Passion Over Presley: Based on a True Story

by Rachel Martin

   “My name is Jake.” His voice was deep and he had a tight lining in his hair, he extended a hand for her to shake. She took it and shook his hand lightly and smiled. She felt a bit awkward but something about this man made her feel at ease when she should have been worried.

  The way he stared at her in the bar was just strange. “Your car near to the bar, I can walk you…” He asked her and she shook her head no since it was back at Presley’s. “Can I drop you off somewhere?” He asked and she wanted to say no and end it, but what the heck you only live once.

  “I live in the Hills. Can you drive me up there?” He smiled at her and nodded. He was a good looking guy and she was impressed at his chivalry. She had been in worse situations with strangers, and since she had nothing to live for at the moment why not take a chance? Besides if he tried anything she had something to hold him in her purse if need be. She observed him a little more when he led her to his car nearby.

  Jake was tall and handsome in a Denzel sort of way, nothing like Presley. Yes she was comparing them, like she did every man. She compared them to Presley because besides her dad he was the only guy she knew that satisfied her appearance status. He was a dark chocolate toned man about six feet and he was not as buff as Presley, but he was cute enough to peak her interest. He opened the door for her and she smiled at his little Honda the color of blue and red. She hopped into the front seat and waited for him to enter the car before giving him directions.

  “Want to get some lunch first? It’s about that time, it will be my treat.” He said smiling at her. She smiled back and accepted his offer and they headed towards the Hills. He drove for a while and then asked her what did she feel like, burger or taco. She said burger and he pulled into a McDonalds and asked what she would like to order. Michelle smiled the as they sat through the drive-in. Presley had spent a lot of money on her when eating meals and this man had hardly spent a fraction of the amount of lunch. Perhaps she needed a break from spoils.

  Once they had their lunch they parked and he asked her a few questions about herself. She told him the basic information, she was here on business and was staying with a friend, and she was single but had no kids and no job. “Cool.” He would answer and then look out of the window eating his food. “So how you know that girl from the bar?” He asked and she told him they were childhood friends.

  “I bet she isn’t going to pay for my friend’s car. She hit us pretty bad, jacked up the bumper.” He said and Michelle suddenly felt bad. She pulled out her checkbook and asked for a price. “Oh no thanks Ma’am, you can hold that. My friend isn’t going to sweat it, he has plenty where that came from.” He said referring to the car. “He just wanted to holler at her, so now he has a good excuse to get her number.” He laughed and Michelle laughed with him. “Want to see a movie?” He asked and now Michelle was beginning to wonder what his intentions were.

  “This isn’t a date is it?” She asked giggling. His face lightened up a bit and he smiled at her.

  “You’re beautiful. I haven’t seen a pretty girl like you in a long time. I can’t just let it pass like this, why you have something else to do?” He asked and no...No she didn’t.

  “Let’s go.” She said and they were off to the movies. They were at the movies a few moments later and he got tickets to see some uppity film and Michelle guessed it was to impress her. They entered the door to the movie and he grabbed her hand as they went up the stairs to the perfect seat.

  Michelle stared at his hand as it grabbed her and strange feelings crept into her mind. He was a sweet man, and she liked the way he talked to her, maturely and professionally. She liked the feel of her hand in his and liked the way he ushered her to the seat beside him. He put an arm around her neck as they watched the previews. The movie was boring and she knew for a fact he chose it on purpose because he spent the entire beginning talking in her ear.

  “So why are you single? Your way to beautiful to be single,” He whispered. She smiled a little at his charm and hunched her shoulders. “You know what? I think you are one of those independent women who think they are too good for any man.” He said then looked back at the movie. Michelle laughed and punched his chest, and he pretended to be hurt.

  “Ok, well you’re pretty good looking yourself.” She said in a soft tone. “Why are you single?” She asked and he looked at her for a moment before answering.

  “Well, my recent partner believed that I was too consumed by appearances and wanted me to grow out of it. Sometimes I can knock the habit. But you on the other hand...” He put his hand to her cheek and caressed it softly. “You, I just couldn’t help it.” He smiled and she smiled back at him. He came close to her and placed a quick kiss on her lips then looked into her eyes for her reaction. They were intimate for a reason; both of them felt the attraction and wanted to squeeze the juice from its delicious fruit.

  After their kiss was over Michelle sighed and put her head on his shoulder. She felt strange kissing him now after Presley’s bail out last night. Presley kissed her last night and pretended like he didn’t want anything to do with her, while Jake (being with her only an hour) had been more intimate by accepting her advances.

  All week Presley showered Michelle with money and attention, when Jake only gave her McDonalds and a five dollar movie ticket. Presley was drop-dead gorgeous from his constant work outs to stay healthy and his connections with the music industry made him the number one up-and-coming stud producer.

  While Jake she recently learned, worked as a tow truck driver on the weekends and a valet during the week. The difference between their statuses was so big Michelle could put an Ocean between them and name it after her dead cousin Roger. Presley and Jake weren’t even on the same planet as the other.

  Michelle looked up at Jake and asked him where he lived and if it was close by. The movie was stupid anyway, and she was sold on something much more interesting at the moment. “Yeah baby, I am right around the way, let’s go.” He said and they were out of the movies and into the car before the movie even started getting good.

  When they arrived at his place they kissed some more outside and she was surprised he didn’t try to get more out of her. Instead he opened the door for her to a little house he apparently shared with three of his boys and his room was tiny too. She lay on his mattress with the sheets tossed underneath her and he lay beside her, kissing her as if they were in high school again. She didn’t mind as long as he didn’t let her go.

  Michelle was tired of playing games with men. Since she was younger her father kept the nasty ones from taking her home, taking her virginity and such things like that. She couldn’t go to dances or clubs or anywhere else without her chaperone that both of her parents trusted to keep her safe from living a normal life. Presley. He was her mother’s guardian angel sent straight from heaven to imprison Michelle, and she was glad he was nowhere around in Memphis when she left for college.

  Her parents believe if she had went to school with him she would have finished early and gotten a decent job, or at least married him and shared half of his spoils and become successful herself. But she had her own mind, and she was not ready to stop the good times from rolling.

  Michelle put her arms around Jake and let him kiss her neck. Who cares what Presley had to say, the moment she left his spotlight she was able to loosen the noose, drink her first shot of alcohol and attend a night club…and that was the first day of school! So now when she thinks about w-w-p-d or “What would Presley do?” All thoughts about his input, his permission and his influence went out the window. She watched all the thoughts of Presley float out of the room and she waved them goodbye.

  Presley

  After a fulfilling breakfast with Michelle that morning Presley was able to go through the rest of his day happy. It was so exciting to see her talk about the past, and learn about her friends that were left behind when she headed for Memphis. He was confident that last night he made his point to Michelle, that she was his prized poss
ession and he wanted to treat her right.

  Presley spent a few hours in the office after dropping her off, and now he was headed to pick up a really good lunch from one of her favorite restaurants. He grabbed the pizza he ordered and headed to the nearest flower shop and purchased a dozen red roses and a dozen pink roses fresh and cut to perfection. He had the florist mix them up evenly and put them in the most expensive vase available. Michelle should be home by now and he knew she would love the flowers. He grabbed a movie on the way home and called her cell phone. When she answered she seemed a bit breathless but told him she would be on her way soon.

  He hung up with Michelle and sent the maid home early back at the house because of his good spirits. He was aware of the guest house being back up and running and would offer it for the maid to live in again if it made her happy, since he kicked her out for Michelle. That didn’t go over too well, besides Michelle seemed more comfortable in the big house and Estela the maid didn’t have to travel from her sister’s house during the week to clean.

  He waited in the living room for Michelle, flipping through channels and grabbing some pizza. His mind went through all of the things she probably did today. Met with