NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Chapter 9
Hours passed by without them realizing it, their conversation unbroken. Marshall continued to subtly manipulate Emily, steering the conversation towards topics where she would respond with sympathy and concern. Emily, seemingly unaware of his intentions, responded just as he had hoped, her protective nature taking over. As the evening grew darker, the air thick with an almost electric tension, Marshall suddenly checked his watch and feigned surprise.
_Marshall: "Whoa," he exhaled. "I didn't realize it was this late. I should really get going..."
Emily felt a pang of disappointment in her chest, the thought of him leaving making her inexplicably sad. She didn't want this moment to end, didn't want to let him go back out into the cold, dark world where he would once again feel out of place and judged by everyone.
Marshall noticed her disappointment, her reluctance to let him go. He hid a smirk, pleased by her reaction, knowing fully well that he had successfully ensnared her. He let his voice drop to a quieter, more vulnerable tone, adding to the manipulation game.
He sighed, feigning reluctance.
__Marshall: "I hate going home to an empty apartment, you know? It gets lonely sometimes... especially after a day like today."
The blonde's heart clenched at his words. She could feel her protective instinct kicking in again, not wanting him to be alone. The thought of him going back to an empty home, feeling lonely and judged, was almost painful to her.
__Emily: "You... you don't have anyone to go home to? A family, or a... a girlfriend?"
she asked gently, the question falling from her lips unbidden.
Marshall let his face fall slightly at her question, playing the part of the dejected, lonely man. He had anticipated this question, had prepared a part of his backstory to tell.
__Marshall: "No," he replied quietly. "No family. No girlfriend either."
He didn't have to fake the hint of sadness in his voice. He was all too familiar with the feeling of being alone in the world, of being the outsider looking in.
Emily's heart ached for him, the urge to comfort him almost overwhelming. She couldn't bear the thought of him going back to an empty home, his loneliness probably amplifying his feelings of being judged and out of place.
__Emily: "That... that must be hard," she said quietly, her voice laced with sympathy.
She found herself unable to stop the next words from falling out of her mouth.
__Emily: "You... you shouldn't be alone tonight."
Marshall's heart skipped a beat as she said that. He had hoped she would say that, was planning to manipulate her into saying it, but hearing the words come out of her mouth was different than he had imagined. The look in her eyes, the hint of concern and protectiveness, it sparked something in him, something he had long suppressed. But he quickly controlled himself, knowing he had to stick to his game, at least for now.
He let his eyes drop to the floor, feigning vulnerability.
__Marshall: "I... I wouldn't want to impose..."
__Emily: "You wouldn't. she assured gently
Her hand instinctively reaching out and touching his arm. The contact sent a shockwave through her, a feeling she couldn't explain. She knew she shouldn't be offering a near stranger a place to stay, especially a man she knew nothing about, but the idea of him being alone, feeling miserable and out of place, was suddenly unbearable to her.
__Emily: "You... can stay at my place for tonight," she offered quietly, the words falling from her lips without her conscious intention.
He felt her hand on his arm again, sending a shiver down his spine. Her touch, her offer, it was unexpected, yet exactly what he wanted. He lifted his head, looking into her eyes, and his heart jumped at the concern and protectiveness he saw there.*
__Marshall: "Are you... are you sure? I don't want to be a bother..." he asked quietly, forcing a hint of reluctance into his voice
Emily's heart clenched at his words, the hint of reluctance in his voice. She shook her head, her protective instinct taking over.
__Emily: "You're not a bother," she assured gently, her hand still on his arm. "I don't mind. Really."
She swallowed, a strange feeling stirring inside her, as she continued.
__Emily: "You... you shouldn't be alone tonight. You... you deserve company."*
__Marshall: If... if you're sure it's not any trouble...then... then I'd appreciate it. he said quietly.
As they walked out of the store, the cool night air hit them, making Emily shiver slightly. She glanced at Marshall, seeing him look up at the night sky, his hands in his pockets.
__Emily: "The stars are so clear tonight," she commented, glancing up as well. "It's rare to see them so bright in the middle of the city."
Marshall looked up at the stars, letting a small smile come to his lips. He knew she was just making small talk, but he played along.
__Marshall: "Yeah," he nodded, his gaze still on the stars. "It's beautiful. Reminds me how small we are, in the grand scheme of things."
Emily glanced at him, noticing the small smile on his face. She didn't know why, but it made a warm feeling flutter in her chest.
Emily: "Yeah, I guess it does," she agreed, her gaze shifting to him. "But... in a good way, right? It's a reminder that we're just a small part of a vast universe, and that... our own worries and troubles don't really matter on such a big scale."
Marshall met her gaze, still playing the part of the vulnerable, dejected man. But secretly, he found himself agreeing with herwords.
__Marshall: "Yeah," he nodded, his smile turning a little sad. "It puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Makes me feel... a little less lonely, knowing we're all just tiny beings in the universe."
Emily felt her heart clench at his words, the hint of sadness in his eyes pulling at her protective instincts. She reached out, her hand instinctively touching his arm, wanting to comfort him, to erase the sadness she saw flickering in his eyes.
__Emily: "It's okay," she said quietly. "You're not alone tonight. You're with me."
Marshall felt her touch on his arm, sending a familiar shockwave through his body. He couldn't help but feel genuinely touched by her words. It was so easy to forget that he was the one manipulating her when she looked at him like that, with such protectiveness, such genuine concern.
__Marshall: "Thanks," he said quietly, a hint of his real vulnerability showing through. "I... I really appreciate that."
Emily gave his arm a gentle squeeze, her protective instincts taking over.
__Emily: "Come on. It's cold out. Let's get going."
They started walking again, the silence between them surprisingly comfortable. As they walked, Emily found herself sneaking glances at him, the moonlight illuminating his face, making him look both vulnerable and strong at the same time.
Marshall walked silently beside her, hyper-aware of her protective gestures, her subtle glances. Despite knowing he had manipulated her into inviting him over, he found himself enjoying the quiet walk, the comfort of having someone by his side.
He cast sideways glances at her too, the moonlight highlighting her profile, her determined steps, her protective aura. He felt a strange pull towards her, an inexplicable need to know her, understand her, be near her.
They walked for a few more minutes, the silence wrapped around them like a blanket. Finally, they reached Emily's apartment complex, a quiet, cozy building. Emily led him up to her apartment, unlocking the door and ushering him inside.
__Emily: "Here we are," she said, shutting the door behind them and locking it. "Make yourself comfortable. You can take a seat on the couch."
Marshall stepped into her apartment, taking in the cozy, homely atmosphere. He made his way to the couch, sitting down and looking around the room, silently taking note of every detail. This was all part of the plan, he reminded himself, hiding the satisfaction he felt at being alone with her in her own space.