Lethner's Service

Chapter 07 - Service Call

I’m currently walking back and forth inside my room holding my mobile phone near my chests. I’m torn between dialing Mr. Lethner’s digits or just softly push myself down my mattress covered with blue hello kitty bed sheets.

I left him inside that café without a word, it’s so shameful and I don’t think I can face him again knowing his full background. But Paula, she really is a royal pain in my a*s. I’m pressured by that freaking thirteen reasons why I’m not attending her wedding and I was forced to say I have a possessive boyfriend and his name is James Jacob Lethner.

Great!

Just absolutely great!

I got Jabes mobile number from Emery’s phone. I intentionally borrowed her phone the last day. I said I wanted to have that mobile game application she’s playing on her phone, in which you have to guess words from scrabbled letters. It’s called Word Scapes. I notice her playing it every time she sits on the lobby during her breaks.

Fortunately, she let me borrow her phone. I took a quick peek on her phone contacts and found Jabes’ number. Using my retentive memory, I memorized it and saved it in my phone. Call me pathetic and desperate but please forgive me, I was just pressured to prove Paula wrong. I just want her to realize that I’m done with her brother and that I have already moved on.

To dial or not? To dial or not?

I sit on the edge of my bed and look at the dialer pad of my touch screen phone. I breathe in and out first before finally tapping Jabes’ number on my phone’s screen. I’m going to call his number and yes I’m really doing it now.

My body jerks the moment I heard the ringing of his phone on the line. I’m patiently waiting for him to pick up. My anticipation is making my heart beats abnormally.

I can’t even explain what I exactly feel right now –excitement? Excited of what? Hearing his voice? I somewhat feel fear –but fear of what? Maybe because of what I’ve known that day. I can’t explain it.

“Hello?”

Holy mother of shits!

I must’ve disturbed him from his peaceful sleep. His voice’s a little bit hoarse and I’m feeling goose bumps behind my neck like his lips are just right behind my ear.

“Hello?” he repeats himself when he didn’t hear a thing from me.

I swallow the lump in my throat before finally getting the courage to speak up.

“Hello.” I shyly answer.

“Yes? Hello?” he responds, repeating that hello for the third time.

“Yeah? Hello?” stuttering like an i***t, I repeat.

I hear him smirking on the other line.

“I’m sleeping for your information miss whoever you are and if you have nothing else to say, I’m sorry but I have to end this call.” he boringly informs me.

He must’ve turned his body to the other side of his bed because I just heard his bed creaks.

“I am..." I clear my throat first because I think it dried up, “I’d like to...talk to Mr. James Jacob Lethner?”

I heard him sigh from the line, getting impatient.

“And he’s speaking to you right now. What is it? And who are you?”

“This is...I am –“

What I heard next is my line being cut off by him. He’s such a rude p********e. Was that his way of rejecting a customer?

He freaking ends the call and I feel absolutely embarrassed!

. . .

. . .

Jabes' POV

I put my phone on my side after ending the call from that unknown caller. It’s just six in the morning and she’s disturbing me. I’m too tired right now and I just need some sleep. I don’t have time to entertain nonsense calls.

She sounded like she’s saying something then she decided to not say it anymore. I don’t understand people like her. Aren’t they aware that they’re disturbing someone’s peaceful life just by making a 6am call?

I grab my pillow and cover it on my face. I’m about to close my eyes when my phone rings again. It keeps on ringing and ringing and ringing and f*****g ringing so I decided to push myself up on the bed using my elbows. I grab my phone from my side and bring it to my left ear.

“What?!” I almost screamed, “If you called in to have an appointment with me, you have to wait for me to confirm it on the website. Isn’t it clearly stated on the policies before you book for services?”

And just like a while ago, she gives me an absolute dead air over the phone.

“This will be the last time that I’m asking you to speak up because if you’re not going to answer me then I’m going to end this call and turn my phone off. Now, what is your concern that I could be of service?”

I hear nothing from her line but all pure ragged breathing. Just when I’m about to end the call, she stops me.

“This is Quinn. Don’t the end the call. I need to talk to you, Jabes.”

Wait?

What?

Did I hear it right? Is it really Quinn talking to me?

The last time I checked, I’m sleepy and tired and I want to go back to bed but now, my body feels energized after hearing Quinn’s voice over the phone. She sounds so sweet. Her voice isn't like those of a flirty woman who’s seducing her phone pal. She has a unique angelic phone voice.

But why did she call? How and where did she get my number? I don’t remember a day that I gave it to her. What I totally can’t forget was the day she left me inside Bruce’s Brews.

“Hello? Still there?” she interrupts my questions running in my mind.

“Yes Quinn. I’m listening. What is it?”

“I don’t know how to start this but...first, I want to apologize for leaving you there. I mean...I know that was an insult on your part. But you can’t blame me. I was just surprised by your confession. I’m really sorry. I just judged you too harsh. I don’t know you and I’m not sure if you’re a nice person. It was my first time hearing it from a...guy like you that’s why I immediately left. I’m really –”

I chuckle, cutting her long explanations off.

“Did I say something funny?” she asks.

“No. I just find you so cute saying sorry like you’ve done something wrong to me. I should be the one to apologize because at the first place, I surprised you that day. It wasn’t my intention to shock you. So I am sorry.”

“Okay but I don’t think you have to apologize. You were being honest.”

“I have to. I shocked you. I know it bugged your mind or is it still bugging you until now?”

Even she doesn’t say it, I know what I told her bothered her. Telling her that I am a male p********e is something she needs to absorb first before she totally believes on it.

“Fine, apology accepted but thanks anyway. Thank you for being honest considering that you...barely know me.”

“I know you can keep a secret.” I answer her feeling assured. “Now, what is it that you have to call me this early? Anything wrong?”

I heard her deep and heavy sigh before she answers.

“Are you free on Tuesday, next week?”

“And why?”

“Just answer it first.”

She’s quite demanding huh?

“I’ll be in Hawaii on that day, I have an appointment. I mean...not the appointment that you’re thinking right now. I’m going home.”

“Oh...” her voice sounds sad and disappointed. “I thought you’re free next week. Anyway, never mind about it. I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep and thanks for answering my call. Bye.”

“Wait!” I raise my voice to stop her from ending the call.

I feel like she’s in need of something. She won’t call this early if it isn’t important, I guess?

“Yes?”

“I’m just curious. Why did you call and why did you ask about my Tuesday schedule? I know it sounds direct and bold but I’ll bring this straight to the point. Quinn, are you in need of my service? I mean...my service. I hope you get what I’m trying to tell you.”

I anticipated to whatever’s going to escape from her mouth but she remains silent. Did she really call to avail my service? The thoughts of her n***d body making frictions against mine and the idea of her moaning while I’m pumping in her at a fast pace are absolutely making my sleeping beast wakes up from his peaceful nap.

God f*****g damn it! I’m having a f*****g six am-hard b***r fantasizing over Quinn.

“I know I sound desperate but I have to admit it. Yes. I need your service. I’m paying for it.”

Her answer rendered me speechless and surprised at the same time. Is she even aware of what she’s doing to me? She’s torturing me in a not so nice way and I don’t think I deserve to be tortured this early.

“Are you sure about it Quinn? I can’t believe you’re saying this to me. I mean...are you really sure about paying for my service? You don’t have to. I mean...why are you –”

“It’s not the service that you’re thinking Jabes. I’m not imagining myself on bed moaning under you. The service I’m paying is a way different from your service. Imagining myself doing it with someone I don’t love makes me want to puke.”

Hearing it from her, I feel like I just went and fell down from a hyped up feeling of riding a roller coaster. Admitting it, I feel a bit of disappointment.

“Oh. I’m sorry I thought you’re paying for it. If it isn’t about the kind of service I’m thinking then what is it?” I try my best for my voice to sound nonchalant.

“I’ll be attending a friend’s wedding on Tuesday next week, my ex boyfriend will be there because the bride is her sister and I don’t want to be alone there sitting on a table while everyone else is happily and merrily eating foods. I’m paying for your service because I’m asking you to be my...” she pauses, maybe thinking if she’ll continue,

“...my boyfriend for a day. Y-you know...my hired boyfriend to be exact? You know the real escort? That someone who goes with a lady on a special event?”

Wow! Just really wow!

“Now I get it. You’re paying me to be your hired boyfriend just to make your ex boyfriend jealous of us. By that, he’ll realize he still loves you and he’s still into you and you’ll win him back. Am I right?”

“Of course not! It’s been a year and I have to prove him and his sister wrong by bringing my boyfriend with me on the wedding. I want them to realize I’m okay and I’ve moved on.”

“Really huh?”

“You know what? If you don’t want to be my escort, then just simply say no, okay? I’ll willingly accept a no for an answer.”

I bet she’s rolling her eyes while saying those lines –those common mannerisms of women with attitude.

“Fine. I’m coming.”

“You’re coming? Really?” her voice rejoices like she had just won a lotto ticket.

“Yes, I am. Just prepare your money, my service is quite expensive.” I softly laugh.

“Sure, thanks. I’ll see you then.”

“Okay. See you.”

She ends the call and I know she’s smiling right now. I shake my head. She’s a gorgeous lady and I bet she knows a lot of guy friends. So why the hell is she hiring me? Is she even aware that I am the other meaning of that escort?

She just hired me –a gigolo to pose as her one-day boyfriend.

I place my phone on my side table while smiling.

She didn’t know what risk she has taken.

She’ll be in trouble.