Chapter 136 - CHAPTER 136: MEET YOUR SON

"Faster! The guests are almost here." 

Mr. Jestoni Alice, the manager of Lafayette hotel urged the staffs to finish setting up the hall as well as the rooms for the VVIP's. 

"The rooms are all ready, sir." A woman in her forties' came towards the nervous manager and reported. It was Miss Jean, the ȧssistant manager. 

"Thank you. How about the foods?" Jess asked.

"All good as well." Miss Jean smiles with full of confidence and ȧssurance. 

He exhales nervously. Anxiousness can be seen on his face. However, upon seeing a familiar figure around, a big curve appeared on his face. It's been months that he hasn't seen the woman who gives light to his dull life. 

"Jade!" He immediately walk towards the woman who was busy fixing the flowers on the table. "You came. You should have told me." He is somewhat disappointed. 

"I reported to my supervisor. I believe I am not oblige to report to you, sir--- If you know what I mean." Jade gave out a crack smile before turning her full attention to the flowers on the table. 

Jess sighed in defeat. The woman is still as stiff as before. "You know that's not what I mean." He pouted like a little boy having tantrums. 

"Sir, we are all busy here. You should be preparing to meet the visitors later instead of idling around me." She glared at the childish manager.

"She's right Jess." Miss Jean couldn't help but grin mockingly at the 28 year old bachelor manager. "Stop messing with her and go to your office instead. The visitors will be here in a minute."

"B-but----" 

"I'll make sure everything's been taken care off before their arrival. Jade's already here so I'm sure the preparation will be perfect as well."

Jess sighed in relief at the mention of Jade's name. Yes, Jade was able to build a good reputation in the company despites being a cleaner. She had saved the company twice when she redecorated some of the rooms during a convention meeting in a different date. Not sure why but some non-profit organization chose their hotel as the venue for the convention meeting. 

Jade knew that three of the speakers would be coming from abroad so when she saw how their rooms were over-decorated, she made some adjustments  to suit the speaker's taste according to their country's preference. 

She may have not learn it at school but it was the product of being Marcus' secretary who has to attend a lot of meetings with him. She didn't know that her knowledge would increase just by staying with Marcus for months.

She is just a cleaner but rendering extra service would cost her a fortune! So she gladly accepted the offer when the ȧssistant manager, Jean, called for her help.

"Okay." Jess stared at Jade for a few seconds before going back to his office. Jean is right, he needs to prepare to meet the guests later on. They are considered big shots in the country and abroad, that's why he couldn't understand why they would chose this humble place to conduct their meeting. They should have gone to the Hanes hotel, the biggest and most famous hotel in the country, best known for it's luxurious and palace-like rooms and best services all over the country.

"But why Benjamin city?" Jess once again thought of some reasons. Could it be because of it's infamous white sand beach? Yes, the hotel's VIP rooms are facing the sea itself. That's the reason why most visitors chooses to occupy the most expensive rooms only to witness the serenity of the sunset and sunrise dancing with the waves.

Yes, it's totally peaceful in there. But going outside the hotel premises is a different story... it's a totally a different life out there! It was one of the many reasons why the residents wanted to work at the hotel because of it's good pay. 

Jess shook his head. Instead of asking himself and not getting any answer, he chose to focus on how to please the guests in hopes of gaining more popularity and advertise the hotel as well. That thought may be beneficial to him but to a certain person, it's the other way around.

***

After the hall's final touch, Jade went back to her own work---cleaning rooms as usual for the remaining hours of her shift. After the last room, she decided to go to the employee lounge and rest for a few minutes. No one's calling for a cleaner so she took the chance to rest.

She then laid her tired body on the soft couch, closed her eyes and breathe in an amount of air. It's been a busy day but thank God, her shift is about to end in an hour. 

'This hotel have been hosting some events lately. Does it means I am not safe here anymore?'  The thought made her heart skipped a beat. Is she nervous? Yes, somehow. But people like Marcus and Rachel would never spend a night in this kind of place---right?

A deep pang of sadness suddenly surged through her. She may not admit but there's  a part in her heart that hopes for someone to search for her whereabouts. If only Marcus would look for her---- She instantly erase that thought in her head. No, he can't and he won't. Jade stood up and decided to go to the cafeteria to have some hot choco. She must stop being pre-occupied about Marcus. Ever.

******************

"Hey, long time no see." A dazzling woman in a red tight dress appeared in front of the man. "Aren't you going to welcome me, honey? I came back because I believe you need to meet your son." Rachelle smiles with pride. She is waiting for Marcus to speak and welcomes her but the man only looked at her----indifferently. 

"Rachel? What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be in----" Zenia nervously paused and looked at the emotionless man. She almost said something that could merit Marcus' doubt on her. 

What could Marcus be thinking? She thought. She can't read him nowadays. 

"What?" Rachelle raised her brows. Seeing Zenia alone with Marcus made her blood boils. Not hearing anything from the woman, she shifted her gaze to Marcus who brought out his phone out and dialed a number. 

"I need you here this instant. You have 5 minutes." After the call, he motioned Rachelle to sit on the empty chair in front of him. 

Rachelle was taken aback. This is not the Marcus she once knew. She knew and understand that he was greatly distressed by Jade's disappearance months ago but to completely ignore her like a stranger made her anxious for some reasons. 

His aura is completely different too. He emits an intimidating and dangerous air. What could have happen to him in the past few months? He didn't even bat an eyelid at the sleeping baby on the Stroller. 

"Marcus....." Rachelle is about to say something but a familiar man suddenly came panting beside Marcus. 

Sonny? Rachelle raised his brows as well as Zenia. Was it Sonny the one Marcus called earlier? Both women were a bit confused. 

"Mr. Hanes, I'm sorry, there was a traffic jam." Sonny apologized but was surprised to see Rachelle with her child.

Marcus glanced at his watch, it didn't even take him five minutes to arrive at his location. Good.

"Sonny, give Miss Rachelle a room at the hotel." He casually instructed the old man and didn't bother to look at Rachelle nor the child.

"Yes, Mr. Hanes. Miss Rachelle, please come with me." He signaled the woman to stand up immediately. Rachell can't explain the urgency in Sonny's actions but she chose to follow his lead. It's late anyway so guess she'll talk to Marcus tomorrow morning. 

As soon as Sonny and Rachelle left, Marcus looked at his phone and check a new arrived message. He paused for a few seconds and the sudden change on his facial reaction was not hidden in Zenia's eyes. 

What could it be? She was dead curious. 

"So how's the deal with the Kirei's?" Marcus asked his secretary  after placing the phone back in his pocket. "Any update?"

"T-that..." She hesitated for a second. "Their response is still the same as before."

"Hard -headed people, huh." 

"But I was informed that the Kirei's will be having an event in our country. In fact, they've arrived a few hours ago."

Marcus raised his brows and look at Zenia. 

"I.... heard it from a friend who's working for them."

"Where exactly?"

"It's kinda far.... It's in Benjamin City."

Benjamin City? Marcus ċȧrėsses his jaw. Of all places, why do they have to be in that far away and deserted region?

Should he go and meet them personally?