CHAPTER TWO - WHAT THE EYES REFUSE TO SEE

The next morning, Emma sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a sea of clothes and travel accessories. Her petite frame was dwarfed by the mountain of items yet to be packed. "I can't believe we're finally doing this!" Sarah exclaimed, her fiery red hair bouncing as she tossed another shirt into her suitcase. "New York City, here we come!" Emma smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know, it's going to be amazing. I just..." She trailed off, biting her lip. Sarah paused, her freckled face creasing with concern. "What's wrong, Em? You've been off all morning." Emma sighed, fiddling with a pair of socks. "It's probably nothing. It's just... Marcus has been acting a bit strange lately." "Strange how?" Sarah asked, sitting down next to her friend. "I don't know. Distracted, I guess. And he's been on his phone a lot more than usual." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "You don't think he's...?" "No!" Emma said quickly. "No, of course not. Marcus would never cheat. He's just stressed with work, that's all." Sarah nodded, but her expression remained skeptical. "If you say so. Hey, why don't you show me those renovation ideas for my new place? That'll cheer you up." Emma brightened, reaching for her phone. "Oh yeah, I found some great inspiration on Pinterest. Let me pull them up." As she scrolled through her photos, a notification popped up. Emma's brow furrowed as she read it. "That's weird," she murmured. "What is?" Sarah asked, leaning over to look. Emma shook her head. "It's just... this photo I took of Marcus last weekend. The location tag says Harbor View Hotel, but he told me he was at a client meeting in Springfield." Sarah's eyes widened. "Em..." "No, it's fine," Emma said quickly. "It's probably just a glitch or something. You know how these apps can be." Sarah opened her mouth to argue, but Emma cut her off. "Look, here are those renovation ideas I was telling you about." As Emma launched into an enthusiastic explanation of color schemes and furniture layouts, she pushed down the nagging doubt that had taken root in her mind. Marcus loved her. He would never lie. Across town, Marcus sat at a small table in a quaint café, his leg bouncing nervously under the table. Victoria sat across from him, her statuesque form commanding attention even in the crowded space. "I'm glad you could meet me," Victoria said, her voice low and sultry. "I've missed you, Marcus." Marcus swallowed hard. "Vicky, we need to talk about... whatever this is." Victoria leaned forward, her perfectly manicured hand reaching for his. "What's there to talk about? We have something special, Marcus. You can't deny the chemistry between us." As if to prove her point, a jolt of electricity seemed to pass between them at her touch. Marcus pulled his hand away, running it through his dark hair. "It's not that simple," he said. "I have a life with Emma. We've built something real together." Victoria's eyes flashed. "And what we had wasn't real? Marcus, we were in love. We still are." Marcus shook his head. "That was a long time ago. Things are different now." "Are they?" Victoria challenged. "Because from where I'm sitting, it feels exactly the same." Before Marcus could respond, his phone buzzed. Emma's name flashed on the screen. "I have to take this," he said, standing up. "I'll be right back." Outside the café, Marcus took a deep breath before answering. "Hey, Em. Everything okay?" Emma's voice came through, tinged with excitement. "Hey! Just wanted to check in. Sarah and I are almost done packing. You sure you're okay with me going?" Guilt twisted in Marcus's stomach. "Of course. You deserve a fun weekend with your friends. Don't worry about me." "You're the best," Emma said warmly. "What are you up to?" Marcus hesitated for a split second. "Oh, just grabbing lunch with some clients. You know, the usual Saturday work stuff." "On a Saturday? You work too hard," Emma chided gently. "Don't let them keep you too long. Love you!" "Love you too," Marcus replied, the words sticking in his throat. As he ended the call, Victoria appeared at his side. "Everything alright?" Marcus nodded, avoiding her gaze. "Yeah, just Emma checking in." Victoria's expression hardened slightly. "Marcus, we need to figure this out. I can't keep living in limbo." "I know, I know," Marcus sighed. "It's just... complicated." Victoria took a step closer, her perfume enveloping him. "It doesn't have to be. I have news. I've been offered a job here in Boston." Marcus's eyes widened. "What? I thought you were settled in New York." "I was," Victoria said, her voice soft. "But then I ran into you that day at the coffee shop. Marcus, don't you see? This could be our second chance. It's fate." Marcus felt his resolve weakening. The pull towards Victoria was undeniable, a force he'd been fighting since that fateful encounter. "I don't know, Vicky," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need time to think." Victoria nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "Take all the time you need. But remember, Marcus – what we have is rare. Don't throw it away for a comfortable routine." As Victoria walked away, her words echoed in Marcus's mind. He leaned against the wall of the café, closing his eyes and trying to make sense of the turmoil in his heart. Back at her apartment, Emma hummed softly to herself as she sorted through the laundry. The excitement of the upcoming trip had lifted her spirits, pushing away the earlier doubts. She reached for Marcus's coat, giving it a quick once-over before tossing it in the washing machine. As she did, something caught her eye – a long, blonde hair clinging to the dark fabric. Emma froze, her heart suddenly pounding. She plucked the hair from the coat, holding it up to the light. It was definitely blonde – much lighter and longer than her own brunette locks. "It's not mine," she murmured to herself. "And it's definitely not Sarah's..." A cold feeling settled in her stomach as she stared at the incriminating strand. Emma's mind raced, trying to come up with an innocent explanation. But as hard as she tried, she couldn't shake the image of Marcus at the Harbor View Hotel, or the memory of his distracted behavior at dinner. The hair trembled between her fingers, a physical manifestation of the doubt that had been gnawing at her. Emma closed her eyes, taking a shaky breath. When she opened them again, her gaze fell on a framed photo of her and Marcus, smiling and carefree. "It has to be nothing," she whispered, but the words sounded hollow even to her own ears.