Chapter 24

Chapter 24
Markus and I were eating lunch in silence at a seafood restaurant. We were still here on the beach. I had fallen asleep earlier, so when I woke up I felt a little better.

Markus' face was serious as we ate. He didn't say anything. I glanced at the other table where Mr. Ares was. I saw a bruise on his right jawline. Did Markus do that to Mr. Ares? If so, I suddenly felt guilty. I was the one who was to blame for why that happened to Mr. Ares.

I'll try to apologize to Mr. Ares when Markus loses his attention to me. I'll talk to him secretly.

As I tried to glance at Mr. Ares again, he saw me looking at him. He smiled at me. Maybe he read the regret in my eyes for what had happened to him. He nodded as an assurance that he was okay. He gave a thumbs up and continued eating.

I felt even more guilty. Why am I so stubborn?

"Eat properly, Celestine, don't look everywhere," Markus said when he noticed me looking behind his back.

I looked at him. Our eyes met. His face was still serious. I couldn't read what he was thinking right now. Is he still angry? Or are we okay? Which of the two is the answer?

"Why? You're not touching your food. You've only eaten a little bit," he commented.

I didn't say anything. Should I ask him if he did that to Mr. Ares that's why he has a bruise?

"Celestine. Focus on your food", he called me. Threatening.

"Yes. I'll eat now" I replied resignedly. I looked at my plate. It was still full of mixed seafood.

If it were another time, I might have eaten a lot. But now I don't feel like eating. I feel like I still have a hangover. I really curse alcohol!

"Do you not like food so you don't touch what's on your plate?"

"I don't feel like eating," I admitted.

I leaned back in my chair. I crossed my arms. I looked bothered.

"What's the problem?" Markus asked when he noticed my expression.

"Did you do something to Mr. Ares that's why he has a bruise?" There! I finally said it!

"Why? Are you concerned about him?"

Does he admit that he did it? He didn't answer my question.

From the tone of his words, it seemed like I couldn't answer in a way that didn't suit his likeness. If I give the wrong answer, Mr. Ares would definitely get bruised again. Poor him.

"Not that I'm concerned, but you shouldn't have done that to him because it was my fault, Markus. I was the one who insisted on drinking alcohol, not him."

"Why are you defending him? Do you like him?"

I sighed. He really has no hope of changing. He's so possessive. He's practically fencing me off so I can't get away from him.

"I'm asking you"

"I don't like him. Why are you like that? I'm already with you. I'm yours, do you think I'll go with another man?" I said.

"It's good that you know that. I thought I needed to turn you upside down just to stick that on your mind," he said.

He continued eating. Even though I didn't have an appetite, I still tried to eat. It would be a waste of what he ordered if I couldn't taste the seafood.

"How long do you plan to stay here at the beach, so I can arrange my schedule and join you on your outing," Markus asked me after a long silence.

"I don't know how long I'll be here. If I go back to your villa, I won't have anything to do there either." The boredom in my situation was obvious in my voice.

"You can go to the library and read there. Or go to the garden and look at the flowers. Then head to the mall when you feel bored," he suggested.

His suggestions to me were all boring. What does he think of me, the rich kid? I'm not used to that kind of routine.

"I don't want to. I want to work. I want to go back to the company. That's what I'm used to."

"You don't have to work. I can give you a good life. Now that I'm here, I'll take care of you. "

"It's not about money or anything. I want to work. I get bored when I'm at the villa. I don't do anything there and, besides, I can't rest, especially when your wife is there and all the people living there are vampires," I said, frustrated.

"If that's your only problem. I'll get rid of them outside the house." His eyes didn't blink when he said that. He was really serious that he would do it if I agreed.

"Don't you understand? I want to work"

He sighed. He must be losing patience with me. He doesn't understand what I want to happen. I can't just be locked up in his villa forever and wait there for him to come home from work.

"Okay, but you'll work in my office"

"Put me back in my old department. I don't want my coworkers to think you're biased towards your employees and that you give me special treatment."

"Isn't that true? You're special to me. And you know you're in danger. We still haven't caught Joaquin."

"At least can you grant me this? If you're worried, you can have your men guard me," I said sadly. I pulled out my last card to make him agree. I notice that when I use this tone of begging, he gives in to me. No matter how strict he is.

"Okay then. I agree. Just finish what's on your plate, so I don't have to worry."

My eyes widened at his answer. He agreed immediately! My guess was right. The last card was effective. I wasn't wrong.

"What? You look shocked. You don't want me to agree?" he said snobbishly.

I laughed.

"Of course not! I'm so happy! I just can't believe you agreed so quickly, Markus!" I said happily. I almost stood up and jumped for joy. If only no one could see me, I might have done that.

He tsked. A hidden smile on his lips.

"You know I can't resist you, Celestine" he said.

"In that case, I'll start going to work tomorrow. Let's go home now!" I said excitedly.

"Yeah. If that's what you want. Go, finish your food."

"Thank you, Markus" I said with a smile. My tricks were effective. He was weak when it came to me.

"If you're really thankful, why don't you just kiss me? A kiss is also a good payment when you want to thank someone."

I rolled my eyes.

"You're really addicted to kissing" I commented.

"Yeah, especially from you. Here, give this poor man a kiss." He pointed his lips.

He looked like a poor puppy begging his master to give him a kiss. I laughed. The word cute is not enough to describe him.

"Don't laugh at me, I'm serious"

I shook my head. He had this side of personality. He closed his eyes to emphasize his desire for me to kiss him on the lips.

"I am waiting, Celestine"

I stood up to give him a kiss. He didn't notice what I did. I went over to him and kissed him quickly. It was just a peck. Just a quick one. I ran away, ashamed of what I had done.

"H-hey! Why are you running?! You didn't finish your food!" He was surprised by what I did. He didn't react right away.

"I'm going to pack my things!" I shouted. Waving at him.

"You're being unfair! Get back here! I didn't even feel your kiss!" he shouted back.

"A kiss is still a kiss. I'm paid! Bye!"

"It didn't even touch my lips!"

I ignored him. I left the restaurant. I saw Mr. Ares shook his head while grinning at the two of us. Probably laughing at what I did to his rude boss.

I'm going straight to my suite. Fina6! I can get back to work. Once I'm settled in the company, I want to talk to Markus again about moving back to my old apartment. I really can't live in his villa full of vampires. Especially with Sabrina there.

I turned to look at the end of the hallway when I noticed someone following me. When he saw me looking at him, he immediately left.

He was wearing black sunglasses, a cap, and a jacket. He didn't look like he was on vacation here. I couldn't see his face because he was also wearing a face mask. But based on his body build, he's a man. I'm sure of that.

I'm nervous. Was that person really following me? Or was I just mistaken? That I had the wrong suspicion?

I need to be careful, like Markus told me. There are vampires who want to get me.