Mark, the Professional

Chapter 12 A Bet

“What, what should I do then, Marcus?” Matt asked nervously.

“For now we can only wait and see what the Jones are going to do. With you, I think you need a break from work for some time.” Marcus said.

Matt understood that he had been suspended from his job. The frown between his brows grew deeper.

Judy was furious. “Come on, Marcus! You can’t just suspend Matt! He’s worked hard. This is unfair. I have to talk to your father.” She retorted loudly.

Everyone in the family knew about Judy’s bad temper very well. They despised her, but they couldn’t do anything about it but accept. The brothers knew that if their father found out, none of them would be spared of their responsibility.

“Calm down, please. Be reasonable.” Nate cut in, sounding a bit impatient. “Marcus, you have taken over the company just recently and if you suspend Matt now, it will probably get the public gossiping and people might think badly of you.” He explained.

Marcus listened and looked at Nate and Matt thoughtfully. “You are right, Nate. I should have thought it over.”

Matt wasn’t sure if his two older brothers were planning something against him, but he was released to know that he had at least kept his position in the company.  

Kate observed carefully and suddenly she seemed to understand what her two uncles really meant. Uncle Marcus is trying to blame my father for what happened between Mark and Tony Jones and he wants to dismiss my father from the company. However, why was Uncle Nate trying to help my father then? He never likes my father. She wondered.

Mark noticed the skeptical look on Kate’s face and though she’s a clever one. She knows her two uncles have a plan against her father.

When they returned home that night, Judy recalled the incident and said, “Thanks to Nate tonight, or you would have lost your job. I didn’t think Marcus would be so ruthless. What do you think, Kate?”

“If dad isn’t enjoying working in the company, it’s not a bad thing for him to take a break. I can look after you two anyway. I’m independent now. There’s nothing you need to worry about.” Kate said sweetly.

To Kate’s surprise, Mark supported and said, “Exactly, it’s actually not a bad time to take a break now.”

Why did he say so? What has he found out? Kate wondered.

“Who do you think you are?! Huh?! You are just a trouble-maker! Mark has almost lost his job because of you! Get out of my house!” Judy yelled at Mark.

“Alright, mum, Mark was defending me. It isn’t his fault. Anyway, I still need to go to the company for a bit. I have some work to finish.”

“I will come with you.” Mark followed Kate. He didn’t want any more verbal attacks from Judy.

“Here’s the new advertisement proposal. Please check.” The supervisor of the sales department sat opposite Kate, looking nervous.

Kate opened the file and went through it carefully. She didn’t look pleased at all. “What’s our target market?” She asked plainly.

“Err… High, high-end market.” He answered uncertainly.

“Right! This is the most important advertisement of the year. Why the hell did you choose these people as the candidates for the spokesman? A group of weirdoes.” Kate threw the file into the bin. “Redo it.” She ordered.

“But, but…” The supervisor felt helpless. “The model we contacted earlier called today and said she changed her mind. I have tried contacting other models, but they all rejected me. I, I didn’t know what to do. It actually took us a lot of time and effort to get the list of candidates we have now.”

He paused for a second, hesitated and then went on, “Miss Lawrence, it’s weird. It’s like someone’s making things difficult for us.”

Kate knitted her brows. It got her thinking. “Alright, work on other stuff for now. I will find a spokesperson.”

The supervisor nodded and left.

“It must be Tony Jones.” Kate heaved a sigh and said. She knew that Tony Jones had a great influence in the entertainment business. Most of the advertisement companies and models worked for or with him. She didn’t have a clue how she could find a decent spokesperson.

“Don’t worry, honey. It’s a piece of cake. I will take care of it for you.” Mark said gently. It was him that angered Tony Jones after all, he thought.

“It’s alright. I will think of something.” Kate said.

“Why? You are my wife. Your problem is my problem.” Mark grinned cheekily. “I have to help you. I want to.”

“Help me? How?” Kate started to get impatient. “What can you do with Tony Jones? Can you make him disappear? Can you find a good model for me? The only help you can offer now is getting out of my sight.”

“Hmm, it’s a bit difficult to make Tony Jones disappear, but I can surely find you a good spokesperson,” Mark said confidently.

Kate rolled her eyes at him. She didn’t believe a word he said.

“Why don’t we make a bet?” Mark suggested, sensing that Kate didn’t trust him. “If I find someone perfect for you, you will provide free accommodation for me. How’s that?”

“Free accommodation?” Kate wasn’t sure what he meant.

“I will live with you.” Mark grinned at her.

“Ha!” Kate sneered. “Alright, if you can’t, I don’t want to see you again.”

“Deal.” Mark snapped his fingers confidently and waved goodbye. “Good night, darling. See you tomorrow.”

Kate watched him leave, wondering if she had made the wrong decision. Is this a trap?

As Mark walked out of the gate of the Kate Corporation, he stroked his chin and went through the list of names in his head. A victorious smile lit up his face. He knew the perfect person to ask.