Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"Sorry to interrupt sir. But Miss Jane is awake and is requesting to see you," the court-looking servant announced, reading Marcus' mood and keeping some yards away from him.

Marcus stared at the floor in thought. "But it has been barely an hour since she slept."

"It's been an hour and a half sir. Did you sleep off as well?" The servant gave a quick chuckle but when her eyes met Marcus' solid gaze, she coughed nervously, the smile disappearing from her face.

"Alright then. You can leave. I'll go see her now."

When the maid was out of sight, he heaved a sigh and rose his tired frame. The nervousness once more returned but he shook it off and made his way confidently into the house.

"Did you pack my shoes?"

"I sent you to get a lavender-flavoured cream. What is this?"

These were some of the loud rants that made Marcus halt in his steps outside Jane's bedroom door. sensing the aura too heated to go in, he stood outside listening in and stepping outside while maids rushed in and out, bringing in or disposing of different items. He had to wait before the room went calm before strolling in, hands tucked deep in trouser pockets and head tilting to the side to avoid the pair of heels which flew past him and crashed on the closed door.

"I don't want to see anyone! Follow the maids and edit the room," Jane wailed, falling back to her bed and draping the bedspread over her.

Marcus could hear sobbing and at once realized what was making her throw the tantrum. Picking up the bruised heels, he strode over, cleared some items and sat on the bed.

"You know… it's normal to feel this way, especially when. He or she is going on a long trip." Marcus' statement was baseless but he was willing to lie just to get Jane calm. "In fact, I'm freaking out right now."

Almost immediately, Jane emerged from under the duvet. Her breathing was heavy and her face was twisted in a frown. "Really? You look calm."

"Honestly, I'm going nuts. But I have to keep calm or else what sort of professional would I be letting my emotions be exposed to my client?"

"Huh…" She scoffed, giving him an— I see that you're turning my words back on me — kind of look, and then chuckled softly.

"See, you're smiling again. That's the effect of a professional bodyguard at work. And if you ever feel your trip is in any way going to be stressful, remember you have a bodyguard to have your back."

A minute passed yet both of them were not willing to take their eyes off each other. Marcus then gave a nervous chuckle before turning his face away and so did Jane.

"Well, Mr. Professional. Would you be professional enough to do your job and pack up my bag for the trip?" Jane teased, sliding out of the bed.

Marcus' throat was constricted with words for a while when he realised Jane was still clad in just her underwear. Whether she was just teasing him or was still oblivious that she was half-clothed, he couldn't tell as she strolled towards the bathroom, packing yo the loose strands of her dishevelled hair.

"Uhm, this is not a part of my job, but if you want, I could call one of the maids to help you out. Also, you should… uh… try putting some clothes on."

Jane took a glance at her body and returned her gaze at him, unbothered.

"I'm in my room, ain't I?" She snapped rudely. Her tone switched so quickly, Marcus couldn't believe she was the same girl who had been laughing at his jokes some moments ago. "Call the maids back in. Tell them no one touches a thing till I'm done with my shower."

Marcus nodded and left. He chided himself for believing for a split second that Jane wasn't the same spoiled brat who had made the past three months a hell of a while for him. The car waiting to transport them and their pieces of luggage to the airport was waiting aside and he used that spare to secure the suitcase a spot in the trunk of the SUV.

Meanwhile, Jane sat in the comfort of the water-filled comfort of her jacuzzi with her eyes shut. Silently, she wished she was opportune to bring the jacuzzi with her as it seemed to be the only friend that seemed to understand the entirety of her problems even without her uttering a word. Also, it provided comfort and well… free space where she could just rest. She desisted from working in here or even bringing her phone in here to avoid being disturbed by calls. It was just her, water, and fresh. A peaceful haven.

Well, it was supposed to be peaceful until she heard a loud thud in the bedroom and a loud yelp that followed. Urrrgh — she groaned. Goddamn maids! Never give her peace of mind. Now her solitary time had been cut short.

Cursing silently, she rushed her bath and draped a towel before rushing out only to find the pet fish her father had gotten her for her eighteenth birthday sprawling about on the wet rug and the bowl it had been placed in laying about in pieces around it.

"Oh, my poor baby!" Cried Jane, lifting the dogfish and dipping it in a bottle of water nearby.

She was too angered at the maids and just dismissed all of them except the eldest among them, the housekeeper, Mrs. Wang, who she desired to help out with packing up her bag and a much younger maid she assigned the task of cleaning up the mess on the floor.

Jane had loads of clothes, pieces of jewellery, shoes, bags and other items she loved to get with her, but the three travel suitcases would not be enough to contain all she wanted. That was where the guidance of the housekeeper came in. After hours of shuffling through clothes and other belongings, she finally ended up filling the three suitcases with more than enough clothing.

"I hope all that would be enough," she thought aloud. Well, it turned out to be less than enough, she prayed they were exquisite boutiques that owned high-quality dresses that could fit her taste.

"I could get you more trunks if you want," Mrs. Wang replied, thinking the question was directed at her. There was this look of excitement in her eyes, something Jane never seemed to understand. It always felt unusual how Mrs. Wang always walked around zealous in making sure she kept to her strenuous task in order, and yet a smile was on her lips at all times. It was as if the work gave her delight, the opposite of how Jane felt towards her work.

"No, that would be enough, Mrs. Wang," Jane replied, calmly.

No matter how she treated the other servants of the house with disrespect, Mrs. Wang always earned her respect. Aside from the zest with which the housekeeper carried about her work, the manners and ethics she had been educated with since her young age would not let her be rude to the elderly woman.

"You know, I've been seeing you staring at that bodyguard of yours for some time now…" Mrs. Wang teased as she zipped up the last suitcase.

"Hell no, Mrs. Wang," Jane retorted, earning a chuckle from the older lady. "I don't why everyone thinks something can happen between me and Marcus. Even if he was the last man on the Earth, I wouldn't date him."

The response Jane had thought would make Mrs. Wang back, did the contrary, sparking interest in the older lady, who was the only person Jane felt comfortable discussing her issues with apart from her parents.

"Why? Is there something wrong with him?"

Jane heaved a sigh. She had thought at first that as soon as the question was shot at her, she would spontaneously begin listing defects but now all she could think was— what was wrong with Marcus?

Physically, he was fine and all. Nice physique. Captivating looks. And as much as Jane would want to deny it, an applaud worthy work ethic and lifestyle. What then did she think was bad about him?

"Uh … he… is…"

With no answer coming to mind, she gave up and hung her head in thought.

"Perhaps it was because he always… forget it." Jane dreaded to speak or even entertain the thought that tried to occupy the thought in her mind. She kept her gaze low and kept fiddling with her fingers.

"C'mon say it," Mrs. Wang pressed on.

"Fine. Ever since…" Jane shuddered. She feared that her ex-lover's name would leave a bitter taste on her tongue. "You know who. I'm not in the right frame to enter another relationship at the moment."

"Hey," Mrs. Wang called noticing the change in Jane's mood. "Whatever that silly boy did to you, you have to shake off your fear and keep your heart open."

"What is left of my heart is barely enough to hand out to another guy. He left a deep hole that I don't think anyone else can fill especially a bankrupt bodyguard."

"You don't have to shout it out. I know it's the truth, but just because you are richer than other people doesn't make you worthy of looking down on them."

Mrs. Wang's words brought her shame.

"I'm not forcing you to date him, I'm just saying they're men out there who are willing to treat you right. Just keep an open mind."

Jane nodded in acknowledgement of the advice, before rising to her feet. She rolled over her silver wristwatch, one of her numerous birthday gifts.

"We got an hour till my flight departs," Jane announced. "I should get someone to cart these suitcases to the car."

"Don't bother. I'll do it."

Before Jane could complain that pulling the heavy suitcases down would be too much stress, Mrs. Wang grabbed two of the three suitcases, pulling them behind her without a groan or a grunt. Jane raised both hands in surrender, grabbing the last trunk and rolling it out as well.

By the time Jane descended the stairs, she saw Marcus leaning on the couch talking flirtatiously with one of the maids while the poor girl stood blushing wildly. None of them seemed to have noticed her presence even with the little sound the trunk gave away as it hit the base of the stairs. This angered Jane. With one firm stomp of her leg on the floor, she successfully drew their attention, making the girl gasp and stand straight while Marcus remained unflinching where he sat.

"Is that where you're supposed to be doing— she narrowed her eyes to read the maid's name tag— Elizabeth?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Jane," the young lady, who was just a couple of years younger than Jane, replied in low tones. "Mr. Marcus was only asking me a few questions."

"I see," Jane murmured, casting a glance at Marcus. "So you've become quite the celebrity and I have in turn became the maid to be carrying the loads around…"

Hardly had the words left her mouth, had Elizabeth rushed over, grabbed the bag and rushed out. Then she turned to Marcus.

"What a nice way to show your professionalism," she spat, scoffing.

"They used to call it romance…" Marcus huffed.

"Now they call it tampering with your salary. Get yourself together. We leave in five minutes," she instructed, walking closer. "Oh and you can take your romance elsewhere. All those working in the house are out of bounds."

"But I can't help it if I love Elizabeth," Marcus whispered behind her, but she was out of sight and walking towards the closing car.

"Do you want to come along, Mrs. Wang? Berlin will be boring without you."

"No. You'll be fine without me. Besides, if I should come along, who would look after the house while you're gone?"

Jane understood. If Mrs. Wang was to step foot out of the house for that long and unfortunately things in the house got spoiled; she knew her father wouldn't take it kindly with her. Besides, it seemed like the perfect opportunity had come for the older lady. After some hugs and instructions, she and Marcus piled into the car and zoomed off.