One week after the meeting, Jamie was halfway finished preparing everything she needed before leaving for Bhorma for a year. She finished all her pending work in the city and informed all her ongoing clients that she will be residing in the island of Bhorma.
Work wasn’t going to be an issue because she’d been doing most of it long distance or from home. She handed over pending events to Perry to handle all the operational details on location.
She had renewed her passport for another 5 years because it was required before she started working. She organized her bank accounts to automatically debited her account for all her monthly payments in Lancaster, and all other tedious details she didn’t really enjoy.
“Ooh … do you think I’m doing the right thing? It already feels like a commitment and I’m starting to doubt if it’s even worth it?” she sighed.
“Of course it’s worth it, think of how many turtles you can save through this program and how much more you can do with the facilities he’s providing you,” Perry reminded her.
She clasped her phone to her chest, “You’re right … you’re right … I’m just having a last minute cold feet … I have to get over it.”
“That’s the spirit,” Perry patted her on the back.
She had just finished tidying up her closet, picked out summer clothes to bring with her when her phone rang. An unknown number. She picked up.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Knox, you are required for a meeting with Mr. Gabriel Love today, please be informed that someone will pick you up at your residence and take you to the venue.” A male voice on the other side of the line informed her the news.
“Today? What time?”
The caller paused, “There is someone right in front of your residence as we speak … I’m sorry for not informing you earlier, it was a last minute arrangement,” his apology didn’t sound sincere.
She held her head with one hand, “Uhm … ahh … I’m not really ready right now, what time is the meeting?”
He didn’t answer right away, “The car ride from your house to the venue will take approximately 1 hour … the meeting is in 1 hour and a half, I trust that it would be enough for you to get ready?”
She peeked through her front window and there was a black sedan parked right outside. The caller was legit.
“Half an hour to get ready? Sure, that’s more than enough for me … where is the venue?”
“Mr. Gabriel Love would like to see you at his home … I have to apologize in advance, but it is classified information and please be informed that you are under no circumstances allowed to share the information about his private resident with anyone … and your vision will be limited on your way there.”
Oh dear, I’m gonna be blindfolded, she thought. What a strange experience that would be, and not to mention scary. “Is it okay if I tell my housemate that I will be going to a meeting with Mr. Love? I need someone to know where I will be if I’m going to be blindfolded.”
The man chuckled, “Oh … no blindfolds Ms. Knox, just visually limited, you will see what I mean later … of course you can tell Mr. Perry Mason where you’ll be going to, just not where it is.”
She understood what he meant, she almost ignored the fact that the caller knew who her housemate was. She didn’t recall having told anyone from the company about Perry.
“Okay … let me get ready, I’ll be in the car in half an hour.”
“Excellent … I wish you a pleasant car ride to your meeting Ms. Knox, have a good day.”
“This is making me more nervous to work for this guy … unannounced carpool to a private meeting which I forgot to ask what the meeting is for,” she was taking her clothes while conversing with Perry about the call.
Perry looked out the window and saw the car too. “At least he lets you tell me you’re going to see him … he’s not a kidnapper or anything, I don’t think,” he didn’t sound very sure.
“Yeah … just weird, I guess,” she was still deciding on the appropriate attire for the meeting. She took a blouse that goes with her maxi khaki pants. “Bra … or no bra?” she asked in her underwear.
“Bra! Definitely! You don’t want him to think you’re seducing him going to his house bra-less?”
She pointed her index finger at him, “Good point … transparent one is better.” She unhook her bra and went over her drawer to get another pair with a more suitable color.
She would stand naked while consulting her selections of outfit with Perry before going anywhere important. He obviously had a better fashion sense than her so she listened to his fashion advice all the time. Then again, it wasn’t hard to dress her, Jamie would look good on anything she wears.
“Oh … what will I do without you for a year??” she hugged him.
“So … how do I look?” she turned around after she was done.
“Perfect! As always … good luck, babe,” he kissed her forehead.
“Please come outside … walk me to the car … just so the driver can see you … I feel like I’m going into a car that’s taking me to another world,” she pulled his hand.
He laughed, “Maybe so … the world of Gabriel Love … I’m sure he’s living in a whole different world than ours.”
They stepped out of the front door, the driver was standing by the passenger door.
“I have my phone with me at all times … if there’s anything weird coming from you, I’ll call the police, okay?” he assured her.
“Aww … thank you.” She kissed his cheek before getting into the car. She waved right before the driver closed the door.
Once inside, she couldn’t see Perry anymore. All the windows were visually blocked from the inside, and it was sound proof. The only sound she could hear was coming from the inside.
“Are you ready ma’am?” the driver asked.
“Yeah,” she said nervously.
“I’m going to put on my earphones now and close the divider, should you need anything from me, you can push the red button in front of you.”
She saw the big red button in front of her and was going to ask him something.
“Sorry, ma’am, I’m not allowed to talk to the passenger other than extending the instructions for the ride … have a pleasant ride ma’am.” Then he pushed a button and the divider slid up to close.