Vulnerable Souls 2

‘Way to go Rose. You finally ended up biting more than you can chew.’ I scold myself on my way back to the hospital. And hell the way he said ‘go say your goodbyes’ like It is a death sentence scares me.

I only wanted to make him feel guilty but look who it backfired on. I shouldn’t have played with fire. I should have ask Dove for advice. She was good with relationship matters. This was the same thing that happened between Mom and Cordello and still she ended up not getting what she asked for. What if I do this and also end up not getting what I asked for? ‘ugh, Rose you shouldn’t have told him he had balls to fight but no balls to stand a woman like you.’ I beat myself with regrets as I remembered everything that happened at his place.

As I walked into the hospital I passed by the nurse at the reception who nods her head in response to my greetings. It was already 7:25 pm. That means I have less than two hours. I opened the door to mom’s ward and was greeted with laughter. Turns out Dove was here already and I was grateful to her for keeping Mom company. I gave her a side hug before going to where my mom laid on the bed. She was smiling. I gave her a peck on her forehead.

“Mi amorcito. You look so exhausted.”

“It’s nothing mom. I’m fine. I’m glad you are okay.”

“I’m glad you are okay too. Your boss Mr Jaden was here earlier.”

“I Know Mom. So what have you and Dove been discussing?” I asked her to avoid talking about Mr Jaden.

“It’s something called N.O.Y.B.” Dove chips in with a smile. “Non of your business.” She said finally.

Dove’s phone rang again and she picks it up.

“Hello. Yeah, sure.” She answered whoever the caller was. She later excused herself outside. I guess to talk more with the caller. I quickly use that opportunity to follow her. I needed to talk to her and I needed her advice badly.

“Mom, I’ll be back In a minute.”

“Ok darling.”

“You what?” Dove asked surprised. “ Oh my God Rose. Why didn’t you ask me first?”

“I didn’t know it will get to that. I thought I could handle it on my own.”

“On a scale of 1-10 how serious do you think he is?”

“I don’t know Dove. I barely know the man.”

“Maybe he is joking. Perhaps he just wants to scare you. It happened to Miguel last year. A lady pranked him like this too. Don’t go. Let’s see what happens. If he was serious when he said that, he will..” she stop talking when my phone rang. It was a strange caller but I received it anyway.

“Hello.”

“Good day Miss Rosalita. I’m Kent. Mr Jaden sent me to you. I’m outside the hospital.” Immediately I heard that my eyes budged and I look at Dove who was asking me with hand signals ‘who and what is it’?

“Hello, hello. Miss, Are you there?” Kent asked when I didn’t say anything.

“Yes I am.”

“Is it ok if we meet at the reception?” I was quiet again.

“Hello.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll meet you there.” The moment the call drops I breathe out everything.

“He just sent someone over and that person is standing outside the hospital.”

“Oh my God, he is serious.” Dove said. I don’t know whether to see her comment as helping me or not. “Ok. Relax. We will go there to hear him out first, then from there we would know what to do.” I nervously agreed with her. And we head for the reception with me leading the way.

When we got there we met an average height man who waved and smiled at me.

“Hi again Miss Rose.” He greeted still smiling.

“How did you know it was me?” I asked him as we got closer to him.

“I have your picture.” He turns his phone to face me and I saw my picture, the one I submitted with my CV. “ I’m a house agent. Mr Jaden got you a house and he asked me to bring you over to see it and also move in.”

“What if she doesn’t like the house?” Dove asked him.

“Well, you will have to discuss that with him cause he specifically chose that one and he has paid for it.”

“Isn’t it rather late to go check a house?” I voiced out.

“I told him same thing but he insisted on you coming over. He gave me no choice. He’s there waiting for you.” I turn to look at Dove again.

“Ahhh, can you give us a minute.” Dove asked him.

“Sure. But I will be glad if you guys make it snappy.” Dove led me to a corner.

“Ok I can see he is serious about this. When you get there.. “

“Wait you’re not coming with me?”

“Of course I’m coming with you. But you know I won’t be standing there when you both are talking. Tell him while you agree to what he has said, it’s going to be on your terms. You will be the one to choose when and how it’s going to happen.”

“What? You’re telling me to go ahead and sleep with him?”

“Babes listen, whether or not you want it, this man is determined to see it happen. I can’t tell you to back out because I know he will take back the house and we both know you need it and you also need the protection. This is your only chance and I wouldn’t advice you to screw it up.”

Perfect! Now she’s advocating for him.

The only person who knows about this is Dove and I intend to keep it that way. After lying to my mom about being tired and going over to Dove’s place to rest we left the hospital. The moment we got outside, I felt the chill of the cool night breeze on my skin. A look at the sky shows any moment from now the rain will fall.

“Ok ladies hop in.” We did as told with Dove seating in the front seat with Kent and I to the back. Before I know it they start gisting. It started with I work here or there and next thing they were going more private. From their conversations I learnt Kent has a daughter. He’s divorced and he and his ex- wife are fighting over child right. Right now I don’t mind trading places with Dove, she could hit on any guy she likes without stress but me – I’ve always been in my shell. That explains why at twenty- seven I’m still single. No current boyfriend or ex boyfriend, just me.

Unfortunately all the friends I've ever made were the crazy ones. The ones who would sleep with hundred men and come out in public to boast about it. I think it was the fear of being marked or mocked for being different that prevented me from telling anyone I’m still a virgin. Whenever they boast about theirs and it’s my turn and they ask me what’s going on with my sex life, I tend to lie a lot. I tell them all the crazy things I never did. Now that I think about school days I know I wasn’t brave enough. Am I brave enough for this? What will truly happen if I tell him I changed my mind?

We got to a fenced house and Kent spoke with the security man who acknowledged his presence and opened the gate. Once the gate opens and we were inside I see two more security men.

“Mr Jaden hired the security men from a five star security company.” Kent told us and Dove turns to smile at me.

Once we were inside the compound, we came out from the car and I was able to admire the beauty of this place. The whole place was surrounded by beautiful carpet grass except for the middle where there were interlocks that starts from the front of the house, covered the garage entrance and down to the gate. The house was a two storey building with two porticos. The first portico was at the entrance and the second was at the garage. The garage portico extended upwards to form a balcony. There were beautiful flowers planted round the whole house.

My mom is not here but I can see her falling in love with this place. If not for anything, she will love it because it is very spacious. Spacious enough to plant anything she wants. The whole place was as bright as day because of the led bulbs that were fixed in every corner of the house. Even the flowers each had a bulb attached to it. From where I stood I counted twelve bulbs for the house and fifteen bulbs for the flowers at the front of the house but of course I know it’s more than that since the back of the house also had bulbs.

Kent walks ahead of us and when he got to the door he opens it for us and we entered. I was greeted with the face of Mr Jaden. He wore an expressionless face. I have to give it to him he sure knows how to dress. He was dressed in a black suit that has three buttons but the upper and lower buttons were undone leaving only the middle one. Inside the suit was a white long sleeve shirt that fitted perfectly with a black tie and on top the suit he wore was a camel color overcoat that stop at his thigh. His silver grey eyes stood out, that along with his combed over hair with a right side parting made him look even more handsome. He has a chain wrist watch on his left wrist but I couldn’t make out the brand because it was covered by the sleeve of the over coat . All together his look screamed ‘I am the business king'. A look that warns anyone that he means business. But one thing I don’t understand is why he is dressed like this at this time? Unless of cause he plans to go somewhere once he’s done here. The moment Dove sets eyes on him she gets carried away.

“Oh my God Rose I wish I could switch place with you right now.” She whispers In my ear. “He’s so handsome and so tall.”

Yeah, I know she has a thing for tall guys.

“You forget to add he is also a manipulative, no compassion man.”

“Well, true. But it still doesn’t change the fact that he is handsome. Girl you are lucky. Free advice?” I turn to look at her thinking she has something serious to say. “I’ll advice you to embrace him and don’t let go. If I was you I’d look for ways to tie him down.”

“Tie him down?” I asked surprised and confused at same time .

“Yes. I’d tie him down with a baby.”

“Yuck. Gross.” I replied her dryly.

He turns in Dove’s direction this time.

“And who is this? He asked strictly in his not so deep tone. Dove stiffened as he focused on her. So much for her mouth making of ‘I’m going to hit him in the face.’ I smiled inwardly at how calm and well-behaved she is now. Mr Jaden like I said is a force reckon with. He commands respect anywhere he is.

“This is Dove. She is my friend.” He didn’t say anything.

Kent walks up to him and whispers something briefly to him to which he nods.

“Ladies I’m sorry I’d have love to take you round the house but it’s almost nine and my daughter is spending the night at my place. Wouldn’t want to give the Mom a reason to think I’m not capable but I promise to come check on you tomorrow.”

I nod and just as he was about leaving I heard his voice again.

“Kent, please drop Miss Dove off on your way.” He told Kent who agreed without questions.

“But..” I tend to protest but Dove held my hand and caressed it .

“It’s alright. I need to go home to rest anyway. I’ve got loads of work at the office tomorrow.” “Be safe and I’m getting full gist when I see you again.” She says more like a whisper before leaving.

“You shouldn’t have asked my friend to leave like that.” He said nothing, he just turned around and I took it as a ‘follow me’ and I trailed behind him.

“Have you told your family?” I was quiet. He turned to look at me without stopping his movements.

“If I’m doing this I want it done on my terms and conditions.” I told him as I stop moving. He also stops moving and turns to face me.

“I gave you every opportunity to back out but you refused, so it’s going to be on my terms and conditions not on yours.”

“But..”

“We’re clear, Rosa.” He fumes and start moving towards the living room. I hesitated but eventually followed him. “I’ll send someone over to the hospital to watch over your family. I’ll also let them know you are with me. The reasons for that will be entirely left to you. Anything you tell them is ok with me. They can move in here immediately they are discharged from the hospital.” He adds as he moves. My mouth drops in awe at how beautiful the place was.