I hear some music start playing and look around the apartment to see where it is coming from, I’m not sure what it is. I don’t move though it has unnerved me a bit, it’s not like its Susie’s phone, she’s in another country. Suddenly there is someone banging on the door and it dawns on me it is the stupid door bell. I walk towards the door as the music starts up again – Susie changed the doorbell tune?
I answer the door knowing full well who is on the other side of it. I open it with a big grin, “Hi, handsome!” I look up at his gorgeous face.
“Hey beautiful,” Jack replies. “Nice doorbell tune.”
“Hmm, sorry I didn’t answer before, I didn’t know where the music was coming from. Suz apparently changed the tune,” I roll my eyes. “I have no idea what it is tho?”
“You don’t recognise the tune?” he asks, obviously bemused.
“Umm, nope, should I?” I ask.
He sniggers, “It’s ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas’,” he replies, and hands me a large box. “This is for you, for tonight, we have plans,” he informs me.
“We do?” I ask, taking the box as he leans down to kiss me, then strides inside. “The Yellow Rose of Texas, eh?”
“We sure do. We have a black tie charity event. I meant to tell you before the day of, but I kind of forgot. I did however, go to the liberty of getting you a nice dress to wear...I hope it fits and I hope you like it,” he helps himself to some grapes from the fruit bowl.
“Oh...” I am taken aback, he bought me a dress? “Thank you, I think. You bought me a dress?”
“Well, maybe see if you like it before you go thanking me. I thought you could use some spoiling too, so you have a massage, then hair and make-up appointments booked for,” he pauses to look at his watch, “thirty minutes from now.”
“What?” I panic.
“It’s cool, Norm’s waiting for you downstairs. You don’t need anything other than your cell phone,” he picks up my mobile and tosses it over to me. He then walks over to me, pushing me toward the door. “Don’t you dare think about anything or anyone other than yourself today. You hear me?”
I turn to look up at him, “Jack, what is all this for? This is ridiculous!” I dig my feet in to try and stop him pushing me out.
“It’s not ridiculous. You’ve had a hellish few years, it’s been an even crazier few weeks since you met me, these past couple of weeks have given us all gray hair, but you – you need some spoiling, and this is a start. Call it an apology for me forgetting to tell you about tonight,” he kisses my forehead and leads me over to the elevator.
Before I know it, I’m sitting in the spa with my feet up, I’ve had a full body massage, my hair is being done in between my make-up and I’m also getting a manicure and pedicure. I’ve never been pampered like this in my whole life. Jack instructed the salon of colours and styles, so I am literally sat here like a mannequin waiting to see the end result.
Eventually, I am set free. Both my finger nails and toe nails are painted with a French manicure, my make-up is gorgeous, I don’t look like me at all, and my hair falls in beautiful curls down my back and is pinned up at the sides. I feel like a million dollars.
When I get home there is no sign of Jack, so I let myself into my apartment to find a massive bouquet of flowers sitting in a beautiful vase, presumably my dress is hanging from the curtain pole wrapped in cellophane, and there is a shoe box lying beside it.
I walk over to look at my dress and see it is silver. It looks to be strapless with silver diamante detailing across the bodice. It is stunning. I bend down and look at the shoe box, it says Jimmy Choo on it. He bought me designer shoes? I could never afford these...I tear the top off excitedly and see the most beautiful pair of silver diamante encrusted shoes...oh...my...
I see another box and open it up to find the matching clutch bag.
He got me a designer bag too?
I sit on a dining chair to look at everything and try to take it all in. I’ve never been treated like this, ever. I feel like a princess. I really don’t want to cry and ruin my make up, so I take a few slow deep breaths to calm myself. I then pick up my mobile phone to call Jack, but there is no reply, so I text him:
Thank you so much for today, and I LOVE the outfit! I still need to try it all on...I may need a bit of help getting into my dress though! Xxx
I stare at my phone willing it to buzz a message back from Jack, but then I hear a click at the door and see it opening.
“Jack!” I jump up, but see Lynne coming in with her arms full.
“Hi love, it’s just me! Jack is going to meet us there. I’m here to get ready and to help you into your dress! Do you like it?” she asks me eagerly.
I walk over to help her unload, “You knew about all of this?” I ask her, still amazed by everything.
“Of course I did! It’s all in aid of my charity event,” she replies.
“Oh geez, Lynne, I didn’t piece it all together, I’m sorry!” I reply.
“No need to apologise, love, you’ve never had cause to come before, but this year you’re with Jack, and he, or SER, is one of our biggest sponsors. He told me he wanted to take you, but he didn’t want you stressing about a dress, so I helped him with your sizes. I hope that is ok?” she asks.
“Oh Lynne, I don’t know what to think. He is unbelievable,” I sit down on the sofa.
She comes to sit by me, “I knew you’d be overwhelmed, Jen, you’re such a simple, easily pleased, no fuss, girl. If only there were more girls like you, but luckily there aren’t and that’s why Jack is so smitten with you!”
I smile at her, “I’m so lucky to have you guys,” I tell her.
“And we are you! Now come on, let’s get ready, I promised Susie we would take some photos to send her before we go out,” she jumps up and starts taking some bags through to Susie’s now vacant room.
It doesn’t take us too long to get ready. I help Lynne zip up her navy lace dress which is stunning on her. She has a fabulous figure for her age and I’m sure Susie is going to luck out the same as her mum. I didn’t realise, but my dress has a corset back and it took us a little bit longer to get me into mine. I think it could be fun and games later for Jack trying to get me out of it! It fits perfectly accentuating my small waist and curves. I can almost breathe now that it’s all fastened.
As I slip my shoes on and arrange my make-up in the gorgeous little clutch, Lynne walks through and exclaims, “WOW! I sincerely hope Jack realises how lucky he is! Jenny, you are a sight for sore eyes!”
I smile and start to feel butterflies lace my tummy at the thought of Jack seeing me all dressed up like this.
“You aren’t so bad yourself, beautiful lady!” I take my mobile out and take a photo of Lynne striking a pose, and send it to Susie.
“Come on, killer pose for our Suz! She’s going to be so disappointed she’s missed tonight!” Lynne sighs.
“I know, but she’s happy and that’s all we want,” I swish my dress.
“You’re right, love. You’re right, I just miss our third musketeer.”
“Me too,” I reply, smiling at her reference.
As we make our way to the hotel in a limo, Jack texts me that he and Arnie are already there waiting for us.
“Is Arnie ok for tonight?” I ask Lynne.
“Well, he’s coming, I don’t know how long he will last, but he wanted to show face, bless him,” she replies, speaking fondly of her husband.
“Sounds like somebody is on the mend,” I note.
“He sure is, and he is complaining like a trouper, I swear he is making the most of all this attention,” she laughs.
“And so he should,” I smile back at her as the car comes to a halt outside the ball venue.
“Ready?” Lynne looks at me excitedly, clutching her purse.
“Ready!” I grin.
Chapter 35
We walk up the beautiful staircase leading to Trinity Hall, which is just off of Holburn Street, in Aberdeen city centre. It le
ads us into the bustling reception area and we are promptly served with champagne. As I sip mine slowly, Lynne is pounced on and makes her apologies to me as she is needed to go and take care of some things. It’s her deal, so I understand. I look around and don’t see any familiar faces, so I send Jack a text message on my mobile and ask where he is. It’s so noisy in here there is no point on trying to call him, I’ll never hear him.
I wander down the hallway into a very grand hall where people are milling around, drinking and chatting, everyone looking extremely glamorous. The hall is decorated in beautiful dark wood, and expansive stained glass windows, it’s absolutely beautiful. I look at all the pretty evening dresses and the varying tartans on the men’s kilts. A few guys have on dress suits, but not many. I love seeing all the kilts, it brings out the patriotic in me.
I still don’t see Jack or anyone else I know, so I turn to head back through to the main reception hall.
“Jenny?” I turn while feeling my stomach plummet, and immediately feel my hand start to shake that’s holding my glass of champers. I steady it with my other hand hoping it wasn’t noticeable.
“Jen,” he says my name again. “I thought it was you…” he reaches over and puts his hand on my shoulder but I immediately shrug away from him.
“Liam…” I cannot believe this Neanderthal is here tonight. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself, so lord knows what he is doing here at a charity event.
“How are you?” he asks, while leaning in to kiss me on the cheek, but I deliberately pull back from him again. “I was just thinking about you the other day,” he smiles, seeming overly friendly, familiar and from what I can gather heftily inebriated already. He evidently has a very short lived memory.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, bluntly.
“My company sponsored a table, should be a good night, eh? Free booze too. Maybe even better now you’re here, if you know what I mean. Would be nice to get reaquainted again…” he edges closer to me again, as I take a step back from him and bump into someone.
“Oh, sorry,” I turn to apologise to whomever I bumped into, only to find Jack looking over my shoulder at Liam with no expression whatsoever on his face.
“Hey sweetie,” he leans down from behind me and kisses my cheek. “I’ve been looking all over for you,” he gently squeezes my waist, and I am so glad at his timing, I instantly feel myself relax. “You going to introduce us?” he asks.
“Umm, sorry...Jack, this is Liam. Liam, this is my boyfriend, Jack,” I hate this, and I just want to leave now. How I could ever have dated this creep, I have no idea. He actually makes my skin crawl.
They shake hands.
“Liam,” Jack says politely, but I get the impression he held onto Liam’s hand for a moment too long. I eventually told Jack the full story about what happened with Liam, so I think he must realise who he is.
Liam remains quiet, but shakes his hand out when Jack finally lets him go.
“Right, we better be off then. Have a good night, Liam,” I say quickly, ending the conversation and giving him a small wave of dismissal. I turn to walk away grabbing Jack as I go.
Jack salutes Liam and gives him a very curt nod, then he follows me back through to the main reception. He pulls me back from my stampede and into a little private alcove. He twirls me around and looks me up and down hungrily. “Wow,” he growls looking impressed. “You scrub up pretty well, my silver city girl.”
I laugh, “Your silver city girl, huh?” I move closer to him. “So do you, my handsome Yankee Doodle in a kilt!”
He laughs, “Oh, this old thing?”
He swishes his kilt and does a little jig.
“Jack, you look amazing in a kilt, better than I could ever have imagined! I’m so impressed you wore one!” I kiss him lightly on the mouth. “But, are you living up to the rumour of being a true Scotsman?” I flirt with him, smiling widely and feeling instantly more at ease.
“First time for everything,” he shrugs. “And I figured, when in Scotland....” he winks at me, and I laugh.
“You should do Scotland more often!” I grin.
“Well actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” he pulls me further into the alcove.
“Oh?” I look up at him, intrigued.
“Well, I’ve been going back and forth on our circumstances, and things on the business side, and after a lot of collaboration with the guys, I’ve decided to move to Aberdeen on a more permanent basis,” he looks at me waiting for a reaction, I think.
I can’t do much apart from look at him in shock. Eventually I manage, “Are you serious?”
“Um, yeah...I thought you would be happy about that...” he looks disappointed.
“Of course I am, but I thought what with you being the CEO-Director-Owner-whatever, you’d be needed more at head office,” I sort of elaborate on my train of thought.
“Well, yeah, of course it would be easier for me to be in Houston, but I thought you would be happier to have me here, I mean, I want to make a proper go of things. I did think about asking you to move to Houston with me, but what with you just hooking up with your father and Jasmine again, and...” he stops as I interrupt him.
“Jack, of course I’d love to stay here for the moment, but quite frankly, I would go wherever you were, if you’d have me,” I give him a small smile.
“You would?” he asks, looking surprised.
“Yes. Of course I would, Jack. You’re the single best thing to happen to me, like, EVER.”
“And you are to me, Jen. I just wanted to make you happy. I guess I should’ve asked you more about this, but I didn’t want to put you on the spot,” he smiles shyly back at me.
“What are we like?!” I lean up on my tiptoes to kiss him lightly on the mouth.
“Well, although I’ll have to do some traveling, which I will have to do regardless of where we are, why don’t we stay here until after Christmas and then decide for definite what to do? But in the meantime, will you move into my apartment with me?” he asks, and squeezes my waist excitedly.
I gasp, “REALLY?!” I squeal, excitedly.
“Yeah! I mean, Susie is away now, ya’ll have the lease ticking over for no real reason, my place is bigger, it needs a Jenny makeover, and I need you to keep me cosy at night, on a permanent basis.”
I punch him lightly and laugh, “I would LOVE to! So long as you’re sure? It’s still pretty quick for us to move in together,” I add, tentatively.
“If I wasn’t sure, Jen, I wouldn’t ask. We already basically live together. I’ve already had the guys in today building you a walk in wardrobe,” he teases a curl on my shoulder with his finger and thumb.
“NO WAY?” I exclaim, definitely over animatedly.
“WAY!” he answers me, waving both his hands out at the sides in a showbiz fashionista.
“OK, it’s a definite YES!” and I throw myself at him while he picks me up, hugging me tightly and kissing my neck.
Chapter 36
An announcement comes over the tannoy that everyone has to be seated for dinner, so we make our way excitedly back to the grand hall, check the seating chart and find our table.
“Hello, you handsome couple!” waves Arnie, already seated at our table. He stands and I go straight to him.
“Hi Arnie, how are you?” I grab both his hands and look him over.
“I’m doing a lot better now, ribs are still a bit tender, but other than that, back to my usual self,” he smiles. “And all the better for seeing you two.”
I take the seat next to Arnie, quickly confirming my name tag.
“Hey, man,” Jack shakes Arnie’s hand and takes the seat next to me, “Great to see you.”
“Likewise,” Arnie is drowned out by the tannoy speaker.
Everyone is quickly seated and there are several announcements, Lynne does a speech which I gather is an annual thing, there is a raffle and some great prizes dished out, and then the actual meal is served.
“I ta
ke it that douche bag you were talking to is your ex?” Jack leans in and asks me quietly.
I wondered when we would get back to that. I turn and look at him to gauge his expression.
“Yes,” I almost whisper. “I wasn’t sure if you realised it was him.”
“It wasn’t exactly hard, you looked like you’d been shot and were almost ridged when I came up behind you, and he looked like he was ready to eat you for dinner.” He doesn’t look impressed, but squeezes my hand reassuringly. “If he pesters you again, you let me know, ok?”
I nod and purse my lips, thankful to have him next to me.
“Thanks, that’s the first time I’ve seen him since I found him with that other girl. I truly didn’t realise what a creep he really is. And I definitely did not expect to see him here tonight. Lynne won’t be happy if she spies him.”
“Well, he’s messing with the wrong guy if I see him near you again,” Jack says coldly, while agitatedly folding and unfolding his napkin.
“Let’s just forget about him and enjoy the evening, yeah?” I ask, smiling up to him.
“Of course,” he brightens up and grabs a bottle of table wine to fill our glasses.
After dinner, a Ceilidh band starts to play The Eightsome Reel and I pull Jack up to dance. “Come on! This is great fun!”
“Oh man, what am I letting myself in for?” he laughs, but joins in following my lead. We go left when we’re supposed to go right, but everyone is having such a great time, it doesn’t matter.
After a few dances, I sit down and fan myself with a napkin, it has gotten really hot in here.
“Jack, I’m just nipping to the loo,” I tell him as I stand up.
“OK, meet me at the bar over there,” he points to where he means and leans over to kiss me.
“Will do, could you please get me a bottle of water?” I ask him.
“Sure thing,” he winks at me, then I feel him watching me go.
The toilets are tucked away from the grand hall but there are people milling around everywhere chatting and laughing. I’m so proud of Lynne tonight, she has outdone herself. I feel like I’m over flowing with pride and happiness.
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