CHAPTER THREE

"Goodbye mum," Marcus screamed from the car as he and Emily zoomed off, one to school and the other to his newly found job. 

He was so determined to show off his professionalism so here he was thirty minutes earlier than usual waiting for the remote-controlled gate to gain him access to the building. This wasn't even the second time he was there, yet the view didn't get old in his memory. 

As he alighted his truck, a chalet directed him to the security room where the team suited him up and linked him to their radio communications. 

She finally came out clad in a formal blue lady suit. He thought she would call in sick and unable to make it, but she was balancing on her heels with poise as the clothes clung onto her curves, throwing his hormones into a chaotic tantrum. 

"Good morning Miss" 

"It's ma'am to you, and get in," she corrected as they boarded the bulletproof SUV ride. 

"Damn! She just had to start on a bad foot," he thought as they zoomed off with another vehicle trailing behind them. 

****

The whole place welcomed Jane back as the news of her escape had already spread around town. Thankfully, Marcus wasn't all up in her face today. He knew when and how to keep watch. He, however, basically charmed every female employee that dared strike up a conversation with him. That wasn't much of a concern for her as long as he was doing his job. What was rather of major concern was these three men that sat in her office.

"Miss Jane, account for the fluctuation of the number that was discovered in one of the accounts you are handling," the chairman of the panel began. 

"Doing that will be out of my league as it states in this report filed two months ago, that the account was handed over to one Brad Holmes. So I'd suggest you summon him too and we can proceed from there," I said presenting the file. 

"Mr. Holmes, you didn't show us this particular report earlier,  why?" he immediately questioned as Brad was called in. 

"I think there is a misunderstanding. I wasn't aware of the existence of such a report..." 

"Mr. Brad, Harry Constructions have been a longstanding client of this prolific firm, such negligible acts tend to tarnish our image. It states in this report that three million euros were embezzled from this account during the period it was under your supervision. I need you to appear before an official panel tomorrow in the conference room," the man said as he left with his convoy. 

Before she knew it, Brad was lunging his fist with full force at her face, only to be stopped halfway by Marcus who dragged him outside as he cursed incorrigibly at her. The firm was about to get swept off by unscrupulous assholes like Brad, whom she was sure of.

"You don't thank me enough," Marcus bragged as he walked in adjusting his suit. 

"But I do pay you enough. By the hell, how were you that fast?" 

"I was busy swaying your sexy assistant off her feet when I sensed trouble, I think I even got a date," he said flirting. 

"You are supposed to be focused on the job and not go around disturbing my employees," she said, already feeling slightly jealous. 

"Fine, I'll be around," he coldly said and left. 

…

During the past two uneventful weeks, she never for once branched the club, so she decided today, I was going to revive her old habits and have some fun with Sophia, her best friend being her sideman. 

"Marcus I'm ready, let's go," she shouted at the bodyguard whose lustful eyes swarmed her body, wanting to rip off her dress. 

"Uh...Uh... okay," he stammered as he wedged the limousine door for her and Sophia to enter. 

It would surely take everything for Marcus not to grab her and make love mercilessly to her. Her mini gown bared her thighs and clutched loosely at her breasts. His groin man was certainly growing a promiscuous mind of its own. 

Blocking the paparazzi, he cleared the way as they made their way inside the club and finally to the VIP. Stationing two men on watch, he took the couch opposite her and occupied it. 

****

Rich people! Everything was always about expensive drinks, women, and outfits. No sooner had Jane begun doing shots had three wealthy young men joined their table. Marcus ended up escorting two out as they were starting to get too touchy. The last one persevered but when Jane wasn't falling for any of his moves, he left with a willing Sophia. The night was still young and other fishes were available to waste time on one, he thought. 

Marcus was busy nodding to the beat when someone sluttishly dropped on his lap, Jane. Wiggling her hips drunkenly, she locked her lips with him before he could protest. He was absorbed in his environs that he didn't notice his drunken mistress slip and fall into his lap. 

His whole frame was numb as she slowly circled his neck with her arms. She dug her hands into his hair while teasingly sucking at his lower lips. The alcohol stench was thick but her cologne was heavier. The dimly lit corner concealed them. He tried pushing her away but damming the consequences, he reached for and grabbed her waist leaving kiss trails up her neck and jawline. Settling at her lips, he reciprocated by sucking, smooching, and softly nibbling on her succulent pink jelly lips, while his hand rummaged her back and when he was just about to explore the crevices of her mouth fully, she pulled away and threw up on him ruining his shirt. He immediately took her to the bathroom and with the help of Sophia, cleaned her up likewise himself. That was their cue to leave as heads were starting to turn in their direction. 

The next morning came and he still couldn't get over the kiss as he rolled his car into the usual spot. It read passion, and romance, one shared exquisitely by two teenage lovers. He was pretty sure he had felt something, not only the growing bulge in his trousers but a feeling that was long dead in him was awoken last night. 

"Good morning ma'am." No response. Again. No response. 

"You know for someone who came onto me like a stripper, you seem very calm," he blurted out vexed once their car was on the road. 

"Don't you dare put this on me. You knew I was drunk and you still took advantage of me, you pervert," she spat to his face. 

"Me? Pervert? Okay. I see what's going on here. You're too damn self-absorbed to even listen to anyone. You think you are in control. Back there, you were unknowingly craving attention, but you now see it as me taking advantage of you. No wonder your fiance left you." 

Those words slipped out of him before he could realize their effect. She was so shattered that she faced the tinted window as a single tear trickled down her cheek. Instinctively he wrapped his engulfing arms around her waist and pulled her into an embrace, to which she finally succumbed after struggling and resisting. 

"I'm sorry. I'm here for you," he whispered in genuine affection. He just wanted to hug her fragile arms like this forever, but she broke away and an awkward silence prevailed for the rest of the car ride. 

****

The hangover that Jane experienced that morning left a migraine stuck in her head. When Sophia had narrated last night's ordeal to her, her cheeks had flushed bright red in embarrassment. It was still a little blurry but she could still remember the body-shuddering kiss they shared. She couldn't help but fear how she would face him again that morning, so I chose to snub him instead and act as if nothing transpired between them. 

She thought it was just another kiss to him but now she knew it meant more. As she tugged on his shirt, soaking his collar with her tears, she didn't know what hurt more, the migraine or the honesty in his words. The mention of her ex-fiance had struck a chord in her. 

"Miss Jane the director is waiting for you in the conference room," her assistant brought to her notice. "What is it this time?" she muttered to herself as she had barely settled down. 

"Good morning Miss Jane. Please take a seat," the director said as soon as she walked in. 

"Morning sir. How can I be of help?" 

"I suppose you are familiar with the ongoing discrepancies at our Berlin branch, right?" 

"Yes. I read it in the monthly bulletin."

"Well, we have noticed that so far, you have done a great job in fishing out greedy and inconsistent employees so we have decided to solicit that you visit that branch and see what can be done." 

"Okay. But I need to be accompanied by both my assistant and my bodyguard," she responded after going over it in her head for a few seconds. 

"That is not a problem. We have an arranged flight for you booked for the day after tomorrow. All the details of your journey are in this file. I hope you can make the necessary amends," he said as he passed the file to her." 

"Okay, Sir. I will take my leave now." 

"And Jane, take the day off today and tomorrow and rest because the next few weeks will be hectic" 

She mumbled a "thank you, sir," and left to inform the others. 

****

Marcus on returning home early from work met his mom buried in resolving some paperwork and his sister engrossed in her homework. 

"Mom I'm going on a business trip with Jane," he announced as soon as he was done feasting on his already cold lunch. 

"To where?" his mom screamed when he explained the details of the trip. 

"Calm down mum. It's just for a month," he tried to relieve her from worrying. 

"How can I calm down when you're going to spend a whole month with a rude mistress? Who's going to look after you?" she snapped.

"I can take care of myself, mum. No need to worry. Here is a 30,000 Euros check for you and Emily till I am back." 

Her countenance changed as she took the check from him smiling. Patting his shoulder dramatically, she whispered, "You better go and begin packing before I change my mind." 

He still had time to pack as Jane had taken the day off on Thursday giving him a free Friday to spend quality time with his family. So he took his mom and sister out for dinner and upon their return in the evening, he headed over to the mansion accompanied by his travel backpack and his mother's prayers.