“I don’t know about you but I don’t want to die yet,” I said offhandedly.
“Then quit hitting me.” He was driving with one hand and rubbing his arm with the other. “But you never told me why you didn’t date anyone since then.” He said. “For real I mean, not like a date here and a night out there. So, what’s the story?”
I shrugged. “There’s no reason except none of the guys I’ve met so far have clicked.” I couldn’t possibly tell him the real reason. Jo & I had been friends since middle school, but it was in our senior that I had finally received the privilege of visiting the Vandervaal mansion and it was also the time that I had first laid eyes on Jake Vandervaal. God, just his name made me swoon. He was in the kitchen when we came in. Looking around, it could easily be the size of my whole house. Jake was dressed in a casual grey t-shirt and dark trousers quietly sipping tea or coffee or whatever it was he drank. I distinctly remembered wanting to be that black mug he held so close to his lush lips.
Jo had taken my hand and pulled me to the enormous stainless steel fridge to get us a soda before we headed to attend our classmate Chelsea’s birthday bash. Jake was a few years older and was already running an empire that was Vandervall Constructions at the age of twenty-two. As I had tried not to ogle his model perfect physique and a GQ magazine face, his eyes assessed me coolly. Very slowly he had gazed at me from my red-colored toes to the brunette hair which fell in waves over my shoulder. I wasn’t dressed in much just khaki shorts and a deep blue top. I shifted on my legs as he made me feel all hot and bothered by his scrutiny. Jo popped a can and put it in my hands, more like shoved it on my tummy, before turning to get one for himself. Geez, didn’t he know how gently a girl needs to be treated?
Jake’s gaze traveled to my face as I had taken a sip of the cold soda which soothed my body that was burning up. His eyes darkened a fraction as they lingered on my lips and then my throat. Or it could have been the lighting, I was never sure because in the next moment they had looked quite normal. He gave me a small nod of acknowledgment and a tiny seductive smile and I blinked at him comically like a cartoon character. I was just thankful my eyes hadn’t popped out of my sockets with hearts painted on them. Jake left the kitchen, mug in hand, brushing past me, his body half an inch away and I had to all but wrap my arms around my stomach so I wouldn’t jump his bones. A wave of desire that rocked my core was shocking. The corner of his lips pulled up as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding as soon as he was out of sight only turning to see Jo looking at me with a bored expression as if this was an everyday occurrence in this kitchen. I hoped not. You see I liked to think I was special. At least at the time that small exchange with Jake had felt like our little secret. I found it hard to believe he looked that way and gave that sexy smile to every girl that entered his mansion. But I had been a naïve girl who was blinded by her crush as I’d found out later. I was no one special. Not in Jake Vandervaal’s world. But just that one meeting was enough to ruin me for another. Anyone I met after that day, paled in comparison. They never had the right physique, not that model face nor those alluring eyes.
I never planned on telling Jo about this. It would just be plain awkward. Hey, Jo, if you really want to know why, well the reason is that I’ve been crushing on your brother since that very first day at your house like a lovesick puppy. Do you think he’d give me the time of day if he knew? Yeah, like I said, Awkward with a capital A. Over the years, Jo had kept me updated about the never-ending parade of girls walking in and out of Jake’s life as if it was a fashion show, unbeknownst that I wanted to walk in there too and stay forever until I finally gave up. Not that I ever stood a chance. So one morning, I woke up and took a cleansing deep breath while doing yoga and let all feelings for Jake out into the universe. I still daydreamed every once in a while after I see a random commercial on TV about his company or his gorgeous face on the billboard, because it doesn’t hurt to dream.
Jo waved at the security guard at the gate as we reached the house, who gave us a nod and buzzed us in. Even the grounds surrounding the mansion were expanding over many acres. Jo parked the car near the entrance and we got out. At the door, we were greeted by an old lady with a kind face and a crooked tooth whom Jo referred to as Gracie and was responsible for managing the household chores. I hadn’t seen her before during my only visit. As Jo leads me to the living area, I look around. Though it had been years since I’d come here, the place was the same. Just a few additions such as the painting on the center wall or the flower pot beside the piano were added. Everything was clean and so shiny, I bet I could see my face on every surface. Jo yelled Jasmin’s name and sat down in the dark brown leather couch. Within seconds, I was face to face with his sister.
Jasmin reminded me of the actress Katie Holmes with her cute little face and if I considered myself short, Jasmin was a few inches shorter. She was a total contrast compared to her eldest brother but let’s not go there again. She was bubbly and cheerful everything that Jake wasn’t.
Damn it. I promise I WILL NOT go there.
Jasmin, Jo, and I established an immediate rapport as we discussed what she wanted to do for her wedding. She didn’t want any particular theme and wanted to do this as a completely traditional wedding with all the rituals that an Indian bride would normally do. She wanted to experience this since she was a huge Bollywood fan and wanted the same after her fiancé Aryan had proposed to her. She was positively ecstatic about going the Indian way. The location would be the northern state of Rajasthan where Aryan’s family resided in the palace. Because of course, he was a prince. Jasmin had gone and found herself a literal prince. I mean c’mon, the name Rajashthan meant Land of Kings. Just perfect. She must have done something very right in her previous life such as save the country or something. I must have been the opposition she must be saving the country from for having to end up with a crush the size of the sun on her brother. Just to clarify, the sun is about a hundred and nine times bigger than earth. So you get the gist. Yes, I had it bad for Jake.
She had printed out a whole binder of ideas out of which she gave me the liberty to pick and choose as per my liking and give her the presentation. When the topic of financials came up, she simply waved it away and said it was no issue and she’ll even make an upfront advance payment. I loved clients like her.
“Well, this was fun.” She said with an easy dimpled smile. “I haven’t been this excited since Aryan won the Polo Championship last year.”
“I’m sure you were excited when he proposed,” Jo said standing up. I followed suit.
“Yes, but that was different.” She said.
“We should head out now,” I said shouldering my bag.
“Oh, please wait a few minutes. I have something for you. I’ll be right back.” With that, she dashed out of the room and ran up the stairs.
I gave Jo an uncertain look. “She hates whenever a guest leaves the house empty-handed. She’ll probably hand you a ton of Patchi boxes. A habit she acquired from our late mother.”
Could she be any sweeter? “That’s nice. I could use some chocolate.” My hips would argue otherwise.