CHAPTER 12: SATURDATE I

"Good morning! Breakfast ready!"

He was greeted by the smiling woman as soon as he reached the dining table. It looks like the woman was the one who prepared his breakfast for today.

It's 6:30am when he glanced at his wristwatch. How come she's early today? he thought as he sat on the chair.

"Where's Susan?" he creased his brow as he asked the woman glowing.

"Oh, Susan… She's helping Leah right now. I told her I'd be cooking your breakfast this morning."

"Didn't I tell you not to meddle with any of my affairs?" he coldly uttered.

"I know. But cooking breakfast is not included in the contract." she pouted. "Didn't you say I have the freedom to do as I wish?"

"But not this." He scowled. "So you should add this in your lists. Never do the work of the staffs here unless you want to be one of them."

"Tsk. I don't think I'll do that. I have been making my own breakfast all these years and I will continue doing it so. This one won���t be added on my list. I'm sorry." she nonchalantly replied. "Your coffee S-I-R."

She placed the cup of coffee before him and sat opposite him as she sips her own coffee with a smile on her face.

"What a stubborn creature!" he hissed. He doesn't have a choice but to consume what this woman prepared. He doesn't even know if the food is edible. Whatever it is, the woman will surely hear a scolding if it doesn't suit his taste.

He digs in and he must admit that it was quite delicious. It's not bad at all but he can't bring himself to compliment the woman who was looking expectantly as he munches the food before him.

"How is it? Is it good?" she asked.

"Ehm." His face doesn't show any emotion at all and it disappointed the woman.

Marcus finished the dishes set before him and was about to take the plates at the sink when Jade suddenly stood up and held his hands.

"Leave it. I'll clean this for you." still, she was smiling at him and took the plates from his hand. He stood frozen for a few seconds before he went to get his things on the couch.

He was startled when he felt her soft and gentle touch coupled with her glowing smile. Tsk, whatever. He scoffed within him and was about to leave but Jade stopped him. "What again?" he rolled his eyes annoyingly.

"Sorry to trouble you but take this, I prepared a lunch for you."

However, Marcus furrowed his brow while looking intently at the lunch box she was holding. "I have a lunch meeting today." He uttered before he totally left the house.

"He should have considered my efforts… hmp!" The woman rustled before she opens the lunchbox. "It would be a waste to throw this one though."

She returned to the kitchen with a defeated glow. After cleaning the table and washing the dishes, she sets out to the nearby park to run a little mile. It's late and she knew it, but she still chose to jog around the park since she won't be doing any special thing today.

She was sweating amply when she returned home. It was when she finished showering when her phone buzzes.

"Zion, what's up?" she answered.

"Hey, sorry to call you this late but can I ask you a favor?" the man seemed anxious over the line.

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you over lunch, would that be okay?"

"Oh sure. I'll bring us food." she offered when she remembered the lunchbox Marcus rejected.

"That's perfect. I'll wait for you then."

Looking at the time, Jade rushes to the hospital where Zion works. He is a neurosurgeon but was also catering to general patients so he is usually busy. Every single minute to him is precious so she shouldn't be late at all.

She reached the hospital lobby at exactly 11:45am and had been patiently sitting at the waiting area.

"Hey, have you been waiting for long?" Zion uttered as soon as he reached her.

"No, not that long." she smiled at the man who looked flustered. "Where can we eat this?"

"Hmmm…" he was thinking. "Would you like to see the rooftop at the other building?"

"Sure, sounds fun."

They both headed to the rooftop at the annex building. People usually go there to eat, if not, get some fresh air therefore, tables and chairs are not a problem.

"What is it that you want to ask me?" Jade started.

"Can we eat first? Sorry I'm starving." He chuckled.

"Of course. Take your time then."

Zion gawked at the dishes she prepared. There's rice, chicken, vegetables and tofu.

"Is it good?" Jade couldn't help but asked the man who was seemingly enjoying the food.

"Ehm, It's so much good!" he exclaimed.

"I wish I can hear that from him too." she muttered but Zion didn't catch that.

"Jade, uhm, can you be my date this saturday night?" Zion's sudden question made Jade coughs for a few seconds.

"E-eh? What did you say? Are you asking me to go on a date with you? I'm sorry but the truth is I have a hu---"

"Uhm, sorry. I didn't mean it that way." He chuckled. "See, the hospital holds an annual celebration party to commemorate the founder's wife and everyone will be bringing their dates. Unfortunately, I may end up being alone again just like the past few years so I was asking if you can join me."

"Eh? But why me? I'm sure you have a lot of hospital staffs who'll be dying to be your partner."

"That's the problem though. I am actually trying my best not to cause any trouble inside the hospital."

"And going out with your co-staffs destroys your image?" Jade rolled her eyes unbelievingly. Can't he think of a much heavy reason aside from that lame one?

"Ha ha ha…" He chuckled at his own lame reason. "Not that it destroys my image but it's something I don't wanna risk."

Jade was a bit disappointed and so she stood up.

"Zion, I know I owe you a lot but such thing as this is not a joke. Besides, I am already married." She was about to leave but Zion held her arm and knelt before her.

"Pretty please?" he blinks his eyes cutely. "I know your married but can you go with me as a friend? Just a friend. I'll make sure to introduce you as my friend. Better yet my sister if you want to." he pleaded.

He looked pathetic and knowing Jade, she has a soft heart after all.

"Sister. deal?"

"Deal!" the man yelped excitingly then stood up and unknowingly embraced the woman.

Unknown to them, someone had been watching them from the other building of the hospital and he sneered in contempt upon seeing how they exchange sweet smiles from time to time. And when the man embraces the woman, he hissed in annoyance.

"Mr. Hanes, are you okay?" The director of the hospital asked the man whose mind is obviously somewhere else.

"Ehm." He nodded and face the old man.

"You will be attending as a special guest this coming Saturday, right?"

"I think I will." He responded after glancing at the two people at the rooftop for the last time.

They're becoming an eyesore and Marcus seemed upset seeing how the woman responds to the man's flirting.