Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Jane does not always have the privilege to talk to her mother. Not because her mother wouldn't create time if Jane wanted, but Mrs. Morrison is more of the reserved time. She would rather read the same novel over and over again than sit around talking about things she didn't deem necessary. When she does speak, she speaks, she pours out so much wisdom one wonders if she is human. So on days, Jane gets to talk to her mother, she does appreciate it.

"Mother, you called?"

"Yes my dearest, come in, sit with me."

Jane walked to her parents' oversized bed and sat beside her mother.

"How are you doing, dear one?"

"I am okay maa, work has been good."

Her mother had a soft smile on her face as she searched Jane's eyes. "You see happier,"

Jane's face reddened. Not because of her mother's comment, but because of who was responsible for making her happy. Marcus. "Thank you," she said.

"Did I tell you of the most bizarre thing I did when I was younger?" her mother asked. Her eyes had become distant, deep.

"No maa, you didn't."

"Ah! Jane, I had just finished college, and I went looking for a job. I bumped into this young man, the most handsome man ever!" She paused to check if Jane was listening, and she was.

"Your father," she stated.

"Really?" Jane's eyes became wide with curiosity. She had heard her father's version of how he met her mother but her mother hadn't found any reason to tell her version till today and she was eager to know.

"Yes!" Mrs. Morrison exclaimed. "But when he opened his mouth, he was the rudest person I have ever met.

"Really?"

"Yes, His father Davis was the founder of most of the companies your father has. He was a spoiled brat. Just like you."

Jane flushed. "Sorry maa."

"I apologised and He left. The next day I found out he was my boss. Ah! I wanted to resign immediately, Morrison made my life hell."

"Really? I never thought dad would do such a thing!" Jane mumbled a little disappointed.

"Turns out he was just jealous."

Jane laughed. "Dad never said that, he said you fell in love with him before he even began noticing you."

Mrs. Morrison laughed wholeheartedly with Jane. "He doesn't like to admit it. He was jealous of my best friend Joel, he thought he was my boyfriend." Mrs. Morrison sighed. "And then we fell in love, his father didn't approve because I wasn't from a wealthy or even healthy home."

Jane knew her mother never talks without a purpose. Her mother wouldn't tell her this story for no reason. Now she knows the reason, this was about Marcus.

"Your father would sneak into my room through my window every night."

Jane felt her heart stop beating. 'She could not possibly know could she?'

"Just like Marcus sneaks into your room every night."

Jane felt dizzy.

"Breath Jane,"

'Oh, I forgot to breathe.'

"I won't tell," her mother said.

Jane sighed in relief.

"One day, he missed a step and fell right back outside,"

Jane gasped.

"He broke his leg, boy was I scared!"

"What did you do?"

"I called Joel and together, we took him to the hospital. His father found out, he fired me and banned me from seeing his son."

Jane felt dizzy again but this time she was breathing. 'Father wouldn't possibly do that to me would he? It doesn't matter I would run away with Marcus if he does.'

"Your father found me again and together we left Germany."

'Is she reading my mind now?'

"Davis died not long after. Morrison was his only child." Mrs. Morrison concluded.

"Dear Jane,"

"Yes, mother,"

"You have no idea what you mean to your father. I mean when I gave birth to you he won't let anyone touch you." you mean more to him than anyone else, including me."

Jane didn't like this. She didn't like the way her mother made her feel now.

"I know how much you like Marcus, I see the way you look at him, you adore him, Jane, you think the world of him, and don't get me wrong I like Marcus. I feel like I will forever be indebted to him, he brought you back, he brought my baby back." Mrs. Morrison said, cupping Jane's face into her hands.

"But Jane…"

"Yes, mother?" Jane answered softly."

"Don't do anything stupid." Mrs. Morrison's voice was still maternal but deeper, corrective.

"You wouldn't want to kill your father the way he killed he's. He still lives with regret. I know your father can be stubborn, but he feels like it is the only way he can protect you. He cannot stand seeing you hurt.'' She looked deeply into Jane's eyes. "God only knows how many times he asked me if he could sue Cletus for breaking your heart," she said, removing her hands from Jane's face. "Your father would come around, just the way he did when you first fell in love with Cletus. It will be more difficult with Marcus because of… Well obvious reasons, but he would come around. Okay?"

"Okay," Jane asked in a choked voice. She had no idea why she was crying, but the tears won't stop falling. She hugged her mother and stayed that way for a long time. Marcus had told her similar things. 'Be patient Jane, let's not do stupid things, Jane, your father is only trying to protect you, you wouldn't want to hurt your father Jane.' but it only made her impatient with him. She wanted to board the next plane to somewhere in North America and start a new life, but that was just her selfish self. She had thought of what it would do to her parents, and what about Mrs. Rebecca and Emily, would Marcus just leave his family here, of course not! 'Oh Jane, how could you have been so blind?'

After her long meeting with her mother, she went to her room to sleep. She felt too tired. She remembered the most amazing time she had with Marcus in her office 2 weeks ago. Marcus hadn't been in her room at night again ever since. "to avoid what I can not afford," he says.

* * *

Jane opened her eyes slowly, at first she couldn't make out the figure that was laying beside her looking at her in-depth.

"Hi,"

Jane finally felt better. "Hi," she said smiling.

"How are you? You are burning up Jane." He said with a disapproving look.

"It's nothing." She mumbled and attempted to sit up. She groaned. "My head hurts," she complained.

Marcus lay her back down. "Just stay down Jane. Do you need anything, what should I get you?" he said standing up ready to exit the room at her command.

"Nothing, just you," she mumbled and groaned again.

Marcus sighed and came back to sit beside her. He placed her head on his lap and stroked her hair slowly.

"Why are you here?" Jane asked after a few minutes of silence.

Marcus moaned. "I couldn't take another night without seeing you."

"I thought you saw me at work?" she teased in her flimsy voice. "Isn't that what you tell me?"

"I am sorry Jane, I just didn't want to get you in trouble."

"Yes, I know."

"Are you sure you do not need anything?"

"No," Jane whispered.

Mrs. Wang barged in. She locked the door behind her and walked to Marcus. "How did you get here?" she whispered in a loud tune.

"That is not the point," Marcus whispered back, marching her tone. "Jane is burning up, I think she needs some medications."

Mrs. Wang's eyes turned soft as she looked at Jane. "My poor baby, what happened to you?"

"Marcus, Marcus, Mrs. Wang is coming, hide Marcus, hide," Jane mumbled.

"It's okay my love, she is on our side," Marcus assured her.

"I think it's a high fever." he said to Mrs. Wang "Can you do something about that?"

The older maid nodded. "Shall I tell her parents she would not be able to attend the celebration tomorrow?"

"No! I will go!" Jane said in her loudest voice but from the look on Marcus' and Mrs. Wang's face, they didn't hear her. She tried again. "No."

"But my Love, you don't feel well," Marcus said.

"I will be fine tomorrow."

"Okay ma'am whatever you say." Marcus then made Mrs. Wang bent down and whispered to her to tell Jane's parents about Jane's health. Mrs. Wang was about to walk out the door when Jane called her. "Don't do it, Mrs. Wang, my father had been looking forward to this day, don't spoil it because of me please, I do not want to worry my parents."

"But Jane—"

"It's okay Marcus, Mrs. Wang would bring me medications and I will tell them right after the celebration tomorrow."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Marcus sighed in defeat. "Mrs. Wang, what do you think?"

"I think the Heiress has a point." Mrs. Wang muttered.

"Fine," Marcus murmured.