She looked at me in question.
“Hold on,” I said and flipped out the phone from my jeans pocket and dialed the number to the one woman who meant everything to me. “Mom.” I walked a few steps away and explained about Jasmin to her who was more than willing to comfort the girl just like I knew she would. I hand over the phone to Jasmin with the woman who birthed me on the other line.
“Who is it?” Jasmin asked taking the phone from me.
“I know she’s not your mother but she is still one. Mine.” I smile at her and realization hits her because a sentimental look crossed her face. She spoke a while to my mother while I sat there finishing my drink and wondering if I should charge my phone bill to her brother when I glanced at him. He was still watching us and Clarissa didn’t look too happy with the lack of attention from her boyfriend. Tonight wouldn’t be forgotten in a hurry not because my phone bill would be a mile long but because before the next day dawned, Jake Vandervaal had kissed me.
Chapter Five
“Thank you,” Jasmin said, hanging up and giving back my phone.
“Anytime,” I said. “Feeling better?”
“Much.” She said gratefully. “Your Mom is really sweet.”
“Sure.” I pocket the phone once more. Yes, Mom was nice when she wasn’t threatening to disown me and I loved her.
Jasmin came forward and hugged me this time. “I’m so glad I met you, Emma.” She leans back. “I know you’re technically Joseph’s friend but would you mind much to be mine too? I feel like you understand me on a level no one can.”
“Jo who?” I asked pretending to not know about her brother who was probably busy unconvincing Sarah about their break up. Jasmin giggled and I laughed. “We’re friends already Jasmin, I just wish we could have hung out before now. But no time like the present, yes?” She nodded. “Okay, now, off to bed. The bride needs her beauty sleep. You are to become a princess in less than a week. Literally.” I remind her. Oh, where was my prince charming? I resisted the urge to glance at the hotness who was seated at his table. His tense shoulders had relaxed after Jasmin had started giggling.
Before leaving Jasmin turns back to me. “Emma?”
“Yeah?” I shot down my drink. I should be heading to bed too. I had an early meeting with Mr. Aditya Srivastav, the vendor in charge of the drapes that were to be attached to the ceremonial stage.
“I want to go out for some last-minute shopping tomorrow since the day after the rituals will begin.” She said.
“Yeah, no problem.”
She shook her head. “I was wondering if you’d like to come along.”
Oh. I wasn’t sure what to say to that because I didn't do well in groups. Especially of the elite class. It wasn’t that I couldn’t handle myself, please, I could handle that shit like a high maintenance spoiled rich girl too but it just made me uncomfortable. And also reminded me of the fact that I wasn’t rich. I didn’t mind being middle class but preferred not to have the richness thrown in my face. Jo was different because even though he came from money and people flew to him like bees to honey, he shook them off. He was a loner who wanted to hang out with other loners. Like me. And Maggie, our other friend. And Lucy, our other other friend. I was better off with my few friends just eating popcorn and soda in my pajamas.
“It would just be the two of us,” Jasmin added when she saw my hesitation.
Well, that wouldn’t be so bad, since I liked the girl and her personality. “Sounds great!” I said. I was glad that she left the lounge in a better mood than I had found her in. I closed my eyes once she was gone as they burned from exhaustion. Time to head up. “Ms. Duvall.” I jump at the sudden utterance of my name and turn to see Jake next to me. For the love of all things holy, this man had to stop sneaking up on me. A small smile played at Jake’s lips and I narrowed my eyes at him. Did he do this on purpose? I wondered. Did he like giving me a scare and making me appear like a deer looking into headlights? “Jake,” I said. “And please, call me Emma. I think we’re past calling me, Ms. Duvall.” I say impersonating his tone.
He lets out a deep laugh that reached his eyes and created a small crinkle near them. The sound made me feel as if the butterflies in my tummy were drunk on Redbull. “Would you like to go on a late-night stroll with me? I’d like to talk to you about something.” I looked behind him and saw Ciara had vanished from his table. My body protested any more actions but my heart, poor old naïve heart wanted to spend time with Jake so I agreed and went out to the wide expanse of green plains that looked oddly beautiful in the Rajasthani desert. Jake was quiet for a while as we walked in companionable silence before we sat on a bench that overlooked the hotel restaurant in the distance.
“I saw what you did for my sister.” He said. The amusement in his eyes from earlier was replaced by something else. Something more serious. More intense. “Thank you.”
I wave it off. “It’s no big deal. I’m glad I could help.”
Jake watched me for several moments, face unreadable. Usually, I could make out what people were thinking, but Jake’s face was made up of a foreign language that I didn’t understand. “Jasmin hasn’t had a new friend in a while.” He tells me. “Since our parents passed away to be exact.” I remain quiet. There was nothing to say to that. “She hasn’t allowed herself to get close to anyone since the accident, afraid that she’d lose them just like she did our parents.” My heart pained yet again for the children who missed the parents who had loved and spoiled them considering the way the three still spoke about them. Jasmin and Jo still had their elder brother to console them, but who consoled Jake? “The fact that she’s glad to have you and is happy when you’re around, must mean you’re something special.” He said eyes latched onto mine.
Heat floods my body to have his intensified attention on me and I mumble something unintelligible.
“Even Joseph can see that.” He said and took my hand in his.
Jo who? My thoughts get muddled as Jake shifts closer. “And you?” I murmur. I manage to get out. “Do you think I’m special?” A light breeze brings a few rogue strands of my hair in my eyes which makes me close them. I could feel Jake’s breath and my heart started pounding against my chest as his warm fingers softly skim away the strands. I open my eyes and see his face inches from my own. He smelled of expensive perfume but not in that suffocating way. It was light and pleasing to the senses. Pleasing and mixed with his scent, intoxicating. His hand lingered on my cheek before cupping it.
“I knew you were special since the moment I saw you in my kitchen all those years ago, walking in as if you owned the damn house.” He said.
“I thought you didn’t like me,” I said. “You didn’t even say a word.”
“Did I have to?” He looks at me meaningfully. “I spoke to you in our secret way. I don’t have girls coming into my kitchen every other day so I could exchange silent greetings with them.”
I knew it! That smile he had given me was our secret after all. I hadn’t been wrong. “I thought it was just me,” I mutter and lower my eyes.