The Royal Contract

She was surprised by his admission of his feelings. She did not expect it, although she had dreamt of hearing something like that from him for the longest time. 

"You are." He repeated with all seriousness in his tone.

He lowered his head until his face aligned with hers. He gazed at her, focusing the intensity of his stare on her eyes. He guessed this was the right time to express what he truly felt about her.

He wanted to see her reaction once he finally said what he had been keeping from her all this time. Although he might still have some doubts about his worthiness to be with her. 

He felt he was treading on unfamiliar grounds and was still a bit of a loss on how to handle a relationship. Nevertheless, he was one hundred percent certain that he was willing to give it a try.

He was afraid that he might still hurt her unintentionally. But he believed that not telling her what he felt was hurting her just the same. So, he was putting his foot down and finally making his big gesture.

"There is something I wish to tell you." He said with a slightly nervous smile, terrified that she might not believe his words. Still, he was determined to tell her now more than ever.

He could not blame her if she did not believe his confession right away. After all, he had put her through, he had to accept whatever her reaction would be.

He just hoped that what he would do next in their relationship would absolve him from his past mistakes. He planned to do everything he could to make up for it, even if it would take his entire lifetime to do so. 

"What is it?" She was supposed to tell him something too, but she was thankful he had gone first. She could feel her hands shaking as her nerves went on edge, slightly unsure how to open the topic on the tip of her tongue.

She was planning to confront him about her feelings. She wanted what Dani and Alex had. If Marcus did not feel the same way. Then, she had no choice but to end it with him. She could not wait for him anymore.

Her anxiety increased, making matters worse when she saw the uncertainty in his eyes. She could sense that he was also nervous. As if he was about to break her heart again but did not know how he should do it.

She could feel her heart pumping erratically as her nerves became frantic. But on the outside, she still appeared calm and collected. She was not about to give him the satisfaction of letting him see her break down again just because of him.

"I want to make this relationship work. I am willing to take this, whatever we are doing, wherever you want it to go." He pulled her even closer, with their faces almost touching. 

When he ended things with her, it took him a while to realize that he had made the biggest mistake of his life. Now, he could not let that happen again.

"I need you in my life." He finally confessed, believing in every word he said to her.

He had tried to forget her, but he failed miserably. Despite all his effort, his mind would not let him forget about her. His body still craved to touch her. His heart ached to be with her.

He believed, just like Alex and David, he was hooked, lined, and sinker. He had no way out of this. He could not afford to lose her anymore.

"Are you sure about that?" Jacky questioned his words, surprised, shocked, unable to believe what she had just heard. At the same time, she felt relieved upon learning that he was not breaking up with her again. 

She was ecstatic. Yet, she still waited for something to fall, breaking this entire illusion. Then again, she was also hopeful that Marcus was just about to make her dreams come true.

Not that she was waiting for him to go down on his knees or anything, but she was happy that he was not ending it between them as she feared.

"I hope you are not just saying that because of what happened to Alex and Dani." She felt that he might have been forced by the circumstances around them. 

She only wished to be sure of his feelings. Emotions were high after the incident. She did not want that clouding his judgment and making hasty decisions.

"I will be honest with you. This is new for me. But I will try my best to make this work." Marcus held her hands firmly, assuring her that he spoke the truth. 

"I already thought about this when I realized that letting you go was the biggest, stupidest mistake I ever made." He divulged to her what he had realized a long time ago. "I do not wish to lose you again."

"I don't know what to say." She suddenly became speechless as her heart did a few somersaults inside her chest, hearing his admission. "Well, I have dreamt of hearing you say those things." She also informed him.

She realized that he was not planning to end their relationship, but rather, he would like to commit to it. She had waited for this moment since she first agreed to go out with him again. 

Now that it was actually happening, she could not help herself but feel like she was over the moon. She could not get happier than this. 

"Just say that you are willing to take a chance with me again." He leaned forward, burying his face in the palm of her hands. 

He had never felt this way with anyone else. Only she had the power to make him fall to his knees. He would beg if he had to just to prove himself to her again.

"I like that." It was her turn to tilt his head up until he looked into her eyes. "I want that too, very much." She smiled at him, showing him how much she agreed with his plans.

Well, it was not the declaration she was waiting for from him, but it would do for now. She was willing to take baby steps on this relationship until both knew what they were doing. 

It was already a giant leap for him to admit that he was ready to leave his bachelor life.. And to finally enter a monogamous relationship with her.