YOU AND I

Plus one

TThe helicopter touched down on the conference hall's rooftop, joining several other sleek aircraft already stationed there. Below, a collection of luxurious vehicles gleamed in the midnight light ,their polished surfaces reflecting the importance of the gathering. As Mark stepped out of the helicopter, he extended his arm toward Susanna with a gentle smile playing across his features. She accepted his gesture gracefully, intertwining her arm with his, the silk of her evening gown brushing against his tailored suit. The warmth of her touch sent a familiar comfort through him, momentarily easing the tension of the upcoming event.

"Now it's just you and I," Mark murmured, his voice barely audible above the diminishing whir of the helicopter blades, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that spoke of their shared history and uncertain future.As they walked into the hall , sits where filled and what was called a conference looked like a dinner hall , native cuisines , desserts and food where packed in every corner when yo7 turn left you'll see drinks when you turn right you'll see desserts there's no direction you'll look at and you wouldn't find any edible substances.

Mark escorted Susanna to their reserved seats, drawing curious glances from every direction. All eyes focused on Susanna, their unspoken questions hanging in the air: Who was this mysterious woman? How had she remained unknown to them until now? And most intriguingly, what connection did she share with the celebrated Mark Williams?

Leaning close, Mark's breath warmed her ear as he whispered, "For today, pretend you're not my employee, and I'll double your payment."

"Don't worry, I got you," Susanna reassured with a warm smile.

Mark chuckled. "I know you would do anything for money." Susanna promptly stepped on his toe beneath the table, concealed by the flowing tablecloth. He winced in pain.

"Why did you do that?" he whispered through gritted teeth.

She leaned closer. "First of all, I certainly won't do 'anything' for money, and secondly, I can step on your foot anytime I please since you're not my boss tonight."

Mark smirked. This woman was truly intelligent and infuriatingly stubborn.

The conference commenced, focusing on the expansion of companies and corporations—precisely why Mark's attendance was essential. Across the room, a familiar face caught his attention. Genevieve sat with her new boyfriend Julius, dressed in an inappropriately tight pink dress that left little to the imagination.

Susanna noticed her too and quickly averted her gaze elsewhere, pretending not to have seen.

For over an hour, the hosts explained numerous concepts and strategies. As the night grew late, servers began distributing refreshments to the attendees.

A waiter approached with wine for both Susanna and Mark. Mark beckoned the server back. "Excuse me, but aren't you aware that I'm a Christian who abstains from anything potentially intoxicating? Please remove this and bring me water—just water, nothing else."

"Can you imagine these people?" Mark scoffed after the waiter departed. "They know perfectly well I avoid such beverages. If this isn't the devil's influence, I don't know what is."

Susanna laughed. "Why are you overreacting?"

Mark glanced at her and couldn't help but smile at her infectious laughter. "It's the truth! I've made my Christianity well-known, yet they repeatedly make this mistake. This isn't their first offense, I assure you."

While the guests chatted and dined, Genevieve approached their table. Mark looked up but acted as though she were invisible. "Do you like the rice?" he asked Susanna, who smiled knowingly, recognizing his deliberate attempt to ignore Genevieve.

"Mark!" Genevieve exclaimed, her voice laden with anger and jealousy. "How dare you choose this lowlife woman? Of all people, I expected better."

Mark chuckled sarcastically. "First, don't insult my plus one. Second, she's a devout Christian—smart, funny, interesting, and neither ungrateful nor perpetually dissatisfied. Third, don't call me Mark again. I thought I'd made that clear. I have no intention of speaking to you again, so please avoid me in the future. If you persist in bothering me, I'll hire security to keep you at a distance."

Genevieve scoffed furiously while Susanna struggled to contain her laughter. "How's Julius?" Susanna whispered. "Are you pregnant yet?"

Mark's lips curved slightly. Recently, he had publicly told Genevieve to return to the man who would impregnate her before marriage—a comment made before numerous employees. Now "Are you pregnant yet?" had become the company's unofficial catchphrase.

Enraged, Genevieve raised her hand to slap Susanna, but Mark swiftly caught her wrist. "Genevieve, please leave us alone," he warned, his eyes stern.

Julius approached and removed Genevieve's hand from Mark's grip. "If it isn't the holy man who lost a treasure like my Genevieve," he taunted as Genevieve smiled triumphantly.

"Good day, Julius," Mark replied evenly. "Enjoy this relationship, but remember—eventually she'll prove ungrateful and abandon you for someone else."

Julius scoffed. "You think I'm anything like you? I've given her everything she's asked for—every single thing you couldn't provide."

Mark merely sighed, sat down, and sipped the water the waiter had just delivered, completely ignoring them.

AftAfter Julius and Genevieve departed, Susanna stood transfixed, marveling at Mark's lightning-quick reflexes that had intercepted Genevieve's impending slap. A warm flush crept up her neck as she met his concerned gaze.

"Thanks for stepping in," she murmured, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her voice carried a vulnerability she rarely allowed others to witness. "I'm not used to having someone shield me like that."

The admission felt strange on her lips. Throughout her life, Susanna had cast herself as the protector, the unyielding barrier between her siblings and the world's harshness. The unfamiliar sensation of being defended stirred something deep within her—a mixture of gratitude and an odd discomfort at relinquishing her customary role.

"Usually I'm the one standing between my brothers and sisters and whatever trouble finds them," she added with a half-smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, memories of countless interventions flickering through her mind. Her shoulders, perpetually tensed from carrying this responsibility, relaxed slightly in Mark's reassuring presence.f course I'll help my plus one," Mark replied with a genuine, warm smile.