Chapter 42 Chapter 43
Marlie sat contentedly as her plan unfolded according to her wishes. She deliberately chose that restaurant as part of her strategic plan.
"Why do you seem so happy all of a sudden, Charlie?" Spark questioned, suspicious of her sudden happiness. "I don't need a reason to be happy, Spark. I believe that happiness stems from within, and it's important to always exhibit strength by showing happiness," Marlie responded confidently.
Spark found it surprising that Charlie spoke of showing happiness every day, as he had always seen Charlie in a state of unhappiness. He couldn't help but wonder if this was all an act. Was Marlie putting on a show? And did she mention being strong?
It seemed contradictory, as Spark knew Charlie as someone weak and vulnerable.
"What would you like to order, Charlie?" Spark asked.
"Just some water will suffice; I don't plan on staying here for long," Marlie chuckled, concluding her statement. "My dear husband will soon want me home."
Spark's expression turned blank as he struggled to make sense of Marlie's words. Did she invite him out for such a short time? What was the purpose of bringing him here? And why would Chad want her home all of a sudden?
Spark stared at her suspiciously, wondering about her true intentions. However, before he could question her further, his phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.
"Hi, Gid?" Spark answered the call, his attention momentarily diverted from Marlie.
But the message Gideon conveyed brought his gaze back to Marlie. He was shocked by what he learned from his friend. "Wait, what?!" Spark exclaimed, glancing at Marlie, who now sat innocently smiling at him, before checking the news headline.
So that was why she was so happy? Did she cause trouble in Chad's life? Spark's skepticism grew as he stared at the woman before him.
Even though she hadn't said anything, he was convinced she was the culprit. "There's no way the real Charlie would do this to the person she loved the most. Who are you?!" Spark silently questioned, becoming certain of Marlie's true identity.
But he refrained from confronting her directly and placed his phone down as the waiter served Marlie a glass of water. He needed to extract the truth from her before revealing that he had uncovered her act.
Marlie took a sip of water and then proceeded to explain the reason behind their outing. "Spark, I wanted to apologize to you in person for my family's past behaviors, not just once but for all the times we have caused trouble for you."
Spark stared intently at Marlie, searching for any signs of deceit, but she was remarkably skilled at acting. She did not give herself away.
"It's no wonder that Chad had not realized the truth" Spark couldn't help but wonder, "Bro, are you falling in love with an imposter?"
Spark's inner beings kept conversing with him. Any realization Spark's inner beings bring forward, he smiles at it.
"You need not worry, Charlie..." Spark extended his hands with pretension and affection and held Marlie's hand, reassuring her, "I won't take it to heart because of you... Charlie?
Marlie, unaware of what was going through Spark's mind, attributed his insincere smiles to his hope for something more than their outing. She did not resist his touch but rather smiled in his direction, something Charlie would never do.
Suppressing his anger with false smiles and a clenched jaw, Spark knew he needed more evidence against Marlie to corner her.
Recent activities must be known to her. If she dared to impersonate someone, she might have had her research. Perhaps something from seven years ago would serve his purpose.
"Charlie, I often wonder why our lives are still stuck in the past, especially considering what happened on your late sister's prom night."
Caught off guard, Marlie's smile vanished as Spark's words hit her. Prom? Her prom night? What had happened? Why couldn't she remember? Confusion filled her, but she quickly covered it up with another weak smile.
Observing Marlie's bewilderment, Spark smiled, taking note of the opportunity.
Marlie had to pretend in the best way possible, so she uttered, "Perhaps it's best not to dwell in the past. I have already forgotten about it."
Marlie tried to mask her lack of recollection, as delving into that subject would expose her vulnerability. This was precisely what Spark wanted.
"Really? How can you forget such a wonderful day when you eagerly wanted one of us to be your sister's date?" Spark continued his interrogation.
It was a fact that Charlie had asked Chad to find a friend who would accompany Marlie since she had no boyfriend, but no one agreed.
How could they, when Chad had warned them not to dare accept? Hence, they all agreed to be her dates for the night, knowing Spark wouldn't refuse Charlie's request, and therefore caught between those two friends.
Marlie had no clue about what Spark was referring to. She wanted to know more, to understand his words. As she tried to recall, a vision suddenly surfaced: those four guys standing by their staircase looking up at her.
However, that was the only memory she could grasp from the past; that was the first time she recalled that. Staring at Spark with a furrowed brow, Marlie's confusion was evident and Spark noticed.
"One of us was lucky enough to have your sister willingly spend the best time wrapped in his embrace." Spark playfully teased, while Marlie took it to heart.
"An embrace? By one of them? Could it be the dream that had occupied my mind?" Marlie was at a loss for words but managed to question herself internally. Suddenly, the flashes of that dream appeared once again.
"I must say, your sister looked astonishing in that purple dress, revealing most of her...thighs!"
Spark smiles teasingly while gazing upon the frown on Marlie's face.
Marlie's mind sparked, as she realized it was the same dress from her dream. So it wasn't just a mere dream, but a memory she lost? Shock clearly displayed on Marlie's face as Spark concluded, "How could your sister forget such an important moment in her life? I mean, who wouldn't remember when she passionately kissed a handsome guy? It was an incredible experience, I must say," Spark ended with a smile.
He had remembered when he had stumbled upon Chad and Marlie in a passionate embrace.
Marlie's eyes widened in shock.
"What happened?" Marlie questioned Spark before she could stop herself.
She desperately wanted to know more, momentarily forgetting that her reaction could give her away.