CHAPTER 6

"I know you've said before that personal matters are left out the door, but with that and financial problems…" He lingers off, trying to contain his tears from leaking.

"I have to find another job that has a bigger salary" his voice cracks, not sure if his boss notices.

"I truly understand, Denven, but if you change your mind and decide to come back-" Denven looks up in disbelief at the big man who sat across from him.

"Beangelic Coffee will always open its arms to you, no matter the case may be" The gruffy round man smiles warmly at Denven while comfortingly pats his shoulder.

"I can put you in a managerial position, have you been paid twice… Please Denven" he ushers Denven, trying to have him stay.

"The pay would still be by hour, but instead of $2, you can be paid 4" Denven sat there, thinking if he should. But not only was he going to shoulder his mother's hospital bills, he had to pay for the apartment rent and utilities. Much to his willingness to stay, he shook his head and sighs.

"It won't cover enough ground, and I might start becoming a slave to society under debt" he looks at the man infront of him with a saddened look. His boss understood his decision and gestures for a hug.

Hesitantly, he moves slowly but is abruptly pulled in by the big man. Even though his boss was quite a large man that can be intimidating to others, this guy has such a soft spot for his employees. He respects their decisions as long as they respect him. Denven hears a sniffle from behind and looks to see five of his coworkers tearing up.

"You guys…" Denven's voice crack, gesturing to them to join in on the hug. 

They scramble to their feet and dashed to hug the two. 

"We're gonna miss you, Lex" a ginger haired boy, Tammy, says in between sniffles.

"Goodluck with that," Denven says, chuckling at his boss.

"Remember-" his boss steps forward and smiles at Denven, "-we'll be happy to have you back here any time."

Denven sighs, saddened by those last days he had until he officially left work. He remembers he hasn't given back the suit and smiles at the thought of going to the cafe to give it back to his boss. 

Grabbing a towel, he wipes himself dry, smiling to himself of the idea on his mind. Tomorrow morning he'll be visiting his boss. Mark would let him, right? 

"Only way to find out tomorrow" Denven whispers to himself, slipping on a white shirt and gray joggers. .

Turning off the lights, the only light source was the lamp that was at the center of the headboard. Denven slips under the blanket of the bed and stairs at the ceiling. If Mark wouldn't let him visit the cafe, what would he be doing all day here at the mansion? 

He could play billiard or a few board games. Chat with the staff, or wander around the mansion. He shuts the lamp off and drifts himself off to sleep, thinking how his day would play out.

The morning ray of light glistened through the morning sky waking up Denven. He grumbled under his pillow and sat up to look around, a knock on the door was heard and Denven stood to his feet to get it. There stood a maid who looked at him with disgust.

"Master Mark calls for you, expecting you there within 20 minutes at the dining hall" The maid turns but Denven grabs the maid by her arm.

"Wait, why? Did he tell you why?" He asks, letting go of the annoyed girl.

"How would I know? Are you too lazy to not go up there yourself?" She scoffs, and hurriedly leaves.

Denven sighs and closes the door. He makes his way to the bathroom and hurriedly gets ready for the day. He stood by the mirror after a quick shower and wore a   

fitted shirt and same branded work pants.

 He sits on the edge of the bed and pulls on his boots, and hurriedly puts on a watch that was left inside the dresser for him to wear. Everything inside the closet were all   and white fitted shirts of the same brand and all   work pants, four pairs of combat boots, four shades of different types, and 5 different seasonal   jackets. Denven couldn't think of any reason for such a bizarre color choice that lacked color, except that most bodyguards he had seen in movies were quite similar colored clothes. All   and white. 

He walks out the room with the key in his pocket after locking it and glances over his watch.

"I still have 5 minutes to spare…" he walks through the angel window halls and looks around to find the dining hall. 

Trying to remember where it was, he finds himself at the ground floor and sees Mark standing with his arms crossed. Denven walks up to Mark and looks at him expectantly.

"Ahh good, you're about 2 minutes early" Mark says looking at his watch then gestures for Denven to follow him.

"I'll be leaving you here for a day, I have another bodyguard waiting for me by the airport in France that'll be escorting" Mark says, sitting himself down at the table and Denven sitting himself on his left.

"You're not allowed to leave the mansion without my permission, and since I'll be gone I expect you won't go anywhere else" Mark orders, looking menacingly at Denven.

"I actually have something to ask-","And that is?" Mark cuts him off, a maid and kitchen staff walks in with a trolley of food. 

"I have to return a suit to my previous boss-" Mark cuts him off again, slamming his hand on the table.

"Was I not clear with my order?" He says, gritting his teeth. The staff looked terrified while holding the plate ready to put it in front of Mark.

"You were clear, sir, '' Denven whispers under his breath.

"You are going to stay here, my daughter will be left alone" Mark says, and looks at the staff to put the plate of food in front of him.

"You will stay to protect my daughter, though she does not leave her room-" he puts a fork of custard bread in his mouth, "-I do not want any intruder coming in on my territory" 

Denven was then given a plate of food, in front of him was a stack of waffles drizzled with maple and heaping serving of scrambled eggs. A maid pours a glass of juice to his side but accidentally pours some on Denven's clothes.

"Hey! Watch where you're moving!" The maid says, annoyed at Denven who had soiled pants.

"Denven, don't you know any table etiquette?" Annoyed looking Mark says while wiping his mouth with a napkin. 

"Can I have a napk-" The maid walks away from him without a word that leaves Denven wide eyed. 

"Go clean yourself up to your room, or you'll ruin my appetite" Mark says, waving his hand at Denven to leave.

Denven walks off to his room and wash off, changing into a new pair of work pants. He sat himself down on the edge of the bed and groaned through his hand in frustration. 

"Alright, just get it through the day" he whispers to himself, he puts on his belt that holds his gun in place  and leaves his room, with his key in hand after locking it. 

He makes his way to the dining hall and sits back down to eat. Mark was half way in eating so he still had time to join him on his meal.

"I don't want another incident like that, Denven," Mark threatens him, putting a slice of bacon in his mouth.

"Whether it's intentional or not, I do not care" he orders, glaring down at him.

"My apologies," Denven utters softly, then goes back to eat his breakfast.

"You should be thankful I offered my hand out to you and offered to pay your mother's bills and medication separately from your own salary," Mark says, prideful at the thought.

"If I were you, you shouldn't act such smugness around me or you'd be begging in the streets," he threatens Denven, deeply annoyed and angered.

Denven sat there quietly, finishing his meal with Mark. He couldn't understand where Mark was coming from, he didn't do anything wrong nor did anything to him in the first place.

"My friend and investor of my resort may see something in you-" he takes a sip from his glass then glances over to Denven with no hint of warmth "but I know damn well you're nothing but a brokeass retard who's desperate for cash." 

Denven looked down embarrassed, biting the corner of his inner cheek and trying to control himself to back talk. Mark stood up after wiping his mouth with a napkin and gestured to Denven to follow.

On the front porch of the mansion, all of Mark's suitcase and luggage were being put inside the car.

"You'll be coming with me to the airport until I enter the plane, you got that?" Mark orders, which Denven nods in reply.