The Escort

Chapter 07

Once arrived down , Jessica walked by Lucas' side towards the exit of the premium plaza hotel.  Both glad that she was able to visit and also sad to leave the five stars plus building after staying overnight in one of its luxurious suites.

Once outside Jessica couldn't help but to look around for any potential paparazzi crowd, and she was relieved when no one showed up  at the door. It was too early  anyway, thank god Lucas woke her up earlier this morning.

A luxurious black Lamborghini was parked outside , Lucas clicked the doors open and gestured to Jessica to step inside, and he shut the door and climbed inside as well.

Jessica wasn't surprised at all, she knew a man like Lucas was filthy rich and she wouldn't find it strange if he drove a brand new car every day.  A man like Lucas … his name roll off her tongue so easily . Yet,  he was a man  only called  by his last name in the entire  city .

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"what's your favorite place  in the world ?" Lucas' voice caught her attention

"Paris " Jessica answered without thinking it through

"Have you ever been to Paris ?" he added , his eyes never leaving the road before his sight

"Not yet ! "

" You're planning on going then?"

"You ask a lot of questions Mr. Doyle " Jessica said  while turning to look at him amused

"what can I say, I'm a curious man chérie !" his lips tugged into a smirk , his eyes never leaving the road .

Jessica' eyes moved from  his lips to his chin and down his neck. He was dressed in casual jeans and a black buttoned shirt  tugged around the muscles of his forearm . he had the first two buttons undone which granted her a view of the stubble underneath.  Jessica's grew  too conscious about the man he was, every fiber of his being sitting next to her in silence inside the fancy car .

He had this aura around him that enticed her , for a while he seemed different from the man she had been with last night.  He seemed sincere when he said these last words .

Maybe , just maybe behind the notorious , control freak billionaire  there was a man nicer than what he seemed. She thought inwardly

" In case you were wondering , I only went to Paris for business, I haven't' had the time to visit yet  " Lucas said turning  his focus on her this time

Surprised, Jessica immediately  averted her eyes in front of her , avoiding his gaze ,

" You're planning on going then?"  she said borrowing his last words.

"yes, and you'll be there with me " he said , focusing on the road again a smile gilding his luscious lips

 God,  this man was so full of himself , Jessica rolled her eyes inwardly . how could she believe otherwise, even for a second. There was absolutely no use to that . he was the damn owner of the city, he was used to have it his way, and according to their little chat yesterday during the masquerade ball, she could tell that he was impossibly unnerving  .

"if I were you, I won't be so sure  about that ! "  she said out loud.

"I'm a man of my word , Miss Rose"

 she let out a silent chuckle,  just like she thought earlier, he was impossibly unnerving.

Fortunately the car came to a halt. Lucas parked swiftly , Jessica looked out the window,

They had already reached  35 main street . the car ride was fast she reflected. Lucas got out first and went to open the door for her.  Jessica silently stepped out of the vehicle.

"See you soon, Miss rose"

"I'm afraid this is goodbye,"

"Can't wait for Paris!" he said ignoring her words

"Bye Mr. Doyle" Jessica said coolly before she stepped away  leaving Lucas behind while entering her building

All of it was history .  The premium plaza hotel, the masquerade ball, the dance, the paparazzi, the breakfast and the Lamborghini ride  was all in past as soon as Jessica stepped inside the elevator . Even Lucas was now a stranger , he will remain as he was before the black rose met him.  Merely Mr. Doyle. The public figure  Jessica  read about in the magazines ,  she only knew articles that talked about his achievements and contribution to the city's economy,  nothing more about the man she met. And that was it.

The elevator's door opened and Jessica breathed in slowly. She checked her purse for her phone  and keys as she went inside her apartment.

She  had yet to change and go to work.

Once inside she grabbed her phone, it was  a quarter past six . she had enough time . she saw the new message icon popping on her screen , and while she clicked on it to read it , her phone rang.

The screen lit on Elijah's name and so She picked it up

" Rose ?"

"Elijah ,"

" Are you all right ?"

 " Worried about me ?"

"Almost! I must say, however it isn't the matter for my call"

"what is it then ?"

"  I received an unordinary request that concerns you ,  it's a  very appealing  offer for the agency  I  admit "

"An unordinary request that concerns me ? Elijah, what's going on ?"  Jessica worried.

" Actually I was hoping you could explain!  since, the offer came from Mr. Doyle "

"Lucas ?... what did he… uhm.. What did Mr. Doyle request of you ?" she stuttered . but Elijah's ears didn't miss the part when she called him by his first name.

"  He requested that only you,  will escort him from now on. And signed a big fat check with endless zeroes for the agency in return" his voice sounded less cheerful than it was a second ago, but what surprised Jessica more than that, was the news she just heard him say. Lucas requested  her and her only to escort him !

"What ?! you must be kidding me right, Elijah ?" 

 "Seriously, I'm not !" he said coolly.

"He can give his check to someone else I'm not interested ," Jessica told him, annoyed .

 "I'm afraid I can't decline this offer Jessica,  we need  the money! "

''You're not serious are  you !?" Jessica had a hard time believing whet she just heard .

''I'm dead serious  Miss Rose. As you are aware of the current situation of the agency. And you  know  as well that there are many new agencies that offer more extended services than we do. I can't afford to let  this opportunity to waste.  Frankly Rose  I'm really happy that Mr. Doyle chose our agency to begin with, and you should too "

" I get it that you already accepted his offer!" Jessica replied bitterly.

"The agency's policy allows the customers to request a specific escort if he or she is interested in one, and I'm afraid you've signed for this "

"I see," She said evenly , getting the hint in his voice.   Elijah wasn't joking,  he was talking business and when he does the only thing that mattered was the profit he could get –meaning the money– and her personnel opinion wouldn't change a damn thing  about that !

  "Good, be prepared then,"

" All fine Elijah,  Sorry I must go now,"

" Greetings !"

 Jessica hung up without further ado.  She didn't like where this was going to take her.

 She looked up her wrist watch, she didn't have much time left to change and go to work so she just run a hand over her hair and put on some lipstick and got out of  her building. She hopped inside a cab   

"Pop Of Color 's kindergarten ,please."  She asked of the drier who drove silently until they reached  their destination. The ride was rather fast, since Jessica could easily walk the distance between the school and her apartment.  And She forgot about Lucas as soon as she stepped inside  the schoolyard.

The kids were  getting in with their parents, holding their dear teddy bears and toys. Jessica met Rita on her way  and  she greeted her with a wide smile  and gave her today's' paper as usual before stepping inside her class  , Jessica rested the paper on her desk, the kids would enter any minute so Jessica put on her overall quickly because today was aquarelle day . Jessica was excited to see the kids again. Her boring life seemed so interesting sometimes   even though it didn't appear to be.