Chapter 7

“What are you doing here?” Said a female voice. Mark had taken a seat opposite the hall just so he could digest what he heard. It’s not like he trusted Lloyd on a scale of 100. He always knew that he wasn’t loyal but wanting to bring down your friend’s business? That was bad!

“What are you doing here?” Hailey repeated her question, this time around, she made sure to tap him hard on the shoulder. He gasped before turning to her.

“Hum…” He didn’t have anything to say. At this point in time, he couldn’t even formulate a sentence.

“You were even looking at my boyfriend’s car, do you think you will be able to get something like that for yourself? It would take you years,”

“Hailey, would you mind keeping your distance? I thought you wanted a divorce? Why are you pestering my life even after obtaining a divorce?” He questioned politely.

“Why would I pester an underrated being like you? Do you think I have the slightest time for this? I don’t just want you to lay your filthy eyes on his car, you can bring him bad luck.” She admitted.

“Darling, what are you still discussing with this loose being? I thought things had ended between you two?” Dave yelled from the corridor. Having Hailey and Mark close irritated him.

“You shouldn’t worry, hun. I was asking him to stop looking at your car as that could bring you bad luck.”

“Yeah, he would bring me bad luck. And he can never get this, although it was a gift from the hotel, I can get myself one.” He spoke, making Mark smirk for the first time in a while.

“Where are you gonna get the money to get yourself one? You don’t even have a job, if not that your father asked you to assist him here would you be anywhere close to this place?” Mark bombarded.

“The most important thing is that I’m here, and I have the privilege to sit with wealthy and influential men. Whereas you, I don't even know what you are doing here.”

As the three were arguing, footsteps could be overhead at the corridor. Hailey tried to take some distance away from Mark before any of the businessmen fell on them. Unfortunately, there was no time as Lloyd fell on them.

“Hailey Carter, nice to see you.” He said,

Your father told me you are taken now, is that true?”

“Humm, yes Mr. Lloyd, I’m now in a relationship with Dave and we would soon be getting married.” She rested her head on his chest while admitting.

She looked at first disturbed when Lloyd mentioned the word ‘taken’ that’s because Mark first came to her mind and to crown it all, he was seated just by the side.

“That’s good of you, but I could hear you talking with my driver, is there something you wanted from him?” The middle-aged man asked.

“Uhm…uhm.. yeah, I wanted him to wipe my shoes. I just noticed that they are a little bit dirty,” She said, hoping she had convinced him.

“Oh,” Lloyd turned to his new driver, “Be gentle young man, help the young lady with her shoes.” He said and Mark gulped hard.

He got up from his seat and bowed, just so he could clean her shoes. While he cleaned up, Hailey had her head lowered and watched him do everything, she also didn’t fail to mock him.

“Thank you driver, you can now take your boss home.” She mocked.

The duo left, it was now Mark and his new boss in the large courtyard. He walked to the car, opened the door for him. He climbed and he locked the door. Mark rounded the car and started the car.

While he was driving, Lloyd kept glaring at him. He wanted to speak but for the sake of pride, he kept his suspicions in his head. It seems he could no longer take it, as he broke his silence.

“Young man, do we know each other? Have we met before this?” Looking at him at the front mirror of the car, he implored.

Looking disturbed, Mark gathered all the courage and boldness he would be needing. It was out of question for him to shiver. The slightest mistake at this point in time would get him into trouble.

“I’m sorry Sir, but we’ve never met before. I only see you on TV when the state organises the awards for the thriving entrepreneurs.” He kept his calm while saying.

“Okay,” Although not convince, the middle-aged man let it slide away.

***

The next morning, Mark was early enough. He now had a new job, and happened to be working for one of the harsh CEOs the city ever harboured.

Getting to Meanhight street, the gate was widely opened for him. It wasn’t the first time he was entering the house. Things had changed a lot in nine years. He did no longer come in as the humble son of a friend, but came in as a driver.

“Is the driver here? If not, get to the next person available.” Unfortunately, Mark got to hear this statement. He knew he had to stand on his guard, or else he would quickly be replaced by another person.

“Good morning, Master, I came in a few minutes ago, and was waiting for you at the courtyard,” He bowed before replying.

“Good to know you value your job, let’s go now.” The duo got to the car and just as usual, Mark opened the door for him. The young man started the car and drove out, waiting for his master to give him directions.

“Drive me to Colorado venue, hope you know the place.” The man leaned on his seat before admitting.

Mark’s heart fought for air. Did he know the Colorado venue? Of course he knew it, the streets where he grew up. Raised and schooled in Colorado.

“Yes Sir, I know it.” He mumbled beneath his lips.

It’s no secret that the middle-aged man was heading to Gustave's villa. Probably going to see his father to seek for information.

He drove till they arrived at the majestic gate, where he had not stepped foot for more than nine years. He made sure to hunk, allowing time for the guards to open the gate.

After a series of check-ups, the passage was accorded. It was with deep pain that Mark drove into his father’s mansion.

“Be good, and make sure not to step out of this car. I have two hours in there, for the moment all you have to do is wait for me.” Lloyd snapped before climbing down the car.

At the centre of login of the mansion was Badmun, he was discussing with George’s right hand man about where the runaway son could be when he made a U-turn and fell on Mark.

The dude was literally dressed like a nobody and didn’t mind putting on shades. Well, Badmun has been with him ever since he was a little boy and wouldn’t hesitate to point him out even in the crowd.

His jaws dropped and his mouth was wide open when he came across his young master acting like a driver. To crown it all, he had the effrontery to come home.

“Why are you looking at Mr. Lloyd’s car? Is there something you noticed that I need to know?” The right hand man questioned, looking directly at the car.

At this point, Mark’s adrenaline couldn’t help but pump with deep pressure. He was just a second to be exposed by his longtime guard.

“Calm down, Mark, this isn’t the time to panic. Badmun won’t do that to you, he knows how bad you need this job,” He exclaimed as clammy sweat sipped off his pores.