I opened the bedroom door only to come to an embarrassed halt at the sight which met my eyes Marc was dressed only in his shorts and was in the process of pulling a clean shirt over his body. His muscled shoulders were too much even in my present distressed condition the site of his lean body sent shivers down my spine and almost unconsciously flash of color rose on my face and my cheeks went red.I was immediately reminded of the fact that he was lying naked in the bed with Bella and it pained my heart to think about it dragging my eyes away from his disturbing presence I turned away in the other direction.“Stay I wish to speak to you.” His words were like a command.“I will wait for you in the living room.” I insisted but he started laughing all of a sudden.His laughter greatly annoyed me.“Come on Carmen is it not a little late for modesty? I'm sure the male body can hold no secrets from you, you have a new husband and a new lover all in the span of six months, this display of virtue is a little late wouldn't you say,” he added mockingly moving towards me and making no attempt to continue dressing.He pulled me into the room slamming the door firmly behind me I retreated from the expression in his eyes until I was leaning weakly against the wall, trying to still the trembling in my limbs.I tried to move away from his embrace and looked at him pleading.“Marc you have already told me in many different ways that you are interested in Bella and I saw it with my own eyes and now I am sure she is the one who you should be with. I think I am done with this marriage I am moving out of this house and out of your life please let me go. I don't want anything from you. I just want my life back."“You are a reckless woman, my dear little wife. I had long suspected but now I am certain that you have played me for a fool. is that so? Taylor showed me your true light. A beautiful and scrupulous woman. “ As he spoke his hand moved and caressed my face and neck lingering in the open neckline of my shirt even now making me tremble with longing for him and I was feeling a bit betrayed by my own body of which I was sure he was fully aware. And when he cupped my breasts.....As I opened my mouth to protest, with a groan, part anger part passion, his mouth descended with urgent insistence on my own forcing my lips to part, to receive his kiss my response to his passion was something that I couldn’t control.I pushed him with force but due to the weakness in my body, I was not a match for his strength. He held my hands with one hand not allowing me to move and his other hand was undoing the fasting of my bra and caressing my naked breast with increasing urgency lowering his lips to soft fullness making me troubled with overwhelming emotions that he roused by his action then he abruptly released me and I tried to move away from him. “Don't even think about it Carmen I'm not done with you yet.” He said fiercely. I hear the hatred in his voice. I could not tell but I knew that his opinion of me had not altered except for the word and my opinion of him was worse. I struggled hard to get up but I was forced back again into the bed. “Your lover did not manage to satisfy you on this occasion. Well, do not worry Carmen I mean to satisfy you. You will not be able to complain about my lack of passion. “He mocked at me.“This is exactly what I intend to do,” he muttered with a groan, drawing me roughly into his arms and devouring my mouth with his own….. I began to struggle; my fists were beating his naked chest but his kisses become more demanding my struggle was a failure as I was very dazed because of the effect of the brandy. As he removes the last of my clothes, I gave myself totally to him. Without thinking about the future. Conscious only of his demanding nearness of the strength of his body and the weakness of my own. Now I hated him to the core of my heart. I woke in the darkness feeling drowsy but as the memory returned I urgently turned around and saw Marc staring at me with his mocking gaze. “You look surprised were you perhaps dreaming of your American lover and expecting to find him? I am sorry to disappoint you.” he added harshly. “but I intend to make this a night to remember Carmen when you are with your lover you will think of me and this night together." “I do not want to be with Blade and neither do I want to be with you, just leave me alone,” I said disgustedly. He immediately pulled me roughly towards him and started kissing me harshly, while his hands were not allowing me to escape him. He ravished me again and again till the morning.I finally slept and woke up extremely late in the morning and realized that Marc had already left, I felt disgusted at the memory of the night thinking about the way I responded to his lovemaking shamelessly. He had cheated on me and I went to bed with him I must be desperate. I got ready and went to college. But bumped into Blade at the parking. He came and hugged me all of a sudden. I was shocked and tried to pull away from him. “Carmen are you okay? I was really worried. I hope Marc did not bully you after I left.” He said in a concerned voice. “Look Blade because of you there has been a lot of misunderstanding and I don't want it to continue more so I would suggest you stay away from me,” I said in a serious tone. “But Carmen I felt that even you are attracted to me why are you denying it? Blade said softly. “Look Blade I was drunk, and I was thinking about my husband it was just a moment and I acted on an impulse thinking it was Marc.” I told him sincerely. “I’m sorry. I don't want to hurt you but I must tell you the truth. I was angry as I had caught my husband cheating on me and your kindness was a sort of comfort I needed that time I guess.” I said helplessly. “I never intended for it to go on like that. It was my fault; I know you would have never tried to kiss me if I had not seemed to want to.”“I see so you don't care for me I was all ready to fight for you.” his eyes flashing angrily. “ My God you had me fooled I thought you loved me but you are still hooked to that Italian husband of yours it's bloody ironic. He cheated on you and yet you still love him.” He said laughing bitterly.I had caused him a great deal of pain he often appeared to be a very happy-go-lucky person but it was clear that I had underestimated him which made my rejection of his love even harder. I was the one to be blamed.“Look Carmen,” he said turning and looking at me. “I accept that you think you don't want me now but that doesn't mean I will stop caring about you. You know and I intend to be around when you realize the fact and I will wait as long you want me to. You are not getting away from me so easily.” Blade insisted.“Blade it's of no use.” I whispered carefully, “ I wish I did love you instead of Marc had I met you earlier but I had met him first and it's too late now even though I know that I will not go back to Marc again. “I added sadly. “I shall never love anyone but him and I shall never marry again.” “Just give it some months and you will realize that he was never meant for you,” Blade said stubbornly. “I wonder how you can love me if you have such a poor opinion of my fidelity,” I said sadly. “Aren’t you afraid that I will also get tired of you in Six months after we get married?” “Don't be stupid Carmen there is no comparison between the two situations, just let me hang around for some time.” He said urgently going down on his knees and holding my hands between his. “ I love you and I'll do anything for you let me help you, Carmen.”But I simply stood my ground with my decision. He was not satisfied with my decision but he tried to be a good friend and said, “ Okay if I don't hear from you soon, I'll be back again you can be sure of that.” he added steadily. I accompanied him to the classroom and excused myself to go to the library. It was no use explaining to him as Blade was very stubborn. Marc did not return to the flat after his departure and even I was not interested in contacting him as I was busy focusing on my studies.