Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Jane woke up 3 times that night to check if it was morning yet. On her fourth wake, she was pleased to see it was 5:00 am. She took her bath and was ready for work by 6. She felt it would be silly if she should go wake Marcus up so she sat on the couch he usually sat waiting impatiently for him.

Marcus held his cup of herbal tea as he whistled to his favorite coach. He shuddered to see Jane sitting there restlessly checking her wristwatch. "Mor-morning Ma'am," He walked carefully towards her.

She stood immediately when she saw him and straightened her Peach-colored suit and an awkward smile. "Hi," She replied. She looked at him sheepishly. Her childish eagerness felt stupid and she blushed at the thought of what Marcus would think of her.

"Did I oversleep?" Marcus asked. He was standing before her now and she could see the confusion in his eyes, his perfect eyes.

"Um- Nooo." She thought of a quick lie. "I just have lots of work to do." She replied with the most confident smile she could come up with.

Marcus leaned backward and smiled crookedly. "Are you planning to kill Suzan?" he asked.

Jane could not answer. Marcus was standing close, too close to her she had to focus on remembering how to breathe. She does not like what his presence does to her body. Marcus took another step closer and picked up the strand of her hair on her face and put it behind her ears.

"The office will be open by 8:00 am. You still have an hour." He said and took the seat beside her.

Jane stood there bewildered. He had no right to do that to her. He had the right to stand close to her like that, he had no right to touch her hair, he had no right to make her heart do all the funny things it's doing now, 'Somebody has to show him his place' but not her. She does not have the power to do that now, she might address that after she deals with the problems she had at the office now.

She managed to sit back down on the couch without passing out.

Since when were you seated here? The fact that Marcus was still calm and unbothered after the disaster he had started in her heartfelt unfair. Life should not be this way!

Huh, what are you saying? Marcus' voice interrupted her thoughts.

Oops did she say it out loud? Jane managed a half-hearted laugh. "I am just thinking about Suzan."

"I asked you a question," Marcus said, raising his eyebrows puzzled. Since when were you awake?

Oh, early, I figured I should take my job more seriously.

"Should I be scared, are you a murderer or something? "

"Ha-ha, very funny," Jane mumbles sarcastically, folding her hands.

The drive to the office was unusual for Jane. She felt very awkward sitting quietly beside Marcus. She wants to talk to him or at least keep him talking. Marcus on the other hand seems so comfortable in the silence that it made her wonder what had changed.

"Good Morning Jane." Suzan greeted.

Jane looked at Suzan apologetically. "Oh Suzan, I have something important to tell you." She said, putting her arm around Suzan's shoulder as they kept moving in the direction of her office.

"Is something wrong?"

Jane was sure this was going to be one of the best moments in her life as she noticed Suzan's face turned pale and almost sick.

"Yes Su, something is wrong."

"Umm okay, what is it?"

Jane stopped and faced Suzan, her eyes a glimpse of Marcus behind them looking both terrified and curious.

"Su, I think you should call me ma'am from now on just like every other employee in this firm," Jane's voice was honest, convincing, and sorry as if she regrets it as if it wasn't all her own doing.

"Oh," Suzan replied with relief but then that emotion was replaced immediately with confusion and curiosity. "Why don't you want to be my friend anymore?"

"Of course, I want to be your friend Su." Jane sounded offended, at least to Suzan, Marcus, and any other listening ear. "It is just that, well... People are starting to talk. They say I am using my privilege as the founder's daughter to do anything I want and I am giving you special privileges. I do not want to mess with your reputation for the short period I will be here."

Suzan was pleased, almost emotional, and guilty. She was touched by Jane's care and compassion. "Jane, you are such a good friend." She said hugging Jane.

Jane rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Suzan's back, making Marcus chuckle.

Jane was first to let go and started towards her office again. "Let's be quick Su, we have a lot of work ahead of us." She commanded.

Marcus sat at his usual desk outside Jane's office and watched the drama between Jane and Suzan. Suzan has been running around the whole office since Jane came in. Jane made Suzan Read lots of records and other petty things like getting her water, specific types of papers, pens, and other stationery she did not use.

Suzan was relieved when it was lunch time and Jane offered to take them to their favorite cafeteria.

But then Marcus could tell that it did not go as Suzan had expected it to from the look on their face. Jane on the other hand seems to be enjoying her day. She had never been happier since she stepped foot in Berlin. Marcus was happy she was happy.

At the end of the day, Suzan dragged her legs out of the office, weary and all-around drained.

Marcus waited for Jane at the SUV outside with a crooked smile plastered on his face. Jane was almost bursting with excitement as she made her way to the Suv. Marcus opened her door for her and jogged around to get in himself.

"So tell me, how did I do?"

Marcus was glad Jane had made them change the glasses back to as dark as they were before because Jane's behavior was out of this world.

"Well, I wasn't sure."

Jane's excitement died at once and she frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I am kidding." Marcus' voice was cheerful. "You were amazing."

Jane's smiles returned in full force.

"I do think You made a career mistake though."

Jane frowned again. "Why do you say so?" She asked, getting pissed.

"Because you killed your acting." He started to raise his hands towards her face but then he stopped halfway. "I do think you will make a wonderful actress." He added and turned to face the road straight ahead.

They stopped by to see Emilia before going home. Emilia had not woken up and it bothered all of them. According to the doctor, Emilia had no desire to live. She was not fighting for her life. She wanted to die. And that troubled Jane a little; it made her wonder if she had something to do with Emilia's unwillingness to live. Emilia's siblings were going to be in Berlin the next day and Jane could not wait. Maybe their presence will quicken her recovery and deep down she wants them around to know the feeling of having siblings.

Her phone buzzed when they were in the car heading back home. She pulled up the phone and she was tense for a mili-second to see her dad's name. She had been ignoring his calls since the incident with Emilia but she knew she must take his call now or he would be at her doorstep by the time she got home.

"Hello dad," She tried to be as 'happy-to-hear-from-you' as she could.

"Jane, why have you been ignoring my calls?" Jane was quick to recognize the emotions in her father's voice. Worry-Anger-Worry.

"Dad, I have been busy, you of all people should know that."

"Is the stress too much for you? It's okay baby, Tyler will be on the first plane to-"

"Dad!" Jane interrupted. "You worry so much, I said I am fine. Do you not trust me?"

Mr. Morrison sighed. "I am just worried about you." He grumbled.

"I am fine Dad, I was trained by you, I can do this."

Mr. Morrison sighed defeated. "If you say so." He mumbled. "By the way, the company said they had not been able to contract or hear from your assistant Juliet for some days now."

"Umm, I uh..."

"She fired her," Marcus replied.

Jane looked at him and mouthed a thank-you.

"Jane, you cannot fire people like that. It is not professional."

" I am sorry dad, I will try not to fire anyone any time soon. By the way dad?"

"Yes Princess, what do you have to say?" Mr. Morrison's voice was attentive.

"Her name is Emilia, not Julie," Jane replied and cut the call. She immediately texted him 'good night and 'I love you

By that time they were already packed in their driveway. She got out of the car and quickly did her night rituals and went to bed quickly. She was too excited for the next day.