Chapter 20: Trade of favour
The old lady, Kathe, Shashe, and Rhea were all seated at the dining table for dinner. Kathe’s mind had drifted away as she played with her food.
"Kathe, you haven’t touched your meal yet," the old lady said after observing her for a while.
"I’m eating, just don’t have enough appetite," Kathe replied to the old lady with a smile.
"Are you sure you’re okay?" the old lady asked, concerned.
Right from when the old lady had asked Kathe why she wasn’t eating, Shashe and Rhea had lost their appetite, especially Rhea.
"I’m fine, just waiting for Jark’s arrival. It has been long since I had dinner with him, that’s why."
Though she had her own agenda for waiting for Jark to return, her words warmed the old lady’s heart.
"Have you tried calling him to return early?"
"I don’t want to disturb his work. Don’t worry, Grandma, I will wait for him."
Rhea dropped her spoon loudly on her plate, catching everyone’s attention.
"You don’t have to wait. Jark doesn’t eat late at night, and he won’t return anytime soon," Rhea said, clearly annoyed by the way the old lady was doting on Kathe.
"I’m the one waiting, not you, so you don’t have to worry," Kathe replied, facing her with a fake smile.
Shashe just snorted at Kathe and continued with her meal. She had a lot on her plate than to listen to Kathe’s words.
"Since you say you can wait, then it’s your choice, but make sure you eat your meal. You don’t know when he would be coming back," the old lady suggested.
Kathe nodded at her with a genuine smile and finally dug into her food.
Shashe was the first to leave the dining table after her meal.
"Grandma, I will be heading to my room now. Good night."
"Good night," the old lady replied.
She turned to Kathe with a mocking smile.
"Good luck with your waiting. I hope the food doesn’t get stale before his arrival."
"I will take that as a blessing," Kathe replied, waving her hand at her.
Which really pissed Rhea off. Her words were meant to annoy Kathe, not the other way around. Since the old lady was there, she couldn’t do anything to Kathe.
She stomped out of the dining room to her room.
The old lady, not wanting to make Kathe stay up late at night, decided to keep her company, but she kept dozing off. Kathe could see that the old lady wanted to keep her company, but her strength was limited.
"Grandma, you don’t have to wait. You can go have your rest. I will wait alone."
"Are you sure?" the old lady asked as her eyes narrowed at Kathe.
"Yes, I can stay."
"Okay then. Good night."
The old lady stood up and grabbed her walking stick. After making sure she was stable, she turned to face Kathe.
"If he doesn’t come back before twelve midnight, make sure to go sleep."
"I will, Grandma."
The old lady smiled at her before walking out. Kathe couldn’t help but smile as she stared at the old lady’s back. She could feel how deeply the old lady really cared for her.
Staying awake wasn’t a big deal for Kathe because back at her father’s mansion, whenever her father wanted to punish her, he would make her stay awake all through the night typing five hundred words in a letter.
.........................................
The mansion door flew open as Jark and Thompson walked in.
It was more like Thompson was running to keep up with Jark. They were about to walk past the dining room when they felt a presence. Without thinking twice, they both pulled out their guns and pointed them at the shadow.
"For crying out loud, it’s your own house. Do you have the habit of pointing guns at people?" Kathe said as she wiped away the cold sweat that had gathered around her forehead.
They quickly put away their guns when they heard Kathe’s voice. Jark signaled to Thompson to switch on the light.
"Why are you sitting in the dark? It’s almost midnight," he frowned as he checked his watch.
"I was waiting for you to come eat dinner."
"It wasn’t necessary."
"I know, but the dinner comes with a favour."
"What’s that?"
"Eat first," she insisted.
Just then, the light was switched on, forcing Kathe to close her eyes as she tried to adjust to the brightness. Jark couldn’t help but chuckle as he found her expression funny.
"What’s funny?" Kathe asked, clearly annoyed.
"Nothing. Just what do you need from me?"
"Come eat first. I don’t like owing any favours."
Jark understood what she meant. She was trading her meal for a favour. He walked to the dining table and began eating.
Though the food was a bit cold, it still tasted nice. Thompson, knowing that the two needed privacy, had already left the main mansion building.
Kathe watched Jark eat. She couldn’t help but play a prank on him.
"Aren’t you scared that I might have poisoned you?"
"No. You would have been dead before the idea itself would pop into your brain," he said with a cunning smile.
"You are not fun," she rolled her eyes at him.
"I’m done eating now. What do you want?"
He was curious about what she wanted to ask from him.
She didn’t know why she was feeling so nervous, but she forced herself to speak with courage.
"Hmmmm, I... Don’t get me wrong, but I want a job. I do feel bored at home. I just..."
Jark quickly interrupted her.
"It wasn’t in our contract."
"I know it wasn’t in the contract, but..."
She could feel his aura turning cold. That sweat started to break out on her forehead.
"End of discussion. I advise you to check the contract rules again."
He stood up and left, his mood icy. Kathe could only stare at his back with her mouth wide open. She knew that he wouldn’t agree that easily, but she didn’t expect him not to even listen to her words.
But she was determined to change his mind.
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