by D. Griffith
"Oh, fine! What has Nick said? Have you told him yet?"
"No! You know what he’s like; he hardly speaks to any of us does he? Plus, I’ve not seen him in months. Last time I seen him, he was just passing by, he just nodded, he didn’t even say hello. I don't even know if he is coming here to join our families get together."
"Well, he’s missing out! I know me and him don't see eye to eye after what he did to me, but he’s still our brother, even when he gets himself into so much mess."
“Well, you also did a number on him too, if you remember? Don’t get me wrong, he deserved it, but I think that’s the main reason why he wouldn’t turn up, screw him.”
"Foods ready!" Mum shouts, so we head into the kitchen and it’s just as I remembered, the same pine look throughout the kitchen, the draws, to the cupboards, even the kitchen table. Mmm the meat smells nice, roast pork; she’s done a lovely spread. A good old traditional roast, I love my mum’s cooking, her roast are the best. We all sit.
"It looks great mum."
"Wait till you try it, get stuck in.” While we’re eating, we try and make polite conversation, then mum starts going at me. “Jared, have you got anyone special in your life? Or are you still wasting your time on these easy bints you keep hooking up with? I watch the news you know?" Here we go, this is where mum starts, I know she doesn’t mean to be harsh and she’s only looking out for me, but it’s annoying.
"No mother and I don't want to."
"Why, Jared? You know they’re only interested in your money."
"But mum, they don’t stay long enough to get money out of me, a quickie, here and their when needed that’s all. Not like I want to have a conversation about my sex life with you mother."
"I just want you to be happy darling and find someone who is worth being with you; I hate to see you so unhappy."
"Mum! Leave him alone." Julie says,
"What? I’m just taking an interest in my son life, I hardly get to see him and when stuff happens, I hear it on the news, before I hear from him."
"Mum! I’m not unhappy ok, don't worry, can we just enjoy this wonderful meal?"
"Well ok, but I have to tell you two something, It’s a big surprise.” Before she can say anything else, some man walks in, he must be about thirty odd, shaved head, stumpy eyes, around five, six; he walks straight over to my mum and kisses her. "This is what I wanted to tell you, meet your new step dad." I feel the urge of anger boiling in my blood, me and Julie just stair over. Julie says.
"Mum, I’ve been staying here for a few days, why have I not seen him? Or more importantly, why haven't you told me?"
"Well, you see, he has been away with work, he’s a housing developer.”
"Hey, baby! I missed you." He says to her and keeps making out with my mum. How disrespectful, I don’t want to be seeing this.
"Right, mum! Why didn’t you tell me? He looks half your age, seriously." I’m in total disgust.
"I didn’t tell you because I know what you’re like and you should be happy for me Jared, you can't tell me what to do. Plus, you don't listen, so why should I?" She snaps, quite abruptly.
"Listen here, lad! I love your mum, more than anything and all I want to do is make her happy, I don't need or want your blessing." Oh, how dare he say that and speak to me so rudely. Does he have any idea who I am? I feel myself raging up, I need to calm myself down, as my therapist says, deep breath and count to three. Ah screw that, I throw my seat back in temper.
"Listen here, mate! Don’t talk to me like that alright, or next time, I’ll pound your face to the god damn floor."
"Jared, outside now." Mum shouts at me. Great, now I’m in trouble. I don’t argue and walk out into the lounge. "What’s, going on son?"
"Sorry mum! Just having this news laid on me like that, wound me up. You should have let us meet him before you went off and married him. You didn’t invite us, what’s that about?"
"Sweetheart! You, your brother and sister, have your own lives and are always busy and I just wanted to leave you be. We had a small service; it was just me and him. He makes me happy Jared, I haven’t been this happy in a long time, so please just be nice to him, for me?”
"Ok, mum! But remember, no matter how busy I am, no matter what it is, let me know, promise?"
“Sure son, I promise! But, you do something for me? Stop wasting your life and your money on all these pointless things, the women, all the business; you don’t need it, plus all the charity’s work? I’m proud of you with all of these accomplishments, but you’re going to end up in an early grave, let’s not forget being lonely. You’re an amazing young man, you deserve to have everything and be happy."
"I’m not lonely mum, I have women in my life, it doesn’t mean they have to stay and as for the business, maybe when I am forty, I’ll dial down. As for the charity’s, mum you know why I do them and good comes from it, look at the time I sent money to the hospital for that girl where they were going to pull the plug, It was worth it, she woke up didn’t she? And that was down to me, it made me feel good to help, so lay of yeah?"
"Ok, come here." We hug it out and then walk back into the kitchen and I take one glance at him and against my entire instincts, I walk towards him and offer my hand.
"Sorry man, just a bit shocked, I’m a bit protective over my mum, you know?"
"It’s ok, mate! I’m Jack Reid and your Jared hall, I already know." We grip hands and shake; once I release, I walk out and call Andrew with me.
"Sorry about that Andrew."
"It’s ok sir, I’m use to it, it happens every time you all get together."
"Anyway, can you do me a favour? Look up, everything you know about Jack Reid, I want a full back ground check, ok?"
"Yes sir! But you do know if your mum finds out, she is going to kill you right?"
"I know, that’s why we keep it to ourselves?"
"Yes sir."
Chapter Twelve
The last couple of weeks had flown by, we’re in Rome now and I have Alex and his friends over tonight. I don’t think they’ll get here till about nine, gives the maid time to sort the guest rooms out and make sure the cupboards and fridge is all stocked up. I need to go into my office and sort last minute paper work out, all work and no play.
I sit back into my leather chair ready to get some work done and I start getting one of those headaches again, so I lay back and close my eyes, as their feeling heavy and before I know it I fall asleep.
"Sir! Sir!." I’m getting nudged by Andrew.
"What Andrew?"
"I think you fell asleep, you have guest."
"Oh crap, I best get down there.” I jump up and I head down the stairs straight to the lounge. I went that fast, I was sure I would have fell because I’m that clumsy. I get to the bottom and head to the lounge and lean on the door way frame and I can hear one of the girls saying is he some sort of millionaire? Which puzzles me, I have to say it. She turns around in a flash, it’s a young looking girl and she must be in her twenties. She got long brown hair, which she has got in a side pony tail, sparkling green eyes, perfect curvaceous body, her nose is a bit weird and she’s dressed sort of ok, but she is beautiful. Alex comes over and introduces me to them all one by one. There’s Andi, she awesome that’s his wife, then it’s their friends Jay and Katie, Darla and Carl. They seem like a nice bunch, might not be that much of a bad week after all. There’s Danni! I shake her hand; oh she has a very soft, delicate touch, pretty cold hands too. Her eyes sparkle, they somehow tell a story. I feel as if they sink me in and straight away I’m fascinated and have the need of wanting to know more about this woman. Hmm anyways, I tell them all to go dig a room out, but not the master one. Before I could even finish, they were of running up the stairs to get one, just like big kids.
Then, there’s the single girl left by herself, I kind of feel bad for her, she looks out of place. I walk over and offer to carry her suitcase; it’s pink with different colour hearts on, suppose that shows a part of her co
lourful personality. She refuses at first, but I think she’s just being polite though, but I offer again. Finally she accepts the offer, didn’t take that much to persuade her. As I go to pick it up, my god that’s heavy. We talk slightly, but not much. As we’re heading up, it’s an awkward atmosphere. I don’t know what to say to her really, that’s strange! I’ve never had that problem before. I take her to the room, next to mine. I do the gentlemen thing and open the door for her. She seems to be taking it all in, I told her if she wants anything to let me know because she might feel awkward been a fifth wheel, but she starts kicking off. Oh, bad words Jared, you idiot. I am trying to get my words out to correct myself, but nothing is coming out. She tells me to leave, I respect her wishes. You stupid ass Jared, seriously! Talk about offending the girl. She probably thinks you’re a right jerk now, you Idiot. I smack my forehead, with the palm of my hands, feeling like a complete asshole. I walk into my room with me head held down, replaying how rude I was to her. I’ll have to apologies to her somehow tomorrow. I take my pants and top off and fling them to the floor and get my head down, still thinking to myself, you fucking idiot.
I jump up, as I can hear screaming coming from the other room; I look at my watch, it’s two in the morning, what the hell? Has someone broken in? Shit! I jump up and grab a wooden club from under my bed; you need to have something next to you at all times, just to be safe. I shove some pants on and run out my door. There I hear the screams again; it's coming from the room next to mine, so I barge in ready to whack some fucker out and shout.
"Get the fuck off her." I scalp the room and I notice that there is no one in sight, it’s just Danni screaming get off me, I don't want to die. She tossing and turning all over the bed. I go over and start trying to wake her up. "Danni, Danni, wake up." I’m saying this while shaking her, but it doesn’t seem to work. What the hell do I do? Not like I can smack her in the face. Oh wow, now she is shaking and seems like its foam from her mouth, that’s saliva right? Shit! Is she possessed? What the hell? I need to go run and get her sister.
I rush down the hall way, as if I’m running out of time and get to their room there staying in. I bang on their door, shouting till they answer."Andi! Andi! Quick, open you’re fucking door." She runs out and I’m panicking. "You need to go help your sister, can you hear that screaming?"
"Yeah, I thought it was outside." She saying half asleep, rubbing her eyes.
"Well obviously not, it’s your sister, she is freaking out, I tried to wake her, it didn’t work. Is she possessed? Like seriously?"
"Shit, Jared! Why didn’t you come sooner? She gets night terrors a lot." She exclaims.
Andi and Alex, start running towards her room, where Andi jumps to Danni’s side and starts shaking her, shouting her name. “Danni, wake up.” She manages to wake her up after five minutes of screaming her name and shaking her. As she jumps up in shock and confused, I can see in her eyes and the tears that formed through the fear, she was witnessing in her dreams. I’m not going to stare, that’s rude and really insensitive, but, oh wow! She looks, as if she has just woke up from death, in right fright. I wonder what that’s about.
I walk back to my room, I’m not going to hang about in her room, she must be embarrassed and I’m kind of shocked, that was odd. Freaked me out a bit too and strangely, sounds familiar as well. Oh never mind, I feel like scratching my eyes out, their feeling heavy. I’m going back to bed and try getting some shut eye.
The next morning after breakfast, everyone is talking about what they’re doing today. Me, I have a meeting to get too. I’ve got some investors that want to see me; it’s for a new restaurant. I’m not sure if it’s worth their time or mine or money, not like I need it, but it’s worth a gamble and its good business.
I keep trying not to glare at Danni; but it’s hard, I feel captivated by her. All morning when she’s not looked, I’ve gave her a quick glance. My eyes can’t help but wander towards her, but when she looks back, I quickly turn away as I don’t want her to notice me staring, I feel like it would upset her and I don’t want to do that, she must feel uncomfortable after last night’s events. She’s talking to everyone, trying to find out what there all up to today. Maybe that’s her way of dealing from last night. By the looks of it she is going to be by herself. Oh crap! She’s just caught me staring, not cool. Look away Jared, look away. She asking me what I could recommend, but she don't drive, like she just said. So I’ve offered to take her out for the day. I hope she didn’t think I was being too pushy.
I walk into the office; I have to cancel all of my appointments for today. I pick up the phone, to call my assistant. She’s my back up one; she irritates the shit out of me.
"Hey! I need you to cancel everything I have on today, ok?"
"But sir, you can't cancel, you could lose a brilliant opportunity. This will be a mistake, if you cancel."
"I don't care, cancel it! Or, you step in for me and sort it. It is what I pay you for isn’t it?"
"I know sir, but this is what you started, It looks bad you sending someone else in, you know this is reckless right?"
"Well, I’ll tell you what, you either sort it, or I’ll simply fire your ass for disobeying me, your choice."
"Sir, you don't have to get malicious, I was only saying."
"Then fine, show me you can sort it, goodbye." I hang up, she was pissing me off and she has no right questioning me. Well, at least that’s sorted, I best head to my room.
I rush up and drag all of my clothes out and try to debate on what to wear, but I’m clueless, what do I wear? Since when do I question what I should wear? Right, I could wear that checked top, no! What are you thinking Jared; you’ll look like a geek. So I throw that down to the floor, damn it! Why can’t I find anything? Right, I need help, I’ll call on Andrew for help.
“Andrew!” I shout, good old Andrew, he comes rushing in.
“What is it sir?”
"Right, don't laugh! I could do with your help, I don’t know what to wear, help?" I ask, starting to get high pitch.
"Ok sir, you have never once asked me for fashion advice, as well I’m a dude. Ask a lady friend, like your assistant. Which by the way, shouldn’t you be off on a meeting?"
"Well, no! I’ve cancelled and told the assistant to sort it out. She’s not as good as my normal one and I can't ask a woman for advice, they may think I’ve lost my mojo and I don't want this girl thinking, oh god.. You look like someone from the seventies, so help."
"You’ve cancelled you appointment, for a girl? Have you gone crazy?" Andrew shockingly expresses.
"Excuse me, Andrew! I’m still your boss, watch your mouth."
"And like you said, I’m also a friend and I’m allowed to tell you when I think your been impractical. So is this girl important enough for you to cancel your meeting?"
"Well.. It's not like that, she by herself and I’m going to show her around Rome. I’m being polite and showing her."
"So, it’s all about getting laid? Sir, I don't want to be involved in your, well let’s say extra activities."
"No, Andrew! Are you not listening? I don't want to lay her; I’m just giving her a tour around Rome, so help."
"Fine! Wear that shirt and those smart jeans, they look fine." He sighs, rolling his eyes, as he is just as clueless as me when it comes to clothes.
"Ok, thank you." Right, sorted! I hope she doesn’t think I’m strange, for doing all this. Although, woman never seem to mind my company, but this one don't even seem interested. Oh well, I’ll change that by the end of the night.
*****
We’re back at the house after a remarkable day, she seemed to enjoy herself, but she was kind of holding herself back. At one point, we got really close, it was tense, I’ve got this deep connection with her, which is just bizarre, I can't even explain it. I think we almost made out too, but she dragged away surprisingly. Which kind of made me think, was there something up with me? No girl has ever done that before, so why would she? Maybe she jus
t not interested, it makes me more intrigued by her. I do have a good idea what I could do; I read up that there was going to be a meteor shower tonight, I can invite her up to watch that with me and then maybe she won't think I’m such a sleaze ball.
"Jared, are you with us?" I get nudged by Alex and a couple, I think their names where Darla and Carl. Anyway, they’ve just announced that there engaged, so I’m heading down to the wine cellar, to get some champagne. Alex offered to help, which means he is going to give me the third degree about Danni.
“So, Jared! What happened today, with you and Danni?"
"Nothing, I just took her out for the day, because she was by herself, as use left her and I thought I could show her Rome, instead of her being stuck in, why?"
"First, we did not leave her, she hate’s Katie, so she stayed away. Second, I’m just asking because I know what you’re like; I don't want you fucking around with her, she a decent girl."
"I know she is and I’m not fucking with her, I was being her tour guide that’s it, alright?" I reply, starting to get irritated with him because it’s nothing to do with him.
"Fine! But stay away from her ok? I don't want her getting hurt."
"Right, first of all! You can't tell me who to see and second of all, how am I going to hurt her?" Why would he think that?
"Really dude? Do you really want me to go into that? Look, you’re my boy and you know I have and will always have your back with anything, but Its Andi’s sister and she like my little sister too, I have every right to look out for her."
"Right man, look, you know never to mention that ever again, I buried that a long time ago and sorted it out and it is never to be mentioned again and you know that. You know what went down, so you can't hold that against me can you? And I promise, it’s not like that, ok?" He nods in disapproval and we grab the champagne, the wine, martini and everything else.
As I go to pick up the last bottle, I notice something wedged at the back, I grab it and it’s a picture of me and Danni and on the back it says. ‘I know what you did all those years ago, does your girlfriend know?’ What the fuck.