Lilly.
“I’m curious,” Jake said. I was piling the used plates together so that I could take them to the counter. I paused when I heard his words and waited for him to continue. “What happened between you and your boyfriend?”
I stood up and carried the plates to the sink then returned and sat down.
“Nothing much,” I told him. “I realised that he and I were not good for each other. There were a lot of issues that I didn’t think we could work out. We had to part ways for everyone’s sake.”
“Okay,” Jake said. “I’m just glad he’s not here. He did seem like a nice guy, though. He was happy to see me. I don’t even remember him, but then again I rarely participate in the employee recruitments. I know very few of the staff.”
“Is it because you’re not interested?”
“Not really. We employ so many people so it’s hard to keep track. The two hotels and the insurance company have a lot of people. I also supervise some of my father’s companies. I mostly interact with the managers and never get enough time with the other workers.”
“Alright.”
After some minutes of chitchatting, we went to the couch and watched the TV.
“I’m not used to small screens,” Jake said. “How do you manage to enjoy what you’re watching on such a tiny screen?”
I chuckled. “When this tiny screen is all you’ve ever had, you enjoy it a lot. There’s nothing to compare it too. Not all of us are fortunate enough to afford big ones.”
“You should let me get you one. You’ll never want to watch this TV after trying it.”
“I don’t need your charity, Jake. I’m very comfortable with my tiny screen. As long as I can see things on the screen, it’s alright.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me getting you one,” he said.
“There is. I don’t know you that well. By the way, we seem to have forgotten what you came here for. Who is Ashley Kendall in your life?”
Jake was silent for a while, seemingly lost in thought. He was staring at me while I was focused on the television, giving him enough time to prepare a good and satisfactory answer. I wanted to know everything so I could tread carefully. Already I had slept with him, something that should not have happened until I was sure of his intentions with him. The only good thing was that it had been totally worth it. My core tingled just from thinking of it.
“I’m going to tell you the truth even though I know that you may hate me after hearing it. Whatever this is, I do not want it to start with lies.”
“Okay,” I said, lowering my torso so I could lie on his lap while listening. Jake started running his hands through my hair, making me feel good.
“Ashley Kendall and I haven’t known each other for long. I met her at Illistra when I went for a weekend gateway. You were one of the reasons I accepted to go for that gateway. After you ran away from me, I thought you regretted the kiss we shared. When I tried to call you, you refused to pick up. I thought you didn’t want anything to do with anymore, and I felt really lonely.
You see, my life is not easy. I have almost all the material things I want but that is never enough. I rarely have genuine people in my life. I felt you would be a genuine person. When you refused me, I had no choice but to chill with the people I’m used to. When my friend called me, I accepted to go immediately.”
“Okay, I have heard that but let’s get to Ashley Kendall.”
“Don’t be so impatient. I need you to understand me because everything is connected.”
“Okay.”
“When I got to the island, tens of people had already gathered to drink, dance and do all other sorts of things. I danced with some young models before Ashley came and sent them away. She danced with me, and we ended up hooking up that night, and the next.”
Those words felt like a stab to my heart but I remained calm. After all, I had been with Kyle until yesterday. I had also had a one night stand with him on the first day he went to Leah’s house. “Wow, that’s interesting. So you spent the whole weekend with her? I knew there was a reason she felt comfortable enough to kiss you. So, on that day had you told her you were going to that restaurant or not?”
“No, and I don’t know how she knew. I think it was coincidental. She kissed me and I pushed her away almost immediately. Had you stayed a bit longer, you would have seen that, but you ran off immediately.”
“I thought you played me. After the Ian incident, I don’t think I’ll ever fully trust you. I think you’re always trying to fool me. I’m not even sure if I believe that it wasn’t a set up, I mean her kissing you. I thought you did it to break my heart.”
“You thought wrong, I did no such thing. I’m being honest here. I want you and I’m sure of it right now. Let’s date and see where it leads. Life is too short to worry about everything.”
“Even if you were saying the truth, we can’t be together. At least, not publically. You can come and see me whenever you want and that’s it.”
“You want a secret relationship?”
“I don’t know if I want an actual relationship with you. Well, I think I do but it can’t happen. It’s too risky.”
“Why? You don’t like me? Is it because I’m well known and therefore we may never have the kind of privacy normal people do. Do I look bad?”
“I don’t think I should tell you.”
“Tell me, or I’ll go out there and shout to the whole world how much I love you.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Try me.”
“Okay, I signed an agreement that forbids me from going anywhere near you,” I confessed. “Your mother made me.”
“What?” It was his turn to get surprised.