Nessa

Chapter I

“ You need to have s*x!” Sam shouts.

I spit my coffee and look at my unapologetic best friend.

“Language Sam!” I say and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I place the cup of coffee on the counter and stands to get a cloth to wipe where I spit my coffee on.

“I said nothing wrong Nessa. You need s*x. You need a man who'll make you feel like a woman and do things to you,” she says brushing her shoulders with a smile on her face.

I roll my eyes. “I most certainly do not need someone to make me feel womanly. Especially a man.”

Sam looks at me with a bored expression on her face.

“Nessa dear, when was the last time a man touched you cause you sound like a nun right now. Loosen up and live a little. Let your hair down. Go out there and just live. You're named Vanessa for goodness sake! It means butterfly and naturally butterflies are free spirited creatures. Be like a butterfly,” Sam says.

I laugh. “You're named Trina but you're not pure!”

“That's different.”

I take a sip of my coffee and say, “Yeah whatever. I have to go to work. See yourself out and lock my apartment please. Love you!”

Before Sam could say anything, I was out of the house.

I walk briskly to the bus stop to wait for the bus. It comes shortly after and I board the bus. The bus is packed and I have to stand. A long while later, the driver announces the next bus stop which is where I get off.

I work at the Downtown Diner. I've been working there for four years now and still a waitress. After all these years it makes sense that I get promoted but I'm not. Don't get me wrong, the salary is great and Mr Hyde, the owner, even gave me that apartment and I'm so grateful.

I grew up in an orphanage. My mother probably took a look at me and decided she didn't want me. I know this because Mrs Summer told me I was just a few days old when a young lady came to drop me off. I'm not mad at her though. She was too young when she got pregnant. Some women would have aborted but she decided to keep me and at least give me up. Mrs Summer told me that my mother left a picture but not her name. I sometimes looked at it, wondering where she was and if she remembered me.

Anyway my stay at Little Bloomers home was good. We all were a big happy family and the staff were like our aunts and uncles. When I was fifteen, an old lady came to the orphanage. She claimed that she was my mother's mother. I didn't deny it because she had the same smile and the same high cheekbones. Basically she was an older version of my Mom and an even older version of me. I was excited that I was finally going to meet my whole family and get to know my mother. But that wasn't the case. Grandma told me that my mother, Josephine, died in a bus accident. She and her husband along with her siblings and siblings' children died on their way to a vacation. Basically my only family was my grandmother.

The next five years were the best years of my life. My grandmother was the most lively person you'd ever meet in Portville. She passed away after five years and I was devastated. I was officially an orphan. She left me the house and a few thousands in my bank account. I haven't used it yet.

Due to my grandmother's death, I couldn't continue with varsity so I dropped out and moved out after I got a job. The old house I lived in with grandma has tenants now.

I push open the door and quickly shut it because of the cold. Soft music is playing. I smile at Cindy, the bartender and head to the staff room. I change into my uniform and tie my hair into a high bun with a few strands falling on my face.

The diner's not very busy in the mornings so I take a break and sit on one of the tables.

Mr Hyde comes to check how things are.

“Morning ladies,” he says.

“Morning Boss,” all of us say.

“I have something I need to say. My wife and I are going on a little vacation so I won't be in for a couple of weeks, two months even,” he says.

Nervous glances are exchanged between us wondering what he wants to say.

Dina whispers in my ear, “I hope he's not going to close down the diner. I can't afford to not be paid for two months straight!”

Me too.

Mr Hyde notices our nervousness. “Don't worry. I'm not closing the diner.”

Whispers of gratitude erupt amongst us.

“I need a manager to run this place while I'm gone. Any suggestions?” he asks.

We exchange some looks.

“I think we should vote Boss. Everybody writes down their votes on a piece of paper and into a jar. By the end of today, we'll see who has the most votes,” Andre suggests.

“Great idea so let's get to it!” Mr Hyde says.

He brings a paper and tears it in small pieces. I vote for Andre because he has great leadership skills and he's the one who came up with this idea.

Mr Hyde puts up a notice on the door about the votes and how you vote.

We get back to work.

It seems like the whole voting thing made customers pop in cause it's crowded now. I've taken a break.

“Nessa. Can you serve table 4 please. I've got my hands full,” Dina pleads.

“It's my break time D,” I protest.

“I know Nessa. It's a jungle out there. Pretty please. I'll pay you,” she pleads.

“Okay okay. You owe me!”

Minutes later I go attend the table. I take out a notebook and pen.

“Hi what can I get you?” I ask.

“Just a coffee, black, no sugar and muffins.”

I look up from the notebook and I'm met by the most bluest eyes I've ever seen staring at me. For a split moment I forget to breathe. I've seen him before but only from afar. I'm brought back by his voice.

“Can I get my order please Ms…” his eyes trail to my chest. “Vanessa Covey. I'm in a bit of a rush,” he says.

“Oh! Of course,” I say and rush to the counter.

“Cindy here's table 4's order,” I give her the paper.

She takes it and goes to the kitchen.

I steal a glance at Mr bad boy and I feel flushed when I see his eyes on me. I quickly look away and tuck a strand behind my ear. Cindy gives me the order and I take it to him.

I'm surprised that I'm walking properly because his looking at me so intently. It's making me really nervous.

“Here you go Sir. Anything else?” I smile.

“You.”

I suddenly feel hot and yet it's cold. I tuck another strand behind my ear. I do that a lot when I'm nervous.

“You have a beautiful smile,” he says.

I smile nervously, “Thank you. I'll get back to work.”

I dash to the staff room and close the door. I find Dina eating.

“You little prick! I thought you had your hands full!”

She giggles, “I lied. Just wanted to hook you up with that hot bloke there.”

“Don't tell me Samantha put you up to this,” I say.

“She did. Are you going to tell me how it went? Did he take your number? Did you give it to him? Did he compliment you?”

I blush and sit down.

“Oooh that smile. Spill it!”

I tell her all there is to know. We spend the rest of the lunch break chatting and then we have to go back to work.

Hours later, it's time for me knock off. I change into my clothes and grab my bag.

I bumb into Mr Hyde and remember about the votes.

“Off already?” he asks.

“Just waiting for the votes,” I say.

He nods and tells a everyone to gather around.

“So I've got the results right here. Nineteen votes for Andre, seventeen for Dina, twenty for Alex, Twenty-one for Betty, Seventeen for Nelly and Nessa got twenty five,” he says.

Everyone cheers and congratulate me.

Mr Hyde smiles and says, “Nessa is your manager.”

Wow I can't believe this. Finally four years later my promotion comes even though it's only for two months. Mr Hyde gives me the keys to the diner and the office.

“Sam I'm home!” I shout, making my way to the sitting room.

She looks up from her phone and smiles.

“Ms Promotion, you're back,” she says.

I roll my eyes. Dina cannot keep a secret. And since when are they best friends?

I take off my sneaker and put my backpack on the sofa.

“We need to celebrate. You. Me. Out,” she says.

I groan.

“No you're not getting out of this. We're heading to the pub and letting our hair loose. Put on something less boring,” she says.

I know I'm not going to win this debate so I drag myself to the bedroom. Sam borrows me her dress because apparently I do not have any interesting clothes to wear. I take one look at it and instantly regret my promotion.

“I am not wearing a spider web Samantha! I refuse!”

“Aww come on. This isn't a spider web. This dress is gorgeous. You'll have men drooling over you. Wear it Nessa. Please for me,” she looks at me with puppy eyes.

I sigh.

She claps her hands and jumps in victory.

I change and minutes later, we're in a cab and on our way to Club Montego. Sam pays the cab driver and we enter the club.

The music is so loud, I barely hear Sam when she says we should head to the bar. She orders a cocktail for herself and I take a martini.

“Thanks,” I smile at the bartender. “What time are we leaving?”

Sam gives me a bored look. “Come on Boring Betty. We just got here. We are gonna party till we drop!” she shouts.

Minutes later I'm left alone at the bar and sipping on my third Martini. My dear friend decided to ditch me for some guy. I glance behind me and see how she's enjoying herself with him. I've got no doubt that he's waking up in her bed or maybe she'll wake up in his bed?

Whatever! Point is that they are going to sleep together.

Gosh why did I allow her to talk me into this? Now I'm going to have to spend the rest of this twisted evening alone. I take a sip and look around. People around me are either in pairs or groups or just standalones like me. As I'm still looking around, my eyes meet a certain gentleman whom I'm seeing for the third time but I can't seem to get over how perfect he is. Those gorgeous bluer than blue eyes. His strong jaw. The alluring lips which then curve into a killer smile that sends a delicious tingling sensation to my stomach.

He seems to be enjoying his company very much. That makes me a bit jealous because his company is a girl.

I avert my gaze and take a sip of my drink. I cannot believe I'm jealous for a man I'm not even familiar with. His eyes meet mine when I steal a glance again causing me to quickly look away. This is the second bloody time I'm getting caught!

I can't help but look again but this time we don't lock eyes.

Why am I feeling this way for someone I don't even know? Not even Matt, my ex boyfriend made me feel this way.

Matt was too ordinary and not to mention predictable! Everything he did was calculated and we'll planned. He didn't have that aura of mystery around him. Matt didn't have that thing that would make you weak in the knees. He was just too dull. Not at all like Mr bad boy here. He has that aura of mystery around him and he looks like the, ‘it's my way or the high way’ type of guy who doesn't give a damn about nothing.

Okay! This is creepy! I've known this guy for what? Like five minutes? And already I'm aware of his character? Weird!

Coming back to my senses, I notice that he's no longer there. I look around hoping to spot him but nothing. Then a strong scent accumulates around me. I do not need a minute to know who that scent belongs to.

“Ms Vanessa Covey,” he says.

My mind screams, it's him! Act cool! Act cool Nessa!

I turn to him and smile. “Hi.”

He smiles back, “I've been sitting on that couch for the past two or three hours and I've noticed your subtle glances.”

I tuck a hair behind my ear.

“What makes you think I was throwing them at you?” I ask.

He smirks and leans in to my ear. I close my eyes and my breathing hitches.

He whispers, “I don't think you're throwing them at me. I know you're throwing them at me.”

He removes himself from my ear and smirks, looking at me.

“My name's Jasper. Can I buy you a drink?,” he asks.

I point to my martini glass. He chuckles and tells the bartender to give me a mocktail.

“Uh sorry but who told you I needed a mocktail?” I ask.

He smiles that amazing smile of his. “Ms Vanessa Covey, you are gonna need to be sober to experience what's going to happen in the next hours of your life,” Jasper says.

I look down and blush. I take the mocktail anyway and drink then put it down again. I look up to see him looking at me.

“It's rude to stare,” I tell him.

“I'm not staring. Just looking,” he says.

I nod, “You can go now. I'm sure your girlfriend is lonely.”

“I don't have a girlfriend,” he replies and sips his beer.

I nod curtly and sip my drink.

My dear friend remembers that she left me alone and comes back.

“Hey I'm back,” she says.

She looks at Jasper, smiling widely then back at me. No doubt asking for an intro.

“Oh Sam this is Jasper and Jasper, this is my dear friend Sam who had completely forgotten that she's the one who dragged me out of house and into this damned club,” I say and look at her.

Sam rolls her eyes, “Dramatic much. Nice to meet you Jasper.”

Jasper smiles at her.

Sam turns to me and says, “Just wanted to tell you that you can go home if you want to. That guy and I are just gonna talk and dance some more.”

I knew it. “Ok, just don't forget to use protection.”

She giggles and leaves again.

Jasper turns to me. “Interesting choice of friends,” he chuckles.

“Don't judge. She can be a brat when she likes to,” I say.

He puts his hands up in surrend. “No judgements here,” he says and smiles.

I smile and take a sip. We sit in comfortable silence. By that I mean comfortable for him, not so much for me. I keep shifting in my seat because he's busy staring at me. It's like his studying me, studying my features and trying to connect them to something else. The look he's giving me now makes me wander what he's thinking. I hope he's not going to kidnap me and sell me off. That'll be a bummer cause I just got promoted.

I excuse myself to go to the bathroom and get off the chair. I open the door and head to the mirror to just do a little touch to my makeup. When I'm done, I go back and find Jasper still there. He smiles when I reach him.

“I thought ladies liked spending too much time in restrooms,” he says.

I giggle and take a sip of my drink. A few minutes later, I start to get dizzy and my vision is blurry.

Jasper notices and asks if he should drop me home to which I agree. Getting out of the club is such a struggle and if it weren't for Jasper, Im pretty sure I wouldn't have made it out. He picks me up and heads to his car. He opens the passenger side and gently places me on the seat before going over to his side.

He starts the car and drives. I find it weird that he doesn't ask for my address. I mean we rarely know each other so where is he taking me to.

Is he going to kidnap me? What is he going to do with me? Who is he? Did he drug me? All sorts of questions swirl around in my head, making me even more dizzy. Too bad I can't voice them out due to my lethargic state of mind.

I keep drifting in and out of sleep. I manage to ask, “W-Where… where are… you taking me?”

He looks at me and smiles. “Trust me.”

How am I supposed to trust a complete stranger. If I wasn't so weak, I was probably going to laugh.

At last my whole body decides to shut down completely. I let it.