Chapter Ten

*Cliff's point of view*

We've been searching for Kanzie everywhere but she's off the grid and we've heard nothing from Holly, I tapped her phone just to make sure she's not lying to us, but of course she doesn't know about that. It puzzles me why Kanzie ran away, it's not like her to just run away from her problems. I keep thinking maybe the news about me getting reinstated was too much for her, I mean it's always been just the two of us ever since her mum died, but I wish she could understand that there's nothing I can do my hands are tied, if I don't willingly submit to them then they will make the rest of my life and Kanzie's life extremely hard and I don't want that for her, she deserves so much better.

*Kanzie's point of view*

I open my eyes from my sleep and I see this beautiful beach ahead of us and the view just left me speechless, it just looked so amazing, I turn to Mark whose just looking at me with nothing but desire, damn I want him so bad...

"It's so beautiful out here" I say trying to avoid thinking dirty thoughts.

"Yes it's very beautiful." Mark responds expect his looking at me and not the view of the beach and I can't help but blush.

"How about we take a walk?"

"How about we stay here for a little bit?" Mark counters but I'm confused, what does he mean 'stay'??

"Stay??" I say with an arched eyebrow.

"Yeah I have a small beach house around here, we can walk there it's hard to drive around here because of the vendor stalls and the people around."

"Who are you exactly Mark?" I say jokingly while laughing and nodding my head.

"The man after your heart Kanzie." he winks, his so adorable when he tries to be cheesy.

"Cheesy! But yeah let's go."

We park at some lay by and walk into this crowded market area and now I understand why he said we couldn't drive there, we literally had to push our way through, but its so beautiful the people are so welcoming, I spot this little stand that has beautiful necklaces that have gem stones on them, there's one that really caught my attention, it had a red ruby which is my favorite stone, but then I'm broke can't afford it.

Mark's point of view

I'm taking Kanzie to my beach house and while walking in the market area i notice her looking at this beautiful necklace, it had a red ruby on it, honestly it was beautiful and definitely fit for a queen. I could tell she was sad she couldn't have and knowing Miss Independent right here, she definitely won't ask me to get it for her, it would really go well with her beautiful eyes and skin tone.

"Do you like it ma'am?" The lady selling the necklaces asked Kanzie

"They are all so beautiful." Kanzie responds and keeps walking admiring the beauty around her and just taking in the scenery.

"Are you hungry?" We haven't eaten for a while now so obviously she has to be starving, I know I am!

"Yeeeppp!!" She exclaims looking even more adorable, damn I found my foodie partner.

"There's a nice place just a few blocks from here." I tell her while grabbing her hand and leading her through the crowd.

The place wasn't that far from where we where so we where there in less than ten minutes and not to mention this is my favorite place in Cuba it's called 'Mí casa'. I like it because it has no walls more like an outdoor restaurant, it also has a karaoke bar and I have something up my sleeves for this day. I walk her to one of the tables at the center and help her take her seat, the waiter brings us glasses of water and menus.

"What do you fancy?" I ask while thinking of what I want myself, everything here is heavenly it's always hard to pick.

"Mmm I think I'll go with whatever you get." She says smiling and putting the menu down, I figured it's because she's new here and maybe a little hesitant about what to eat, finally the waiter comes back and I order Roma Vienna, picadillo, yuca con mojo and tamales, yep I'm giving her a taste of Cuba, all the best dishes in Cuba.

While waiting for our order I could steal glances of Kanzie zoning out while listening to some of the guys singing, I am curious to find out if she can sing no wait I'm dying to find out if she can sing, but I strongly believe she does. After ten minutes our food finally gets here, looking at it made me realize just how hungry I was, I ordered some drinks (cocktails) and water as well because some of this is really spicy.

*Kanzie's point of view*

Damn this restaurant is beautiful and unique, no walls just fresh air and a stage where people do karaoke from, newsflash I don't plan on being up there. The waiter brings us the menus and I'm clueless over what to eat so decide to go with whatever Mark orders, and what does he do? He orders a buffet, but I am hungry though so I guess that will do. I could notice him watching me most of the time while we where waiting for our food, I couldn't help but zone out because damn there so many talented people here with amazing voices. This one lady hit the notes in Shallow by Lady Gaga and it was amazing am like damn! If he registered for America's got talent she would get all the golden buzzers.

"You're order is ready madam and sir." The waiter says laying the food on the table. Damn I hope I'm not drooling because it smells amazing and looks heavenly as well.

"Thank you!" We both chorus as he leaves

"This smells amazing!" I exclaim while digging in

"Best food in Cuba." He says joining in with me and wow this food is amazing.

After the most wonderful and satisfying ten minutes later the waiter comes to pick up our dishes and I'm so stuffed right now, Mark left the table two minutes ago I don't know where he went but yes his disappeared so I'll just seat here enjoying the music and no one is on stage right now since everyone seems occupied and stuff. Finally Mark comes back and I'm curious as to where his been.

"Where did you go?" I ask with one eyebrow raised

"Just looking around and stuff that's all, did you miss me??" He leans over trying to kiss me

"As if I was just curious." I push him back in his seat and he gives me puppy dog eyes.

"I thought you missed me and where concerned, but I guess I didn't matter that much." At this point I want to laugh because it's just funny rather than sad, but the DJ grabs the mic and starts passing on hype.

"All of you look amazing today and folks since the sun is slowly setting why don't we open up the dance floor and show our tourists how the people of Cuba spent there sun sets!!" With that people start cheering and making there way to a small set up in of the stage, I won't lie the music is really good.

"Wanna join?" Mark asks me while reaching out his hand.

"Uhm no! firstly I don't dance and secondly am too stuffed.!" I protest

" I can't dance either so let's just be two left footed people among right footed people, what do you say?" he says getting up on his feet and dragging me to the dance floor.

" Okay let's do this.!" I say starting to sway my body left and right.

Just like every movie with a scene where the two people who are the lead actors or actresses hit the dance floor and the music goes slow so does it here, and right now Mark looks at me in a more of a 'Are you down for this' way and I nod and he puts one of his hands on my waist and the other holding my free hand. This man has two perfect right feet.

"For someone with left feet you seem to be doing pretty good." He whispers in my ear

"My dad taught me when I was little we used to dance together a lot since it was just us."

"You and your dad seem really close." he says laying his head on the top of my head, God I wish he knew just how much that statement hurt my heart, but it's strange how I don't want to pull away from his touch, it makes me want to stay here forever.

After the music stopped we made our way to our table and karaoke was on again and people keep heading there, Mark and I are having small talk here and there and enjoying every moment, then he walks over to the stage and I'm hoping he doesn't call me out. Thankfully he doesn't as a way of showing my relief I chug down all the wine in my glass, yes we ordered for some white wine before hitting the dance floor.

"So I'm here with the woman of dreams and I hope she knows I love her so this songs for you baby!" Mark says looking me straight in the eye, damn his got me hooked in just a week, wait rewind did he just say he loves me??. The beat starts to play and I recognize it immediately and it's Thinking out loud by Ed Sheeran, am blushing like crazy and his voice is amazing, but I keep thinking about how he said he loves me, I mean I am happy but I'm not yet there. After his done the crowd claps and cheers and I'm not surprised the guy's amazing, I got all the notes right and a few couples in the crowd started slow dancing.

"Thank you everybody please welcome the woman I sang this for on to the stage." I vigorously shake my head no and the spot light is on me now and everybody keeps cheering me on. This is the definition of peer pressure at it's worst, I stand up and Mark hugs me as soon as I get to the stage.

"Kiss him! Kiss him!" The crowd goes on and on so what the heck I kiss him and that felt good until the bastard hands me the mic and leaves me there. Like what the hell? I see him take his seat and I send him a death glare.

"Well I'm a terrible singer but I will try." What's there to lose anyway.

*Mark's point of view*

Yes I abandoned Kanzie at stage after my amazing kiss and I guess I'll be murdered tonight, I hear the instrumental for Stay by Rihanna and Mikky Ekko, this girl keeps surprising me everytime. I listen to each word and it has me thinking if this is for me.

All alone it was a fever

A cold sweat, hot headed believer

I threw my head's in the air said show me something

He said if you dear come a little closer

Round and around and around and around we go

Oh now tell me now tell me now you know

Not really sure how to feel about it

Something in the way you move

Makes me feel like I can't live without you

Yeah it takes me all the way and I want you to stay...

I couldn't help but get lost in her beautiful voice and the emotion as she hit the notes, you could tell she felt Evey single word and meant it. After she was done obviously the whole crowd stood up and cheered I mean who wouldn't. She walks over and I swallow hard because I'm about die.

"Want to get out of here?" I ask trying to save myself

"Sure." She smiles and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding

My beach house is not far from here so I lead us to the beach and we walk there feet in the sand and we decided to seat and enjoy the sun set together. She leans her head on my shoulder and I put mine on her head, it feels right to be here with her almost like we were meant be together.

"It's beautiful" she's says looking at the ocean and the sunset.

"Yes it is." I say looking at her.

"It feels nice to be just sit here together?" She says turning her head to face me and I couldn't help but kiss those beautiful lips.

"Earlier today I meant it when I said that I love you." I say looking her in the eyes and rubbing the surface of her hand.

"So when do I get to see this house?" She says standing up and changing the topic.

"You mean our house?" I correct, and yes it's cheesy but I can't help it.

"Our house?!." I could see her blush and damn she's so cute.

"What's yours is mine baby girl." I say with a wink. I stand up and hold her hand as I lead the way.

*Kanzie's point of view*

I couldn't help but admire how beautiful the sunset was and as usual when I said it was beautiful he looked at me and said it was, I could feel my insides turn inside out and he kissed me and eery kiss feels like the first. After we pulled apart from each other he grabbed my hand and rubbed the surface as he looked me right in the eyes and he said it again, that he loved me. Like I said earlier am not ready for this so I avoided it and stood up and brought up the house. After walking for over ten minutes on the beach we finally get to his beautiful beach house and it's literally next to the beach it's so amazing. It has this little cottage vibe but with a Terrance facing the ocean, from the outside it doesn't look like much but it is cozy.

"Wow!"

"You love it huh?" He asks

"Yess I do!" I say

"Taking our vows already huh?" He says laughing and I smack his arm

As we walked inside the house took away my breath from the door it leads to the kitchen that has marble white counters and beautiful brown floor that spreads out to the rest of the house, there's a cute dining room with a six seat table and window to the kitchen, the living room has got a beautiful white ceiling with a gold chandelier hanging from the ceiling and a huge TV set and speakers perfect for a house party and the master bedroom has a walk-in closet and the closet also leads to the bathroom that's fitted with a jacuzzi tub and shower as well as the toilet with a big glass aluminum wall showing the ocean view. The two spear rooms only have a shower and no ocean view.

"Am going to test your jacuzzi!" I say walking back to the master bedroom

"Take your time." He says unpacking his bag

*Mark's point of view*

Watching Kanzie take a look at the house made me feel like a proud home owner, I designed this house myself, I could tell she loved the house and the jacuzzi tub even more, infact she's been in there for over fifteen minutes 'women'. I took a quick shower in one of the bedrooms and sat to watch whatever Netflix has for me but before I could start I decide to wait for Kanzie, so I pop popcorn and she's still not here.

"What are we watching?" A tinny human finally emerges wearing cute pajama shorts and a tank top and she squeezes herself on my seat.

"All my life." I say handing her part of my blanket and putting the popcorn at the center.

"Nice taste." She says shifting and somehow fitting herself in-between my legs with her head resting on my chest.

After one good hour into the movie she moves up and looks at me saying.

"Don't ever leave me okay just stay with me. Even when I push you away just say with me." I couldn't resist but to kiss her and there we were making out instead of watching the movie

"I want you now." She says looking right into my eyes.

"Have you done this before?"

"No, I'm still a virgin" I see her cheeks turn red maybe she felt embarrassed but this only made me love her more

"No baby we have time." I say kissing her. If I break her virginity it has to special and when that time comes I want to have all of her not just physically but in everyway. Because right now I can tell she's not ready to move on to the next text.