Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Cletus swings his chair in his father’s office. He had his father go through the information his investigator got him. He went through it a few hours ago but he didn’t think he could get Jane back on his own, he needed help. From the beginning, he knew he didn’t trust that Marcus guy. He didn’t like the way Jane looked at him, it felt like he was more than the bodyguard she claimed he was so had someone spy on them and always, and he was right. He reread the texts between Jane and Marcus for the 4th time and grimaced. He felt betrayed.

“Jane cannot possibly be serious,” He said to his father.

“She might be playing him; I do not see what she could possibly see in him. That Jane girl is weird.” His father answered.

“Jane can be so naïve, the Marcus guy just wants her money from her, just the way I and any other guy want. Only I would marry her and buy her pretty dresses in return, what could that pathetic bloody servant give her.”

Rodriguez Diaz snickered. “Morrison’s daughter is stubborn, just like her father, she wouldn’t be the princess you knew, her father wouldn’t even let her be if she wanted to, we would have to take her by force.”

Cletus stared at his father through narrowed eyes setting his chair into motion again. “Are you saying what I think you are saying?” he asked.

Rodriguez Diaz smiled crookedly revealing his gold teeth. “I do not know son, how bad do you want that lass Jane?”

Cletus smiled in understanding. “Very bad dad, extremely bad,”

Marcus left earlier than he usually does but Jane didn’t mind. She was grateful that for once he broke his own rule without her having to force him to. Mrs. Wang had given her some medicines and she felt a little better. She stood up to go to the bathroom and Mrs. Wang was in her room again.

“Are you watching me or something?” She asked weakly.

Mrs. Wang smiled. “No, I just came to check if you are awake and you are. How do you feel?”

Jane wore her slippers and walked slowly to the bathroom door. “When did Marcus leave?”

“Immediately you slept.”

Jane nodded and went into the bathroom.

“Your father came in to check on you,” Mrs. Wang stated after she lay down back on the bed.

“Did he know?” Jane asked alarmed.

Mrs. Wang shook her head. He was on a call about preparations for the coming celebration he didn’t notice.”

“Oh,” Jane mumbled in relief.

“Do you feel well enough to talk?” Mrs. Wang asked sitting on the bed beside Jane.

“Yeah, I think so, is anything wrong?”

“I do not think so. I just want to know how long Marcus has been sneaking into your room.”

Jane’s expression turned hard. “A while.”

“Trust me,” Mrs. Wang pleaded, her soft voice overwhelming. “I would never tell on you.”

Jane sighed.

“How long?” She asked, intense.

“Since the beginning,” Jane said wryly.

“The beginning…” Mrs. Wang mused, dubious.

“Yes, after we came back from Berlin.”

“I do not think your father would approve of you having a man in your room at night.” Mrs. Wang asked in an offhand tone.

“He doesn’t want me with Marcus in broad daylight too.” Jane snapped.

Mrs. Wang stared at her offended. Jane sighed. “I am sorry,” She breathed. “It’s just that I do not know why my father is being difficult.” She sighed again.

Mrs. Wang’s eyes were not offended again, they were kind, maternal.

“I understand how you feel.” She said holding Jane’s hand.

“You know your father would want you to abstain from…” She trailed off.

“No, we don’t” Marcus’ is too rigid with all his laws.”

“Really you haven’t?” Mrs. Wang asked surprised.

“Well…”

Mrs. Wang’s face fell a little.

“It was just once in the office and it was all my fault,” Jane said not daring to look Mrs. Wang in her eyes.

“Jane...” She moaned the name slowly. “Why would you do that?”

Jane shrugged. “I just wanted to. I really do like Marcus.” She looked at Mrs. Jane sadly.

“Why do I feel like he was your first.”

Jane shrugged to cover the red that covered her face.

“Did you tell him?”

Jane shook her head. “He figured,” she mumbled. “He has been avoiding me since then, to avoid what he cannot afford.” She snickered. “Until today.”

“Who else knows?” Mrs. Wang asked curiously.

“Mother,” Jane replied biting her lower lips.

Mrs. Wang nodded. “I am glad your mother knows,”

“Yeah, me too,” Jane muttered.

“Get some rest then, will you,”

Jane smiled. “Thank you,u Mrs. Wang—for caring for me.”

“I would do it even if I was not paid. Now rest.”

Marcus was paranoid when he found the same black van across the road with two huge men staring at him, he tried approaching them but like last time, they fled. He decided he was going to have to do something about that. He walked into the house and almost walked back out thinking it was the wrong house.

“Hi brother, how was your day?” Emily greeted in an angelic voice he had only heard her use of Cole.

He looked past her. “Mother?” He called.

“Yes Marcus, you are back early.”

“Mother, I think Emily hit her head.” He called back.

“What do you mean?” Mrs. Rebecca asked coming popping her head through the kitchen door.

“She is being nice to me.”

Emily laughed too hard Marcus start to believe she really hit her head.

“Well, I guess Santa Claus finally granted your Christmas wish.” Mrs. Rebecca said sarcastically.

Marcus rolled his eyes.

“I can’t believe you wished for that brother,” Emily said, pouting.

“Emily I do not have money, I cannot gift you my car, and I would not buy you any tickets, so you can forget it.”

“Well good for you I do not any of that.” Emily snapped.

“Thank goodness, I was starting to think the neighbors forgot their daughter here,” Marcus mumbled slouching into the furthest couch from where Emily stood. Emily danced to where he sat and stood in front of him.

“Marcus my dearest brother, I promise to do your laundry for a month.”

“Deal!” Marcus said impulsively. He grunted in regret immediately after he said so. “What is the catch?” he asked.

Emily was grinning wickedly. “Before I state my catch, I want you to know you cannot back out on this deal, If you think you cannot do it, you would have to do my laundry for a month.”

“I made a deal with the devil, what was I thinking?”Marcus whispered loudly.

“So, I will do your laundry for a month if… I can do with you to the Morrisons’ anniversary.”

“No,”

“You didn’t think about it,” Emily grumbled.

“There is nothing to think about.” Marcus insisted.

“Fine,” Emily snapped and stamped into her room her hair bouncing behind her.

Marcus ate his dinner in the kitchen with his mother. He discussed his day with his mother who listened eagerly. “Remind me to make soup for Jane tomorrow okay?” Mrs. Rebecca begged.

“No mother, it won’t be necessary, I will make it just the way you thought me and it will be in your name.”

Mrs. Rebecca smiled. “What have I done to deserve a son like you?”

“Mom, you do deserve me.” He said with his crooked grin. “I do think Emily is a punishment for a mistake you made in your past life.” He mumbled.

Mrs. Rebecca used her fork to hit his head. “You and your sister never cease to fight over minor things.”

“She stole my right Mom, I was supposed to be the only child. Why did she have to spoil that?”

Mrs. Rebecca rolled her eyes.

After having dinner, he went to his room. Emily had dumped all her dirty laundry on his doorway. He sighed and pushed them aside. “Imma still wishes for a nice sister next Christmas,” he muttered.

He woke up panting.

“Well I think is my life now,” He mumbled stuffing his blanket to the side, his sense of déjà vu strong. It was a Saturday, so Emily wouldn’t be going to school, he wouldn’t need to go to work till it was time for the celebration, but he needed to see Jane.

When he was ready to go, he found Emily in the car.

“Where do you think you are going?”

“Since you wouldn’t let me go to the anniversary celebration, I figured I would spend my time with some friends doing homework and then go to Cole’s.”

“Good for you,” Marcus mumbled taking the passenger seat.

“Hey, sorry about Jane, tell her I said hi,” Emily said after driving in silence for a while.

“Thank you, Mom told you?”

“Yeah, she did.”

Marcus sighed, leaning into the seat. “She is keeping it secret until after the celebration.”

Emily glanced at him worried. “Don’t you think her parent should know?”

“I think so, but she doesn’t, she wants the celebration to take place without her.” He sighed again.

“I think her parents will find out,” Emily muttered.

“She has Mrs. Wang to take care of that.”

“I hope it goes well,” She sighed. “Don’t forget to tell her I said hi okay?” Emily urged parking outside the Morrison’s gate.

“Okay?” He mumbled. “Try not to do anything stupid with Cole.” Marcus teased trying to lighten the mood.

Emily smirked. “I will try.”