CHAPTER 13


    Danie shifted her position when she heard him call. "Marcus, why have you returned?" She lied


    for the nth time. She sensed the man''s presence as he entered the greenhouse and waited. She


    was aware of why he returned...and it was to say goodbye. He is permanently departing.


    "I''m leaving," he said quietly. He should flee quickly or risk having his heart stolen by Danie.


    "When?" Her mouth was tugged away from the inquiry, yet she desired to know.


    "As soon as they return," he was referring to Paloma and the housekeeping workers who had gone


    on a trip.


    She nodded, and it pleased her that Marcus would remain until she was alone. "Then on that day,


    we''ll host a farewell party," she exined.


    "You''ve got to be joking, Dani! There will be no need for a departure party." For what purpose? He


    simply needs to depart in peace.


    "I am adamant," she stated. But the reality was, she couldn''t tell them that nothing had changed in


    the week they had been alone in the home. They remained strangers who werepelled to marry.


    However, she would spend some quality time with him before he leaves... permanently.


    She returned to the house following the floral arrangement and was astonished to see everyone in


    the living room...except Paloma. "You''re back," she murmured to Patty. She wished they had


    postponed their arrival at that point.


    "It appears as though you''re not overjoyed to see us, Miss E." Although Patty was the one who


    observed it, the rest of the crew concurred.


    "Silly. Of course, I''m overjoyed to see you again. Indeed, you are precisely on time. Hmm, I''d want


    you to create something delectable for lunch and serve arge quantity." She directed Patty to


    make advantage of her culinary abilities.


    "What asion do you have, Miss E?" Patty was inquiring.


    "My spouse was going for the Marines," she fabricated an ount about Marcus being recruited to


    join the Marines. The tale included loopholes, but who cares?


    "How quickly?"


    "Regrettably, yes. Where is my mum, by the way?" Danie questioned when her stepmother was


    unable to be seen.


    "She stated that she intends to meet her daughter," Patty responded.


    Danie gave a nod. "I understand. Patty, I need to obtain something from the vineyard. Therefore, I


    trust you to arrange everything, all right?"


    "Indeed, Miss." Patty responded before informing everyone that their vacation hade to an end.


    Once everyone had left toplete their assigned tasks, she gazed at Marcus and refused to


    absorb the fact that he would leave in the afternoon.


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    "Hey, would you mind apanying me to the orchard?" She invited him to assist her in collecting


    fruits for use in making fresh juices. Grapes, oranges, pomelo, and lemons grow in her father''s


    orchard.


    "What are our ns for the orchard?" Marcus enquired when he noticed that she was concealing


    something and was unable to look him in the eyes.


    "Simply to obtain some fruits." I''d like to have fresh orange juice and grapes for lunch." She


    responded.


    Marcus nodded and motioned for the woman to proceed, indicating that he would follow. "How


    many oranges do you think you''re going to need for the juice?" He inquired as to their destination.


    "Perhaps a basket," she said, indicating the location of the basket.


    "All right," he said, selecting some ripe oranges and cing them in the basket. After more than


    twenty oranges, he offered to carry the basket of fruits.


    "Permit me to take you to the vineyard." She dragged him to the vineyard, clutching one of his


    hands.


    "For what purpose?" Marcus believed Danie was up to something, else she would not have


    dragged him anywhere.


    "What else is there?" She pursed her lips when Marcus came to a halt and asked her a trivial


    inquiry. If he is not going, she has no recourse. She continued walking, eluding him.


    "Would you kindly slow down?"


    "No, you walk more quickly. Or has aging slowed you down?" She admonished him for his sluggish


    walk.


    "Thirty something is hardly an advanced age, Dani. I''m still young," he responded.


    "Excellent, my arse." Danie relished discussing Marcus''s advanced years, since Marcus


    appeared to be rather sensitive about it.


    "Are you aware of that? A man will easily fall in love with you, Dani. You are lovely and caring."


    What transpired? Why did he be unexpectedly emotional...and candid? He realized what he


    had said much toote.


    "I have my doubts, because if you are saying the truth, why are you incapable of loving me?"


    Finally, the words were out, and she had no intention of informing him that she was joking.


    "I''m sorry," he expressed regret.