Damsel Not

CHAPTER 11

That evening, Jake had pretty long phone call with his father, he had many concerns and knew his dad would settle them. He's never before called his dad for help, but it's amazing what a woman can do, including bringing a grown man to his knees.

"O'Brien speaking." Jacob answered.

"Dad, you don't have to answer the phone like that."

"I know son, it's a work habit, been wondering where you've been. Nice of you to call."

"Yeah, I've been preoccupied a little. Listen dad, I need your help with something."

"Well, I'll be damned, if it isn't my son, calling me for help. Ask away son."

'I come across a name, I think I've heard it before, was hoping you can shed some light." He asked despite the tone of his father's voice.

"Sure, let me have it."

"Kevin Salvador."

"Old Grey Salvador's son, whatever contract you have signed with him, terminated it with immediate effect, that boy is bad news." His father shifted in his seat. "His ways are wicked, his actions are deceptive, he...."

His father went on and on as Jake listened keenly. He knew that name was familiar and it was, now that he had the clear picture he had to save Katie from him. He had to scare the rag rat away before he caused harm and wrecked havoc on his kitten’s life. He must.

Katie stretched her feet over the small wooden table and increased the volume on the TV, she was watching her favorite drama series, Scandal, and Jake was giving her a basket case of questions. So many times she has just stared at his face bewildered. How was Katie supposed to explain every damn question about the overly stretched plot yet she wasn't the director.

"Admit it, you watch it just to stare at that guy, you know, Jake." He said, playfully raising his eyebrows.

"Shut up, you are taller than him." She assured.

"And better, I can't stand and watch the woman I want spread her legs for another man, plus, he totally has the resources to snatch her away. Dumb fool." He said, shaking his head.

"You have to consider the fact that Olivia is in love with the president, she may love Jake, but she hasn't cried over him, she's cried over Fitz many times. You can see who she truly loves. And she takes the words of Fitz at heart."

"This series is dumb, now how many men are after her?

"Three, Hulk is in the mix."

"And yet she still sleeps alone, cold."

Katie looked at Jake and just shook her head; he was a piece of work.

"Let's just listened to music."

"No, I want to see how it ends."

"They don't end up together; she decides he's too good for her and dumps his ass, and aborts his baby." She jumps to the end and watches his face scrunch in what looked like hurt and pain. Huh, he likes the movie after all.

"Cruel b***h. Lets listen to music."

Jake snatched the tablet from her and opened the YouTube app, pressed a few key strokes and Lukas Graham's Love someone blasted through the speakers. He looked expectantly at Katie, waiting for her reaction. She slowly started to smile and snuggled deep into him.

His message was home. Many times, they found that words were less to explain what they felt, and song lyrics spoke for them. Jake held her closer to him and together they stared back at the screen, but none of them really looked. Katie's mind was preoccupied, she wondered if she could ever be normal enough to love Jake, if her heart could even love anymore, she wondered if she'd ever wanted him for more than his body and all the orgasms he could give her.

Jake's mind wasn't settled either, he was starting to acknowledge that he loved the woman sitting beside him, he was head over heels in love with her and he couldn't help it, he was hopeless, and on cloud nine. Katie brought out the best in him. With her, he feels like he fits in, like he doesn't have to hide even a single aspect of himself, he doesn't have to hide his flaws, he doesn't even fret over his flaws, it's like she doesn't even notice them. With her, he is free, his soul is at ease and his mind at peace.

"I'm in love with you, Katie."His head turned to face her.

"Jake..." Jake placed his index finger on her lips to stop her.

"You just don't know it yet, but you will, soon."

They silently went back to listening to music. Katie searched her soul, and she knew she felt something, only she didn't know what it was. What if it was love, what if this is what love felt like, but she brushed the feeling away feling at peace and returned to the streaming videos.

Jakes door suddenly flung open and his entire family rushed in, his father wore a stormy expression on his face as he walked towards them, His mother I believe, pulling him and pleading with him to go back home.

"Don't do this dad.' Jake shot to his feet and pulled Katie behind him.

"What does this one want this time?" He spat out. His finger pointed at Katie.

"Nothing dad, she wants nothing. Is that how low you regard me now, as no one would truly wish to be with me not unless it were for your money?" Jake asked, pained.

"She is one of them, isn't she? Is she pregnant, has she made you feel like you are so in love and she's not after your money, just wants to be with you? She is just an opportunistic b***h, she'll pocket when she's done and leave you high and dry for her next conquest. Haven't you learned from your mistakes already?" Disgust was written all over his face, hatred for her.

"Don't say that, Jacob, she seems like a good girl. Give her a chance before you judge her honey. We don't even know who she is." Beatrice stood in front of her husband, soothing his anger, willing him to look past his anger, and see reason.

"Is your attempt to ruin the happiest time in my life, brother," he spat out, "did you mention that Katie here is paying you twice your normal rate to ensure you give her quality, or that she's the C.E.O of her own company? Did you?" Jake's anger rose, his fists clenched, and Katie took his fisted hand into hers and his shoulders slowly relaxed.

James scratched his brows and looked at his feet.

"Of course you didn't, why would you, when you were busy securing the money you'd get from the client to pay any attention to your own brother. She's a good woman, and dad you don't have to worry about your money, because I quit. You can show yourselves out now." Jake turned around and went upstairs; he wanted a place to brood, where no one could see him. Katie stood in the middle of the room like a literal little kitten.

"So, this is a nice way to meet the rest of the family. Hi, I'm Katie." She said, faking enthusiasm.

"Hi, I'm Beatrice, Jake's mother, I'm sorry about this whole misunderstanding, you know, past wounds, but that's not excuse enough."

"I understand, it's what family does. That just shows you care enough." Katie gave the only answer she could come up with at that time.

"I'd like for you and Jake to come to family branch next weekend. Please consider it, we'd love to have you there, and get to know you more." she was a sweet woman.

"Fine. I'll have to ask Jake about it. Thank you." She was unsure of his reaction, especially after his outburst.

"What are you all still doing here? I thought I said leave." Jake strode back to the room and looked straight at his family. He put more stress on the last word.

"James, find your way home," Jacob called out over his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, c'mon dad, I'm sorry." Jacob and Beatrice were already out the door, leaving James standing alone.

"I'm sorry Katie, I was blinded by the money, and I tapped into an old emotion within my father for a solution. I didn't realize I was neglecting so many things in pursuit of that. I'm sorry." James had seen his mistake. Katie was about to speak when Jake raced her to it.

"Leave!" James turned and followed suit.

"I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be, it's what family does."