Mark, the Professional

Chapter 20 Bloody Paparazzi

Mark unfastened his seatbelt, got out of the car and walked towards the guy. Betty put her hand on her stomach, feeling a bit dizzy and sick from the intense driving. She needed some time to relax a bit and watched Mark walk to the guy.

As she watched him, she suddenly had a question in her mind. Wait. Who is this guy? He’s a genius in music. And he can really drive! He must be somebody. Betty thought. However, she should have known him before if he was somebody, considering her family background and social network.  

“You must be tired from running. Why don’t you take a break and hand over your camera to me?” Mark said with a cheeky smile, his hands in his pocket.

Peter Moore was trying to catch his breath, panting nervously. It gave him a fright when he suddenly saw Mark standing in front of him. “It’s you?! How come?” He pointed at Mark, astonished. How did he get here? He should be way behind me!

Mark ignored his questions and tried to grab his camera straight away. However, the camera was everything to Peter and surely he would not let it go so easily. He held it tight and turned around to run.

Mark grabbed Peter’s shoulders and Peter could hardly move. “Damn it! You want a fight? Alright. Let’s see if you will enjoy the taste of my punches.”

On hearing so, Peter turned around to look at Mark. He didn’t think that Mark would really fight him judging by his attire. He looks like a gentleman. He will just pay me for the photos. He thought naively. Or he will have his photos in the news tomorrow.

Peter threw a kick at Mark, but Mark dodged swiftly and kicked Peter at his waist. “Ouch!” Peter exclaimed in pain and got down on his knees.

“Idiot.” Mark sneered at him. “Give me the camera.” He demanded.

Peter was terrified, but he didn’t want to give up yet. “Do you know who I am?! How dare you kick me?!”

Mark stood with his arms crossed and said, “Alright. Show me who you are then.” Mark gestured to him to get up. Peter realized that Mark was serious, so he clenched his camera tight and said helplessly, “It’s my camera. I will not give it to you even if you kill me.” 

Mark rolled his eyes at him speechlessly. He grabbed Peter’s left arm, then the right arm and held both his arms with one hand. He took the camera off his neck and pushed Mark aside.

Mark deleted all the photos of him and Betty and accidentally he saw photos of a familiar face in the camera. He knitted his brows and said, “Sue Moore?” Isn’t she dead? Why is this guy keeping her photos?

“Give me back my camera! Don’t you dare delete any other photos!” Peter shouted at Mark angrily. He was terrified just a second ago and now he seemed to be fearless, glaring at Mark furiously.

“Don’t you delete my sister’s photos?” He shouted again.

“Sue Moore is your sister?” Mark asked curiously and handed back the camera to Peter, who snatched it immediately.

“You know my sister?”

“I know of her. Lizzie Roberts mentioned her once.” Mark replied. “She seemed to be a good girl, but unfortunately she met Tony Jones, who’s a complete asshole.”

“Tony Jones? Do you mean my sister’s death has something to do with him?” Peter asked, surprised. “Tony Jones of the Jones Corporation?”

“Right. Didn’t you know?” Mark asked genuinely.

“I’m such an i***t! Why didn’t I think?!” Peter cursed furiously and punched his left palm with his right hand hard. “I’m going to kill him!” He said angrily as he ran away.

Just then, Betty came over to see Peter running away. “Hey! Why did you let him go? What about the photos? I don’t want my photos in the news.” 

“I’ve deleted them. Don’t worry. I shall go now. Bye.” Mark assured her and left. He wanted to speak to Peter, but when he got to the end of the alley and looked around, he found that Peter was nowhere to be seen.

His phone was ringing again. It was Kate.

“Wherever you are, get to my office in twenty minutes,” Kate said sternly and hung up. Mark scratched his head in confusion and thought he’d better do what she said. He got a taxi.

Peter was hiding behind the door of a shop and as soon as Mark was out of sight, he came out. He didn’t truly believe what Mark said and he didn’t want Mark to know about himself and Tony Jones.

“Sue, I will find out the truth. I will revenge for you.” Peter said to himself with determination, clenching his hands in fists.

The taxi pulled over outside the Lawrence Tower. Mark marched in and got into the private lift. It stopped on the thirtieth floor.

“Hello, darling.” Mark opened the door of Kate’s office and greeted her with a smile.

“You are one minute and three seconds late.” Kate looked up from a tall pile of documents and said icily.

“I apologize.” Mark smiled cheekily.

“We are going to a party. Linda will take you to the tailors and get you an outfit. Remember not to talk at the party. Whatever anyone says, take no notice of them.” Kate looked at Mark into his eyes and said seriously.

“If you don’t keep your mouth shut and embarrass me again, you will be sorry. I assure you.” She added.

Aha. A party. Mark thought. He stroked his chin and patted on his chest as he said, “Don’t you worry, darling. I will do as you say.” 

Linda knocked at the door, came in and gestured Mark to follow her.

Half an hour later, Mark returned in his new attire and with a new haircut. When he presented himself in front of Kate again, Kate gazed at him in amazement. Is this the same person?! It’s unbelievable how one’s outfit can change one’s appearance so much. She thought and was pleased to see him much more presentable now.