The Unexpected You

by Emily N. Kay

  “I had no idea,” he replies.

  I want to kill myself.

  I close my eyes for a moment. “But… why didn’t you tell me? You should’ve said something since the moment we met. Why did you go along with it?” I ask, my voice becoming a whisper. Why did you make me act like a fool! I want to scream at him.

  “First of all, I didn’t tell you because I was so shocked to see you. Secondly, I didn’t want to say anything because you were so stubborn. You wouldn’t leave. You were trying so hard to be an escort, and I didn’t want to embarrass you. So I just let you think whatever you wanted. If only I’d known it would come to this…” He gives a breathy laugh, shaking his head.

  My mouth drops. “Oh my God…” I cover my face with my hands. “This whole time you let me think that you are this pervert teacher…”

  “Pervert,” He repeats, incredulous. Then he laughs. I shoot him a look, and he laughs harder, his dimple flickering.

  “Okay, you can stop now,” I say.

  “Right. Sorry,” he says, looking like he’s actually tearing up.

  Dick.

  I patiently wait until his laughter dies down before I say, “And your friend––this Tyler guy––did you tell him what happened? That the escort he hired for you was your student.”

  “No,” he quickly replies. “I told him the night went beautifully. It was him who paid after all. Besides, if I tell him that my escort was a student, he would use that against me for the rest of my life.”

  I want to dig a grave for myself and stay there forever out of embarrassment. After everything I’ve said to him. That he wants me. That he desires me. Oh God, he must think that I’m a delusional slut.

  Wait, is that why I got a B on my paper…?

  It’s true that Nick is a jerk for coercing me to see him every week, but he is not a pervert after all…

  “I’m sorry about the kiss. I didn’t think clearly,” I mumble in my throat. My face must be so red right now.

  Nick seems surprised by my apology. “Well,” he says, “it was understandable, I guess.” His brow furrows. “You’re not mad? I thought you’d be lashing out at me by now.”

  I consider him for a second. “I am. But I don’t know… I mean, I know you’re a good person with good intentions and all. I know you mean well.” Nick smiles a little, and I add bitterly, “But I’m still not okay with you blackmailing me.”

  He nods, holding up his hands. “Fair enough.”

  “Although, there’s one thing I want to know.”

  He raises an eyebrow, still grinning, still having fun messing with me. “What?”

  “What if I wasn’t your escort that day. Say, if it was someone else, someone closer to your age, someone prettier, would you have done something…”

  “I don’t know…” he says, an amused smile hovering on his lips.

  “Sure you do. Let’s not pretend here. Any guy would have done it. It’s what any guy wants––a perfect night with no strings, no attachments, strictly business and pure pleasure.” I pause. “Although… I don’t understand why your friend booked my category.”

  “There’s a category?” Nick asks, brow narrowing. “I thought escorts are just––”

  “Fancy term for prostitutes?” I fill in for him and scoff. “Yeah, Leo thought that too.”

  So then I have to explain the whole Vixens two categories to him. And he’s listening very attentively to this new information.

  “So I guess, either your friend didn’t want you to get a girl pregnant, or he’s stingy, or maybe he just didn’t care enough to know the difference.”

  “Does that mean you’ve never…” he drags, raising his brow.

  “No!” I cry out, feeling my face burn. “What do you think I am, Nick? I’m a companion escort, not a prostitute. I’m still in high school, remember?”

  Nick’s mouth tugs upward as he looks at my reaction. “Thanks for constantly reminding me of that.”

  I scowl. “Because you should be reminded that you’re blackmailing a high school kid.”

  He studies me––and the way he stares at me makes my heart beats in a funny way. Should I be creeped out by him?

  “I’m glad though…” he begins. “I’m glad that you’re not in that other category.”

  I clear my throat. “Whatever, I think you’re too old to fool around anyway.”

  Nick lets out a laugh. “No saying no offense this time? Geez, I might be older than you, Alice, but I’m not that old.”

  “Well you are definitely acting like a dad right now. Grounding me in here? You know, I’ve never been grounded before. Not ever.”

  “Huh,” he says, “you must be a really well-behaved kid then.”

  I shake my head, mindlessly trailing my finger in circle on the velvet-textured couch. “My mom is more like my best friend. She would never do that to me. And my dad––he’s not living with us. So it’s not like he’s there to ground me.”

  I don’t know why I’m even telling Nick this. But the words just came out.

  Nick slowly nods in understanding, not saying anything.

  I take a deep breath and change the subject. “Anyway, are we going to sit here and talk for the rest of the remaining hours?”

  He shrugs. “Why not? I like talking to you.”

  I almost choke. I mean, it’s not that horrible talking to him––my blackmailer––but I would never admit that out loud.

  “If you like talking so much,” I say, “you should hire a therapist instead of paying for me.” Then I sit up straighter to look him in the eye. “Wait…” I narrow my eyes. “Now that I think about it, you didn’t have to make appointments to see me every week…”

  He looks at me quizzically. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m saying––you could have forced me to quit and I’d have no choice. But you chose to become my regular client. Why?”

  He pauses before he carefully says, “Because I want to get to know you, to understand you better. And also, it would be better that you choose to quit on your own terms, and not because I forced you to. I’m giving you a choice.”

  I swallow down a lump in my throat. “So… you won’t let me off this thing until I decide to quit on my own? That’s not a choice at all, Nick.”

  “It’s better than the one you were making.”

  “How long do you think you can pay for me? You’ll be broke if I refuse to quit any time soon.”

  “I told you, don’t worry about it.”

  I stare at him, trying to understand. How rich is he? Why would he go through all this trouble just to help one girl? Either he is really a good person or he is crazy. Maybe he has his own agenda… I shouldn’t trust him too quickly.

  “I think what you’re trying to do here is to make me feel guilty,” I say matter-of-factly.

  “Oh? How do you mean?” He leans closer, eyeing me curiously.

  “If I keep this thing going, and you’re running out of money to pay for me, you think that I’d feel bad for you and so I’d quit. Is that your plan here?”

  A smile spreads across his face, and he chuckles. “I didn’t even think of that. It’s a really good strategy, Alice. Very psychological thinking on your part.”

  I sigh. “Whatever. I’m done trying to understand you.”

  “You don’t have to.” Nick smiles, his dimple flashing. Then he clears his throat. “Do you want anything to drink?”

  “No.” I wet my dry lips and look at my phone. We only have about ten minutes left. Time has really flown by.

  He sees me looking at the time and he looks at his own watch. “Let me drive you home.”

  “Please don’t. It would seem like you’re my boyfriend if you do.” I grimace a little.

  Nick lets out a low chuckle, but he doesn’t insist. I think he agrees with me.

  Before I go, I turn to him. “What’s your bank account number.”

  “Why do you ask?”

  I raise my brow. “Do you seriously think that
I’ll take your money? I mean you’re still paying my agency, but I won’t accept any of it.”

  “You won’t accept my money…” he repeats, suspicions etched in his voice.

  “No.”

  “I thought you do all this for money.”

  I thought I did, until you took that away from me.

  I flash him a tight smile. “This way, I won’t feel guilty, and that strategy of yours won’t work.”

  Nick looks at me incredulously. “It’s not my strategy, but––”

  “One condition,” I interrupt.

  “What?” His eyes smile.

  “You have to have food ready for me. Every time. At least I’ll get some free food in exchange for my stolen time.” I allow him a genuine smile.

  His lips turn upward. “You’re a weird girl.”

  “Weird and funny? Do you have more? Adding to my expanding list of qualities an only low-rated escort would have.”

  Nick opens his mouth, about to say something, but decides not to. “Get home safe, Alice,” he says instead.

  “Don’t forget to text me your account number.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He grins.

  As I’m heading out, I realize... “Oh. I almost forgot.” I turn back, about to take off his sweater when he waves it off.

  “No. That’s yours to keep.”

  Chapter 14

  We are lounging on the Great Lawn, one of the greatest picnic spots in New York City, according to Leo.

  Everything is perfect today. We get a good amount of sun. Fall is in the air. Various shades of red, yellow, and brown leaves scattered on the grass. And we can’t forget about the foods, my absolute favorite part of a picnic.

  Zoe and Leo promised they’d handle all the refreshments. And true to their words, they bring together with them a put-together cheese platter with crackers, mixed nuts, grapes, and apples. Not only that, they made a stop at Panera to get us a bunch of sandwiches, avocado salad, mac & cheese, and four cans of soda. Leo even attempted at making punch soda from Pinterest. That’s how committed he is to today’s picnic.

  I contribute by bringing a batch of pumpkin spice cookies my mom baked yesterday.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t bring more,” I say as I see my friends unpacking their stuff bags after bags. “I didn’t know you guys are planning to stay here all day.” I laugh breathily as I eye all the foods.

  “Don’t be sorry. Your mom’s cookies are more than enough,” Zoe says while taking a big bite for emphasis. Leo leans in and bites the cookie off of her hand. “Hey!”

  “Umm, I’m taking the rest home,” Leo says with his mouth full.

  I smile. “My mom will be glad.”

  “Leave some for Jacob too! He said he’s on his way.”

  Right, Jacob… Zoe took it upon herself to be the one to invite him. “I’m not going to let you friend-zone him before this date even starts,” she’d said to me. And up until now she won’t even tell me what she said exactly to bring him here.

  We are surrounded by little groups of picnic-goers. There are a bunch of kids running around. One of them almost crashes into us. I grab the kid’s waist before he could fall down on our foods. Leo quickly grabs my mom’s cookies away from harm. “Protect these… at all cost,” Leo says. I laugh at how serious he is.

  “Babe, where’s your punch?” Zoe turns to Leo after going through all the bags.

  He immediate stops chewing, his eyes widening. “Shit! I left it in the car.”

  Zoe gasps. “But you were so excited for us to try it!”

  Yeah… Leo who never cooks, never crafts anything that are edible, made punch soda for us. He didn’t even let himself taste it, said we have to all savor it together.

  “We can still have it when we’re back in the car,” I suggest.

  “No!” Leo exclaims. “I had a vision, Alice. We’re supposed to have it. Together. Here.”

  “Yeah, we gotta have it here.” Zoe nods along with Leo. “I want to Instagram it. It’s going to be so pretty with the red and white blanket. Can you imagine?”

  “Um, hey guys.” Jacob appears, then he comes to sit opposite of me and next to Leo. “Hey, Alice.” He nods at me with a shy smile.

  I smile back. “Hi.”

  Jacob is dressed casually in a green t-shirt with a black bomber jacket. His hair is styled up and out of his forehead. Whether he’s trying or not, he does look extra cute today.

  “You had trouble finding us?” Leo asks with a tight smile, trying his best not to show his frustration with the punch situation.

  “Not at all. You three are very easy to spot.”

  “You mean, Alice is very easy to spot.” Zoe narrows her eyes and gives Jacob a knowing grin.

  Jacob lets out a dry laugh as his only response.

  “Oh! Now that Jacob is here… Why don’t Leo and I go back to the car and get the punch.” Zoe smiles brightly at me and Jacob.

  “The punch?” Jacob asks, confused.

  Everyone ignores him.

  I give Zoe a glare. “Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary…”

  “Nah. We’ll be back. Can’t believe I forgot.” Leo cuts in and stands up. I don’t think he gets what Zoe is trying to do. His mind is only set on getting the punch.

  When they are out of sight, I flash Jacob a small smile. “Are you hungry?” I ask, offering him one of the cookies.

  “Starving.” He grabs one. His eyes spark as he looks at it. “Holy––you made these? They look great.”

  “My mom.” I laugh as I look at him devouring half the cookie in one bite. “She always bakes the best stuff.”

  “Umm, I believe you,” he says with his mouth full, taking another bite.

  Then we fall into an awkward silent.

  To keep myself occupied, I unwrap half of a chicken sandwich and take a bite.

  What should I say to him? I always know what to say to my clients. It’s easy because I know what they want––flatteries and whatever things that make them feel good about themselves. And it’s easy because they don’t know me, and they never will get to know me. But a date is not an appointment. And Jacob is not a client. Now I don’t know what else I should say to make him happy.

  “So,” Jacob starts, “I was surprised when Zoe told me that this is your first––” He clears his throat before finishing. “Your first date. If… we even call it that.”

  “It is. Well, a double-date to be accurate, but still a date,” I assure him. “And yes. It is my first one. Officially.” A casual dinner with Nick that day did not count as a date.

  “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m honored to be your first. It’s cool. You’re cool. And you look… cool. Today.” He winces. “Ah, sorry. That was lame. I just want to say that… you look lovely today.”

  I blush. It’s adorable––the way he can’t seem to get it together when he’s around me. It seems like he is even more nervous than I am, and that makes me feel more comfortable somehow.

  “What else did Zoe say to you anyway? When she invited you here.” I ask him curiously.

  “Oh, she’s just––it’s nothing.”

  “Come on! There is definitely something you’re not telling me.”

  “She told me to be nice to you is all,” he says, his eyes on the cheese platter.

  I don’t press him further as I finish my sandwich. Feeling thirsty, I reach for a can of diet coke. And when I open the lid, fizzy liquid explodes from the can and some of it lands on Jacob’s pants.

  “Oh shoot! I’m so sorry.” I grab a Panera Bread tissue paper, and I hastily pat it on Jacob’s khaki pants in hopes of cleaning it. Ugh, of course it’s not going to dry this way!

  “No, no. It’s okay,” Jacob says, his voice high.

  Just then, before I’ve realized what I’m doing, Jacob abruptly stands up. My gaze follows him, confused. Then I see it. My hand must’ve gotten close to his… sensitive spot. Because he is having a fucking boner! Right here. Right now.

  “Oh my G
od,” I say, turning my horror-stricken face away.

  “Shit. I’m…” Jacob says, his ears bright red. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, Jacob. I’m sorry,” I say, my voice squeak. I shut my eyes.

  Is this how a first date supposed to go? He just got here, and this happened… What else could go wrong?

  Once he finally calms himself, he lowers himself down next to me again, still not looking at me directly. “It’s––it’s alright, Alice. Seriously, I’m the one who should be mortified.”

  I shake my head, wincing. “Let’s just… forget about it and we can start over, okay?”

  Jacob finally looks at me, letting out a long exhale. And then he chuckles.

  I look at him. “What? It’s not funny,” I say, but then I crack a smile and laugh with him. “All right. It is a little funny.”

  Jacob shakes his head, a wide smile on his freckled face. “It’s been… what? Fifteen minutes, and we already have something to laugh about. I’d say this date is going pretty great.”

  Leo and Zoe are back not long after. And Leo just can’t contain his excitement as he pours us his first ever creation in four plastic cups.

  And after Zoe and I are done taking pictures, and Zoe is done posting on her Instagram, we’re ready.

  “This can go very good or very bad,” Zoe says, suddenly not so excited anymore. I can see her throat moves as she looks at the neon-colored liquid. Too bright for a punch. But I won’t judge till I taste it.

  “Cheers!” Leo says excitedly, clicking his cup with each of ours.

  We take a sip.

  Then we glare at each other. I look to Zoe first, holding back my gag. She coughs, choking on the punch. I snicker. Then my eyes meet Jacob’s, and he is grimacing.

  The verdict is out: Leo’s punch is fucking gross.

  “Fuck!” Leo is the first to acknowledge the failure.

  We all burst out laughing.

  We’ve decided to take the subway to the Brooklyn Bridge for a walk. Zoe said “we” need to burn off the calories after devouring all those foods. I wasn’t sure if Jacob wanted to walk all the way, but he seemed pretty keen on going. From what I’ve seen today, Jacob is a really chill and easy-going dude. I can see why people like him so much.