EPISODE FIFTY NINE.
“I told you to stop drinking, Amanda.”The guy warns her in such a soft tone that makes me wonder if he’s scolding her or complimenting her.
“I’m sorry, Luca. I promise not to do that again.”She mumbles in a slightly drunk tone and feathered kisses all over his face again.
He broke into a chuckle and smiled at her.”I will make you a hangover drink.”
“I love you.”The beautiful woman in his arms said in a pouted tone and let Marcus lead her to the table.
The other one was already down to eating, without waiting for anyone.
“Hi, I’m Daniel.”A white headed guy said beside me as I took my seat on the dinning.
“I’m Lana, the cook. Nice meeting you.”I smiled softly.
“You cook so well, it’s delicious. I must say.”
The cheeks heat up a bit at the compliment.”Thank you.”
“You do this as a full job? I don’t mind hiring you permanently for my wife and kids. They would definitely love that.”He chuckled.
Oh- he’s married? Not that he was flirting with me but him talking about his marital status is quite surprising.
“Huh.. I’m married, and my family lives in Chicago, I go there during the weekends.”He said sweetly after noticing the expression on my face.
God. He looks so innocent, how did he not get the cue that I was surprised that he’s married?
“That’s nice.”I nodded.
Marcus was busy tending to Amanda to take her drink while her supposed boyfriend went to make a call.
Is this how they live here? They look like a big family but with no blood ties.
It amazes me.
Very soon, everybody was done eating their food, I packed and cleaned up the place and by the time I’m done, it’s already close to midnight.
Sighing, I picked up my bag and walk out of the room just to see Marcus leaning on the door to the kitchen smiling at me.
“You’ve been here since?”I blurted in surprise, almost annoyed that he’s been watching me working and didn’t give me a hand.
“I don’t know, I lost track of time.”He shrugged, grinning.
“Oh, well. Good for you.”I huffed and tried to leave but he stopped me.
“Are you pissed off that I was here staring at you or because I didn’t help you out with…”
“None of the above, Marcus.”I said his name with emphasis which made his jaw twitched.
“I will take you home.”He offered, getting out of my way.
I didn’t rebuff his help, because there’s no way I’m getting out of this eerie street without his help.
He took one of the many cars in the compound and I hopped in it quickly.
“Thank you.”I mumble as he drives out of the compound.
“Tell me about yourself.”He blurted, ignoring whatever the ‘thank you’ I said means to him.
“I’m a medical student, and my family lives in Utah.” He didn’t say anything but nodded. After a while, he turned to me sharply and stared at me with a funny expression on his face.
“That’s all?”Marcus scoffed, staring at me in amusement.
“Yes, What more do you want to hear from me?”I shrugged.
“I don’t know. But it’s cool.”
“What about you? Is there anything you can say about yourself?”
“I live for food, and I work for someone, and it’s not a white collar job but it’s a cute one.”He chuckled. I wonder if it is the weird introduction he gave about himself that made him laugh or the fact that he referred to his Job which involves dealing with guns a cool one.
“Guns aren’t cute, Marcus.”I shook my head, trying not to laugh.
“They are to me, they fascinate me.”
“I’m weird?”
“Never mind.”I shook my head, chuckling.
Soon enough, we got to my apartment. The lights were still on which means that Hazel is yet to sleep.
Gosh, her sleeping pattern these days is so weird and alarming.
“Thanks for today, Lana. I’m sorry I made you overwork your time, And I want to make it up to you.”Marcus said softly and dropped a fat envelope of money on my laps.
I stared down at it in surprise. He’s paying me this much?
“Thank you.”I mumbled, not knowing what to say.
He nodded in response and I walked out of the car. I watched him leave and smiled. Maybe a part-time job isn’t as bad as I thought.
“Guess who got a ride home with a whole lot of smile on her face.”Hazel jokes the moment I walk into the room.
I grinned.”Trust me, it’s so much more wholesome than that. He’s the best employer. Except the freaks that live with him.”Her face crumpled a bit and she rose from the bed where she was lying.
“Freaks?”
“They deal with guns, and they are really crazy. But he’s much more normal.”
“What?”Hazel scoffed and stared at me in disbelief.
“I don’t know, Hazel. But he pays me so well.”
“What if they’re dangerous?”
“Then, I guess I have to live with that. My desire for money supercedes any idea of me getting into trouble.”
“Lana.”She called in a rather worried tone. I sighed softly, I shouldn’t be the one getting her this agitated.
Hazel is clearly worried about me.”I’m sorry. I will try and be more careful.”I promised with a small smile lingering on my face.
“Sure.”
“How was your day?”I asked, bringing out the remaining foods I packed from Marcus’s house.
“I don’t want to talk about that right now.”She sighed and shook her head tiredly.
Strangely, Hazel has never talked about her personal details. It never bothered me because she’s clearly hesitant to go deep into them. But these days, I find myself to be more worried than curious about her.
She barely sleeps, and her baby is growing day by day. She almost had pre-eclampsia the other day too.
“Hazel.”I called in a drawled tone but she smiled lightly at me.
“I’m fine, trust me.”
Well, I hope you are.