"I still can't believe it, the way Marcel stared into my eyes like I was so precious to him. It made my heart beat faster."
Vanessa thought as she tied the lace in her boots.
When things got juicy, the nurse came and spoiled the connection.
She was grateful for it but still wished it hadn't happened so quickly.
Mrs Eleanor was throwing a party at the Davidson mansion and she had recovered to attend it. Marcel was speaking with Anna in his tuxedo and he looked so stunning.
He threw his arm around Anna and laughed.
My heart lurched.
"What's wrong with you, Vanessa? Stay calm. Stay calm." She clenched her two hands by her side.
The guests were all present as the mansion was packed with people, people of high class and status from different wealthy families made it.
She was standing a few metres away from Marcel as guests poured in.
Her instincts were sharp as she looked at the guests eagerly trying to measure their potential for danger. Marcel's life was still in a death wish, and she couldn't let her guard down.
Anna walked to her.
"I heard what you did for Marcel, Donald told me." She said, her voice was sarcastic.
"Bloody Donald," she thought.
She hadn't seen him since the incident at the hospital. He sure had the nerves. What would have happened to Marcel if he had been injected? What was Donald planning to do to his brother?
"Don't get so cocky, Vanessa. Marcel is mine. I don't know what sort of game you are playing here, but just know you would never get to him." She dimmed her eyes as she snapped her fingers.
Vanessa chuckled.
"And who told you that I am after him, I know better than that. It's my job to protect him, am not after his heart." Vanessa replied, her voice edged in authority.
"I don't care what you have to say, Vanessa. I don't trust you and if in any way you get too close to him and I notice, I will make sure your life is hell." Anna's jaw was tight as she spoke.
"You wouldn't dare, Anna, don't think I would just watch you make my life hell. I would do whatever it takes to protect Marcel, and that's my job. I'm not romancing your man." Her voice ended in finality.
Anna hissed and left.
Marcel glanced at Vanessa with a puzzled look as he muttered something to Anna.
"What a piece of problem. I heard her father was a rich businessman who ran and made his money from drug deals and other heinous crimes, and did modern businesses to cover up his crimes, but he still ran his operation deep underground. But I guess it's just a rumour." Vanessa thought, as she scratched her chin.
Good to see you again Vanessa. A voice familiar to her called.
Vanessa turned as she gnashed her teeth.
"Donald has the nerve to walk up to me after what he did."
"I am glad you are back again", Donald said his eyes carrying a vile cruelty.
"But honestly, don't get in the way of a brother's feud again. I only wanted what was best for Marcel, stay out." Donald's tone was sharp.
"I am sorry, but I can't stay out. It's my duty to protect Marcel, and I would do whatever it takes to keep him safe no matter who it is. You and I know very well it wasn't for Marcel's recovery, what are you hiding, Donald?." Vanessa glared at him as she folded her arms.
Donald's face went grim.
"Don't play with fire, Vanessa. It may be your job to protect him, but you shouldn't step into an unknown territory for another person except you want to get burnt," he replied.
He walked off, his hands in his pockets.
"You may be right," Vanessa said.
Donald stops as he glances back.
"I shouldn't play with fire huh, then I guess I would just use water to quench the fire and walk through. It's my duty to keep Marcel safe, and whichever way I do it, as long as he is protected, I don't care. So watch your back Donald." Her eyes went dark as she grinned.
Donald chuckled and walked off.
"What an insolent man, he dares go up against his brother because of wealth that doesn't belong to him. I don't know who is behind the attacks on Marcel but I won't let anything happen to him." Vanessa thought.
Vanessa, Vanessa. Marcel called as he walked up to her grinning.
"Gosh, he is walking up to me, why is he so excited all of a sudden?." Panic crept into Vanessa.
Marcel held her left hand as he looked beside her as if running from something.
"Come on, I want to show you something."
Marcel walked off with Vanessa beside him.
"Where are we going? It may not be safe outside," Vanessa protested.
"Oh, cut all that, I mean, no one would attack us in my home." Marcel grabbed her towards the door exit, his face lit up in excitement.
"Seriously, you brought me all the way up here to see your bed of roses?." Vanessa looked in utter confusion.
"Of course, Vanessa, are they not so beautiful, don't you like roses?." Marcel replied grinning.
"Yes, I do, but…. "Vanessa was cut short.
"Then stop being so lazy you weak girl, look at this."
Marcel picked up a red rose and smelt it.
"So beautiful, just like you." He muttered, his green eyes glowing.
He put the rose on Vanessa's red hair as she shuddered.
"It fits you, Vanessa, you look very adorable." He touched her hair smiling.
"What exactly is happening? Why am I having this odd feeling in my stomach? Is this what they call Love, or is it daydreaming?." Vanessa thought and all she could see in that moment was Marcel's charming face.
"This was my grandmother's garden. She loved roses and I fell for it too. This is a special place for me, and only special people happen to be here." Marcel said looking at a shrub, as if recollecting a memory.
"Special people, does this mean I am special to you, Marcel?." Vanessa asked eager for an answer.
They locked eyes with each other.
Silence.
"Vanessa, of course, you are special." Marcel said his eyes soft, his tone kind as he diverted his eyes.
My heart skipped.
Not just in his words but at the rustling in the garden's branches, someone was coming.