Chapter Eighteen: Try

ISOBEL sat across from Marcus at the kitchen table the next morning, a soft smile on her face as she chewed on a piece of bacon. It had been nice when Isobel woke up this morning with Marcus' arms wrapped around her. She hadn't expected him to still be there (at least not still in her bed) when she woke up, but she was happy he was.

"Thank you for staying with me last night." Isobel spoke, breaking the peaceful silence between them. "It really means a lot to me, Marcus." She said with a smile, feeling her cheeks heating up as his brown eyes stared at her with intensity.

Marcus Alvarez had a way of making Isobel blush just by looking at her. The Romero woman still had yet to figure out what it was about him that made her usually confident self turn into a blushing teenager with hearts in her eyes, but she didn't want it to stop anytime soon.

"There's no need to thank me querida." Marcus said while placing one of his large hand on her thighs. "I would do anything for you." He said while rubbing his thumb over Isobel's cheekbone.

The words from Marcus' mouth were nothing but the truth. The Mayan President would do anything for Isobel Romero — no questions asked. He hadn't loved anyone in a long time, but he was coming to the conclusion that he was in love with Isobel, and it was an idea that terrified and excited him at the same time.

Isobel was at a loss for words. She was afraid of opening her mouth in fear of something stupid spilling out. She wanted to be with Alvarez, but she was afraid there was too many obstacles standing in their way. Or worse, maybe he didn't want to even be with her at all.

"I want to take you out tonight." Marcus spoke as he rubbed soft circles on Isobel's thigh.

"Okay." Isobel nodded as his words sunk in.

"Good." Marcus said with a large smile. "I'll pick you up at seven. I've gotta head to the scrapyard." He said, placing a kiss on her cheek before leaving Isobel at the kitchen table to over think.

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SEVEN came much faster than Isobel would of liked. The brunette gave herself one last look over in the mirror before making her way towards the living room. Isobel could feel nerves building in her stomach as she paced around the room, muttering to herself — not paying any attention to the pair of eyes looking at her like she had grown another head.

"Ma, you look beautiful." Nina said as her brown eyes followed her mom around their small living room. "Just calm down." The small brunette said with a smile.

"Listen to your mija hermana." Taza said with a small chuckle. "You look beautiful." The older Romero sibling said while taking a few quick strides towards his sister.

"I haven't been on a real date in years, Taza." Isobel said with panic in her voice. "I can't do this." She said while running a hand through her hair.

"Yes you can." Taza said while grabbing her hands in his. "Breathe." He said slowly. "Everyone can see the connection you and Padrino have. So, you're going to go on this date and you're going to have a good fuckin' time, Is."

Isobel nodded as a loud knock came on the door. She watched as Nina practically skipped towards the door, quickly opening it to reveal none other than Marcus standing there.

"You've got this." Taza whispered. "Don't be afraid to give him your heart hermana." 

Isobel gave a smile to her brother before saying her goodbyes to him and Nina.

"You look gorgeous querida." Marcus spoke as he sallowed thickly.

The little black dress that she had on hugged all of her curves beautifully, and it made Marcus want to forget the dinner he had planned and take Isobel to the nearest hotel and spend hours doing pleasurable things to her, but Isobel deserved to be treated like a queen and he would make sure that happened.

"Thank you, Marcus. You look very handsome yourself." Isobel said as the feelings of desire and want fluttered around in her stomach.

"I hope you like surprises, Bella." Marcus said with a chuckle as he slipped his hand into hers, leading her towards the car parked in the driveway.

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SURPRISES were one thing, a Marcus Alvarez surprise was on a whole other level. Isobel was expecting a simple dinner, instead Marcus had found this amazing restaurant with a rooftop patio that he had rented out for just him and Isobel. To say Isobel was surprised would be an understatement.

"This is amazing, Marcus." Isobel gushed for what had to have been the tenth time since they had arrived. "You really didn't have to do this." The brunette said as her brown eyes took in the lights and flowers that filled the patio.

"You deserve this." Marcus said as he watched the smile grow on Isobel's face. He loved seeing her smile. It was contagious.

"This really is amazing." The Romero woman said again while bringing her glass of wine up to her lips and taking a sip. "Thank you." She said, giving Marcus a smile.

"I already told you I would do anything for you, Isobel." Marcus repeated his words from earlier. "I hope tonight can be the start of something for us. I would like start a relationship with you."

Marcus didn't see the point in beating around the bush. He knew how he felt about Isobel, and he was tired of pushing those feelings to the side. He was tired of playing the back and forth game with her — he was too old for that shit. The Mayan wanted to be with her, and he wanted her to be his and only his.

"Seriously?" Isobel asked as her jaw hung open in shock. She hadn't been expecting those words to come out of his mouth.

"Yes." He nodded, nothing in his tone suggesting he was anything but serious.

"How would it work?" Isobel questioned. "I mean, you're in Oakland and I'm here." The brunette pointed out. "Would it be long distance? Because, Marcus I don't know if I can do long distance."

Isobel wanted to be with Marcus, but the long distance wasn't something she could do. She was at a point in her life where she wanted someone who could be there, someone who she could grow old with, and maybe eventually have another child if it were in the cards for her.

"I might not be in Oakland for much longer." Marcus admitted. He didn't want to say too much more on that topic, but he had an offer come up that he might not be able to pass up. "Are you willing to give it a try querida?" He asked while placing his hand on top of Isobel's.

"Yes." Isobel said with a smile. "Of course I am, Marcus." She said while leaning over to place her lips against his.

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A/N: y'all i really feel like Marcus would be this romantic.