***The next day Sunday evening***

Eric raced all the way towards Anna’s bathroom and tried sliding the glass door which unfortunately didn’t move as it was locked from within. The young man began to smash his knuckles against the door as though he intended to shatter all the glass. His patience was running low as he struggled with the decision of either dismantling the handle, or just breaking the glass door but luckily, the beauty queen unlocked it.

For some reason, she always locked her bathroom door in anticipation of the day her dramatic bodyguard would decide to intrude in her privacy.

“We have a situation ma’am. I have to get you to safety!” His eyes widened with his almost protruding eyeballs now signifying a big danger!

With that, Eric yanked Anna’s hand and began to pull her out of the bathroom as the woman struggled to secure her towel with her other hand. “Stop! Eric! Stop!” She snapped her hand away.

“We’ve got an intruder” He finally alerted.

Something in her mind whispered to her to get to the balcony to see for herself so she plucked her pink robe which was dangling on the hanger and quickly guided herself out of the dressing room. Eric still followed her as they entered into the master bedroom.

Aiming to the balcony, she slid her hands into the pink robe and allowed the towel to fall off before tightening the loose ropes. She glanced out through the balcony door only to see a green helicopter navigating around her mansion. Jalan Marco’s head could be seen from the distance, surveying the arena as though he was trying to find the best spot for landing.

Anna freaked out of excitement as she jumped into the balcony and started waving and giggling in her pink robe to catch the intruders’ attention. Her wet hair was swinging and dancing in the air when Jalan Marco’s eyes fell on her figure and he instantly waved back.

By now, Eric’s palm were all sweaty and itchy. He wiped away the humidity from his forehead, thinking of how much he would sell his two extra apartments to feed his jobless ass because his boss will not let it slide.

“Eric?” The small but scary voice he dreaded threatened to dominate his ears.

“What are you doing? Get out there and guide the pilot to a safe landing”

“Yes Ma’am”

***And then some few minutes later***

The helicopter successfully landed on the ground. The professional pilot seemed to be a woman in her early 40’s, and Eric could see that while he guided Mr Jalan Marco all the way into Anna’s big white Mansion. The two security men stopped and stationed themselves by the entrance. Their appearance spoke a lot about how much their pockets were worthy.

Eric kept glaring at their expensive suits. He envied those bastards looking down on him just because his four hundred dollar jacket _ was with the dry cleaner.

Jalan Marco strolled into the well furnished sitting room, holding a bunch of fresh roses. His sweet signature fragrance engulfed the air as he fixed his eyes on Anna, standing upstairs.

He wore a plain white unbuttoned shirt which exposed his collarbone, his hair as usual _ slicked perfectly combed to the back like a good, loyal man.

“Up here” Anna said, and he swiftly strode his legs and skipped some steps while moving up the stairs like a professional stair climber. His usual style of greeting _ a kiss on the hand so he pulled Anna’s right hand into a soft kiss. He pushed forward the roses with one hand, making his killer smile to instantly awaken the butterflies in the woman’s belly.

Anna did not think that Mr Jalan Marco would be taking such bold move of coming to her home by himself. Yes, she text her home address to the number on the V.I.P. party invitation which he gave to her at the Casino simply because a driver was to be sent to pick her up at 8:00pm and take her to the party venue, but she had no idea that she was gonna ride on Mr Jalan Marco’s helicopter.

Amazing.

Fantastic.

She delicately accepted the roses with one hand, and then reached out for Mr Jalan Marco’s wrist with the other. She pulled the tall man’s hand as she begin to lead him further into the corridor. Her hand dropped the roses neatly on a golden tray before they entered into the dressing room.

“Will you help me dry my hair? Her hand reached out for the hair dryer beside the mirror and she offered it to Jalan Marco. Body suddenly stiffened when she felt his hand rolled around her waist, twisting her in 360 degree. He picked her up like a baby and dropped her into the comfy chair in front of the mirror before he finally collected the dryer from her hand.

Like a professional hair stylist, he used his hand to part her hair into two sections, positioned the dryer at the center before he begin to work on the inner part and slowly proceeded to the outer part.

Even though he was a mute, it looked like she will be having a lot of fun in hanging out with him since he has special interests in her. He will be her next Roman.

***Time skipped***

The army green helicopter landed in front of a massive resort centered in the heart of a small island; the venue where the v.I.p. party was to be held. Marco dropped down first before he helped Anna.

“I’ve been here before sometimes back in January last year” she said, intending to brag a little as she dropped down from the helicopter entirely relying on the man’s strong arms.

A commotion suddenly broke out near a small group of reporters as they gathered around taking pictures and recording video of another massive convoy coming from a distance. What could be happening over there? She wondered, hopefully wishing that they would stick around to see the personality causing such commotion however, Jalan Marco did not allowed that. He held her hand firmly and proceeded towards the entrance even before the convoy arrived.

Riches.

Wealth.

Money.

Hot looking muffins. And oh… Isn’t that Sino Yamato? Maybe yes, or no? Well. Whatever. The interior was breathtakingly fantastic.

Shortly after the couples (Anna and Jalan Marco) were served drinks on their small round table, the personality sauntered into the hall with six security escorts scattered around him. With so many attentions now directed towards the tall, charming looking figure with blonde hair, Anna could not suppress her urge but to look at the man.

The first thing that captured her attention were his smile, before his simple beach shorts, which obviously does not screamed of dollars like that of all the other gentlemen around. She was sure he was the same blonde dude at the Casino the other day. Now why is he looking and coming towards her?

“Can I steal your boyfriend for a few seconds?” he gazed far beyond her eyes, sending some kind of weird feelings into her soul and before she could think of something, anything… Jalan Marco briskly got up and signaled the blonde guy to follow him.

What just happened to her mind? She wondered, feeling as though she has gone blank and empty.

“Why are you here?” Jalan Marco signed with his hands. They were standing with the blonde guy a little bit far away from the table where Anna was sitting.

“What? Am I not welcomed to your family’s little party anymore?” The blonde dude sounded satirical “Okay so Sino was right. I think the new girl is receiving a little bit too much of your attention”

“She’s not the reason why I missed the meeting today” he gestured with his hands.

“But you know the rules”

“I know. Will soon be done with her”

The blonde guy seemed to be perfect at understanding sign language. He gazed at Jalan Marco as though he was trying to read his mind “Lets see” he said as he sauntered towards the table again. Nothing holds him back from doing whatever he’d intended to do.

As she took a small sip of her lemonade, she noticed the presence of the blonde dude now shoving himself into the chair next to her “Hey dove” he said, bringing his nose too close enough to be inhaling the sweet smell of her perfume. “I love the way you smell” his cheeks crinkled and he grinned like a big maniac.

Okay… This one is either a psycho or a junkie. She slightly pulled away from the blonde figure invading her space “Umm… nice to meet you, who are you?” She spoke uncomfortably before Jalan Marco showed up and abruptly dropped his hand on the blonde guy’s shoulder.

Anna saw Jalan’s eyes holding a somewhat uncomfortable gaze and she sensed something odd going on between the two like they were communicating some codes through the eyes.

“Will get to see ya some other time dove” the intruder suddenly rose up. A sinister grin crossed his face “I have a feeling like we will be crossing path soon” His hand motioned and gently stroke her cheeks before he pulled back and left her unable to comprehend his small drama.

“Who is he?” she instantly questioned.

Though Jalan Marco delayed a reply as he observed how obviously blown away the woman looked. He then brought out his pen and wrote down something as follows: “Nate. The youngest son of the Thunderbergs” He watched her reactions swiftly changing into something different. A lump formed inside his throat as he clearly saw a glitter of excitement in her eyes.

“Are you… friends with him?” She inquired to know more and in reply, he shook his head in a “yes” motion. He knew more questions would be coming his way so he quickly excused himself and left for the male restroom.

Splashing the cool running water on his face, his eyes settled on the reflection in the mirror. The hot tempered beast inside of him feels very provoked and he does not want the woman to see that side yet. How dare she put him off again! His lump grew bigger. He will do whatever he has to do to have her first before Nate.