In the kitchen, Chloe skillfully chopped vegetables while Theo focused on completing his lego puzzle when the door slowly opened and Scarlett walked in.

"Scarlett." Theo squealed, rushing into her arms. A warm smile appeared on her lips as she embraced him in her arms.

"Hey little boss, What's up ?" Scarlett asked, reciprocating his enthusiasm.

"I was playing with my lego toy. Will you join me." Theo asked politely. Just in time, Chloe appeared, welcoming Scarlett.

"Hope you slept well." Chloe smiled.

"I did. Let me help you with that." Scarlett offered, taking the knife from Chloe's hand to assist with the vegetable chopping but not before assuring Theo that she would play with him after helping her mom.

"So, when did you both start dating ?" Chloe asked, catching Scarlett off guard.

"Dating ? We are not dating. Or are we ?" She mumbled, uncertain of how to define their relationship. Chloe chuckled at her response and perplexed expressions, causing Scarlett to blush and lower her gaze.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to embarass you." Chloe apologised. "I don't know if you both are dating or not but he clearly cares for you a lot."

"He does." Scarlett smiled, mirroring the warmth she received from Chloe.

"So what are we cooking ?" She asked Chloe.

"Well, your Markus' favourite-Glazed chicken with some veggies." Chloe replied, stirring the broth. It was in that moment, Scarlett realised that she didn't even know about his likes or dislikes. Lost in her thoughts, a wave of sadness washed over her.

"Careful." Chloe warned, louder than intended as she noticed Scarlett's fingers perilously close to the knife. Her voice brought Scarlett back to reality.

"Are you okay ?" Concerned, she asked.

"Yeah. yeah." She answered, though the underlying sadness didn't go unnoticed by Chloe.

"You can tell me, Scarlett." Chloe reassured her. Scarlett gazed at her for a moment before whispering, "I claim to love him but I don't even know his likes and dislikes." Relieved, Chloe smiled.

"That's okay, Scarlett. Given the circumstances, it's understandable that you haven't had a chance to discuss those things. You'll have plenty of opportunities to get to know him better. Okay ?" Scarlett gave her a nod, visibly more relaxed "Shall we continue now ?"

"Yeah."

Soon the sound of the vehicle pulling off reached their ears and minutes later, Markus and Sam entered the house.

Chloe warmly greeted them both, while Markus couldn't help but let his eyes wander up and down Scarlett's figure, clad in an oversized shirt paired with black leggings with her hair tied in a messy bun. Blushing, her cheeks turned even redder as Markus approached him, wrapping her in his arms. She shyly hid her face against his torso, causing Markus to smile, Chloe to chuckle and Sam to roll his eyes before heading upstairs with Theo in his arms.

"Freshen up, I'll serve the food" Chloe offered as the aroma of delicious food filled the air.

___________________________________________

Markus savored every bite of his meal, appreciating the flavours that Scarlett and Chloe had brought to life.

"You know, once I told her that she will be my personal chef. She denied but here we are." Markus told Scarlett, playfulness evident in his voice. Scarlett chuckled while Chloe laughed softly.

"Mom, I want some more." Theo chimed, forwarding his place in the air. Sam gently took the plate from Theo's tiny hands, serving him.

"Here you go, buddy." Sam said, placing his plate infront of him.

They enjoyed their dinner while conversing about one thing or the another. When Theo finished his meal, he dashed upstairs, leaving the adults to their own devices.

Curiosity piqued, Chloe asked,"Did you get any lead ?" Sam let out a sigh of frustration and told them about Hudson's probable involvement.

"Now we need someone to make him talk." Markus said suggestively. "I thought Catherine might help but she is injured." Upon hearing his words an overwhelming feeling of helping him took over Scarlett and she proposed, determination shining through her words, "I might help."

"No." Escaped Markus' mouth as soon as he heard her words. Sam and Chloe exchanged a look but remained silent.

"Why not ? I think I can help you. I want to." Scarlett implored.

"Do you even have slightest idea what I am talking about ?" He questioned, his voice firm.

"I do. You mean, uhm..you want someone to..uhm.uh" Hesitantly, she muttered.

"Seduce Hudson." Sam finished her sentence.

"Exactly."

"If you think that I would let you do that, then, my love, you're seriously mistaken." Markus stated, gazing straight into her eyes.

"But.."

"Scarlett. I said no." With those words, he rose from his seat, leaving Sam's house without looking back.

"I just wanted to help." She meekly mumbled in hushed tones, her voice carrying a tinge of disappointment.

"We know that, Scarlett." Sam assured her, his tone gentle. "But last time we agreed to this. It ended up very wrong. He just doesn't want you to get hurt." Sam told her.

She asked, her voice filled with confusion,"What do you mean ?" Sensing her uncertainty, Chloe reached out and placed a comforting hand over Scarlett's.

With a somber tone, she recalled the chilling events of the night, eight years ago, "I suggested to them that I can keep an eye while they were interrogating the person. I convinced them. It was a dark, lonely street, I was hidden inside a car, keeping an eye around, but two men spotted me, they broke in forcefully and tried to molest me, but Sam saved me that night." Chloe felt Sam's body tense under her touch, recalling of the fateful night. Scarlett gently squeezed Chloe as hand offering solace and understanding before going behind Markus.

As Scarlett stepped inside Markus' house, she slowly ascended upstairs with a sense of purpose. She twisted the knob and pushed open the door, greeted by the sound of the shower running.

Inside the bathroom, Markus stood under the cold shower, allowing the cold water to cascade over his bare skin, offering a momentary respite from his worries and troubles.

As he exited the bathroom, his eyes landed on Scarlett, sitting on the bed with her legs folded. He averted his gaze, walked and laid down on the other side of the bed, next to her.

Having a feeling that he was angry with her, she asked, "Are you mad at me ?"

Markus' eyes remained closed as he responded, "No"

She leaned in, her head resting on his chest as she laid down. His arms snaked around her waist, offering her a sense of comfort.

"I know why you don't want me to do this, They told me." She confessed softly.
"But aren't these two different situations ? It won't be a dark lifeless street, it would be a loud, noisy club and you'll be there keeping a watch over me." She continued. "I'll go in, and bring him to you. As simple as that." She rambled and waited for his response. A minute passed but there was no response, leaving her to wonder if he had drifted off to sleep. She began to stir, attempting to rise up, only to be gently rolled down on the bed with him on top of her. A surprised squeal escaped her mouth before she realised what happened and wrapped her arms, around his neck.

"If you really think, this is gonna convince me. Then, you gotta try harder." He whispered, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

"You can really be a tough nut to crack." Scarlett scrunched up her nose in annoyance.

Pulling away slightly, Markus pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, his lips lingering for a moment, "I know, sweetheart." He murmured, tightening his arms around his waist, pulling her closer.

"Please. You know you can trust me. and I know you can protect me." She pleaded. before giving up in his arms and feeling his soothing breath against the nape of her neck. He held her tightly, cherishing the warmth radiating from her and whispered, "I'll think about it. Go to sleep now." A smile appeared on her lips as she succumbed to sleep in his arms.

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As the morning light seeped through the curtains, Scarlett woke up, to find Markus absent from her side. She wiped the remnants of sleep from her eyes, and glanced at the digital clock, 9:00 a.m, it read. With a sigh, she slid out of the bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

After taking a bath, she changed into a crisp white top, pairing it with a black high waist jeans and tied her hair in a ponytail. Feeling ready to face the day, she left for Chloe's house.

Upon reaching her house, she hesitantly turned the handle and stepped inside. Instantly all heads turned towards her. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the presence of Markus, Sam, Chloe, and Adam, who she didn't recognise.

"What's going on ?" Scarlett's voice trembled slightly as she asked.

Chloe approached her and gently guided her to the table.

"Markus told us about your plan but it's not as easy as you think." Sam told her, his voice filled with caution. Though she tried to concentrate on his words but her eyes continuously shifted to Adam. Markus observed her shifting gaze and sought to ease her apprehension, "He's a friend. Relax." He told her. She nodded in acknowledgement.

"Brendon's men keep a strict watch over everyone he meets." Adam informed them.

" I won't do anything stupid." Scarlett quickly responded.

"It's risky." Chloe interjected. Before Scarlett could defend her resolve, Markus, his tone firm, interrupted, "She won't do it."

"Why not ?" Annoyance flickered across Scarlett's face as she said.

Markus, rising up from his seat, met her gaze with intensify. "Because its fucking dangerous and I can't put you in danger." He rebuked, his protective instincts flaring.

"Aren't we all in danger anyways ?" She retorted, catching all of them by surprise, including herself. A look of hurt crossed his eyes before he composed himself, causing a pang of guilt to wash over her.

"I am...I am sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I..I just think that he would believe me easily, making the job easier. And that I am not as weak as you think. I sure can help you like Catherine could." Her words trailed off, her gaze lowered, as tears welled up in her eyes. Upon hearing Catherine's name, Markus realized what she was trying to prove.

Markus' stern expressions softened, as he gently wrapped her in his arms.
"Scarlett, I never for even a second thought of you as a weak woman. This is one of the times when I need someone to hold on to me and you're that one person for me. And as far as Catherine is concerned, she is a trained assassin, that's why I considered her for help." Markus confessed, then, whispered, "I am sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

"I am sorry too." She whispered back, He tightened his hold and said, "If, and only if I let you do this. You'll have to promise me that you won't leave my sight and if you sense even the slightest bit of danger, you'll get out of there, forgetting about the suitcase." A sense of achievement washed over Scarlett as her lips twitched up into a smile and she nodded hysterically before he embraced her again.

"I think it's decided then." Adam cheered, breaking the tension in the room.
"From my sources I know, he'll be here tomorrow. He has meeting someone in Midnight Haven." Markus acknowledged the information with a nod.

After Adam left, Chloe and Scarlett immersed themselves in their conversation, leaving Sam and Markus alone.

"You'll be able to manage ?" Sam asked, concerned etched across his face.

Markus nodded confidently, "Yeah and...anyway you'll need to be here for them." Their gazes shifted to Chloe and Theo, who was engrossed in finishing his lego puzzle. "Other kids are out there enjoying their vacation. Going on trips and he can't even go to the park without the fear of getting....." Markus' voice trailed off, his unfinished sentence delivering the gravity of the circumstances.

"Once It's over, we will all go on a vacation." Sam assured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah." Markus managed a faint smile, his eyes fell on Scarlett, who smiled back at him before redirecting her attention on Theo.

"It all needs to be over soon."

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Well, how do you like the characters of Markus and Scarlett ?

Do let me know in the comments below.

Stay healthy
Stay safe !!