Torn

by T. N. King

  Airi’s eyes widened.

  Yoshi bowed his head.

  “So what are your intentions?” Jacob asked. What am I her dad? Crap, this all just got out of hand real damn quick.

  “I wish to marry her,” Yoshi replied. “I have wanted to come forward for a month now. Only she wouldn’t let me.”

  Jacob looked from him at his 6 foot 6 and bulk over to the 5 foot Airi who weighed no more than a buck twenty. Wouldn’t let him. The huge hulk of a man was totally cowed by a little girl? Jacob tilted his head back and laughed….LOUDLY.

  The couple jumped a bit.

  He fought hard to stop laughing, but it wouldn’t stop. Yes, he had lost it. He had no control over any of his emotions. GONE. Done, finished. Print it. It’s a wrap. Time for a fucking martini! God damn it, he needed some sex! He fought to stave off the laughing only to then double over with hysterical laughing, yet again.

  Airi stepped forward toward him in concern.

  Yoshi grabbed her hand.

  Finally, after another minute or two, Jacob gasped for air as his sides hurt. “O-okay,” he said breathlessly. “I am fine with it. Happy with it. I couldn’t be more—” His leftover laughter burst from him again. He again, choked it back. He released a breath and raised his head to calmly say, “I am very happy for you both.”

  Airi still looked upset and worried.

  It was no wonder. In the year she’d been here, he’d never acted anything but calm. Steady. Now just look at him! “Really, Airi. I wanted for you to have a life. One of your own. This man can give you that.”

  She shook her head looking mystified and stared over at Yoshi.

  He spoke to her swiftly in Japanese.

  She turned to Jacob. “I-s is ok?”

  He nodded. “Is very ok.” He bowed his head so she would know he meant it.

  Yoshi stepped forward and shook his hand. “Thank you sir. Thank you!”

  Jacob squeezed his large hand. “Just remember what I said. I won’t have her hurt.” He met the man’s yes.

  “I won’t. I love her and worship her. She is…” Yoshi tuned his head to look at her. “…My Princess.”

  Jacob froze. How can people feel this way about someone else? His princess? He shook his head. “Well, good. You’d better always treat her that way.”

  Yoshi released his hand and stepped back.

  Airi took a few steps forward.

  Jacob raised his hands. “It is okay, Airi, really—”

  She jumped the space and gave him a full on bear hug. Only it was a teddy bear hug.

  Jacob hugged her back and chuckled a bit.

  She then shyly moved away. “I-I still work here?”

  He nodded. “Only if you want to.”

  “Me too?” Yoshi interjected.

  He swung his gaze up. “Yes. I don’t see why any of that should change.”

  The couple beamed at him.

  Okay, this was all too sickening and sweet. Too much fucking sugar for me. I will have to treat a god damn cavity if this goes on much longer. “Okay, so get going. I will see you in two days. Or…You can take more time off if you want?”

  They both looked surprised at this and shook their heads.

  He motioned to the door.

  They both smiled and Airi grabbed her bag by the door.

  Jacob watched them leave.

  He then took a deep cleansing breath and stood there in his 5,000 feet of living space. The silence seemed to echo back at him as he turned and looked around. What did he feel? It was hard to tell. Often, he had trouble identifying his own true feelings. He shook whatever it was away, and walked over to his desk. “I wonder if I could just wear a tux and a mask?” Jacob sat down at his PC to look at masks.

  Chapter Seven

  He drove twenty miles out. The address was a mansion he’d found out online. He could not find out who owned it however. That made him feel even better. It meant it was as private as private gets. He had shaved off his goatee. Yes, it would help in not being recognized, as his goatee had been a trademark. That wasn’t the only reason he’d gone baby face, his role would have him in a different stages of scruff next week. Clean shaven at the start, then shades of midnight as he lost everything then to a full beard towards his ultimate fall. Well, towards the character’s fall. So they would have to dress his face at certain stages anyway. Then he decided to thicken his accent. Allow himself to speak like he used to.

  Jacob rolled his eyes. Three thousand dollars of speech lessons to get rid of the Manchester brogue. Only to use it now to disguise his famous voice that only had a very small lilt of Brit. Then, he had used temporary dye in his hair, so it lightened it up to almost a dusky brown blonde. His famous dark hair gone. Then as for his eyes…Contacts. He had hazel eyes now.

  Shit. He huffed as he turned up the long drive to the mansion. What he went through just to get a damn date. He should have tried it in public. He just never thought to be so desperate in doing so. This way, he was sure the female he might end up with would never even know. Better insurance.

  The lot to the side of the huge home was entirely full. Limousines. Luxury cars. Rolls, Mercedes, sports cars. He wondered if they had…yes, there was the valet. He reached to the seat and grabbed his mask. Better don it now. He didn’t want even the valet to know who he was. Gee. Paranoid much, there Jacob?

  He handed the man his keys and this time, no threat. He assumed they only employed the best here. Striding toward the front, he could see this would be a hoot as they called it. Huge wide formal, old style steps. Servants standing at either side of the doors in the old style butler tails.

  Walking up them, he smiled lightly at the butlers.

  They gave a nod of their heads but stepped in front of him.

  He looked at one then the other.

  The larger one asked, “The word, sir?”

  The word? He felt confused for a second. OH! He fought the smile from showing on his lips. “Flamingo,” he uttered in a serious tone.

  The two men stepped to the side.

  Jacob wanted to laugh. He’d always been an old film buff. This reminded him of an old James Bond film. Like Gold Finger or maybe it was more like Pink Panther and he was…

  “Good evening!” someone called from his right as he came in and stared up at maybe the largest chandelier he had ever seen and this was saying something since he came from the country of damn chandeliers. He then swung his now light spotted eyes to the location of the voice “Yes, it is,” he replied to the older woman dressed in a bright blue, full old southern belle type gown.

  She smiled and hid her face behind a fully expanded old fashioned fan. “My, are you…well, you are…” Her voice faded away.

  He nodded his head. I am anything you say, just do not say I am Jacob Fucking Cooper. He smiled. “Sam,” he said.

  She batted her eyes. “I love your costume. Well, it isn’t one really but… You sure fill it out.”

  Was this woman who could be as old as his mother hitting on him? He smiled and took a little step back. “So… I have never attended before. Where do I start?” Damn! Do not feed the animals Jacob. That sounded like a come-on line.

  Her eyes widened and she giggled. “Oh, I bet you taste good!”

  Oh, shit. She took it like that too.

  The woman stepped forward and grabbed his crotch—right through his tuxedo pants.

  Jacob jumped back.

  The woman then lunged for him and he side stepped her.

  “Oh! There you are!” a woman’s voice interjected.

  Jacob swung his startled gaze over. Okay…hold that thought. He placed his hands out in defense even as his attention was on the woman heading toward them. Blonde, glittery evening gown with a bustier type push up on a fabulous pair of breasts. The dress hugged her in all the right places and was red no less.

  She walked up and grabbed his arm, tugging him away from old belle that he could swear he heard drooling from behind her fan. “I was waiting for you!” She
then pulled him forward into the huge foyer.

  Miss Red Dress didn’t have to tug really—he would have run away screaming in about sixty seconds anyway.

  The blonde in the mask and semi Cher dress laughed as she kept pulling him along.

  Okay, where are we going? He smiled. But really, who the hell cares! He watched her sweet ass jiggle in that dress. And her laugh made his skin tingle all over. The scent of her light perfume filled his nostrils as he wondered what the hell was happening.

  She got him to a huge set of ornate double doors and stopped. “Sorry. I saw you there and she is…” She waved her hand toward the area they had just come from as she stared at him. “Well, she has jumped three men already.”

  His eyes rounded. “So you saved me?”

  She nodded. “You looked lost and like…” She cleared her throat and let go of his arm. “Anyway, here is the party.” She motioned her hand at the crowd in the huge ballroom.

  Jacob heard a southern accent of some type cradling her voice. He’d never met anyone from the south. “Yes, I imagine I looked like I was a newbie. Well, I am.” He made sure his accent sounded thick.

  She smiled. “Yeah, you did. I am too. My first time. I kind of felt too—well, I haven’t gone in and mingled. So I have seen people arriving and that woman? I mean she is harmless I’m sure.”

  Jacob kicked a leg out and shook it a bit. “Harmless?” He grinned. “I thought I was going to lose a body part soon.”

  Her green eyes widened at him as she stared. “She grabbed you?”

  He nodded. “Full on, no mercy grip.”

  She bit at her lip beneath the gold glittery mask. “Maybe I will leave. I mean I didn’t think the party would be like this. You know? A meat market thing.”

  His grin faded from his lips. “Leave?”

  She nodded. “Maybe I made a mistake. Excuse me?” She then took off toward the foyer.

  Jacob shook his head. He then peeked into the huge ballroom. Most of the people there were the same age as Southern belle batshit crazy at the door. He thought maybe Miss Red Dress was right. He turned and ran after her.

  Finally, he got out to the front and spotted her getting her keys from the valet. “Wait!” he called out. Fuck Jacob, make a fool of yourself already!

  She grabbed her keys and turned to face him.

  He made his way over and felt grateful she didn’t bolt. “Listen. I came here…” He gave the valet who stood there listening a stern look.

  The kid moved away.

  “I came here to…” The truth! Use the truth! Fuck, never tried it really. “I have had many failings in the dating arena. I mean with the American culture. The clubs? I guess you might say I got desperate, then a friend arranged for me to come here. I too, think it was a huge mistake. Except for one thing.”

  Her eyes grew round in her face as she listened. “One thing?”

  He nodded. “You.”

  She looked a bit taken aback.

  “I mean. You came and recued me. It was brave. Courageous even and anyone that would do that for a total stranger and one in a mask too? Well, they have to be pretty special.” He mentally rolled his eyes at himself. Laying it on a bit thick Jacob, she might just get smothered.

  Stilling, she stared at him for a long minute then she laughed.

  He stared back at her with his eyes wide now.

  She kept laughing like he’d told the greatest joke on the face of the earth.

  Well, total failure there. He let out a sigh and turned to the valet stand. So much for truth. “Keys?”

  Her laughter slowed as he walked away. “Wait!” she called.

  Jacob turned around.

  “I’m sorry I laughed.” She stepped up close. “Just that ya’ll sounded like it was some kind of line from a movie or somethin’.”

  He thought for a second. Shit! Was it? It could have been. Damn it. Couldn’t he say anything original?

  “Look.” She gazed all around. “How about we take a stroll through the gardens?”

  He looked around. “Where are they?”

  “Out back of this monstrosity. The flowers are really pretty. Then we can talk?”

  He stared at her.

  She grinned under the lip of her mask. “I mean we got all dressed up? You in a tux and me in my Cher get up.”

  He laughed. “Yes, that was my very first guess. Except for the blonde wig.”

  “Yes, well I don’t look good in black hair.” She looped her arm in his and again, tugged him away.

  Jacob knew she wouldn’t have to tug him much this time either.

  Chapter Eight

  They walked along a side path, then past the servant’s entrance. There were light posts with low illuminating light along a path. It seemed to him like the path went on forever. Then they finally came out into the gardens. Wow, she had been right. Flowers went on forever.

  Jacob stopped with her and raised his nose. So many floral scents assaulted him all at once.

  “Gosh, I hope you aren’t allergic,” Miss Red Dress spoke in a faint drawl.

  He smiled down at her. “No, we’re in luck. I’m not. However, someone could pass out from the mixture of these scents.”

  She giggled. “Let’s walk and tell each other about ourselves.” She stepped ahead.

  Jacob stood where he was for a second. Tell about ourselves? Crap. He then stepped behind her and thought he could maybe get through this with little damage. Just tell the facts from his inner life. He shook his head in disgust. You have no inner life, you fool.

  “So, what do you do?” she asked.

  Okay, right out of the gate, he’d been snared. “I-I’m an aspiring actor.”

  Her steps halted and she stared over at him. “Really?”

  He nodded. Keep as close to the truth as you can and then skirt lies only if you have to. “I mean. I wait tables actually.” Is true…or was years ago anyway. “How about you?”

  She seemed to still and looked all around. “Well, I’m…” She then took a step closer. “A singer. But really… I wait tables too.” She laughed.

  Jacob fucking loved that laugh, it like made him feel…He shook the thought away.

  She turned and walked along the pathway.

  Jacob followed. He thought about the rabbit hole effect he’d been getting a sense of again.

  Miss Red Dress disappeared around a hedge.

  Hurrying to catch her, he came out in a maze. Oh, shit. Not one of these! They had these everywhere in England. As a kid, he’d hated them. Unlike other boys, he did not find them entertaining. He liked to be in control, plan the outcome. Not wander in a maze and not know where the fuck you were going. He stood where he was.

  “Come on!” she called from somewhere ahead.

  He didn’t move. Instead, he backed up to where he knew he could get out.

  “Hey,” she said as she came back to where he stood.

  “Hey,” he replied back.

  “Why did you stop?” she asked as she stared at his mask.

  Jacob shrugged. Truth? Or would I sound like a pussy? “I don’t like mazes.”

  She cocked her head to the side and turned around to look at the hedges. “Okay.” She walked over to him and passed him.

  Her scent wafted along his nose. It was prominent, despite all the floral scents around him. Jacob followed. Yes, just like a rat behind the pied piper, follow—follow until you could lead.

  They came to a large building. Miss Red Dress reached out and opened the door.

  Again, he followed her in.

  They stood inside a solarium with a huge indoor swimming pool. The light in the large space was really low.

  “Wow!” she exclaimed as she made her way over to a chaise lounge.

  Keeping up with tradition that had worked so far, Jacob simply kept following her. He took the chaise next to her.

  They both laid back and stared up through the skylight that stretched across the top of the building.

  “Cool,” she
whispered.

  They both laid there for several quiet minutes.

  Jacob finally turned his head and looked over at her.

  Her gold mask stayed in place and in this low light, he could barely see her chin in any case. He wondered why a woman like her would be at a party to find a date. Well, she could wonder the same of him. “So, what is your name?” Shit! WHY? Why did you have to ask? It would lead to her demanding his name.

  She adjusted her mask and looked over at him.

  He smiled. “I can’t just keep thinking of you as Miss Red Dress.”

  “Lydia,” she answered on a whisper. “Lydia Snow.”

  He nodded. “Mine’s Conall.” He winced. His real middle name. Why would he keep telling the truth, lying here in full disguise? Simply surreal. Or too real. No, it wasn’t really. In disguise and mask?

  Her smile beneath her mask was wide. “What a cool name.”

  He shrugged. “Not in England. It is an average name.”

  “Why did you come to America?” she asked.

  “To be a star,” he answered without any thought. More truth. This had been easier than he thought.

  “You have the look of a model, I noticed,” she replied.

  Yes, cologne, runway, underwear. Yes. “Thank you.”

  She tentatively reached out and touched his arm. “Collan?”

  He tried to see her face in the dimness. Wow, for a woman to say the name he’d been called as a kid? It was…He shivered. “Yes?”

  “Did you come to this party to have sex?”

  Okay, truth-stop-sign up ahead. He laughed at his own wild thoughts as he tried to keep up with all this honesty hidden in lies crap. “Yes!” This was too easy. Truth all the way.

  “Me too,” she whispered back.

  He let out a breath. “But with your killer curves, that sweet mouth and your voice? Crap, it made me hard just hearing it. How in the hell could this be so?”

  Silence echoed.

  “Okay, so after I tell you why, you can just get up and walk away. I will understand.”

  His eyes widened at this. What could be so bad? Just look at the woman, she was…

  “I like it kind of rough, you see. But I just couldn’t do those clubs. I mean all those men in masks? The chains and leather?”