The Billionaire's Revenge

Mark's reluctance

"You drive your car in those heels?"

"Sometimes."

He shot her a glare, "Jade, that's fucking dangerous."

It was the first time she heard him curse and it took her a while to respond.

"I've never been in an accident before."

"When you drive can you at least wear flats or something?"

She knew he only asked that of her because he was worried so she didn't protest. Normally she'd tell him not to tell her what to do. But he was asking out of concern so she nodded.

"I won't drive with my heels on." She promised.

"Thank you."

***

During her lunchbreak Jade called her mother, needing to talk to someone about Mark and his weird behavior concerning her father. She knew her mother worshipped the ground Mark walked on, but she just needed to rant. So even her mother's biased opinion would do.

"What do you mean he behaved odd when you told him about Arthur?"

"I mean that he sounded like he didn't want me to meet up with dad."

"Why wouldn't he want that?" Her mother's voice raised, getting so high it was barely audible, "Your father is not a bad man, Jade. I've told you many times and if you're not up to it, I can come over and talk to Mark about it."

"Mom, Mark is not a fan of dad."

"Because he thinks your father is a criminal, but Arthur is a good man-"

"Mom, we've been over this. The things he has done defines who he is which is unfortunately a criminal."

"He is still your father."

"And that's why I'm going to see him to listen to whatever he has to tell me."

"I like Mark." Her mother told her straightforward, "But don't let him convince you otherwise. Arthur adores you and he'd never do anything to hurt you or me."

"I know."

"I'm sure Mark will understand eventually. He just needs time to process everything."

Jade almost told her mother the truth, almost. At the last second she realized she was about to shatter her mother's world so she stopped herself.

"Don't be too suspicious of everything, Jade. Mark means well."

"I think he cares."

Her mother sounded confused, "He is your fiancé, of course he cares."

She smiled, "I need to get back to work, we'll meet up soon."

"Yes, we should have dinner together. The three of us. I'd like to see Mark again."

"I'll ask him when he has time, we'll set it up,"

"Don't forget about your meeting with your father tomorrow."

"I won't."

Jade ended the call and went back to work, feeling a lot better after talking to her mother. She didn't know the truth and couldn't give her good advice, but any advice would do. Jade had no idea how to deal with Mark on her own. He showed her kindness and he didn't conceal the truth about Tessa, but then he seemed to have a dark past with her father. So it was good to talk to someone about her future husband from time to time. Someone who wouldn't stab a knife in her back.

***

Mark picked her up from work just like promised, what he didn't tell her was that they weren't having dinner at home. He took her to a quiet restaurant, a place where he loved to eat occasionally with people he actually gave a crap about. Jade appreciated his effort.