The Chase

Chapter 16

    Cecilia had been pacing back and forth in front of my desk for the last half hour. Tabitha hadn't reacted the way she had hoped. Not a huge surprise. Tabitha was opinionated and never took feelings into consideration, or so I've heard. I haven't met her and with any luck I never will.

    "Babe, she'll get over it! You have to do what's best for you!" She didn't seem to notice my minor comments here and there. She was to sucked into complaining that Tabitha basically called her a dumbass.

    "She called me 'stupid' and 'desperate' Can you believe that?!" She talked with her hands. Waving them around the hair to express her frustration.

    "I'm sure didn't mean it... We all say things when we are upset.." I needed to play devils advocate if I wanted her to listen to me. If I was rude about Tabitha she would just divert her anger at me.

     Made no difference, she still didn't acknowledge my comment. Shocker.

    I stop responding, she wasn't listening anyway. Her phone was sitting on my desk and I had noticed the screen lighting up repeatedly. She had too, she turned it over so the screen couldn't be seen.

    It was a habit she had developed since the appearance of Lucas. She never texted him when I was around and she made a point of always turning the sound down or off when I was around.

    She had spent a lot of time complaining about her fight with Tabitha to Lucas. He had played it cool. Offering to fix all her problems. Give her rides places. Take her to a movie or dinner to brighten her day. Things her boyfriend should be doing for her. Things I should do for her. She had always said no but needless to say I didn't like it.

    "Are you even listening to me?!" Cece pulls me from not thoughts when she notices I had checked out.

    "Yes ma'am. I'm listening. Just taking in the whole situation." I didn't want to upset her by saying anything about Tabitha. The last time I spoke my mind she got defensive quickly.

    "Sorry.. I know I'm being dramatic. I'm just frustrated about everything.." Her face dropped from frustration to sad. I didn't like to see her so upset. I needed to do something to fix this.

    I needed to do something big. Something that would make her forget her little spat with Tabitha and put my in a good light. I knew what would do it. I had been saving it for Christmas but a late birthday gift would have to do.

    "Do you want to look at cars?" Her face immediately lit up.

    "Like to buy?" 

    "Yes to buy." she looked like a mixture of excitement and confusion. "I know you've been having a hard time lately and I just want to help relieve some of that stress for you.."

    "You don't have to do that.." Her words said one thing but it was clear in her expression that she wanted me to insist.

    "I want to do this for you. Please let me do this for you!" The only way she would let my buy her a car is if it seemed like she was doing me a favor. She wasn't the type to be bought.

    "Are you sure?" Her brow furrows as she tries to gauge my sincerity.

    "Yes I am absolutely positive!" I walk around my desk to her and pin a few stray hairs out of her face. Hooking my hand behind her neck and pull her into a kiss. She leans further into me as I pull away her lips desperate for more. "Go get your things, my love."

    Cecilia eyes light up at my words before she runs from the room to get her shoes and purse. I couldn't wait to she her reaction to the car I had picked for her.

*****

    "What are we looking for today?!" We are greeted by an over-eager clean cut man in dress pants a white button up and a name tag that read Brad. 

    What a boring name.

    "Yea, there should be a car under Newman." I reveal at the look on his face as he avoided eye contact. 

    "Uh yes. Of course I will uh get the keys sir." Brad hadn't met me before but he knew who I was. I co-own the dealership.

    "Pre ordered? You already bought the car?!" Cecilia wants to squeal until we are along.

    "Yeah I missed your birthday and I wanted to make it up to you.." I laugh lightly at the grin that spread across her face.

    "You could of talked to me about it first.. It's kind of a big purchase." She looked sheepish as Brad returned with keys. 

    "I'd do anything for you. All you have to do is ask." I kiss the top of her head and follow Brad to the side of the building where a freshly cleaned black Lexus is waiting. Practical but sure to impress her.

    "Do you like it?" Cecilia is taken aback. She is frozen by my side. 

    "It's perfect!" She looks even more shocked when the keys are placed in her palm.

    "This is too much.." She hesitates as she runs her hands across the smooth leather stirring wheel.

    "It is not too much. You deserve this.." She begins to push buttons on the stereo and avoiding my stare.

    "How much did this cost?" I pull her hands into mine. forcing her to look at me.

    "Do you like it?" I ignore her question. I'm waiting for her praise. Appreciation. Anything.

    "How much did this cost Jasper?" The question was more stern this time. 

    "That isn't what matters!" I try to keep my tone calm.

    "It kind of does. This is a big deal. Or do you buy cars for all your girlfriends?" I get it now. She didn't care how much that car cost. She wanted was fishing for information. like if I considered her my girlfriend.

    "Only my favorite one." I give her a half smile letting her squirm for a little longer.

    "I should feel special then?" I've grown to love her sarcasm. It's silent as she starts the engine and she puts it in drive. 

    "Very special seeing as I don't date or have girlfriends." I place my hand on her thigh and squeeze gently. 

    The car lurches forward as she gets a adjusts to how touchy the gas is. She looks a little embarrassed at first but quickly catches on after a few jumps and hard breaks. She was smiling the entire drive even when she dropped me back off at my car and agreed to meet at my apartment.