Marcel
Someone knocked at the door, and as I opened my eyes, I realized it was a new day. I was so stressed yesterday that I completely fell asleep on my desk.
The knock came again, and this time, the door pushed open, and Thana walked in. I took a deep breath and got up from the chair.
"Good morning, Thana.." I greeted and walked over to the washroom. "Wait here."
I ran a cold bath and strolled back out of the washroom, with my bathrobe wrapped around my body.
"You're working a whole lot Marcel…" Thana started, and I chuckled. "You even slept at your desk last night. Loosen up a bit, Marcel.." she added, but I was still busy picking out my clothes.
"Someone has to take on the responsibility of keeping the Edgar legacy alive… do you see any other Edgar?" I asked as I put on my trousers.
"You're here early.." I muttered as I pulled her up from my bed, wrapping my arms around her waist. "I thought you'd be here yesterday, but you didn't show up.."
"I had some important things that I needed to do and I made it here yesterday.." she replied, and I slowly unwrapped my arms.
"Time for breakfast.." I said and walked hand-in-hand with her until we arrived at the table. Breakfast was already served, and I pulled a seat out for Thana and then took mine.
"Sorry I'm late for breakfast, I–" Thana and I lifted our heads in the direction of that voice, and Odessa stood at the corner, eyes darting from Thana's face to mine.
"Tardiness is not welcomed in this house, little bird…" Thana scolded, and Odessa stared at me firmly. "Don't stand there and gawk, start serving the meal, I'm starving already."
"What?" Odessa muttered almost inaudibly, and Thana, being the hot-tempered person she was, made to stand up from her seat, but I held her back down.
"Let her be.." I said, and Odessa's gaze softened. "Someone else will do the serving, she'll eat with us."
Thana's eyes widened in shock, and Odessa smiled in satisfaction..
"Marcel, since when does a mere servant eat at the master's table?" Thana spat, her voice laced with disbelief as she glanced at Odessa. I rubbed the space between my brows in, feeling frustrated.
"Thana..She's not just any servant; she's responsible for taking care of my mother, and she deserves a seat at this table," I asserted, gesturing for Odessa to sit in her usual spot.
One of the servants served the meal, and I dug into mine while Thana barely touched hers. Since yesterday's event, I've been trying to avoid meeting Odessa's gaze, but just her scent made me think about her over and over again.
"Thank you, Marcel…" Odessa said after her meal before walking away. Thana turned to look at me, and I braced for her question.
"Did she just call you by your first name?" Thana blurted, and I grunted in response.
"Thana, how many times must I tell you that she's not a maid…" I replied. "She's my mother's caregiver. Odessa doesn't do chores around this house, she certainly doesn't dress like the other servants." I continued, but Thana only shrugged her shoulders.
I knew she didn't welcome the idea, but I wasn't going to explain it again.
"Well, when I move in, you won't need someone else to take care of your mother.." she muttered as she stuffed her mouth with food.
"Until then Thana…" I laughed and pushed my empty plate away.
We finished breakfast and I went into the living room. Thana joined me a while later and sat beside me, resting her head on my chest.
"Marcel, I wanted to discuss something important with you.." Thana said, breaking the silence in the room. I cleared my throat and sat up straight.
"Go ahead.."
"You're very well aware of how ambitious I am, Marcel, and how much I love to seize opportunities. Well, I've invested in a business, and I need you to buy a couple of shares," she said, batting her eyelashes at me.
"What business is that, and what do I stand to gain from this investment?" I asked as she took a deep breath.
"Marcel, you'll be helping me here. If people learn that Marcel Edgar has invested in this business, it will flourish like never before, and I'll make a profit." Thana replied.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Odessa walked into the living room, and her scent lingered in my brain even after she left.
"What do you think, Marcel?" Thana asked, and I just stared at her, my words hanging in my head, but I couldn't find the voice to say those words.
I immediately pulled Thana in and pressed my lips against hers to remind myself of what it felt like to kiss the one you're deeply in love with.
The warmth of her lips filled my mind and I shut my eyes, reveling in the memories we've shared together..
"Don't ever leave my side for that long anymore, Thana…" I muttered..
Thana slowly pulled her face away, and I thought I saw her wiping her lips with the back of her hand. I was probably just seeing things….
"I see someone has missed his lover so much.." she teased, a pleased smile on her face."So would you consider buying the shares?" She asked, and I rubbed my temple.
"I'll think about it, Thana, and Aaron will get back to you.." I replied, and her smile widened.
"Brilliant!
Thank you so much Marcel.." she said as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
I went upstairs, but instead of going to my room, I went over to my mother's. As I got to the door, I heard laughter seeping out from the other side of the room, and my mother's voice was the loudest.
I pushed the door open and let myself in. Odessa sat by my mother's bed, and they both looked up at me as I walked in.
"There's my little angel!" My mother exclaimed, and I took my shoes off before climbing into her bed.
"Uhmm… I'll go and check on your meal, my lady.. I'll leave you two to yourselves," Odessa said and got up.
"Dahlia will take care of my meal child… stay with us." My mother insisted, my eyes remained on Odessa, but not for one moment did she look back at me.
"I know, but I still have other things to do.." she pressed further and walked away without a word.
"You scared her away, Marcel…" my mother whined. "She told me earlier that she had the entire day to spend with me.."