Marcus

Leaving Melanie's apartment feels like leaving a piece of myself behind. Each step away from her, every inch that separates us, sends a subtle ache through my chest.

But it's okay.

She needs this time, this space to figure things out. I can't rush her. Melanie has given me more than I ever expected in such a short time. The fact that she slept in my arms last night is a treasure I'll carry with me. It gives me the courage and patience to wait for her, no matter how long it takes.

When I finally arrive in front of my house, I take a moment to collect myself. The key turns in the lock, and I step in. Closing the door behind me, I exhale, releasing the tension that had built up during the walk.

As the door closes behind me, a voice startles me. "Well, well, well." I turn around to find my three sisters, sitting on the couch, holding steaming cups. Sophia waggles her eyebrows, Natalie smirks, and Emily grins mischievously. Oh, here we fucking go.

"We were getting worried, Marcus. Thought you got lost and couldn't find your way home," Sophia teases.

I roll my eyes. "Ha, ha, very funny."

Natalie sets her cup down, leaning forward with curiosity. "So, how's Melanie?"

A genuine smile spreads across my face. "She's good. Really good."

Emily chimes in, "When are you going to introduce us to Melanie?"

I sigh inwardly, knowing this was coming sooner or later. "Actually," I begin, "I talked to Melanie about it. She wants to meet you guys too."

The excitement in the room is palpable. Sophia claps her hands together. "Finally, Marcus! We've been waiting for this moment."

I chuckle at their enthusiasm. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't scare her off."

Natalie smirks. "Scare her off? We're angels."

Sophia raises an eyebrow. "Speak for yourself."

Emily leans forward, eyes wide with anticipation. "So, when are we meeting Melanie?"

I scratch the back of my head, a hint of uncertainty in my expression. "We haven't really talked about it yet."

Emily's lips pout in disappointment, and she lets out a dramatic sigh. Natalie wraps an arm around Emily, offering consolation. "Don't worry, Em, you'll meet Melanie soon."

Sophia, however, snorts, casting a skeptical glance at Natalie. "Easy for you to say. You've already met her."

Natalie protests, "Yeah, at an awkward dinner party where she left halfway through with that douchebag ex of hers."

I shoot a disapproving look at Natalie. "Natalie!"

She raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What? It's true."

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Natalie, I'd appreciate it if you kept those details to yourself."

Natalie's eyes widen, and she shapes her mouth into an 'O.' Leaning back, she takes a long sip from her cup, avoiding eye contact. Sophia and Emily exchange incredulous glances between me and Natalie.

Sophia breaks the silence, her tone accusing. "So, Natalie knows details and hasn't told us?"

Natalie looks up from her cup, feigning innocence. "I didn't think it was important."

I shake my head, the conversation taking a turn I didn't anticipate. "Let's not make this a bigger deal than it is."

Emily looks at Sophia. "Can you believe Natalie knew and didn't tell us?"

Natalie laughs, holding her hands up in mock defense. "Hey, I'm not the one who didn't want to tell you, guys. Blame Marcus."

I shoot a mock glare at Natalie. "Thanks a lot."

Sophia raises an eyebrow. "Marcus, care to enlighten us on what we've been missing out on?"

I shake my head, a smirk playing on my lips. "There's nothing to say. Melanie and I are taking things slow."

Emily joins the conversation with a teasing grin. "Sounds like there's more to the story."

I play along, adding a dramatic flair. "Oh, the thrilling saga of Marcus and Melanie: Chapter One – Slow and Steady."

Sophia rolls her eyes. "Slow and Steady, as if he didn't spend the night with her! Seriously, Marcus, details. We need details."

"No, you don't," I assert.

Sophia opens her mouth to protest. I quickly hold up a hand, signaling for her to pause. "Look, I appreciate your interest in my life, I really do. But, I need you to give me some space for now." Sophia crosses her arms in front of her chest, a defiant tilt to her chin, and Emily's pout deepens.

"Now, if you'll excuse me," I say, preempting any further objections, "I'll go to my room."

Sophia mocks my words, repeating them with a dramatic flair, and Emily giggles. I turn around and head upstairs, feeling their curious eyes on my back.

Entering my room, I turn to close the door, only to find Natalie right behind me. "Wait up," she says, sliding into my room before I can object.

I sigh, realizing that my attempt at solitude has been thwarted. "Not in the mood, Nat."

Natalie rolls her eyes, a knowing smirk on her face. "Oh, come on, Marcus. We both know you're in an excellent mood. You spent the night with Melanie."

I can't help but smile at her words. "Okay, you got me there."

With a flick of my wrist, I close the bedroom door, and Natalie casually takes a seat on my bed. I walk over and sit on the desk chair, facing her.

"So," Natalie starts, leaning back on the bed, "spill it. How was the night with Melanie?"

I chuckle, appreciating Natalie's candidness. "It was good, Nat. Really good."

Natalie smirks, raising an eyebrow. "Just good?"

I roll my eyes, knowing where she's going with this. "Alright, it was amazing. Happy now?"

She grins, satisfied with the response. "That's what I wanted to hear. Now, details."

I shake my head, laughing at her persistence. "I already told you, we're taking things slow. No need for a play-by-play."

Natalie gives me an exaggerated pout. "You're no fun."

I playfully roll my eyes. "I'm plenty fun. Just not in the mood for interrogation."

Natalie lets out a dramatic sigh, leaning back on the bed. We stay silent for a while, lost in our own thoughts. My mind drifts to Melanie, and a twinge of longing hits me. I wonder if it's too soon to text her, to let her know she's still on my mind.

Breaking the silence, Natalie speaks up. "You should know, Marcus, I saw Karla last night."

I scoff, my thoughts rudely interrupted, and for what? "Fucking Karla," I mutter, irritated by the mere mention of her name. "Why should I know that?"

Natalie takes a deep breath before answering. "I hadn't talked to Karla since... you know, the incident. Last night, she approached me at the club. Tried to downplay the whole thing."

"Figures," I mutter, barely concealing my disdain. "So," I inquire, still puzzled, "why do I need to know this?"

Natalie sighs, frustration evident in her tone. "I told her to cut the crap and back off, that you're not into her. At first, she pretended to be hurt, but then she said something else."

My interest piqued, I look at Natalie. "What did she say?"

Natalie's expression darkens. "She said she'll make sure you'll never be with that Melanie. Swore you'd end up with her instead."

My jaw tightens, and a surge of anger courses through me. "She said what?"

Natalie nods, her eyes reflecting concern. "Yeah. Karla's delusional, Marcus. I just thought you should know."

I run a hand through my hair, frustration and anger boiling within me. "Thanks for telling me," I say to Natalie, a genuine gratitude in my tone.

Natalie waves it off casually, "Sure, no problem."

My anger simmers beneath the surface, an unwelcome guest, fueled by the fear that Karla might jeopardize what's growing between Melanie and me. I scrub a hand through my face, frustrated at the mere thought of Karla meddling in my life.

Natalie asks me something, but the words are lost in the whirlwind of my thoughts. "What did you say?" I finally manage, snapping back to the present.

"I asked why you won't spend the day with Melanie," Natalie repeats her question.

I let out a heavy sigh, my anger simmering beneath the surface. "Her sister is in town. Melanie hasn't told her yet about the breakup with Daniel or about me."

"Why?" Natalie inquires, furrowing her brow in confusion.

I shrug, running both hands through my hair in exasperation. "She's not ready yet."

Natalie scrunches her lips, sympathy in her eyes. "Rough."

"Tell me about it," I sigh, my frustration palpable.

Natalie stands up and approaches me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It's really great that you're giving her all the time she needs, I can only guess how hard this is on you," she says sincerely.

"Very," I admit, the weight of the situation palpable.

She continues, "I just hope she's worth it."

A genuine smile tugs at mylips as I respond with certainty, "She is."