Chapter three

.....On the job

We arrived the mansion,the security checked us a little bit too lenient, probably because we came in a limo so they probably thought we we're.... what's his name again...Rob?-uh..yeah, John, One of John's rich friends. But they called to confirm our arrival and let us in.

Luke rang the doorbell, while Marcus stayed in the limo blank as ever. The door opened revealing a tall man in tuxedo and gorgeous grey eyes. He looked in his late 50s . He was probably the butler, the way he oriented him self made him seem like one. "Mr Patterson junior, will have you wait in the west parlor, which I will take you to. Follow me."

We followed him through a hall, then the central passage. We passed the stairs and arrived  to the so called...west parlor. The interior decorations we're amazing, somewhat royalty. The ceilings traced with beautiful floral patterns and a chandelier hanging from  the dominant flower of all. This made me wonder how the rest of the rooms were. The mansion was painted white all through. Maybe not. I thought to myself. I don't know, well for now the only thing adding colour are the brown chairs and the  grey and black tiles.

The mansion is a lot more gorgeous than Luke's. I can't even name a price for this beauty.

"You may sit" There was something about the butler, his face carefree like he was always happy. We sat down. "Mr Patterson Junior will see you now"

"Ah Roland come on, just call me John man" a tall handsome muscled man, hazel eyed, brown hair that looked like too much conditioner was applied, how do you even notice that. He walked into the room his deep voice laced with melody. Luke recognising it was John, abruptly stood up and I followed.

"Luke, I thought I-" he looked at me his gorgeous brown eyes darting. I gave away no expression, he might be cute, but he's just like every other man, they all want carnal satisfaction. Well maybe not all men, I know Edward isn't......is he? Nahh he's not. John, turned back to Luke,

"listen man, I said I didn't- " he sighed running his hand through his hair. He sounded unsure at the moment.

"This is just what you need son, trust me you'll thank me later" Luke said and winked at John.

Son? Do they like know each other as friends or what? If they were friends he would have introduced him into this a long time ago. Oh yeah he was dating so....even though he would have tried. It's Luke, he'll do anything for money.

"Man I.......you know what fine" John threw his hand up in defeat "fine?" Luke asked grinning,

"fine " a sigh followed as john replied. "Okay then" Luke clapped his hands, then continued turning to me

"okay the usual 6:30am or maybe at an extra 60 minutes....be good Mary" he gave me a slap on the back, not pat, slap, making me loose balance, I oriented myself and stood normal. "John, have a great evening" he waved John goodbye and John did the same.

Okay pretty face let's get this over with.

John turned to me and my heart began to pound random rhythms. Stop it heart, just cause he's cute doesn't mean you should do that!

He gave a nervous smile, my expression blank. Then I gave a fake smile in response. That threw him of as his nervous smile began to fade to some what.....worry.

He immediately blinked his eyes, averting. Then he turned, his back facing me. He looked over his shoulder at me then stretched his hand towards me,

"come with me" His voice was stern, a little too stern. Yep this was a set up. I thought to myself. You're going down Luke! I hesitated to take his hand, but  I did anyway. His grip wasn't firm, delicate like if he squeezed, my fingers would snap.

We climbed the stairs, walking passed a few rooms then we came to a stop. Guessing that's the room. The cops are probably inside. Play it cool, tell the truth but not too much, wait tell the whole truth, you want out!

Here we go.... I sighed a little too loud, John turned to look at me, he opened his mouth as if to say something then pursed his lips shut and proceeded to open the door.

The door opened to reveal a king sized bedroom, Beautiful floral designs on the ceiling, The bed covers, navy blue with red floral patterns. What is this house with flowers? The walls were painted an elegant grey. And the curtains looked like they'd be worth more than my life...what grand design! Or maybe not worth more than life, I shouldn't say that. But you can't blame me what more can I live for-  wait where are the cops??!..... Oh come on!

Guess this is just another job...... John shut the door behind us, still having that nervous expression. I rose an eye brow and dropped it when he turned to me.

"Uh....make yourself comfortable" he headed for a door which I supposed was the bathroom. I sighed and sat on the bed admiring the bedsheets running my hands on the cotton.

I untied my trench coat, stood up to hang it on the coat rack, and sat back on the bed. He came out of the bathroom, his blue button down shirt unbuttoned revealing his white inner vest.

"Whoa! whoa! Uhh put back your coat on!" The words came out in shock and panic. Almost like he saw a naked stranger sitting on his bed, well I am a stranger so his shock was.. well more like a he saw a naked ghost.

"What! Okay I don't understand you-"

"just put it back on" he cut in averting his face from me. Annoyed, I stood up and grabbed my coat from the rack and put it back on.

"Look.." I began as calm as I could.

" I don't understand what game your playing... But whatever it is we have to get this over with and plus, you have to pay Luke because it's a little bit too late to change your mind!" I finally let out a sigh. John's eye brows cringed.

"Over with? Is that what you tell your clients, because you're supposed to please me and when I say put on you coat you-"

"fine, done that" I cut in, folding my arms.

"You have an attitude for someone's whose trying to earn money, cause clearly your doing this for money.....or we're you forced?" Suddenly I realised my mistake,

"I'm sorry.....what ever you want, I'll, I'll wait." He nodded.

" I mean you don't have to worry I'm not some undercover cop or something" I wish you were!

" I wasn't forced, my parents cut me off, this is my only way to make a living" I deadpanned, but deep within me, there's no way I could deny the brokenness and conflict, I'm shattered, hurt, and I'm tired of pretending to be okay, it never helped.

"Fine okay why don't I- Uh.. why don't we get to know each other, maybe have dinner, some place, you could choose, "

"you want to take me out for, dinner?" I asked confused.

"I'm not hungry" I continued,

"wow okay-"

"plus  I'm  here to do one job and one job alo-"

"don't you think your doing contrary to what your supposed to be doing? " He asked, I could almost hear the frustration in his voice.

"I-"

"then why don't we go out for a walk then" it was more of a command than a question.

"look, we're not supposed to get to know  each other, and plus I  don't want to make the news or become talk if the town 'Downey Patterson's son, caught with a mysterious girl, weeks after his break up'.... I'm pretty much trying to be on a low-key here"

"How did you know I broke up with my girlfriend? Luke told you?" realising my slip up, I tried to cover up. one thing Luke tells us is to never remind a client about his past or ask if they're married or not. He says we're supposed to satisfy them and if possible "heal what was broken, Temporarily" well maybe he could stop telling us personally stuffs about his clients.

"I.....umm-"

"People barely even know me, talk more about my personal life." He cut in.

"But I don't understand why you would even want to sleep with some girl you barely know!" He was taken aback at the tone of my voice.

"Wow and you expect me to pay with that attitude?"

I let out a little gasp

"I...I'm sorry"

"Oh now you're sorry, I wasn't sure if you we're the first, Luke wasn't supposed to tell you that, you are just supposed to do your job and get paid. Guess I was too drunk to realise,"

"what?"

"Nothing, it's non of your business.

I just have a lot going on and I just want to enjoy living a normal life before I get wrapped up in the business world. Which probably isn't happening anytime soon.

And yes maybe my name pops up on the news once in a while but-" He sighs.

"My point is, you have nothing to worry about."

I opened my mouth to speak then he cut in.

"Can we just go for a walk"

He sighed. I nodded my head remembering that, he was just a guy going through a heart break, and maybe wasn't ready for the responsibility that would be handed to him. Then I thought to myself, what do I care he's still going to sleep with me.

"you... Okay in that coat?"

"Yes" No.

"Your not I can tell"

"No I'm-" he picked up the handset to a wireless intercom and dialed a number.

"Shanon could you bring a couple of Alice's clothes, a Jean, top, or something."

I was about to ask who Alice was then,

"Alice is my younger sister" he read my mind, well more like my facial expression.

" She Lived with me for a while until she got a modelling job, she's probably a few years older than you, speaking of which, how old are you?"

"Uh..Nineteen" I say.

His eyes grew wide, his expression laced with worry, he stared at me for a moment.

"Well she's uh twenty one"

I nodded.

There was a knock on the door and John opened it to a woman, who looked in her sixty's.

Guessing Shanon.

She was wearing a white apron over a sky blue knee length gown, holding a folded pile of clothes.

"Isn't that a bit much?" John asked,

"I wasn't sure why you needed them, but I now have a guess. Multiple choices, easy choice for what one's comfortable in." She replied with a smile

"Yeah, but what if the multiple choices won't do..? "

"You always have to be so propound?"

"is that the right way to use to the word? "

"what? Of course it is" there was a  humorous silence before they both burst out into laughter. I looked at them confused trying to figure out the joke.

"Thank you anyway" John said finally and collected the clothes.

"You know John" Shanon began,

"I know it's hard, with what you're going through.....this isn't the best choice for.....healing"

"I know Shanon, thank you. So much" she nodded and gave him smile then she left.

I felt a bit ashamed, memories of the homes I've probably wrecked rushed in a pang of  hurt shoots straight to my heart as I'm engulfed in guilt,

"this isn't the best choice for healing" it echoed in my head again.

I knew she meant him well but I couldn't help but feel bad.

John turned to me, his smile fell, immediately seeing a glimpse of hurt across my face.

"I'm sorry if what she said might have-"

"It's okay" I cut in,

"She's just looking out for you."

He said nothing. Obviously didn't know what to.

"You two seem close" I said breaking the silence.

"Yeah, we are. She cooks for me, she's  like a second mother to me, except we're not related and she has time for me. Here choose what you're okay with, go to the dressing room, my closet actually...... Just, be comfortable.

I collected the clothes and went into the closet.

" wait" he called back.

"let me get some clothes for myself. "

He came out a few minutes later,

"All yours, take your time " Aww he's so sweet. Your job, remember your job.

"Thank you, " my reply was more of  a whisper.

I dropped the clothes on the ground, and began looking for what to wear. Multiple choices.....wish I had a few of those for what I wanted my life to be like.

I picked up a Jean, a cute yellow top and a Jean jacket.

"Seems good to me" I said to myself as I took off my work clothes and began to wear my 'chosen choice'.

"shoes " I pondered. well, I certainly can't wear these heels. I looked around the well organized closet as big as my room at "The house". And the scent was refreshing.

What is wrong with me!

When I was finally done, I came out "hey, I need sho-" I stopped staring at a shirtless John. I immediately turned, my back facing him.

"sorry...I"

"That was quick, didn't think you'd be THAT fast. Come on I'm sure you've seen more."

Was that supposed to be a joke? It's not funny

"Oh I'm...I'm sorry" he said almost immediately, he voice concerned.

"it was supposed to be a joke but- I... give me a moment". He totally gets me! No he doesn't.

"Okay you can turn" he was wearing a blue jean and a black shirt.

"what did you want to say? " he asked

"I um.. shoes?" It was almost as if I  forgot the word.

"Oh yeah, give me a moment." with that he went into his closet, opening a few shoe boxes. "here,  these sneakers are a bit small for me, might be a little bit big for you, but you can manage.....sorry but, Alice didn't leave any shoes behind."

"It's okay thanks" I took the dark blue sneakers and wore them.

"it's big alright, but it's okay " I assured.

"looks good on you....well not just the shoes... Uh your hair is a little bit Uh, you need to adjust the uh, wig"

I adjusted my wig in insecurity.

"Or you could take it off. If you want" He rushed.

"You know what I actually do, thanks for the compliment and the wig" I said to him.

He smiled. Gosh that smile warmed my heart, knowing it was sincere and not a nervous one.

"You could take sometime in the bathroom" he said.

"Yeah sure thanks." I said.

I walked to the bathroom.

I stopped in front of the mirror, staring at the girl looking at me. The girl who has so many dreams full of light. Now look at me, stuck in the dark.

I pulled of the wig.

I tugged on my hair, then I grabbed a comb. After I combed my hair, I sighed looking at the shed hair. I pulled it out of the comb and threw it into the toilet and flushed it.

I looked at myself again in the mirror.

"Okay, let's do this" I whispered to myself.

I came out of the bathroom.

He smiled looking at my hair.

"Looks good" He said.

"Thanks" I smiled back.

"Shall we?" he asked as he walked to the  door and opened it.

"yes we shall."