Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Jane rolled round her bed to no avail. She had no idea why she could not sleep. She decided to go to the pool and have a drink or two. She was in one of her favorite cotton pajamas. She picked up a bottle of champagne. Today felt like a day to celebrate. She walked briskly to the back door and opened it.

She cursed the first thing her eyes caught, her gate man and one of the maids were kissing passionately at a corner beside the pool.

"Submit your resignation letter first thing tomorrow morning."was the last thing she said as they disappeared through the opposite door.

She took a deep breath and started towards the pool. She stopped at the sight of Marcus in the water staring at her.

She murmured unintelligently as she made her way to the stairs that lead to inside the water. She kept her wine and glass by her right and sat on the stairs that allowed just part of her legs to be in the water.

She was not sure how long she stayed there not thinking or feeling anything until Marcus appeared in front of her. "Hey."He said, his voice calm, too calm for her hearing. Plus she just noticed he was not wearing any clothes. His broad shoulder and tan skin made it difficult for her to breathe.

"Are you okay?"He asked when his greetings were left unanswered.

Jane managed to look away from his body and nodded.

"Alright,"Marcus said, completely removing himself from the water. "I am going to bed."

"Huh, why, I thought you were enjoying the water."

"Yes, I was."Marcus said, cleaning his hair with his towel.

Jane turned to look at him while trying not to stare. "Then why are you leaving?"

Marcus looked at her puzzled. "It feels like you don't want any other person here when you are here."

"I did not say that."She snapped.

"Oh yeah, why did you send those two away?"

Jane shrugged. "They were getting too lovey-dovey in my house. They are here to work, not fall in love."

"So you are anti-love?"It was a statement, not a question.

"What does that mean?"Jane was getting irritated. She wanted him to drop the topic and come sit with her so they could talk about work.

Marcus did not answer.

"Marcus, I do not think that should bother you, plus it is none of your business how I treat my employees. Stick to the privilege you have now and make the most you have of it."

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Whatever."He murmured and turned to leave.

"Hey! Don't you dare walk away when I am talking to you!"Jane wasn't sure why she was getting cranky but she knew it had nothing to do with her being rude for the sake of it.

"Well, what do you want me to do, stand around and watch you being rude and arrogant for no reason?"Marcus too was getting cranky for no reason.

"I am the_"

The Boss here, yes Jane, we all know the story."Marcus interrupted.

Jane stared at him in disbelief. "You know Marcus, I do not know what makes you think you can talk to me the way you want."She said, walking up to Marcus. "You have better cut that arrogant attitude or else I_"

"Or else what?"Marcus interrupted again, taking the rest of the steps Jane didn't take until their face was inches away. "What will you do Jane?"He asked, his voice choked in desire, his eyes penetrating her being.

Jane was furious and yet paralyzed. She wanted to yell at Marcus and even fire him at the moment but his closeness, the way his eyes were drawing her in was leaving her speechless. She stood there staring at him, not having the strength to look away.

Marcus felt his anger melt and the feeling was replaced with a longing he did not recognize. He enjoyed the way his presence throws Jane off balance but now he was also off balance. He could not stay angry, not when he was looking at her face, and he was not ready to look away.

Jane drew strength from every source she could tap into and pulled away from the spell Marcus had placed her in. She looked away and turned to walk away.

Marcus pulled her back by her right hand until she faced him again. "Why Jane, do you not have so much to say, why are you running?"

Jane was hyperventilating, Marcus' face was so close to her that she knew he was going to kiss her. Her mind quickly remembered the taste of his lips which was not something she wanted to remember. She closed her eyes and waited for it to happen.

"What am I doing?"Marcus' question was rhetorical. He blinked and cleaned his forehead. I'm sorry ma'am."Marcus let go of her hand and turned. "I should go to bed."He muttered and left.

Jane was sure she was going to die. 'Is this guy being serious now? Why will he get her all worked up just to walk away?' She clutched her fingers into a fist, then wiped the unwelcome tears tickling down her cheeks as she went back to her seat on the stairs. She drowned the bottle of Champagne and dragged her feet to her room frustrated.

She was early the next morning. Marcus said nothing more than a passive 'good morning.' She had hoped things would be back to normal but with Marcus' choice to have nothing to do with her apart from his job, she was sure her life just took another wrong turn.

After the usual Friday morning meeting she decided to bury the thoughts of Marcus under work.

"Suzan this font is not formal and I did ask you to justify this, take it back, and have it redone."Jane complained in a commanding tone.

*Jane but_"

"Call me Ma'am Suzan, let's not mix our personal life with our work."Jane corrected, not raising her head from her laptop.

Suzan managed a weak smile. "Sorry ma'am but I used this same font for you about a week ago and you said you liked it."

"I was being nice Suzan, now will you change it or do you prefer I get someone else who will do your job?"

Suzan was perplexed. She knew Jane was rude but she did not know Jane will be rude to her. It was only 10:15 in the morning and her legs were already wobbly from running multiple errands. Jane was in a different type of bad mood today and when she asked Jane about it, she got snapped at and told her to focus on her job.

"I will change it."She replied as she walked slowly out of the office.

Mr. Robert the CEO walk into Jane's office almost immediately after Suzan left. "Jane,"He called enthusiastically as he sat himself down. "You seem a little cranky today, did daddy forget to get you the latest iPhone?"He asked sarcastically.

Jane glared at him. "As you can see Robert I am busy, don't you think it will be better if you let me finish my work early so you can get rid of me as quickly as possible?"

Mr. Robert frowned. "Jane, this company and its employees are not the cause of your problems in life, you have to watch your attitude and be careful how you treat people around here."

Jane closed her laptop and folded her fingers together. "Are you threatening me, Mr. Robert? There was no trace of fear in Jane's voice, just a slow wicked smile.

Mr. Robert stared at her not knowing if he should be scared or worried. "I might be,"He replied, gathering his courage.

Jane smirked. "Alright, Mr. Robert. But I cannot help but notice you had no problem with the way my other assistant Emilia was treated, is there something I should know?"

Mr. Robert's face was instantly covered defensively. "No Jane! There is nothing you should know. I just want you to treat our employees like humans."He replied.

Just then Suzan walked back in. She exchanged a glance with Mr. Robert before turning to Jane. "It has been corrected."She said placing the papers on the table.

"Su, Mr. Robert here is asking if you like your job, he wants to know if I am treating you 'inhumanly'.

"Umumm no, Mr. Robert, Miss Jane is treating me well, just like every other employee in this company."Suzan replied with a smile.

Mr. Robert glared at Jane hatefully. "Well then, he said standing to his feet. I will be in my office."He added and left.

"I am so sorry Ma'am I had no idea what he was talking about.

"Yeah Su, I understand."Jane mumbled getting back to work. "Get me water, will you?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Suzan came back with a bottle of water, dropped it for Jane, and excused herself.

Jane opened the water and was about to take from the water when Marcus bursted into her office shouting her name, making her spill part of the water on her clothes. "What on earth is wrong with you?!"She yelled.

Marcus ignored her and quickly collected the bottle water from her. "Have you drank from it?"he asked with urgency.

"What the hell is–"

"Answer me! Did you or did you not take from the water?"Marcus held her shoulder, his voice made her heart stop beating in fear.

"No, No! I didn't take from the water."She yelled.

Marcus let go of her shoulder and sighed in relief. "Good,"he mumbled, taking some steps backward with the bottle of water in his hand.

"Now, do you mind telling me what the hell is happening?!"Jane shrieked

"Yes Ma'am, I mind.He mumbled. He walked out of her office and came back with two bottles of water, the one Suzan brother for her and a different bottle. Here, he said handing the water to her.

"Why are you acting this way, is something wrong?"Jane's voice was tense mostly because Marcus was not giving her any information.

"No,"he muttered. "I just think you will like this other bottle of water. By the way, give this other bottle of water to Suzan, and make sure she drinks it."

"Why?"Jane asked, getting suspicious.

"Nothing, She brought the water, just make sure she drinks from it."He snapped, rubbing his forehead frustrated. Now act normal, she will soon be here. He whispered and left.