Under his Mask: A Taboo Game

Chapter 2: Cracks

The next day after class the first phase of the plan began.

"Are you ready"

Olivia words came as if she was teasing him.

On the other end Marcus just raise his eyebrow aware that this entire set up looks cliche.

"Have you prepared everything?"

He just asked.

"Yeah so.....have a go"

He nodded and fade away into a certain establishment.

Nightlife was Natalie's playground, expensive clubs, exclusive drinks and people won't dare mess with.

Though someone never cared about their background and merely treated their as a routine to memorize.

The echoing light and hammering noise became the background of the game were the targets are merely pawns.

Tonight was the first move.

Natalie stepped into the quiet hallway, annoyed after another pointless argument with her friends. An argument she doesn't where it started.

"Why am I suddenly sensitive, usually I won't be feeling irritated like that?"

She was confuse why she suddenly shouted before storming off.

"I should really get some fresh air"

She barely took two steps before a man staggered into her path.

Natalie was already boiling inside, she was about to scream at him when a pair of bloodshot eyes look at her.

"You..."

He grabbed her wrist.

"Let go!"

She tried to fight off, she wanted to active her magic but the another man appeared behind her, laughing as if watching a show.

Her mana suddenly froze, Natalie's heartbeat quickened. She knew she was defenseless.

Panic filled her and the only thing she can think of his to ask for help.

"Someone!"

The first thug tightened his grip. 

A chill ran to her spines her instincts telling her to run.

However how? She couldn't eve move.

Another hand grip into her waist their breath right beside her ears.

She was aware of what will happen next and all she could do is close her eyes and brace it

She was expecting the worst but then—

A fist crashed into someone's jaw.

The thug slammed against the wall before collapsing onto the floor.

Marcus stood between Natalie and the attackers.

Acting like a knight in shining armor.

"You alright?" He asked his voice dripping with concern and tingle of coldness. 

Natalie stared blankly at his frame confused at his sudden appearance.

"...Who are you?"

"No one."

Another thug lunged.

Marcus held Natalie in his arms before sidestepping the attacker with practiced ease.

With their bodies close a pleasant scent wash into Natalie's nose. It gave her a sense of security making her trembling nerve calm down.

"You bastard!"

The thug he ram into the wall after Marcus dodge him lunge forward again though this time. An attack welcome him a knee drive into the man's stomach.

Within seconds, both attackers were lying unconscious.

Marcus sighed, his expression convey disappointed as if something didn't please him.

"You should go back to your friends."

Natalie looked at him as though she had just watched something unbelievable.

"W-Wait!"

Marcus had already started walking away.

"At least tell me your name."

He paused, gave her a glimpse.

"...Marcus."

That was all she got before he disappeared into the crowd.

Behind a nearby pillar...

Olivia watched everything unfold.

She smiled to herself.

"The bait swallowed the hook."

Though within her earpiece a complain rang out.

{This scenario is so cliche}

"An old school approach but already proven and tested useful, quit acting stupid and proceed as plan"

{Yeah if you say so director}

...

The plan worked better than expected, it suprised Marcus but he didn't show it.

Right across the library sat Marcus while a certain person block his way.

"You are?" He sounded confused as if last night's fiasco didn't happen 

He frowned, his lips pursed and his gaze scrutinizing the brazen action of the girl in front.

"You left before I could thank you"

"Thank you?"

"Don't you remember me?"

Her voice sounded sweet and captivating however under Marcus' cold glacier gaze it froze.

"I don't know you" he just said shutting down all her expectations. 

With his frown brows, he walk pass her treating her presence like nuance.

He had only taken two steps when he felt someone yank him.

"What the.."

He found himself corner into the bookshelves while his lips were sealed by one of Natalie's hand.

"You..."

She didn't bother concerning herself with his expression. Instead she ran her fingers across his neck.

Slow and deliberately tracing his muscles.

Marcus glanced at it.

"....dont seem to know me"

He swat her hand away from his lips then said.

"Do I have to?"

Natalie just smirks his every answer shut an electronic current inside her body. 

An energy that makes his every word seem thrilling.

"Natalie"

"Natalie?"

She giggle and didn't reply she merely tap his knitted brows.

"You will know soon"

Marcus tilted his head the frown remain, "Acting mysterious doesn't make you look cool"

His sapphire eyes held no recognition to her name but it was the reason her attention were still on him.

"Can I go now?"

Natalie just shook her head her, hands still rested onto him.

"You haven't told me your name yet"

He didn't answer instead he raised his brow totally not interested in indulging her. In one fluid motion he yank her from him then walk pass her like he did before.

"Aw....you really wont say it"

"What for"

"Just wanna say thank you"

This time his steps halted he glance at her then continue walking.

"Marcus"

He said.

Natalie's smile widen she run over to him and confidently took his arm.

"Thank you"

Marcus glance at her, seeing her beaming grin he couldn't help but look away.

"Do as you please" he just replied, not daring to look away.

He didn't reject her advances and instead shyly curl his fist to hide his face.

This quiet submission was the result she wanted to see.

"Lets go to show my gratitude I will take you somewhere nice"

She whispered and like a bomb a red flush exploded into Marcus' cheeks, neck and ears. 

His subtle action to hide made it cuter in her eyes, without hesitation she drew him closer.

"Just leave me alone"

He said but didn't shook her away.

His answer would typically irritate her.

However the way his words would go opposite to his reaction And excited her at the same time.

Every boy she had ever met tried to impress her.

Within days, Natalie insisted Marcus accompany her whenever their group went out.

Sticking to his character he tried to refused.

However she insisted, using her smiles, her words, her sweet gaze.

With all of those aiming at his heart, eventually...

He folded with his expression both reluctant and shy to agree.

Everytime he surrenders her heart would be filled with triumphant and superior control, as if everything would go the way she wanted.

The story took another page and now a new chapter began to be written. 

Amidst the impending heist Marcus remains devoted to his image as a good son.

A son who is currently exploring as per his story.

The front door opened close to midnight.

Marcus quietly slipped inside.

'That girl kept clinging that her scent practically on my skin'

He grimace, the scent of alcohol clung to his clothes, mixed with a faint trace of expensive women's perfume.

'How do I even remove thi-'

"Marcus."

That voice almost made him jump, he never anticipated someone was there.

He turned only to see Cassie stood at the end of the hallway.

"...You're still awake?"

"You've been coming home late."

Marcus laughed, he tried to fix his crooked collar and wipe the lipstick a mark Natalie left as if claiming him.

"I've been enjoying life."

His face was still flush with red a trace of alcohol he had drink.

He stumbled forward and pinched her cheeks.

He doesn't want to be disturbed but he couldn't neglect his family either.

'I should comfort them a bit'

Marcus thought, he pretended to be drug and smiled to soothe her worry.

"Don't wait up for me."

However he didn't the usual response, Cassie frowned instead.

"You smell like alcohol..."

She leaned closer.

"...and perfume."

''Shit'

His thoughts were troubled but his face didn't, Marcus just blinked lazily still using his drunk facade.

"Oh this, someone gave this perfume, what to you think? Nice right?."

"Someone gave you a women's perfume?" She was skeptical 

Why would someone gave a women's perfume to a man?

Before she could ask another question, he waved and disappeared into his room.

"Night night baby Cassie"

The click of the door echoed through the hallway.

Cassie remained standing where she was.

Her expression unreadable.

There was glint in her eyes that even Marcus wouldn't able to recognize.

A pair of ruby eyes remain fixated on a door. It didn't move it remain until the night began to fade away.

*Sigh*

"I hope this is the last time I will see you like this"

She muttered and finally decided to leave.

However contrary to her expectation the pattern continued.

Late nights two scents will cling on him alcohol and perfume.

And accompanying those two is always his excuses.

"It was my friend's"

"It was just a light drink"

"Its not a big deal, its a drink"

His reasonings were piling up and its not like they could stop him. He was already an adult he couldn't really stop unless he do something illegal.

Though the three women wanted to address his new behavior they just couldn't.

One evening, the entire family happened to be eating together.

Marcus quietly analyze their faces by now they all have been suspicious of his actions.

'Lets see, there is only one explanation I know they will accept'

He calmly put down his knife and fork.

A light thud was heard attracting everyone attention.

With all eyes on him he began to wear his mask.

"So."

At first he couldn't look them on the eye. His fingers fidgeting while his cheeks flushing as if shy.

Seeing his hesitation Lucy gave him a reassuring smile.

"Its okay, come say it" her voice was gentle it was the signal he was waiting for.

Marcus grinned.

He was still blushing but this time he wasn't timid, he look excited. Like a kid trying to show off.

That expression made the three women nervous somehow they were nervous on what he is going to say.

"I've been thinking of trying dating."

That declaration made his younger sister nearly dropped her spoon.

Her eyes widened and with disbelief she asked.

"What?"

But Marcus ignored and instead laid out his dialogue. He retain his innocent look and push his shy image. Still fidgeting he appears like a child trying to push himself to be brave.

"You see I've never dated before."

Marcus shrugged.

"I have time might as well experience it while I'm young."

Silence settled over the dining table.

Their mother quietly placed down her fork.

"If that's what you want..."

Marcus smiled his plan worked, now he have their blessings.

"It is."

Just then...

His communicator vibrated.

It was Natalie.

Cassie's eyes drifted to the glowing crystal.

She caught the name before Marcus turned it over.

Marcus stood ready to change the mask he is currently wearing.

"I'll be back later."

As he walked past, Alyannah reached for his sleeve.

"Brother... can you—"

Another vibration interrupted her.

Marcus gently patted her head.

"Later, okay?"

He hurried outside while answering the call with a smile.

The front door closed leaving a silent dining table.

No one continued eating.

Cassie stared at the empty chair.

Alyannah lowered her hand.

Their mother simply looked toward the closed door.

No one said a word.

Yet the atmosphere in the room had become strangely heavy.