MJ cursed under his breath as he ran out of the grocery shop, he never expected to meet Laura, the gorgeous dark haired woman, the Last time he had met her was at the stream, to be honest he thought, she had crossed his mind ever since he saw her, somehow MJ felt drawn to her and he could not tell why, he could see pain in her eyes but it was another kind of pain different from what he felt whenever he thought about Shirley's betrayal. He could not tell why he felt so protective of this woman, when he gazed into her eyes all he wanted to do is to kiss all her pain away, she provoked the wildest thoughts in him and his pant bulged whenever he was near her, "dam it ! no! no! I can't fall for her, I can't allow myself to be hurt again" he murmured . MJ knew this feeling, it was familiar to what he felt before, he knew he had fallen hard for Laura, he was smitten with her and he did not even know who she really was yet. As he took the windy path home MJ tried to convince himself that what he felt for everyone woman was purely hate including Laura. The bruises to his heart from his failed marriage with Shirley was still very fresh, and he had learnt a terrible lesson to never trust again, and that love is over rated, not real at all.
It was a windy day in Little Borough, the sky was blue and birds chirped sweetly in the skies, MJ sighed with relief when he saw he was walking along the path that led to the Macsterreen Manor, he could see the large ancient gate, he must have been walking for the past thirty minutes or more but he did not notice because he was deep in thought. MJ did not drive his Mercedes to the store because he needed to the walk to clear his mind and take in the beautiful scenery of Little Borough, this town he had always loved and still did love. The guards flung the gates open as he approached " welcome back sir they choroused" MJ nodded acknowledging their warm greeting; the Macsterreen Manor had always been guarded as far back as he could remember, there was always four guards at the gate and three more guarding the estate, a tradition his father started after a kidnapping attempt when he was a little boy; two masked men had someone entered the manor without the security alarms going off and attempted to kidnap him when he was just six months old, luckily his mum came in just in time to see the hoodlums and she raised an alarm which led his father's personal bodyguards to rush in and overpower the criminals. The incident shook MJ's father so much he decided to install a more sophisticated security system and security men all around the manor to ensure the safety of his family and home. MJ grew up in wealth and opulence being the son of a billionaire, but most importantly he grew up surrounded by the love of his parents and elder sister, being the heir of the Macsterreen fortune, his family had high expectations of him and so he received the best education; homeschooled by the very best teachers in the country and went to university abroad where he bagged his MBA in Business Administration and Management. The time was 2:30pm on a fine Tuesday afternoon and as he finally got to the entrance of the manor he felt a little pang of hunger, he was so occupied in his thoughts and his encounter with Laura he forget he had not really had anything to eat today Albert only made him a cup of coffee on his request. As he walked into the vast opulent Living room he came face to face with Albert "Hello young master, how was your walk to town?" Albert asked him, MJ responded "oh,it was most eventful, the town haven't changed much, it still looks the same as when I left, it feels good to be back " Albert nooded with a smile " It's good to have you back sir. would young master like to have his launch now?" he asked, "oh yes of course, I am famished" MJ responded and stood up as Albert waved him to the dinning table. he sat down waiting for his launch to be served but then his mind wandered off again to Laura; what a remarkable woman, he shooken out of his thoughts by Albert who had already set the table with the most tasty looking meals MJ had ever seen "Young master will be having this special Agege bread and jam for starters just like you like it, Chinese fried rice and roast duck as main and vanilla ice cream as desert, do enjoy your meal sir," Albert said as he bowed and left MJ who was already devouring the bread and Jam he loved so much, he particularly requested for the Chinese fried rice and duck and Albert was an expert in making this dish. MJ took a spoonful of the rice savouring every bite and taste, he did not realize how hungry he was until he got his lunch served. After Launch MJ sat by the poolside taking in the beautiful opulence of the vast land of the manor, he breathed in the fresh unfiltered air of Little Borough and thought just how different it felt from that of the city even when he sat on his balcony of his luxurious condo at the topmost floor, the air here in this humble town was still better. As he sat baking in the sun, his mind wondered back to Laura, who was she? where does she live, he could not remember ever meeting her or knowing her family ever since he was a boy and visited Little Borough with his parents and his family was known by everyone in town, and also his family was closely acquainted with the most influential families in town his family being at the top of the cadre. MJ felt he should ask Albert about her, why was he interested in Knowing her all of a sudden, there was a deep gnawing in his heart to see her again, although he seemed to loose his guard whenever he was around her. He used to think Shirley was the most beautiful women before he met her, how wrong he was; she had a powerful aura around her, her beauty was a different kind ( unfiltered and innocent). He remembered every detail of her face, she had makeup on and yet she was fair to look upon. MJ felt the heat of the sun on his face and then went inside to quickly take a cold shower, he felt hot but not just from the heat, his groin ached in desire for Laura,, "get her off your mind you damn fool" MJ rebuked himself. He got into the shower and turned on the tap, he stood still as the cold water dripped down hoping the drop of water will wash his surprised anger and sadnesses, hoping it will shake him of this feeling of being drawn to Laura and clear his mind of her thought.
Albert had noticed young masters mood as soon as he came back, haven served his family and taken care of him like a father since the young master was a boy, he knew MJ more than anyone even his late parents and so knew something bad must have happened to him in the city, but Albert knew his place despite being considered as family by the Macsterreens and so did not push his bounds by asking the young master what the matter was instead he waited because he knew MJ will always confide in him when he needed him, he will eventually tell him what was going on with him to have made him loose himself so much. He could hear the sound of splashing water coming from the young masters room, he stood by the hallway just waiting if the young master needed him he will be close to attend to his needs. The Macsterreens manor was so large it had a staff quarter detached from the manor itself, Albert occupied a two bedroom of the staff quarter, he has served this family since he was a young man and the family had been so good to him he in return has always been loyal. of all the family members Albert loved MJ the most, he was like the son he never has and he would gladly give his life for him. Albert walked towards the young masters door just in time as he opened his door, " do you need anything sir? he asked " oh Albert, nothing at all my good man, you can go, I will be just fine, and if I need anything I can find my way around the manor" MJ replied smiling, he felt so much at ease whenever Albert was around, Albert, old and faithful Albert was family to him, the man was literally a father figure in his life always present whenever his father went on long business trips. Just as Albert turned to leave MJ promptly stopped him in his tracks. "um, Albert I wish to inquire from you about a certain young lady called Laura, I met her at Mr O'Connor's store, I don't remember knowing her or her family, did she just move here? he asked trying not to sound too interested. "Laura Defrothy is the orphan niece of Mr Greg, she moved here to live with her uncle when she lost her parents in a car accident I heard, such a lovely young Lady she is, everyone is drawn to her charm, am sure young master is too" Albert replied smiling at him. Do you need anything else sir? Albert asked him, "not at all thank you Albert, please i would like to be left alone for now, and if I get any call from my office kindly take a message" he instructed as he retreated into his room. As MJ lay on his bed he felt much more drawn to Laura than ever, so she is an orphan, could that be the sadness he saw and felt when he looked into her eyes today? his heart resolved to love her, kiss her pain away and be her family but his brain said otherwise , remember all women are golddiggers and a chest, never trust any woman, never love again, these words echoed in his mind until he slept off slipping into a calm slumber, the first he had since he came to Little Borough.