Some Kind Of Wonderful

Chapter: Twenty-Three: Only You Can Save Me.

After the plane landed Leila left Chase without so much as another word. She knew she hurt him but that wasn’t nowhere near close to how she was feeling at the moment. She walked through the front door of her childhood home and instantly came face to face with her family.

Isabelle smiled when she saw Leila walk through the door but her smile faded when she saw the pain in her eyes. “Leila...?”
Leila turned on her heel and walked up the stairs ignoring her family. She threw herself on her bed and sighed. She felt alone, so utterly lonely.

A knock sounded on her door and she closed her eyes. “Leila?” her mother’s voice drifted through the door.

She sighed, “Mom, I’m fine.” She assured her and resisted the urge to groan when the door opened and her mother walked in.

“You don’t seem fine. What’s going on, Leila?” Isabelle asked sitting on the bed beside her daughter.

The concern in her mother’s voice made Leila’s eyes pool with the tears she swore she wouldn’t shed. “Nothing is going on.” She said sitting up and moving around her room to keep her distracted.

Isabelle stood up and went to her daughter’s side. She stopped Leila and turned her to face her. Upon looking into her eyes Isabelle knew what was wrong.

“Leila, talk to me baby.”

Leila shook her head. “No, I can’t.” She said her voice breaking. “It’s too painful to talk about it. I just...I need to be alone right now. Please.” She pleaded her eyes filled with tears.

Isabelle nodded understandingly. “Okay, you know where I am when you need me.” Leila nodded closing her eyes when Isabelle placed an affectionate kiss on her forehead. She walked out leaving Leila alone to herself like she had asked.

Leila decided to unpack her clothes and accessories. At the bottom of the bag she found the pictures she and Marc took in the Bahamas.

There he was, his violet eyes staring back at her. She felt an ache in her heart, one that caught her breath and made it difficult to breathe.

She slowly flipped through the pictures images of them messing around, pulling funny faces at the camera. Leila stopped at one and instantly tears streamed down her cheeks. It was one Elle took of her and Marc. They were at the beach party and Elle told them to strike the best ‘happiest couple’ pose. So they stood together, Marc wrapped his arms around her waist while she had brought her arm loosely around his neck her fingers tangled in his hair, their forehead’s were pressed together gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. She remembered how happy she was that night and that thought only upset her further.

With a deep breath she wiped away her tears and picked up all the pictures in one hand and rushed out of her bedroom.

Dayne watched as his sister hurriedly dashed passed his bedroom; he frowned and decided it was best to leave her alone.

That was until he saw a light outside his window and decided to check it out. He saw Leila standing outside, in the back garden with an open flame. “Shit.” He mumbled and shook his head before quickly rushing out after her.

Leila was watching the flames crackle in front of her, a faraway look in her tear filled eyes. She held out the pictures and one by one threw them into the fire. She watched as Marc’s face burned away and couldn’t help the whimper that escaped her.

“Why did I have to meet you, why can’t you just get out of my head?” she cried looking at the pictures in between her fingers.

She covered her mouth with her free hand while she sobbed helplessly. “Why did you have to hurt me, too?”

Dayne frowned as he stepped closer to his sister. He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, causing Leila to start and look at him. His blue eyes caught the pictures in her hand and he narrowed his eyes.

He looked up at Leila again and noticed the sorrow in her eyes and that hurt him. “I’m sorry, Leila.”

Leila wiped her tears away and shook her head. “Yeah, so am I. I should have listened to you guys, I should have walked away.” She sniffled.

Dayne wrapped his arms around her embracing her while she silently cried into him. “I just don’t understand...how someone can change from being the sweetest, most fun loving person to a heartless prick in less than a minute.”

Dayne frowned, “What happened Leila?” he questioned.

Leila shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, everything was fine, we were having fun, then suddenly Chase shows up telling me he loves me and wants to be with me. That’s when Marc suddenly went all cold and mean. He said I was just a conquest and that I never meant anything to him. It was all just one big lie.”

Dayne’s blue eyes turned a stormy grey. How dare he treat Leila that way?

“What happened with Chase?” he asked and watched as Leila pulled away from him.

“I don’t know. I was so angry that I told him I don’t wanna be with him. I hate that he put Nicole’s feeling before mine when I have given up so much for him. As much as I wanted to be with him I can’t bring myself to forgive him. I still love him and I always will but...that’s where it ends I won’t put up with being second best. Especially to him.” she admitted wiping her tears away.

“I understand that’s what Jaiden and I were trying to explain to him. I figured you wouldn’t let him off easy, but think about this Leila. This is you and Chase we’re talking about you can’t just discard seventeen years of friendship.”

“Exactly, Dayne, Seventeen years and he just rejected me; he puts Nicole’s feelings before mine! He says he loves me but his actions state different. If he truly loved me he wouldn’t have thought twice about hurting Nicole. By not wanting to hurt her he destroyed me. I just can’t help but think he came after me and broke up with Nicole because he knew I was with Marc.” She explained looking down at the pictures in her hands.

“So what now...?” Dayne asked curiously.

“I don’t know I’m just really confused right now. Everything I thought was once clear is now just a big jumble of crap in my head.” She shook her head never taking her eyes off the picture. “He was the one thing that was crystal clear to me but now that’s shattered too.” She said inaudibly.

Dayne sighed, placing a supporting hand on her shoulder. “I just don’t understand how I got here, a year ago I was fine and now it seems as though I’ve hit rock bottom. I’m stuck between two guys; one who doesn’t know what the fuck he wants and the other just used me as a victory fuck.” She spat angrily.

Dayne narrowed his eyes. “WHAT?!” he yelled. “You slept with him?” Dayne asked taking her by the shoulders glaring at her.

“Yes, because I was stupid enough to believe he was in love with me.” she said dejectedly.

“Jesus Leila, how could you not stop to think that he only told you he loved you because he wanted to get you into bed?” Dayne snapped.

“Because I’m an idiot, I was a fool to believe that he meant anything he said. Truth is he never told me he loved me directly,
I overheard him telling Elle and when I confronted him he denied it, said it was just a lie.” Leila said throwing the photos into the flames one by one and watching them burn.

“You don’t have to worry about him anymore, Leila. He’s not gonna live to tell that story I assure you.” Dayne said gravely his jaw twitching with anger.

Leila met Dayne’s eyes. “No, leave him alone. Chase beat him pretty badly already.” She said quickly.

“Chase and Marc fought?”

“Yeah...well, Chase was the one hitting; Marc just took it all without so much as lifting a finger to retaliate.”

Dayne regarded Leila carefully for a moment. ‘Like he swore he would if he hurt her.’ He thought before frowning. ‘Something about this doesn’t feel right. And I’m going to find out exactly what.’ He added after a beat.

One week later. ..

“Violet, I really don’t wanna be here.” Marc complained with a heavy sigh as he stood outside a club with his friend.

Violet swung around placing her hands on her hips she glared at him with her big brown eyes. “Marc, it’s my birthday the least you could do is make the effort. God you’ve been moping around for the past week, I don’t know what’s going on with you but I can’t take anymore. I miss the old Marc and I want him back!” she said her eyes wide.

Mac sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before agreeing. “Fine, but I’m not dancing, you can find another mug to do that with.” Violet pouted at him and Marc glared at her.

“Just one dance, please?”

Marc rolled his eyes. “Fine,” he agreed as they neared the entrance of the A-class club Marc had been to so many times before with Leila. Poison

“Sup, Marc, long time no see where you been man?” Marc smiled at the doorman before they did a cool handshake.

“Levi, just been busy man. This is my friend Violet, Vi meet Levi.” He winced when he realised that rhymed. Violet and Levi
shook hands and Marc noticed Levi give her the once over and he shook his head.

“You ditched Leila tonight, huh?” Levi asked looking at Marc who visibly paled at the mention of her name.

“What?” Marc croaked.

“She’s here, arrived an hour ago. Glad you showed up, man word has it she’s been knocking them back, keep an eye on her would
ya?” Levi said raising the rope and letting them through.

“Where are her brothers or Chase?” Levi shrugged

“I dunno man, she’s alone in there.” Marc nodded suddenly feeling light headed.

“Oh cool, Leila’s here.” Violet squealed as they entered.

Marc’s heart began racing, he wasn’t sure what to think. He hadn’t seen her since everything that happened in the Bahamas. What if they faced each other, what would he do? How would he react, how should he react?

“Are you coming?” Violet asked looking back at him. Marc looked at her and the door that stood between him and the possibility of seeing Leila again. He took a deep breath to calm the twisting of his gut and walked in the bass of the music instantly
thumping in his brain.

His violet eyes instantly scanned the club in search of the girl that held his heart captive. “Come on, let’s get a drink!” violet yelled through the loud music. Marc nodded, a nice stiff drink sounded really appealing to him in that moment.

“Marc, good to see you again man, what you having?” Jared the barman asked with a cheerful smile.

“The usual man, line em up!” Jared chuckled shaking his head and poured him three shots of J.D. “What’s the lady having?” Jared asked glancing at violet who frowned thoughtfully.

“Vodka and Orange juice, please.” Violet said and blushed when the barman winked.

“You got it.” He handed violet her drink and shook his head when she offered him the money. “It’s on me, Hun.” he grinned after violet thanked him and walked off to serve another customer.

“Gosh, he’s so cute.” Violet gushed after he was out of earshot. Marc rolled his eyes downed his third shot and closed his eyes as he felt that familiar buzz of the alcohol as it began to take effect.

A familiar song began playing and Marc’s heart thumped hard when he heard the D.J’s announcement. “YO! YO! MAKE SOME NOISE, THIS ONE GOES OUT TO LEILA!” the crowd cheered and all began bumping and grinding to Kevin Little’s Tempted to Touch remix.

Leila’s favourite song.

A round of hoots and cat calls erupted from the dance floor. “Leila must be dancing, come on.” Violet dragged Marc towards the dance floor even though he refused to move away from the bar.

“You owe me a dance, Marcus.” She said as they neared the crowd. Marc’s heart was about to erupt, it was beating so damn fast
he began to sweat. He stopped dead in his tracks when his eyes fell on Leila in the centre of the dance floor dancing with some guy. To his surprise she kept her distance as they danced together. She looked even more beautiful than he last remembered; she was in a white mini dress her dark hair out in bouncy curls cascading down her back.

Marc found he was growing annoyed every time the guy she was dancing with touched her. He wasn’t groping her, just small things like holding her hand as he spun her or his fingers brushing her hips as they moved together.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out she was off her head. She smiled differently when she was drunk; her eyes turned an amazing baby blue.

“God, she looks so beautiful, even when drunk.” Violet said her eyes set on Leila.

Marc swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah, I know.” He dropped his gaze and walked back to the bar. By the time he downed his sixth shot of J.D he noticed Leila stagger towards the bar on the opposite end of where he was.

He watched as she ordered a drink, but Jared leaned forward and said something in her ear. Leila shook her head waving her hand dismissing whatever he had said. After a few words were exchanged the smile Leila had on her face disappeared and she glared at Jared her eyes turning icy.

Whatever she said worked because Jared lines up three shot glasses in front of her and filled them up with vodka. Jared leaned in and said something which caused Leila to freeze and look at him wide eyed.

Suddenly her eyes snapped up and their eyes met from across the bar. For a moment she looked startled, her eyes glazed over but she quickly recovered she smirked downing the shots in less than a minute.

She pushed away from the bar and made her way towards Marc who instantly stiffened. She came to a stop right in front of him, two pairs of eyes just gazing into each other. Though she was drunk Marc could still see the sorrow in her eyes and ached to take it all away. If he could, he would drop at her feet and ask for her forgiveness, tell her he only wanted to protect her, let her know that his life crashed and burned when she walked away from him. He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs that he loved her but he couldn’t find his voice.

All the feelings Leila had been trying to suppress came creeping back up to the surface when she looked into those violet eyes. She smiled a moment later “Marcus Quinn, fancy seeing you here.” She drawled her smile not quite meeting her eyes.

“Leila.” Marc greeted fighting the urge to reach out and touch her smooth cheek. “How have you been?” Marc winced when he saw something flash in her eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

“I’ve been great.” she said dropping her eyes from his. “Having fun, getting drunk you know letting loose.” She stretched the word then giggled. “I guess I have you to thank for that.”

Marc met her eyes when she looked up once again. “Well, I’m glad you’re having fun. Where’s the boyfriend?” he asked his jaw clenching.

Leila cocked her head to the side smiling. “Boyfriend...pfft who needs one.” She said with a cackle “Especially when I can have any guy in this room” she added waving her arm to illustrate her point.

Marc frowned. “You mean you’re not with Chase?” he questioned and frowned deeper when she shook her head.
“Nope, no Leila love for Chase. He missed the train.” She giggled. “You get me.”

“Leila, what’s gotten into you?” he asked when she whistled at a guy that walked passed her.

“Whatever do you mean?” she asked her eyes wide feigning shock.

“I mean you’re not acting like yourself.” Marc said concern edging his voice.
Leila laughed, “Of course I am,” she opened her mouth to say something but stopped when a tall black guy came to stand beside her.

“Leila, I’m leaving you joining me or what?” he asked leaning into her. Leila looked up at him and grinned.

“Hey, um...” she narrowed her blue eyes looking back at him.

“Darien.” He said reminded her.

“DARIEN, of course- wait weren’t you married?” she asked with a frown.

Darien smirked nodding his head. “Sure am, darling.” He drawled licking his lips.

Marc scowled his insides coiling with rage. Leila blinked thoughtfully “Oh what the hell.” She said ready to walk off with him.

That was until Marc grasped her arm and yanked her back to him. “Ow.” Leila glowered at him.

“She’s not going anywhere.” He said menacingly.

Darien took an intimidating step towards Marc who continued glaring at him. “And, who the fuck are you, her keeper?” he hissed eyes darkening.

“Who I am, is none of your concern. However, if you don’t step the fuck away from me in the next five seconds you’ll be eating your food through a straw for the rest of your life, got that?” he warned squaring up to Darien who looked between him and Leila. He shook his head and walked off disappearing into the throng of people.

Leila yanked her arm out of Marc’s hold. “What the hell Marc?!” she barked seething.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, he’s married that’s another woman’s husband!” Marc scolded her.

“So what, who gives a fucking shit?”

Marc’s eyes widened. “I don’t know what the hell is going on in that head of yours Leila, but this...is not you!”

Leila narrowed her eyes. “It is now.” She said keeping the tears from forming in her eyes. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to find myself another guy to screw.” She said taking a step back but stopped and smirked. “Unless, you wanna do it. What do you say Marc, you did say I was a good fuck?” she said stepping closer to him. “Do you wanna fuck me?” she asked lazily trailing her finger up his chest while looking up at him through her lashes.

Marc wrapped his fingers around her wrist and yanked her into him. “We’re leaving.” He said coldly.

Leila smirked. “Are we now?” she said reaching up to kiss him but Marc pulled away before their lips met.

“You’re drunk.” He said looking into her hazy blue eyes which were filled with nothing but sorrow and anger.

“And you’re hot.” She whispered licking along his jaw line and up to his ear.

Marc closed his eyes and sighed trying to find some composure. “Damn it Leila, stop it!” he snapped angrily.

Leila pulled back her eyes burned with rage; she shoved him away from her. “Go to hell, Marc. I don’t need you or anybody else telling me what to do.” She pushed passed him and staggered over to the bar.

“Jared, give me another shot.” She said her head in her hands.

Marc came up behind her. He took a hold of her elbow and turned her to face him. “I think you’ve had enough.”

Leila chuckled. “And what makes you so sure I give a fuck what you think?” she snapped. “I say when I’ve had enough.” She turned around and glared ay Jared. “Well?” she asked with an arched brow. When Jared looked at Marc she sighed and threw her hands up. “Fine, you won’t serve me, I’ll go and find someplace that will.” She said pushing off the bar and walking off.

Leila rushed outside after checking out her jacket. She stood on the pavement her brain swirling when the cool air hit her. She looked around blinking trying to see through the blur that was her vision.

“Leila?”

She sighed closing her eyes. “Leave me alone Marc.” She spinning around to face hims she staggered and Marc caught her before she toppled over.

She pressed her forehead to his chest and felt the tears coming. A long moment of silence passed before she spoke “Why?” she choked pulling her head back and looking at him. “Why did you do this to me?” she asked her lips quivering.

Marc dropped his gaze from hers in shame. “No, damn it, look at me!” she said curling her fingers into his shirt grasping a fist full of it in both hands. “You swore you would never hurt me, YOU SWORE!” she cried. “How could you betray me like that when I trusted you with everything? I trusted you with my heart and you BROKE IT!” she said letting the tears and anger she had been holding onto for the past week go. Marc silently shook his head desperately trying to keep himself in control, “TELL ME WHY?” She sobbed hitting his chest with her fists. “Chase destroyed me, but you...you finished me off.” She said shaking her head and brushed past him to walk off.

Marc looked up at the sky his heart tying itself into knots. Without thinking he chased after her.

“Leila wait-”

Leila shook her head. “-Wait for what?” she asked her blue eyes drowned in tears. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough, you want to stick the knife in further...go ahead give it your best shot.” Marc took a hold of her shoulders and brought her closer to him. “Go on, tell me again how I meant nothing to you tell me I was nothing but your VICTORY FUCK!”

Marc shook his head. “You meant everything to me Leila, you still do!” Marc said before he could stop himself. Leila looked up at him through her tears. “You’re probably not going to remember this tomorrow and I’m okay with that, but tonight I want you to know why I did what I did.” He said his hands coming up to cup her face.

“Everything you heard me tell Elle was true, I do love you in fact love doesn’t even begin to explain how crazy I am about you. I don’t know when it happened Leila, I tried so hard not to fall for you but it was impossible not to. Those two weeks I spent with you was best time of my life, I don’t remember ever being so happy. “He explained wiping her tears away.

“You weren’t a victory fuck baby, not even close. I said all those horrible things because I was trying to protect you. I knew if it ever came down to it you would have chosen Chase over me without so much as a second thought, so I did what was right, I stepped back. I guess on some level I was trying to protect myself as well. I didn’t think I could handle being rejected by you, even though it killed me a thousand times over to watch you cry.”

“We both know you belong with Chase, you will never love me like you love him and I’m okay with that, so long as you’re happy because you deserve that and so much more. You deserve a love as notorious as your parents. And I know you can have that with Chase, as much as I hate him he can make you happy because deep down in your heart its him you carry...not me.” he said violet eyes filling with tears

Leila wordlessly looked at him, “Why didn’t you tell me this before, I would have-”

Marc pressed his finger to her lips silencing her. “No, don’t say it please. You shouldn’t have to settle for second best, and that’s all I am all I’ll ever be. Chase has had your heart from the beginning and he will continue to do so.”

“Marc no-”Leila said shaking her head. She couldn’t finish her sentence because Marc silenced her once again this time using his lips. The kiss was short but it wasn’t passionate or affectionate, it was a goodbye kiss filled with nothing but sorrow on both parts.

Marc pulled back ending the kiss, eyes closed foreheads pressed together. “You will live within every beat of my heart, and as long as it keeps beating I will love you.” He whispered slowly pushing her back towards the taxi behind her. “If you happen to remember that someday, you can find your way back to Me.” he said pressing another chaste kiss on her lips. “I love you, I love you.” he opened the door and placed her inside. Leila looked up at him and only realised he was saying goodbye when he closed the door.

(Newton Faulkner, teardrop)

“No, Marc.” She tried opening the door but it was locked. “Marc!” she called out when he stepped back away from the taxi. “No, you can’t tell me you love me and walk away...you can’t!” she cried trying desperately to open the door. The taxi began pulling away from him. “Marc, you can’t do this to me. Stop the car, let me out please.” She told the driver but he only shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Miss. I was told not to let you out of the car until you were home.” Leila looked back at Marc who was watching her.

“MARC!” She cried hitting her fists on the window. “God.” She slumped in her seat sobbing when she couldn’t see him anymore.

Marc was right, the next day she didn’t remember most of the things he told her. The things she did remember she passed off as a dream she had.

^^**^^

One month later...

“Leila Callaway?”

Leila looked up from her magazine and smiled at the doctor. She stood up and followed him into his office.

Dr Edwards gestured for her to take a seat before sitting at his desk. “What can I do for you today Leila?” He asked with a fatherly smile.

Leila licked her lips dropping her eyes from the older man. “I um...I haven’t been feeling too well lately.” She informed him and the doctor nodded.

“Right and what seems to be the problem?” Dr Edwards asked waiting for her to respond.

“I haven’t been eating.” She said and the doctor nodded.

“Why is that?” Leila shrugged. “Is it because you think you’re over weight?” he asked and Leila shook her head.

“No, I know I’m not fat. I just I don’t have the stomach to eat anything and when I do I throw up right after.” She said playing with the button of her jacket.

“Leila, are you sexually active?” she nodded.

“I was. The last time I had any intercourse was over a month ago. Why?” she asked quickly fearing what he will say next.

“Did you use protection?” Leila blinked.

“Not really, but he withdrew before he...you know both times.”

“Even though he didn’t ejaculate inside of you there’s still a chance you can get pregnant, Leila.”

Leila’s eyes widened. “What, oh my god.” She covered her mouth with her hand.

“Do you remember when your last cycle was?” He asked and Leila done a quick calculation and realised she hadn’t seen her
period since the previous month.

“I’m overdue.” She said her voice shaky. “But I thought it was because I’ve been stressed lately.”

Dr Edwards smiled sympathetically. “Why don’t you take a test, that way we’ll know for sure?” He said holding out a test for her to take.

Leila looked at the stick in between his fingers and tears sprung to her eyes. “I don’t want to.” She said shaking her head.

“Leila, you’re gonna have to do it sooner or later. I know you’re upset at the moment but its best you know now that was you have more options.” Leila looked up at him.

“Options, you mean abortion?” she asked her blue eye narrowed. When the doctor nodded she shook her head. “No, no way I will not kill my baby.”

She took the test from the doctor and walked towards the door to go to the bathroom. Once she peed on the stick she took it back to the doctor’s office and began pacing back and forth until the three minutes were up.

“How long?” she asked cracking her knuckles.

“Sixty seconds.” She continued pacing nervously chewing on her bottom lip a million thoughts running through her mind. “It’s time.”

Leila froze as she was staring back at the test on the table with a shaky hand she picked it up and closed her eyes before looking.

There it was staring back at her, the pink plus sign that changed her entire life.

Closing her eyes she placed her hand on her stomach. “You will live within every beat of my heart, and as long as it keeps
beating I will love you. If you happen to remember that someday, you can find your way back to Me.”

Leila opened her eyes and looked down at her stomach, it was as if a fog had cleared in her mind and just like that she realised the one thing she had been missing.

Marc.

&&&

Hey guys, once again thank you for all the reviews. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

I sincerely apologise to all the Chase/Leila fans out there. I agree with the others that Chase had his chance and blew it.
I’ve been in this situation before so I know how it feels to be stuck between two guys.

I really hope you all continue to read, I would hate to lose any of my readers.

Thanks again to the rest of you. Will be eagerly waiting o read your reviews.