“What are you doing here?” Narissa asked. Jake seemed to be everywhere today.
“I had an appointment. This is a law firm isn’t it?”
“Your lawyer is in this building? Which attorney did you see?” She interrogated.
“You’re awful curious today aren’t you?” He spoke indulgently, almost as if he were speaking to a child.
“Why shouldn’t I be, you keep popping up everywhere. Besides, you never mentioned that your lawyer was in the same building that I worked in.”
“You never asked. Do you need a ride?” He asked giving her a devilish grin.
“No thank you.” She wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily this time. She didn’t have the patience at the moment to deal with his secretiveness.
The casual smile fell from his face. “Why not? You’re standing in the middle of the sidewalk with an armload of stuff. You live twenty minutes from here by car, and who knows when the next bus will be by. Stop being so stubborn.” He chided. When put like that, Jake had a point. It was just a ride wasn’t it? When he saw her wavering, he smiled again dazzling her with its brilliance. “I won’t bite.”
Her head said no, but her heart was screaming yes. One last time couldn’t hurt, she decided. “Okay, thank you.” He took her heavy load from her arms and escorted her across the street to a navy blue Cadillac Escalade. “How many cars do you have?” she asked.
“Four.” He answered as he let her into the SUV. “How about lunch?” He asked as he started his car.
“Whatever.” She shrugged casually, with a nonchalance that she didn’t feel. Over lunch she would tell him that she wouldn’t be seeing him anymore. It was for the best.
They drove for a while in silence before Narissa began to wonder where they were. She had never seen this area before. “Where are we going?”
“Some place private.” He answered vaguely.
“Where?” Narissa persisted.
“It’s a surprise. We’ll be there in about ten minutes. Sit back and enjoy the view.” He ordered.
Narissa sighed. She was really too tired to argue, so she leaned back in the leather seat and watched as the houses became fewer and far between. Finally Jake made a turn into what Narissa thought were the woods, but there seemed to be a path that Jake was following. Holy shit. Where was he taking her? She was on the verge of panicking when she spotted a house. It wasn’t actually a house, but a mansion. Its beauty took her breath away. The mansion looked like something straight out of Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous.
‘Do you live here?” Narissa asked in wonder.
“Yes. Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful Jake.” She answered sincerely.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He grinned.
“Of course. Anyone would love a place like this.” She remembered that they were suppose to be going to lunch. “Jake, I thought we were going to lunch. As nice as your house is, I have a lot of things to do.”
“We’re having lunch here. We can eat out on the terrace. I’m a great cook.”
“But..”
“No buts. Just enjoy. It’s not like you have work or school to go to.” He had a point, Narissa reckoned.
The inside of the house was just as gorgeous as the outside. It was a dream. “What would you like to eat?” He asked.
“I’m not that hungry really. Something light I guess.” She shrugged feeling distinctly uncomfortable now. Something he had just said was bothering her.
“Well I guess I can make a couple of sandwiches but you’re missing out on all of my superior culinary skills.”
‘I’m sure you’ll get a chance with someone else.” She said snippily, remembering Jake’s blonde.
Jake gave her a long hard stare before saying anything “Would you like something to drink?”
“Water please.”
“We’re both adult here. I won’t tell anyone if you want something a bit stronger.” He teased.
“I don’t like the taste of alcohol, and when I’m really thirsty, I prefer water.”
“Okay. Why don’t you go out on the terrace and I will be out in a moment. Go through the living room and through the glass door.” He instructed.
While they ate lunch they chatted easily. Jake’s ancient Golden Retriever, Rusty sat at their feet. Narissa began to relax. Jake was at his most charming, making her laugh, and taking her mind off of her troubles. She let her guard down once again. “Would you like the grand tour?”
“Sure.” She agreed easily.
This house was really something else. Jake had an indoor and an outdoor pool, along with his own private screening room, five bedrooms and three and a half baths. Narissa went in and out of each room with delight. “You live here all by yourself?” She asked in amazement.
“In this house yes, but there is a little house on the estate where the housekeeper and her husband live. Olga and Sergei keep the house and the grounds pristine.”
“They have their work cut out for them, this place is huge.”
“I’m pretty self sufficient and for the most part, I clean up after myself. I have a cook that comes in twice a week to cook meals for me or when I entertain. Olga usually hires extra help when I have parties.”
“Do you entertain a lot?” Narissa was fascinated.
“Quite a bit actually. I have to in my line of work. I’m sure you’ll be at one of my parties.”
“I couldn’t really Jake. Actually there’s something I wanted to tell you. I don’t think it’s a good idea----” She was cut off.
“Something has been distressing you. Is it about your job?”
“Yes. Wait a minute! Earlier you mentioned me not having a job and school. How did you know?” She asked suspiciously.
“You told me of course. You also told me what your roommates did to you. Have you already forgotten?” He asked smoothly not batting an eye.
“I don’t remember telling you.” She said firmly, but the way he looked at her, made her uncertain. She was upset, maybe she did tell him without realizing it. He sounded so sure. How else would he know?
“You did my dear. Anyway, as you can see, I have lots of room here. You can stay with me as long as you want and I’m not expecting any rent either.” He offered.
“That’s really nice of you to offer but I don’t think so Jake. Actually I wanted to tell you that I think we should go our separate ways. You’ve been so nice to me but this is just too weird.”
“What do you mean?”
“What do you want from me? You’re rich and good-looking and I’m an unemployed nobody. Not only that; you never answer a straight question. I’ve been asked what you do for a living and you keep avoiding the question. Are you a drug lord or something?” She demanded.
“I didn’t know you felt that way. The truth is, some people are a little uneasy about what I do, but I guarantee, that it’s perfectly legal.” He assured.
“Uneasy about what. Please tell me.”