Mark, the Professional

Chapter 5 I’m Home, Honey.

Billy Lao was mostly known as the owner of The Club, yet few knew that he was also the president of TopTech, a company that specialized in the newest technology, especially detectaphones, surveillance cameras and micro monitors. They, in fact, provided for the military.

TopTech was a family business. As the only son of the family, Billy Lao had no choice but to take over the company as his father wished. However, he didn’t have much passion for it and thus started his own business and opened The Club. He rarely presented himself as the owner of TopTech and therefore it was more of a secret to the public.

When Billy saw the device Mark showed him, he realized that he had fallen into Mark’s trick. It was obvious that Mark had come prepared.

If Mark had asked Billy for help, Billy would probably refuse, but Mark simply played a little trick and instead of asking for it, help was offered.

Now Billy hesitated. He did say he would help, yet having recognized the device, he wasn’t so sure now.

“It’s alright. I didn’t expect you could help anyway.” Mark heaved a sigh. He was a good actor.

Watching Mark walking away, Billy replied, “Wait a moment, I might be able to help.” He loved snooker too much to let go off such a great opportunity to play. Mark turned around and saw Billy take out his phone to make a phone call.

He went to a quiet corner and spoke quietly so that Mark couldn’t hear a word. A few minutes later, Billy returned and asked, “Who’s your wife?”

“Kate Lawrence.”

“I see.” Billy nodded, then he almost exclaimed, “Kate Lawrence?!” He stared at Mark in disbelief. Kate Lawrence had left an impression of being extremely competent yet also hot-tempered. Everyone, including Billy, knew the story about Kate slapping a rich young man at a dinner party and the guy had to pay her a visit to apologize the next day with his whole family.

It’s impossible that someone as successful and powerful as Kate Lawrence would marry this young man who gambles here. Billy thought.

“Right. We didn’t really want to advertise it. We’ve kept it quiet, you see. Though we might have a wedding party someday in the future and if you can help me sort this out, we shall definitely invite you to our wedding.” Mark said with a grin. He sounded excited just by acknowledging the fact that Kate Lawrence was his wife.

Billy’s phone rang. “What did you find out?” He asked. He nodded a few times as he listened, then hung up.

“Mark, young man, it looks like you’ve messed with Tommy Smith. The detectaphone was set up by his men. I have no idea what’s between you two though.” Billy seemed rather surprised. He didn’t really believe that Mark was married to Kate Lawrence, but he knew that anyone that messed with Tommy Smith, the badass, would not be just anybody.

“I see, thanks. I shall go and meet this badass now.” Mark replied rather casually, then, he patted Billy’s shoulder and added, “Don’t you worry, we will have a game another day. I promise.”

Billy opened his mouth slightly as if to say something, but changed his mind at the last minute. He had only met Mark and thought it too much effort to actually help Mark out. He’s very likely in big trouble. Billy thought and watched Mark walk out of the door.

It was already seven o’clock when Mark left The Club. He took out his phone and spoke, “Hey Mary Anne, check on Tommy…” However, just then, his phone rang.

“Hey, hey, kid, what do you think? Are you pleased with the girl I’ve chosen for you? Haha.” It was Jack. He sounded to be in a good mood.

“f**k off.” Mark cursed.

“Why? Kate Lawrence is good-looking, successful and she’s got money. Isn’t that enough?”

“You have surely surprised me!”

“Anyway, I haven’t had time to arrange accommodation for you yet. You have to go to the Lawrence tonight. Also, it’s the old man’s eightieth birthday in a few days. Senior Mr. Lawrence’s, I mean. You have to be there.”

“Damn it.” Mark hung up and got a taxi to the Lawrence Villa.

Kate and her mother Judy Lawrence were sitting on the sofa while her father, Matt Lawrence, was pacing about, looking concerned.

Judy Lawrence looked stern and serious. She didn’t give people the impression of a kind woman while Matt Lawrence appeared to be soft and even timid. Judy was telling him off. Every time she raised her voice angrily, Matt trembled with terror. He didn’t dare to meet her eyes.

“You are just useless!” Judy shouted. “You can’t impress your father. Now that our daughter has become successful, your father has got her married to a man that I don’t even know! It must be your two older brothers’ idea. I wonder what they are plotting!” She clutched the cushion furiously.

“Judy, calm down, please. Don’t be mad. You know it was completely my father’s idea. I can’t do anything about it. But I’m sure you can’t trust my father. Who knows, perhaps this Mark Jackson is a good guy…” Matt muttered uncertainly.

Just then, the doorbell rang. The Lawrence family all turned to look at the gate, wondering who it could be.

The housemaid opened the door to see Mark Lawrence standing at the door with a grin on his face.  

“You are…” the housemaid looked confused. Mark smiled at her and shouted over her shoulder, “I’m home, honey.”

On hearing Mark’s voice, Kate knitted her brows. Here he comes again!

Mark invited himself in as if it was his own place.

Matt and Judy looked at Kate for a second before they exchanged a look of confusion and shock.

“You must be Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence. I’m Mark Jackson. It’s my honor to finally meet you in person.” Mark grabbed Matt’s hand and shook it as Matt stared at him in disbelief.

Mark was about to shake Judy’s hand, but Judy slapped his hand away and snapped, “Get out of my house. You are not welcome here.” She was obviously furious to see Mark uninvited.