction and put your life in danger. I’ll handle all your battles, you don’t have to worry about anything. I’ll protect you and Rosy with my life.”
“But I don’t want you to get hurt or even risk your life.”
“You really don’t have any idea how I am.”
“Yes, I do. You’re a businessman and a very influential man.”
“There’s more but it's best if you don’t know about it.”
“Alright, I trust you. I know you aren’t a bad man.”
“I’m not..." He was still talking when I stopped him with my hand.
“Shuu… you don’t have to say anything. I know who you really are.” I admitted and pecked him on the lip before pulling away.
“Why did you stop?”
“Do you want me to continue?” I questioned, biting my bottom lip.
“Yes my love. I want more of it.”
“Really?” I smiled and slammed our lips together.
*********
“Rosy will be really happy when we tell her about it.”
“She has been happy since morning which made me grow suspicious after the phone call she had with you.”
“I see. How much did you listen to?”
“Let's forget about that and inform them.”
“Okay.” I smiled as we came down from the car before he picked me off guard.
“What did you do that for?”
“I don’t want you stressing yourself for me.”
“That’s why I love you so much.”
“Love you too.” He responded while I pecked his cheek.
He gently placed me on the sofa before calling out to Rosy and Alex who showed up shortly.
"All right guys, we have an official announcement to make." He announced and urged them to take their seats.
"Did you tell him about it?" Rosy whispered to my ear and I nod smiling sheepishly.
"It sounds shocking but it's the truth. The real Madison is dead but the woman here is my woman, Casabella Smith."
"What? How is that possible?" Alec asked in shock.
"Yes Alex. I was right all along."
"How did Madison die?"
"I will tell you baby." Rosy answered.
"So you know about it?"
"Yes babe. I didn't tell you or my brother because I made a promise to keep it a secret. I'm really sorry."
"It's okay baby. So tell me, what happened to Madison?"
"She was killed by a man called Ronald Dickson because of some land which belongs to Madison. He had to kill her because she declined his offer to sell the land to him, isn't that stupid? I really don't know how someone can be that heartless." She explained as Alex looked up to Mark in shock.
"Is that true Mark?"
"Yes Alex. He is the one." Mark responded and signalled Alex not to talk any further so Rosy won't get suspicious.
"Madison will surely get the justice she really deserves." Alex gritted his teeth in anger.
"Yes, he will. I will make sure of that." Mark held Alex trying to calm him down from bursting out.
"It's okay babe. Brother will really see to it and keep our darling Casabella safe."
~EVENING~
Casabella's POV
"I'm so happy you both are still together." Mum hugged me tightly the moment we walked inside the living room.
I called her on our way and told her about it which made her really happy.
"Thank you mum."
"I couldn't bear it seeing you lost on how to tell Mark about yourself which made me order him to tell Mark personally about it turned out to be beyond our expectation."
"Thank you so much dad. You're really the best and I'm so happy to be the luckiest girl to have such a loving dad."
"You're welcome princess. Thank you so much son. You're truly a good man."
"Thank you sir. I'm really grateful for saving her life. She wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you both and I'm really sorry for your loss."
"Thank you son. I just want justice for her, that way her soul will be at rest."
"I'll make sure she gets the justice she deserves."
"I'm so happy I have another daughter and I don't want to lose another child again." Mum commented sadly.
"You can't lose me mum. Mark is there to protect me, you don't have to worry, okay?"
"Okay baby."
***
Mark and stayed up in my room for love in each other's arms never wanting to let go of each other.
"Can you spend the night here with me, baby?" I pouted my mouth.
"Why don't we do it this way. Inform your parents you will be spending the night at my place, isn't that going to be okay?"
"Yes, that's what I want but I don't want to stay for only a night. I want to stay for a week."
"A week? What about your parents? Don't you think they will feel somehow if they don't see you?"
"Come on Mark. I know they will accept anything I say. You just have to agree with me."
"As you wish my lady."