Chapter 4 Online 2

• A few minutes later, my laptop pinged with a notification. Marcus had responded.
• "Hi Sade, nice to meet you too! My day's been pretty good, thanks. Just finished a hike and now relaxing at home. How about you?"
• I smiled and quickly typed back, "Sounds nice! My day was busy with work, but I just made some rice and stew for dinner. Cooking helps me unwind."
• Marcus replied almost instantly, "That sounds delicious! I love cooking too. What kind of stew did you make?"
• Our conversation flowed easily from there. We talked about our favorite recipes, shared stories about our cooking disasters and triumphs, and even exchanged tips on how to perfect a particular dish. It turned out we had more in common than I expected.
• As the evening progressed, I found myself laughing at his witty remarks and feeling more comfortable opening up about my life. Marcus shared that he had recently moved to the city and was looking to meet new people. He spoke about his love for the outdoors and how he enjoyed finding hidden trails to hike on weekends.
• I told him about my love for books and how I could spend entire weekends lost in a good novel. He confessed he wasn’t much of a reader but appreciated a good story, especially when it was told well.
• Hours passed without me noticing. I glanced at the clock and realized it was getting late. Reluctantly, I typed, "I should probably get some sleep. I have work early tomorrow."
• Marcus responded, "I understand. It was really nice talking to you, Sade. Maybe we can chat again tomorrow?"
• I felt a warm glow at his words. "I'd like that, Marcus. Have a good night!"
• "Good night, Sade. Sweet dreams."
• I closed my laptop, feeling a mixture of excitement and contentment. For the first time in a long time, I felt a genuine connection with someone, even if it was just through a screen. As I crawled into bed, I couldn’t help but look forward to tomorrow and the possibility of getting to know Marcus even better.
• The next morning, as I groggily reached for my phone to turn off the alarm, I noticed a notification from Marcus. I blinked away the sleep and smiled as I read his message:
• "Good morning, Sade! I hope you have a wonderful day ahead."
• I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. His thoughtful gesture brightened my morning instantly. I quickly replied, "Good morning, Marcus! Thank you, you too!"
• After hastily getting ready for work, I grabbed a quick breakfast and headed out the door. Throughout the commute, Marcus's message replayed in my mind, bringing a smile to my face. I felt a sense of anticipation about where our conversations might lead.
• During my morning break at work, I found a quiet corner and decided to call Linda. She picked up after a few rings, her voice cheerful as always.
• "Sade! How's your day going so far?" she asked.
• "It's been good," I replied, trying to contain my excitement. "Actually, something interesting happened this morning."
• Linda chuckled. "Do tell."
• I lowered my voice slightly, feeling a bit silly for being so giddy. "Marcus sent me a really sweet good morning text."
• Linda gasped playfully. "Ooh, Marcus! Tell me everything. What's he like?"
• I leaned back against the wall, recounting Marcus's profile and our conversations so far. I told her about his love for cooking, his adventurous spirit, and the genuine interest he showed in getting to know me. Linda listened attentively, occasionally interjecting with encouraging words or teasing remarks.
• "He sounds great, Sade," she finally said. "I'm glad you're hitting it off with someone. Maybe this could be something really special."
• I smiled, feeling grateful for Linda's support. "Yeah, maybe. It's nice to feel this way again."
• "Absolutely," Linda agreed. "Just take it one step at a time and enjoy getting to know each other."
• We talked a bit more before I had to head back to work. As I hung up, I couldn't help but feel lucky to have a friend like Linda and excited about where things might go with Marcus.
• That evening, after a long day at work, I received another message from Marcus.
• "Hey Sade, I was thinking… would you like to have a virtual date tonight? Maybe we could cook the same meal together and chat?"
• I smiled, appreciating his creativity and effort. "That sounds like a lot of fun, Marcus. Let's do it!"
• We decided on a simple pasta dish, something we could both prepare easily. I set up my laptop in the kitchen, and soon, Marcus's face filled the screen, looking as handsome as ever.
• We laughed and chatted as we cooked, sharing tips and stories. I learned about his favorite hiking spots and the songs he loved to play on his guitar. In turn, I shared my favorite books and my love for quiet weekends spent reading or cooking.
• As we sat down to eat, the conversation turned more personal. Marcus opened up about his recent move to the city and how he sometimes felt lonely despite being surrounded by people. I shared my own feelings of isolation and how our conversations had brought a new spark into my life.
• "Isn't it strange," I said, "how we can feel so connected to someone we've never met in person?"
• Marcus nodded, his eyes warm and understanding. "It is. But I think connections can form anywhere, even online, if we're open to them."
• After we finished eating, we lingered on the call, neither of us wanting the evening to end. Eventually, Marcus said, "Sade, I'd love to meet you in person. What do you think?"
• I felt a flutter of nerves but also a sense of excitement. "I'd like that too, Marcus. Let's plan something soon."
• We said our goodbyes, and I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. I wondered if our connection would be just as strong in person as it was online. But as I lay in bed that night, I felt hopeful and excited about the possibilities.
• The following weekend, Marcus and I met at a cozy café downtown. The moment I saw him, all my doubts melted away. We talked and laughed, finding that our connection was just as genuine and strong in person.
• As we walked through the city together, I realized that taking a chance on this digital connection had brought something wonderful into my life. And in that moment, with Marcus by my side, I felt more hopeful and alive than I had in a long time.
• The evening went by quickly, and soon we found ourselves back at my apartment. We continued our conversation, sharing stories and laughing over a glass of wine. The chemistry between us was undeniable.
• As we moved towards the bedroom, our laughter was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. I froze, my heart racing. "Who could that be?" I wondered aloud.
• Marcus's expression changed instantly. His face turned pale, and a look of panic flashed across his eyes. "Don't answer it," he whispered urgently.
• Ignoring him, I walked to the door and looked through the peephole. My breath caught in my throat when I saw two police officers standing outside. I turned to Marcus, confusion and fear etched on my face. "Why are the police here?"
• Before I could process what was happening, the officers began knocking harder. "Police! Open up!"
• Marcus bolted towards the back door. Instinctively, I moved to block his path, but he shoved past me, desperation driving him. He was halfway out the door when the officers burst in, catching him by the shoulders and dragging him back inside.
• "Marcus, what is going on?" I shouted, my voice trembling.
• One of the officers turned to me, his expression stern. "Ma'am, do you know this man?"
• I nodded slowly. "Yes, he's my... friend. What's happening?"
• The officer tightened his grip on Marcus, who now looked more like a trapped animal than the charming man I thought I knew. "This man is wanted for drug trafficking and other serious offenses. His real name is Jeffery."
• I felt the world spin around me. "Drug trafficking? Jeffery?"
• Marcus—no, Jeffery—looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and regret. "I'm sorry, Sade. I didn't want you to find out like this."
• The officers led him away, and I stood there, my mind reeling. The man I had started to fall for was not who he said he was. Everything had been a lie.