I felt a mixture of emotions swirling within me. Mark's voice came through the communication contraption in my ear, breaking the silence. "You've told her?" he asked, his concern evident.
I took a deep breath, my heart heavy with the memory of Adele's reaction, especially to my kiss. "Yes," I replied with a sigh, accepting the beer Chad passed to me. "How did she take it?" Mark inquired, a heavy sigh escaping him.
"I don't think she'll be giving me those adoring looks anymore, but she did remind me that she loves me,” I confessed, taking a sip from the beer to ease the turmoil in my heart.
"Give her time," Mark advised, understanding the complexity of the situation.
"Yeah… What's the plan, Mark? Why are we here?" I asked, feeling overwhelmed and wishing for a moment of escape, a chance to forget the pain of knowing Adele might not see me the same way again.
Mark responded, "The island is secluded. Everyone comes in through boats or helicopters. We can contain the situation here and deal with the problem once and for all."
"Would Miss Adele be here for the attack?" Chad asked, concern evident in his voice.
"This is the only place where she is safe, Chad," Mark replied.
"She could be safe back at my house in Brooks," I protested, not wanting Adele to be in harm's way, especially on an isolated island that was practically a trap.
"Are you ready to make that gamble?" Mark questioned, but I chose to ignore his query.
"I'm going to need doctors here, professionals who can take care of the wounded. And if... I want a doctor here for my woman and child," I voiced my concern, desperate to ensure Adele's safety.
"Maybe we should bring in Doctor Eliza. She's really good, and I suppose can be trusted," Mark suggested, and then let out a mirthless chuckle which held a hint of self-mockery and bitterness.
"What's going on with you?" I realized in the midst of my own struggles, I had overlooked how Mark was coping living in the shadows, protecting me and his sister, and managing his relationship with Eliza.
"She wants me to set a date for our wedding... I've been evasive, and she threatened to move out," Mark shared, his own worries evident.
"If she comes here–-" I started, but Mark was quick to respond.
"Well, maybe then she can see and understand I was doing her a favor."
"Aren’t you overlooking something… your supposed death," I said "Your sister... You would have to let her know you are alive."
"I think hiding from her is irresponsible," Chad interjected.
"I doubt Archer is paying you to think in this context, Chad!" Mark snapped, his frustration apparent.
"You are unbelievable," Chad grumbled, taking a sip of his beer.
"Do you want me to describe how disgusted your sister seemed after I told her who I am? You really want to willingly go through that?" I added, recalling the painful encounter with Jessica.
"Wait, is that?" Mark's voice caught my attention as he seemed to notice something. My eyes darted around as I stood up, Chad and Sam following suit.
"That's the big boss's yacht..." Sam said, his voice tinged with concern.
"What's he doing here?" I muttered to myself, my heart racing with unease.
Then Mark's voice broke through, urgent and panicked. "Um... Mr. Donovan, if you can hear me. I think you need to jump now!"
His warning sent shivers down my spine as I witnessed the bazooka hurtling towards my father's yacht with menacing speed, ready to unleash its destructive force. Time seemed to slow as I watched the deadly projectile closing in on the vessel, its path leaving a trail of uncertainty and fear. The anticipation built up, and in a deafening explosion, the yacht was engulfed in a fiery inferno, illuminating the night sky with a ghastly glow.
As the flames consumed the once majestic vessel, my heart sank, and my voice trembled in horror, "Dad, No. Oh, my God." The weight of the moment crashed upon me, and I could only stand there, frozen in disbelief, as the world around me turned chaotic and surreal.