Chapter 50

Mark paused again, trying to raise the level of curiosity in Jacob.

"Mark, please go ahead and tell me, I am not good at guessing right." Jacob could no longer continue with his friend's attitude.

"Okay, I… I am." Mark said smiling.

"You are what?" Jacob raised his brow.

"I am in town, I am in Seattle." Mark rushed his words, his voice loud enough to deafen Jacob's ear.

"Are you been serious now?" Jacob yelled.

Still smiling, Mark replied. "Absolutely."

Jacob's heart raced as he processed the unexpected news from his best friend, Mark. Their last time seeing each other had been at their college graduation, and Mark had since followed his parents abroad.

The idea of seeing Mark again filled him with excitement and memories.

"Mark! I can't believe you are here in town!" Jacob exclaimed, his voice laced with both surprise and joy. "You did not tell me you were coming back."

Mark chuckled on the other end of the phone. "I wanted to surprise you, buddy. I have missed you, and I wanted to see your face when I told you in person."

"Well, Indeed you have succeeded in surprising me. I can not wait to catch up with you. Are you at your parent's house presently?" Jacob asked, he couldn't help but smile.

"Erm… actually, I am not far from you right now." Mark's voice took on a playful tone.

Jacob furrowed his brow, he was curious. "What do you mean, not far? Where are you?"

"I am at the mart behind your company, Jacob." Mark's laugh was infectious.

"Whose company?" Jacob asked confusingly.

"Yours of course, Gareth Telecommunications." Mark responded.

Jacob's eyes widened in shock. "What? You are at the mart behind my company? That is just a stone's throw away! Stay right there; I am coming to get you."

Mark laughed hard over the phone before Jacob quickly ended the call and made his way out of the office building, his heart racing with anticipation.

As he headed toward the mart parking lot, he couldn't contain the excitement of reuniting with his college buddy.

After some minutes, Jacob reached the parking lot, and to his delight, he saw Mark leaning against a car, with a wide grin on his face. Jacob couldn't believe his eyes; it had been years since they had seen each other.

Mark's appearance had changed since the last time Jacob saw him during their college graduation.

He had grown taller and Jacob sported a neatly trimmed beard that added a touch of maturity to his boyish charm.

Mark's dark hair was stylishly tousled, and his eyes were still the same warm and expressive eyes that Jacob knew.

With a grin that extended from ear to ear, Mark approached Jacob and engulfed him in a bear hug as they met in the parking lot.

They exchanged hearty slaps on the back and laughed, their friendship appeared undiminished by the years apart.

"Hey buddy, long time no see." Mark was the first to speak.

"Mark, it is so good to see you! You have no idea how much I have missed you." Jacob's joy was piqued.

"I have missed you too, dude." Mark chucked and enveloped Jacob in another hug.

"You look great! " Jacob exclaimed as they finally pulled away from the embrace. "Life abroad seems to suit you."

"Thanks, Jacob. It's been an exciting journey. But enough about me, how have you been? And how is this special lady you can't stop talking about whenever we discuss on the phone?" Mark chuckled, a twinkle in his eyes.

Jacob couldn't help but blush as he thought of Noemi. "Noemi's been amazing, she is truly the love of my life."

Jacob suggested they go back to his office and as they strolled toward Jacob's car, Mark admired the sleek vehicle, his gaze locked on it.

"Wow! Nice ride you've got here, dude. You have come a long way from those college days."

"Yeah, a lot has changed. Hop in; let's go to a place I have been meaning to take you." Jacob grinned.

Mark made his way into the passenger seat, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation.

As they pulled out of the parking lot, Jacob asked Mark, "So, how is your family? I have not heard from them in a while."

"They are doing well, how is your father, the one and only Mr. Lionel Gareth," Mark responded, his expression lit.

"He is healthy and strong," he replied.

However, Jacob's face lit up as he began sharing stories about his life after college, his work, and, of course, Noemi.

Mark listened keenly, his smile growing as he heard about the woman who had captured Jacob's heart.

As they continued to chat and reminisce, Mark could notice the absolute happiness in Jacob's eyes when he spoke about Noemi.

"Jacob," Mark said, "it is obvious you are head over heels in love with this Noemi. I believe she must be something special."

Jacob faced Mark and chuckled, "She is the love of my life, and I can't imagine my future without her."

Mark nodded in comprehension. "I am glad you found someone who makes you so happy, buddy."

"Speaking of which, I can not wait for you to meet her. Noemi would love to see you." Jacob grinned again.

The rest of the journey was full of laughter and recalling of the past.

They soon reached their destination when Jacob pulled over in front of an exquisite structure. It was a big Guest House.

Mark peeped out from the window to view what was before him. "Wow! Dude, this is magnificent."

"I know right." Jacob beamed.

"How did you know this place?" He returned and faced Jacob.

"You seem to forget that I am Jacob Gareth, we know the best and do the best," Jacob said, his voice sounding a bit proud.

"True, who can ever forget that? Not even me." Mark said affirmatively.

"Let's go and see what they have for us in there." Jacob grabbed his phone and opened the door.

They both came down from the car and headed straight to the entrance.