Twisted Pursuits

by Krystal Morrison

  “Yes Anna, I know you’re sorry; even if you hadn’t told me a million times already. Are you feeling better?”

  “Sorry to disappoint you but its Jordan”, she bolted upright in bed at the sound of his deep sensual voice at the other end of the line, what should she say, “I am dreadfully sorry for being an absolute cad tonight”.

  “It’s okay. It’s not as if I was a martyr” she said sheepishly.

  “I’m forgiven then?” he inquired.

  “Jordan tonight was a mistake. I don’t think we should see each other again”, she said softly.

  The mere thought of not seeing her again reignited the anger and frustration he had felt upon discovering her absent each day for the past two weeks when he'd visited the restaurant. However remembering how innocent she had seemed tonight he calmed himself.

  “Let’s not make any hasty decisions tonight”, he coerced, “we’ll talk in the morning”.

  She was about to respond before the line went dead.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  THE SUN WAS BARELY OVER THE HORIZON when Lauren awoke Monday morning. She could barely contain her excitement. She smiled a secret smile; she just might see him today, only for a glimpse when he came for lunch, she told herself. She sprang out of bed humming a lively tune as she made her bed and tidied her room. That accomplished, it was on to making breakfast for her Aunts and herself, completing her chores and getting ready for work.

  She took added care with her grooming and attire this morning, meticulously straightening her wavy brown hair so that it framed her face and fell below her cheeks and shoulders; shaving her legs, cleansing and moisturizing her face with the oatmeal scrub and moisturizer Anna had given her after waxing her brows the week before. Then selecting an outfit; she choose a mint green, knee length straight dress that clung to her curves paired with comfortable black pumps and a matching black handbag.

  She lightly powdered her cheeks and applied mascara and lip gloss. She examined herself in a full-length mirror. All courtesy of her weekend shopping spree with Anna. She would be proud, Lauren concluded; all those cosmetology excursions had proved gainful after all. She had carefully selected her undergarments to accentuate her bust under the V-line of her dress to display a hint of cleavage. One more thing, she fished out matching diamond earrings and watch for the locket she wore around her neck that Grandpa had given her. There; she decided lifting her chin; let them call her a frump now.

  She needed to leave or she was going to be late for work. She dashed out of her bedroom and across the hall; shouting her goodbyes and unto the street before Nana could notice and begin making a fuss about her worldly attire. She hailed a taxi and was at work within half an hour. The shop was empty, except members of staff, as was customary at this hour in the morning.

  “Good morning”, she said gaily.

  All eyes turned to her, their mouths gaping open at the sight of her.

  Leo, one of the chefs broke the spell, whistling suggestively, “Lauren you look like a million bucks”

  She breezed pass the awestruck crowd, Mrs. P included and headed to her office at the back of the building. She was nose deep in paper work when she felt his presence, the faint scent of his cologne tickling her nostrils. Her head flew up to see Jordan leaning casually against the door frame in a smashing grey business suit, his face smug, his eyes smoldering as they admired her upper torso. He was clutching the most beautiful red roses she had ever seen which he extended to her and in that moment she knew what Michael Jackson meant when he sang ‘speechless’.

  “Jordan, you shouldn’t have”, a voice she didn’t recognize as her own finally emerged.

  “Nonsense, I was on my way to the city on business but I had to see you before I left”, his eyes were filled with yearning as his fingertips stroked her now scarlet cheeks, “You look beautiful today, darling”, his eyes were dreamy and his lips seemed even more luscious today.

  He pulled away suddenly, the seemingly intimate moment forgotten.

  He glanced at his watch and muttered brusquely, “I have to go now or I’ll be late”.

  “Aren’t you having lunch”, she whispered, not wanting him to leave.

  “I’ll just get a takeout”, he muttered absently, his eyes touching the contours of her face, lingering on her lips. He leaned forward and for an instant she thought he might kiss her and she melted, instead he gave her a quick peck on the cheek and left.

  “Goodbye”, she said longingly to his retreating back.

  She touched the flowers lovingly, fishing for the card she had glimpsed among the lush petals. She grasped it between shaky fingers and was filled with warmth as she read:

  I hope this token allows you to experience a little of the joy your presence gives me.

  Jordan Myles.

  She sighed in distress. What was she going to do? It seemed Jordan had no intention of relenting and her weary heart was slowly giving way. He had called the day before just as he had promised but he had only inquired if she was alright and bade her a good day. Even though her heart had fallen, she had consoled herself with the thought that she would see him from time to time at the restaurant. That was not to be, she concluded, not if Jordan had anything to do with it. She sighed as she placed the flowers in a jar on her desk and tried wholeheartedly to focus on her work but failed miserably.

  LAUREN SLAMMED THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY, in which she was searching for a supplier’s number, forcefully unto her desk. How hard was it to find a number in a directory she asked herself angrily? She placed her head in her hands and forced herself not to focus on the real source of her ire; that was not to be though.

  Jordan had eluded her all week and instead of being happy she was incensed beyond reasoning. She had passed the door to the dining area on several occasions on Tuesday just to get a peek at his face but he hadn’t showed and in desperation she had crossed the dining room with the excuse of taking a walk twice, thinking he might have changed his usual hours. She had done this for the past four days, all to no avail, as today was Friday and he was yet to make an appearance.

  His tokens and charming notes were a different matter all together. On Tuesday while treating herself to lunch, which might as well have been made from paper for all her interest, Mrs. P escorted a delivery guy, only he introduced himself as Mr. Myles’ driver before handing a large gift bag to her. Curious, she opened the bag to reveal a fluffy white teddy bear with ‘JORDAN’ embroidered boldly across the front.

  She had peered quizzically at the stuffed animal while caressing its soft folds and that was when her fingers had encountered a hard object in the centre of its back. She had explored tentatively and received the shock of her life as the teddy bear’s head bobbed as its mouth opened and closed and the tunes of Barry White’s ‘My First, My Last, My Everything’ poured out.

  She had laughed with delight as she replayed the song and found that it had a timer for an alarm and various other songs as well. Jordan had this to say:

  Shocked? I can only imagine your face shining with glee and your eyes alight with laughter at this very moment. Think of him as a mini me.

  Jordan Myles.

  She had pondered returning the enchanting ‘mini Jordan' as he had called it, however its sweet serenading and pleading lifeless brown eyes eventually won her over.

  Wednesday; it was a box of sumptuous chocolate in a mixture of white and brown accompanied by a scribbling:

  I hope you have a sweet tooth. Please, enjoy.

  Jordan Myles

  The smooth bars had beckoned to her taste buds, so much so, that she had decided to take one little bite. However as the chocolate melted against her palate she simply could not resist and the next thing she knew; she was fishing for chocolate in an empty box.

  Thursday; another box was transported to her in much the same fashion as the days before. She had taken it resignedly and read the note that was neatly folded above the box:

  One of my favorite treats and I’m certain it will be y
ours too, after you’ve sampled its delights.

  Jordan Myles

  Curious, she peeled away the lid to disclose chocolate dipped strawberries in an assortment of toffee pieces, mint chocolate chips, shredded coconut and chopped nuts. Tentatively she had placed it between her teeth and bit down. Instantly she was assailed by an array of flavors; she had sighed in contentment; cherishing every drop, down to the last bite.

  This morning she had accepted his gift gracefully; she was just exuberant, today was Friday, Jordan never missed a Friday evening at the restaurant. However her face fell as she withdrew an expensive bottle of white wine shrouded in a decor of nuts, seafood, sausages, cookies and items she couldn’t even identify, all encased in an ornate wooden basket. She couldn’t accept it. The basket and its contents must have cost a small fortune. She placed the basket gingerly on her desk and read the card:

  Everyone loves a good bottle of bubbly and a few goodies. I hope you’re included. Be careful not to over imbibe; white wine gives an awful hangover.

  Jordan Myles

  She had thought of him constantly this past week and the agony of not seeing him had worn her down. She wondered what could be the reason for his absence. Was he sick? He couldn’t be she told herself vehemently, the thought of Jordan being harmed in any way made her stomach churn.

  What was she to make of this situation? In desperation and sick with worry, she had coerced herself into calling him the night before with no success as his phone had rang into voicemail and her nerves would not permit her to leave a voice message. Something was seriously wrong here; perhaps he wasn’t interested anymore, but what about the gifts? She blushed at the memory of being jarred awake by mini Jordan in her arms each morning and lulled to sleep by him as well.

  She sighed and glanced at her watch; it was a quarter past seven, over two hours past her work time. Jordan definitely wasn’t coming tonight and she had to leave. She removed the basket carefully from her desk and placed it in a tote bag; she couldn’t risk leaving it at the office in case someone decided to partake of its tasty contents.

  She had finally showered and made it to bed, satisfied to fondle mini Jordan’s ears when her cell phone rang. It was him, her brain screamed as his name flashed across her phone screen and her heart began to thud in her chest.

  She took a deep breath and answered, “Hello”.

  “Hello Lauren”, his sensual voice tickled her ears, “I saw your missed call from last night”.

  “Are you alright”, she could hear the anxiety in her voice but she didn’t care.

  “I’m fine”, he gave a throaty laugh and she relaxed, “your concern is flattering, if not surprising”

  “You never miss your Friday evening at the restaurant”, she said lamely.

  “I had to see to some business in Kingston this week”, he said, then added, “How did you like my little gifts?”

  “I cannot accept the wine basket”, she almost shouted.

  “Why not?” he seemed shocked.

  “It must have cost a substantial amount”.

  He seemed to relax, “Not at all. Now no more talk of returning anything”.

  “But...” she stammered

  He changed the subject quickly, “let us move unto your gift for tomorrow. It cannot come to you though; I’ll have to take you to it”.

  “What? No!"

  “One o’clock sharp. I’ll pick you up at the bus terminus”, he rushed on.

  “I can’t”, she stressed.

  “Come on Lauren, I won’t take no for an answer”, he persisted.

  What could she say to convince him?

  “Good Night”, he said and the line went dead before she could think of a means to dissuade him.

  She fell back against the bed covers and took a gulp of air. He was alright; she felt much better and extremely worst.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  THIS WAS A BAD IDEA, SHE CHIDED HERSELF as her eyes scanned the crowd for a familiar face. Maybe he wasn’t coming she mused strolling towards the exit and there he was, leaning casually against an impressive white Range Rover, a smile breaking across his face as he saw her. He was wearing blue jeans and white t-shirt that outlined narrow hips and broad torso, black ray-bans perched on his nose, appearing the epitome of wealth and sensuality. He was so gorgeous she couldn’t stop staring; she had to drag her eyes to his face as he eased away from the car and walked towards her.

  “You look beautiful today babe”, he crooned, his eyes glittering as they travelled from her knee length sun dress to her face as his hand rested on the small of her back and propelled her in the direction he had come.

  She was surprised to see a chauffeur emerge from the driver’s seat and pull open the passenger door for them and Jordan ushered her inside.

  “OK?” he asked.

  She nodded mutely wondering where they were headed as he instructed the driver they were ready.

  They were well on their way before she finally developed the nerve to ask, “where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise”, he said, touching her nose playfully, then added, “not far from here though”.

  They travelled for another five minutes or so on the highway leading to the western side of the island. They took a left turn that led them to a large iron gate; the chauffeur said something to a man who appeared to be a security officer, he disappeared into a room like cubicle and the gate began to slide to the side. They proceeded down a paved driveway into the most beautiful flower garden she had ever seen.

  There were flowers of every kind for as far as her eyes could see as Jordan opened the car and helped her out, then he went to the back of the car and returned with a heavily laden basket and a blanket which he handed to her. There was a medieval looking building in front of them; with two floors, white French windows and a stone structure with the sign ‘gift shop’ above its entrance. The driver walked towards the gift shop while Jordan led her through a narrow roadway unto a sprawling manicured lawn with a long paved walkway lined on both sides by royal palm trees that led to a large gazebo. They skirted the gazebo and crossed a board walk that sat over a stream, and went as close to nature as one could ever get. She was instantly assailed by nature’s voices; birds chirping and a gently gushing river in the distance, the sights and scents enveloping them, were all simply magical.

  They walked a few more meters where they were in open view of the river, Jordan placed the basket on the ground and took the blanket from her hand and opened it over the soft grass. She was so engrossed in the picturesque setting that she hadn’t realized he was seated until he pulled her down beside him on the blanket.

  “This place is marvelous Jordan”, she muttered finally breaking the trance.

  “I’m glad you like it”, he breathed.

  He began unpacking the basket which contained a mixture of baked chicken, steamed vegetables and potato salad. She watched, mesmerized as his muscles rippled under his shirt as he dished out a serving of the food in the finest china she had ever seen.

  “No suit today?” she noted, attempting to distract herself from the ever present awareness between them.

  “I decided to take the rest of the afternoon off”, he said nonchalantly, “no sense wearing a suit and tie to a picnic, is there?”

  “I guess not”.

  “I hope you like chicken”, he said handing the food to her, a hopeful smile on his face.

  “Sure”, she took it while he popped open a bottle of red wine.

  “Wine?”

  “I don’t drink” she informed him.

  “Just one little sip”, he coaxed propelling the glass towards her lips.

  “Alright”, she conceded, accepting the glass and swallowing a large gulp. She coughed as the bitter liquid clogged her throat, causing her eyes to water.

  “Sip slowly” he coaxed, rubbing her back soothingly.

  “I’m fine”, she said as soon as the pain in her throat began to recede, disturbed as his hand on her back went from soot
hing to a stimulating caress.

  He withdrew his hand and they resumed their meal in a soothing silence filled with sounds of the gushing river a few feet away.

  She frowned suddenly, “don’t they accept guest here for picnics and family outings”.

  “Yes, as a matter of fact they do”.

  “But there is no one here”, she proclaimed.

  “I rented the property for the evening”, he shrugged.

  “You what?” she exclaimed, “this property is at least a hundred acres? I cannot imagine how much that must have cost”.

  “I’m flattered that you’re concerned”, he chuckled, “but I doubt I’ll be rendered bankrupt because of it”

  “I see”, she said embarrassed and returned to her meal.

  The food was delicious and after a sumptuous slice of sweet potato pudding she simply had to say it.

  “Hmm, that was delicious, who prepared it?” she wondered aloud, sipping the wine as he had suggested, finding it a bit less intolerable the more she consumed.

  “Pansy”, when she quirked an eyebrow, he clarified, “my housekeeper”.

  She gave a nervous laugh, “I thought you would say you’re mother did”.

  It was his turn to laugh, “my parents are away, as they are most of the time”.

  “Oh”, she said nonplussed.

  He looked at her quizzically, “What about your parents? I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you speak of them”.

  The color drained from her face and she began to finger the locket at her throat that housed a photo of her parents. She had never spoken of them since she had been told of their deaths when she was four years old. Even Anna had heard of their deaths from another girl at school who lived in the same neighborhood as Lauren.