John had spent the morning organising and gathering a group of people capable enough of fending for themselves, a group that could protect the engineers and sent them towards the power plant to assess the damage.
As he waited by himself in the courtyard, Maria approached him. John looked at her and smiled as he saw her new clean appearance.
"You look good," he flashed her a cheeky grin, poking fun at her previous dirty appearance.
Maria chuckled, "thank you."
John stole a glance at Marco who looked at them with a serious expression. John smirked as he noticed him.
"Great news, Maria, we might have hot water soon."
Maria arched an eyebrow as she deciphered his intention.
"You won’t be known as that dirty chick anymore."
Maria furrowed her eyebrows, her voice sharp, "what?"
"Hey, hey, relax. I’m just messing with you," John said, raising his hands in a placating gesture.
Maria glared at him and scoffed, crossing her arms.
John’s lips twitched and a playful smile formed on his lips.
"Oh, don’t give me that look, I’m not insulting you, I’m just saying you looked filthy."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Maria said, shaking her head.
John chuckled, "well, now that you’re all clean, why don’t we talk?"
"About what?"
"Anything, everything. Come on, tell me, what were you like before the apocalypse?"
Maria looked at him for a moment, considering his words.
"I was a normal girl, I guess. I was studying at college."
"Really? What were you studying?"
"Business."
"Really?" John’s eyebrows shoot up, his tone one of surprise.
"Yes, really."
"I didn’t peg you for a businesswoman," John admitted.
Maria laughed, "me neither."
"So, what did you do before the apocalypse?"
"I worked as a waitress. It was hard, but I liked it."
"I see, so you weren’t Theodore’s spoiler daughter, huh?"
"No, no, definitely not," Maria said, laughing.
John and Maria continued their small talk. A little subtle caress and some shared laughter later, Marco was fuming, glaring daggers at John.
"That bastard..." Marco whispered to himself.
With anger in his steps, Marco stomped the ground with balled fists and a clenched jaw and interrupted the duo’s conversation.
"You can’t be with him, Maria," Marco said.
Maria’s eyebrows rose, "huh?"
"Don’t be fooled, he’s a bad guy. You don’t want to get involved with him."
"What? How can you say that?" Maria retorted.
"I know him, I know him. He’s a bad person. Trust me, he’ll hurt you."
"Hurt me? What are you talking about?"
"Just stay away from him, okay?"
Maria glared at him, "what is your problem?"
"I’m trying to protect you!"
"From what? Him?" Maria scoffed, nodding towards John.
"Yes, he’s not who you think he is."
"Marco, stop it. You’re acting crazy."
"Crazy? Crazy?!" Marco growled, his face twisted in a furious snarl.
"You’re my fucking fiancée and here you are, flirting with him. You’re not even denying it. How can you do this to me? Huh?"
"Marco, calm down," Maria pleaded, stepping back.
"Fuck you!" Marco screamed, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her towards him.
"Get off me!" Maria cried out, struggling against his grip.
John sprung to his feet and stepped forward, "hey, back off!"
"Stay the fuck away!" Marco shouted and tried to shove John aside, but the latter sidestepped and grabbed his arm.
"Let her go, now," John said, his tone icy cold.
Marco tried to free his arm from John’s grasp, but John was stronger and held on firmly.
"Marco, please..." Maria begged, tears in her eyes.
Marco’s face twisted in a cruel sneer and he let go of her.
"Go," he said, spitting the words out.
"Come on," John said, pulling Maria away.
Maria’s legs shook as she followed John, and she felt tears running down her cheeks.
John and Maria disappeared into the base.
Marco was left behind, his face contorted in a mixture of rage and despair.
"Damnit, damnit, damnit!" Marco cursed.
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John and Maria found a secluded spot inside the base and sat down.
"Are you alright?" John asked, looking at her with concern.
"I’m fine," Maria replied, wiping the tears from her face.
"I’m sorry you had to see that," she added, sniffling.
"It’s not your fault, Maria," John said, gently stroking her hair. He was grinning inwardly, he hadn’t expected to get this lucky, but Marco had made his job that much easier. Now Marco would be the one who made her cry while he would dry her tears.
Maria smiled weakly and leaned into his touch, her breathing slowing down.
"Hey, don’t worry about it. We’ll figure this out," John said, rubbing her back.
"Thanks, John," Maria whispered.
"No problem," John replied.
Maria smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of John’s hands on her body. She felt safe and secure, and her heart warmed up.
She didn’t know why, but she knew that John would protect her.
"John," she said.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being there for me."
"Don’t mention it."
"But I do," Maria said, taking a deep breath.
"Thank you, John."
"You’re welcome," John said, smiling.
"I feel better now," Maria said, wiping the tears from her face.
"That’s good," John said, wrapping her arms around her in a gentle hug.
"Maria, when I was fighting the Draconian, there was a projectile that hit the Draconian out of nowhere. Was that you?"
Maria froze.
"Maria," John said, his tone soft.
"Yes, yes, I was," Maria said, nodding.
"You were a great help. We couldn’t have done it without you," John said, squeezing her tight.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Wow," Maria said, a hint of a smile on her face.
"Make sure to train those skills of yours, particularly that long-distance one. It was incredible."
John said, but what he was really thinking was that the skill would soon become his, as soon as Maria left Marco and became his woman. He took a look at her tight little butt and felt his cock stirring in his pants.
"She’s quite petite, but she has a nice pair of tits and an equally nice ass," John thought.
It wouldn’t be long now, John could already picture himself on top of her, thrusting into her while she moaned his name. He was going to enjoy making her his woman.