Chapter 34
They all sat on the sofa and it was absolutely quiet. The only sound that could be heard was the electric fan that went on and on, giving off a soft, whirring sound. Mark looked over at Toni, who was staring back and forth at her mother and Loraine, completely shocked. “I can’t believe this! I really can’t believe this!” she said for about the hundredth time. Her tone was a miture of shock, incredulity and happiness. “You… you guys both knew all along? Mom! You knew all along that Mark was going to be here and you never told me?” she said as her mother just laughed. “Loraine, I think we should go and leave these two alone. I’m pretty sure they have loads to talk about.” Toni’s mother said as she got up from the sofa and headed towards her room. Loraine followed her, winking at Toni before she left. Toni looked at Mark. “I can’t believe you talked my mom about this!” she said, smiling amusedly at him. “Well, I actually talked to her about it over the phone. This was mainly her idea. She said you were really down and you were going on and on about how much you love me and how much you miss me so…” he trailed off, watching Toni blush. “I told you I didn’t believe you when you when you told me you didn’t love me.” Mark said quietly. “I still can’t believe you’re here. I really can’t! Did you take a week off? How did Louis react? Do the other lads know? What did you parents…” “I quit the band, Toni.” Mark said quietly, cutting her off and looking into her eyes. “Excuse me? Did I hear you right? This is a joke isn’t it?” Toni asked, shocked. “I did it so I can be with you. Since you’re not going back to Ireland, I’m moving here to the Philippines, and you mum is going to help me.” he said, reaching it for her hand. Toni pulled her hand away, unable to take in the things she was hearing. “Don’t you think that’s way too drastic? I mean, Mark, face it. This isn’t what you want.” “Toni, don’t tell me what I want and what I don’t want. I want you. I want to be with you. I want you back in my life and I would do everything to have you back. As you once told me, living life isn’t living at all when living is without you. I feel completely the same.” “Mark! How can you be so stupid? What you’ve got is a once in a lifetime thing! Not all people get the luck that you have. Give it five years and another boy-band comes along and boom, you’re out of the scene. You should go back while you guys are still hot and happening, make the most of everything.” “You said it tears you into pieces each time we’re apart. Well, it tears me up too. I heard you and Nicky talking on the veranda the day you left.” “Mark… please. Where’s your common sense? Go back to Ireland, call Louis up and tell him you’re sorry, you’ve changed your mind and you want to get back into Westlife.” “No!” Mark said simply. “Okay, call Louis, and just tell him you’re going back in the band. And you just can’t leave the band or the management will sue you! You did sign a record deal you know and it lasts for a span of a few years.” “Well, they can sue me for every penny I’ve got. I won’t go back in the band until you tell me you’re giving me another chance.” Mark said, crossing his arms on his chest. Toni smiled, shaking her head. “Mark Feehily, you are unbelievable!” she said, laughing. “Go back to the band then.” Toni said. “Can I take that as a yes?” he asked, smiling at her. “Duh!” Toni said as Mark gave her a hug. He was about to kiss her when she pushed him away gently. “Uh-uh! Not yet!” Toni said as Mark gave her a puzzled look. “First of all, I’m not giving in easily. After the misery you put me through, you’ll have to suffer a bit as well!” she said. Mark lifted his eyebrow, looking amused. “Next, you’re forgetting something.” “What?” he asked. Toni leaned in closer to Mark, and he thought she was going to kiss her. “This!” Toni said as she reached for his mobile phone from his back pocket. Mark laughed, grabbing the phone from Toni and dialing Louis Walsh’s phone number.
Toni, Mark, and Toni’s mother were all seated at the dining table. Mark was a bit puzzled that they had started dinner without waiting for Toni’s dad. “Erm… I hope you don’t mind if I ask, but… I was just curious. Where’s Mr. de Lara?” Mark asked before eating a forkful of spaghetti. Toni and her mom suddenly kept quiet, looking at each other. “Umm… he’s… umm… he’s not coming home for a few days. He’s out of town because of his work.” Mrs. de Lara said softly. “Okay.” he said softly. Mark knew something was definitely wrong and that Toni had been lying. Come to think of it, he suddenly remembered that Toni didn’t talk about her father much even way back when they were still studying in Ireland. She often mentions her mother when they talked about their childhood, but you can probably count the times she had mentioned her father with your fingers. There was total silence, and Mark suddenly felt remorse for asking the question. The only sound that echoed through the dining room was the soft clattering of the silver utensils on the delicate chinaware. “How long do you plan to stay here Mark? I’m sure there’s loads of places that you would really love to see here.” Mrs. de Lara asked. “Well, as long as you let me stay here, I won’t go!” Mark said, laughing a bit. “You’re forgetting something Mark… you know, what you and Louis agreed upon?” Toni said. Mark groaned. “Well, Mrs. de Lara, I’m planning to stay here for two weeks. Toni is going to take me to a hotel tomorrow that’s near enough and she’ll be showing me around as well.” “Please, stop calling me Mrs. de Lara. From what I see of the two of you I can practically let you call me mom!” Mrs. de Lara joked. “Mom!” Toni exclaimed, blushing bright red. Mark smiled sheepishly. “You know, you can stay here if you like. There’s spare bedroom upstairs that you can use.” Toni’s mother said. “No, I simply can’t accept your offer Mrs. de Lara. I wouldn’t want to bother you or anything.” “Nonsense! Well, believe me, it’s been a while since we’ve had any guests and I wouldn’t want my daughter to miss you anymore now that you’re here.” she said as Toni gave her an if-looks-could-kill look. “Well, you guys will have to excuse me. I need to sleep early because I still have some last minute shopping to do tomorrow.” she said as she stood up. Mrs. de Lara had already went into her room when Toni and Mark started to converse. “Well, looks like you’re gonna stay here whether you like it or not.” Toni said simply as she stacked the dishes up. She was about to go and carry them over to the sink when Mark got the dishes from her and placed it there himself. He turned the faucet on and was about to reach for the sponge when Toni stopped him. “I’ll do it. You go on and rest. I know you’re tired from jet-lag.” she said, pushing Mark gently away from the kitchen sink. “No, it’s the least I can go to help.” he said refusing to budge even an inch. “Okay, you can dry the dishes if you want but I’m not letting you wash them.” Toni said as she handed him the kitchen towel. They stood silently side by side as they proceeded to do their chore. “Toni, I have something to ask you. I hope you don’t get mad, I just really want to know.” “What is it?” she asked casually, scrubbing on a metal pot. “It’s about your dad. I noticed that you never really talked about him with me. I wasn’t convinced at all with what your mum, I mean, your mom told me that he’s out of town. Mark said cautiously as he watched Toni, scrubbing the pan harder and harder as he carried on with his question. Mark placed his hand lightly on her shoulder and noticed she was holding back tears in her eyes. “Hey.” Mark said softly, taking her hands in his. He turned her a bit to face him. “You don’t have to hold it in you know. I’m here for you.” he said. Toni laughed softly and wiped away a single tear that fell from her eye. “Well, I don’t have anything to cry about really. It’s been way too long to cry over about and I’ve moved on about it… Well, I know you have no clue to what I’m talking about so if you go and wait for me in the living room, I’ll go and tell you all about it later after I finish here.” Toni said as she continued washing the dishes. Mark left reluctantly, wondering what in the world was it about Toni’s dad that they were hiding from him.