Mark, the Professional

Chapter 9 Tommy Smith's Apology

Cough. Cough.

Tommy coughed nervously, in surprise. He wasn’t sure he understood Mark correctly.

The Jones Corporation was one of the biggest companies in the country and even the whole Europe. The Lawrence Corporation, successful though they were, had to respect the Jones.

This kid has just married the daughter of Lawrence and he’s thinking of destroying the Jones! Tommy thought. Isn’t he a bit too arrogant?

When he saw how his men were beaten up last night, Tommy sent someone to check on Mark, but he couldn’t find anything about him. However, he did find out that it was true that Mark and Kate got registered in February, though they didn’t have a wedding yet.

Tommy was as intrigued by Mark as much he distrusted him. “I wonder, Mr. Jackson, if this is your personal plan, or if it’s Lawrence's idea.” What Tommy was thinking was that if it was the Lawrence family’s plan, then there was a better chance of destroying the Jones. He wasn’t a stupid person. He knew that by getting rid of the Jones, he would become much more successful and wealthier.

“It’s my own plan,” Mark replied with a smile.

“Oh.” Tommy sounded obviously disappointed. He realized and immediately apologized, “Sorry, I mean it sounds a good plan, but it’s…”

“No worries.” Mark cut him short. “You don’t have to decide now. You will see.” He stood up to leave and just before he exited, he turned around and said, “If you don’t behave, you won’t live.”

Bang.

Mark took out a stone from his pocket and flipped it sharp and quick. It flew right over Tommy’s head, missing it by just an inch and smashed the glass door of the cabinet behind him.

“Nice…nice meeting you, Mr. Jackson,” Tommy muttered as he waved goodbye.

Jack frowned as he shut the door behind him. “Hmm, is that the smell of pee?”

It was two in the afternoon. Kate had just returned to her office after the lunch break. She had got another busy schedule today.

Bang. Bang. Bang. There came a knock at the door and it sounded impatient. Probably something urgent. Kate thought.

“Come on in.” Kate had a sip of coffee and said.

It was her PA. She rushed in, looking worried. “Miss Lawrence, the guy, I mean the owner of Fortune Estate has just arrived with a group of men. The security couldn’t stop them. They, they are in the lift now.” She muttered nervously.

Immediately, Kate made a phone call and ordered, “Send the whole security team to the hall. Right now.”

“Yes, Miss Lawrence.” The chief security guard answered.

Kate took a deep breath, stood up and marched out of the office to the hall with confidence. She could hear the commotion in the hall as the lift went down to the ground floor.

Some staff was peeking over their computers to see what was going on, wondering how their boss had got involved with these people. There was obvious tension in the air.

Tommy Smith was in a navy blue suit. He had changed his attire to a much more civilized style over the years since he started his own business, his followers, though, still kept their gangster look.

“You are not welcome here. Get out or I will have you taken out.” Kate shouted at Tommy assertively as she walked towards him. On hearing the confidence in their boss’ voice, everyone felt more relaxed. Some stood up to watch.

“Aha, there must have been some misunderstanding between us, but whatever it is, it’s the past. Let’s forgive and forget.” Tommy said with an apologetic smile. Then he gestured at one of his men, who then put a suitcase on the table and opened it.

“Here’s a little present for you. I hope you like it.” Tommy explained. It was a beautiful ornament made of gold and it looked very expensive.

Kate took a glance at the present, and then looked around at Tommy and his followers. She knitted her brows suspiciously and asked, “What game are you playing here?”

“Why? Like I said there was a misunderstanding between us, but not anymore. What’s more, your company does make great products. My wife is a big fan.” Tommy smiled another apologetic smile. He was rather surprised that Kate didn’t know that he had come to apologize to her.

“I don’t know what you are talking about and I’m not interested.” Kate pointed at the gate and went on, “I don’t want to have anything to do with you. Now, get out of my company.” She demanded.

Kate had attracted a lot of the male staff in the company with her stunning look and success, and now, seeing how confident and assertive she was, they grown more attracted to her.

Tommy was a bit shocked and annoyed by Kate’s response, but he was sensible enough not to retort. He remembered Mark’s threatening and was concerned about the relationship with Lawrence.

Just then, a man in black walked in and Tommy’s followers instantly moved out of the way to let him pass and walk towards Kate.

“Sweetheart, what’s going on here?” Mark asked gently as he put his arm around Kate’s waist intimately.

Instantly, people started murmuring.

Sweetheart? He calls Miss Lawrence sweetheart!

Who is he?

They look very intimate.

Some got their phones out and started taking photos. This is big news!

Kate looked at Tommy, then Mark and she seemed to understand what had happened. “I guess it’s your plan?” She asked Mark.

Mark didn’t reply, but he turned to Tommy and said, “Come on, Tommy. If you are here to apologize, do it sincerely.”

“Right. Right.” Tommy nodded. He went closer to Kate, bowed to her and said clearly, “I’m terribly sorry. Please forgive me.” 

Everyone watched and listened in disbelief. Tommy Smith, the badass, the man that everyone feared, had actually apologized to Kate Lawrence in public. And it was simply because of the man standing next to her, the man that called her sweetheart.