“Mr. Donnelly, is it true that your latest series is based on your secret crush?” asked a reporter as Marcus led Cara away from the crazy crowd. The bodyguards jostled to protect them from the crowd that had gathered around them all of a sudden. With both his arms around her, Marcus guided a panic-stricken Cara towards the entrance of the gallery. It was all a new experience for her and it felt like a nightmare already.
“No comments. I’ll disclose the details at the inauguration. Thank you,” said Marcus curtly.
“Only one question, please. Who is this lady, Mr. Donnelly? Is she your inspiration?” asked another reporter. Thankfully they entered the gallery and Marcus stormed inside, seething with anger. A few people rushed forward to greet him apologizing for what happened outside.
“How did the reporters get to know about the art series, Mr. Warnock? I thought I had specifically asked you to keep it away from the media,” said Marcus angrily, still holding on to Cara’s hand. The man looked clueless and worried.
“I have no idea, sir. I have given out clear instructions to my team not to disclose anything. I think I’ll call an urgent meeting before this goes too far,” said Mr. Warnock, glancing at Cara with curiosity.
“Yes, do that. And Mr. Warnock, I want you to meet Cara Rose Sullivan. Please accommodate her in some way, anything she is comfortable doing,” said Marcus, making the man’s mouth hang open.
“Sure, sir. Hello Cara, I’m Jon Warnock, Director of this gallery. I’ll try to accommodate you somewhere,” said the man, walking away with Cara following him out. Marcus sighed and walked towards his office room and summoned his Art Advisor and curator to discuss the exhibition in detail.
“Are you an art student?” asked Mr. Warnock as he walked over to a huge room where many employees were working on unpacking the paintings one by one. Some were busy cleaning the galleries. Cara shook her head, her eyes widening at all the work going on around her.
“No, sir,” she said. Mr. Warnock grunted with frustration.
“Then what work can I possibly give you?” he said. “You can update the inventory software. That’s the only work I can give you right now.” Cara nodded realizing that it was a sort of data entry work he was assigning her. It was boring and strenuous but she might as well get on with it. Mr. Warnock led her to the back office where he introduced her to a guy, Thomas Murphy.
“Thomas is in charge of our inventory management system and will guide you,” said Mr. Warnock. After he left, the whole day, Cara sat updating the software, feeding in data that Thomas gave her. Marcus didn’t once emerge from his office to take an update on her and she didn’t bother him at all. During lunchtime, Marcus was busy at a press conference so she bought some sandwiches for herself from the cafeteria and went to her desk to eat them.
It was almost evening when there was a huge commotion outside. The sound of footsteps made her peer out of one of the windows. She froze immediately and turned around to hide, as there stood Marcus’s mom accompanied by a beautiful young woman of Marcus’s age. Who could she be? Cara’s face paled considerably and at that point, she just wanted to disappear somewhere and hide. They were escorted to Marcus’s room and immediately loud arguments echoed in the air.
“That’s Mr. Donnelly’s mom and his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Thornton,” informed her co-worker who had been sitting at a table at the far end. Cara’s mouth hung open and words refused to come out. What was Cassie doing here? Was she trying to get back with Marcus? However, her questions were soon answered by the gossiping staff around her.
“Sir has bounced back with his latest collection that’s why she’s back in his life,” said another.
“He was broken after she left. I’m sure they’ll patch up and get married soon,” said another.
“His parents wanted this relationship. She is his mom’s favorite. They still go to parties together,” another one added.
“I hate that bit*h,” said another. Cara felt her heart constrict with pain listening to their non-stop banter. She had to get away. Getting up she rushed towards the washroom to hide when Mr. Warnock saw her.
“Sullivan, right? Can you make coffee? Our pantry staff has left for the day,” he asked impatiently.
“Yes, sir. Do you need a cup?” she offered although her body was aching all over from sitting in front of the computer the whole day.
“Can you make around 5-6 cups? Just tell me when you’re done,” he said, disappearing into his office. Cara walked dejectedly to the pantry and started the coffee maker. She was upset with Marcus for forgetting about her the whole day. He hadn’t even felt the need to check once what she was up to. Maybe he didn’t care much about her. She was just a se* doll for him after all. Now that the love of his life was back, he would forget her soon. She wondered what they were arguing about. A strange sense of dread swept over her and she wanted to escape it somehow.
She placed the steaming mugs of coffee on a tray and walked over to Mr. Warnock’s room. “Ah, done at last. Come with me. Mr. Donnelly has some important guests and he has asked for coffee around twenty minutes back,” said Mr. Warnock, looking relieved as he led her towards Marcus’s office.
“I’m sorry sir. I can’t go in there. Please can you ask someone else?” she requested him. Mr. Warnock looked displeased and glared at her.
“Everyone here is busy multitasking with the exhibition coming up,” he pointed out. “You can’t complain when I’m trying my best to accommodate you,” he said angrily. Cara sighed and walked towards Marcus’s room with dread. Mr. Warnock knocked softly and entered when he gave them permission to enter.
“Coffee, sir,” he announced cheerfully, gesturing towards Cara to come inside and serve everyone. Marcus glanced up seeing Cara entering with a tray full of coffee, her face flushed with embarrassment. His teeth clenched and he stood up, walking towards her and taking the tray from her hands. Mr. Warnock sensed his displeasure and left the room immediately.
“What a pleasant surprise!” laughed his mom, seeing Cara before Marcus could utter a single word. He was seething at Mr. Warnock for forcing her to do such work. He was busy the whole day with his Communications Director as news of all his latest art series had leaked out and the media had already printed a few, creating a sensation. It made Cassie want to get back with him, seeing the sudden fame he was receiving.
“Why don’t you bring her to dinner, Mark? Maria could do with a little help,” said his mom. Marcus glared at his mom.
“I’m sure you can hire help, mom,” he corrected her. Cassie clapped her hands with a fake smile plastered on her face.
“Aunt Claudia, Marky, and I need to catch up. Can I come along with him later?” pouted Cassie, drawing Cara’s attention to her. She was extremely beautiful, with pale golden hair and twinkling blue eyes, and a perfectly made-up face. Everything was perfect about Cassie and she was nowhere near in comparison. Marcus placed the tray of coffee on his table and turned to Cara to speak to her.
“Sure, dear. That would be a great idea,” said his mom, giving a victorious glance at Cara’s pale face. Marcus was immediately on high alert.
“I shall be busy here. I don’t think it’s a good idea to linger here. I don’t have time to talk till the exhibition is over,” said Marcus, swirling his coffee broodingly.
Cara sighed and was about to leave when Marcus’s mom stopped her. “Cara, I have a shortage of help tonight. I want you to come over after you’re done here.”
“No, mom. I thought that I made it clear that she wouldn’t help. You can hire help if you want to. If you still insist, I’ll bring her as a guest,” said Marcus. Cassie glared at her with disgust. Why was Marcus standing up for the pantry staff?
“What’s wrong with you Marky? Are you standing up for the pantry staff?” she asked, looking confused. Cara didn’t wait to hear more. She just rushed out of the room towards the washroom.
“Cara isn’t a pantry staff. Mind your tongue, Cassie,” said Marcus, gritting his teeth. Marcus’s mom tried to ease the atmosphere.
“Don’t fight unnecessarily. I’m sure Mark is overreacting due to stress. You can just bring Cara along with you for dinner. C’mon Cassie, we need to go to the shopping mall, remember?” said his mom.
“Please aunt Claudia,” whined Cassie, making Marcus scowl at them with disgust.
“I’m going through some problems here, mom. It wouldn’t be wise to disturb me right now,” said Marcus angrily but no one listened to his protests.
“I shall be extremely quiet, Marky. I’ll just wait here till you finish. We’ll go to your house for dinner together,” said Cassie making his mom chuckle and get up to leave.
“See you both in an hour then,” she said with a chuckle, before leaving, satisfied that Cassie was back in his life. Now there was only one mission left for her to do. That was to throw the daughter of a thief out of her son’s life forever.