If You Stay Right Here

Chapter 3

I woke up early and was feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness as it was my first day at work at Charles Finch and Associates one of the biggest hotel and entertainment chains in the world. I was nervous because this was going to be my first stable job in four years after having freelanced and job hoped in the different places I had lived as I was trying to heal. 

Moving back home I felt boxed in and trapped and had started thinking of leaving because I could not handle my mum’s constant nagging. My mother however somehow called in a favour from my dad’s old acquaintance and he had said they could make an opening for me and so here I was. 

“Get the door” my mum shouted from the kitchen it should be my new driver 

I rushed to the door and opened it. 

“Ah you are err” I stammered tilting my head to the side

“Mike, I am Mike the new driver” he said and smiled as he stretched out his hand.

I stood there motionless for a bit just looking at Mike and how calm and collected he seemed. What added to my being a little tongue tied was the fact that everything about Mike seemed understated. There was also something that felt safe about him I just did not know what it was but I was willing to find out. 

“JD, who is at the door? Oh Mike its you please come in” my mother said waving her hands for him to enter. She did not even notice how star struck I was. 

“We will be leaving shortly” she said as she put on her other earing. 

“Oh I guess you have met my daughter, Jaydeen, she is the twin sister to my darling Jayda” she said nonchalantly. I felt Mike shoot a gaze in my direction and our eyes locked before I quickly looked down.

“Err nice meeting you” I said 

“Likewise” he said.

“Jaydeen please at least put on some lipstick or something to show you are a woman and are you seriously going to wear that awful dress on your first day? Why don’t you wear something more flattering? You can even look for something from Jayda’s closet, I mean I am sure you will find something you like. That, that” she said looking me up and down disapprovingly “…does nothing to your figure”

“Mum please, what’s wrong with what I am wearing” I said feeling self-conscious

“Well if you don’t see what’s wrong with that” she said rolling her eyes.

“then I give up, err Mike please tell her” she said looking at him for support and he just shrugged.

“Ok at least put on some red lipstick not that colour” she said holding out some lipstick

Defeated and feeling a little embarrassed I took it then stood in front of the mirror and began applying it. I could feel Mike’s eyes piercing my very soul.

“I am leaving now” I said as I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

“I thought Mike and I were going to drop you. He will pick you up after work, I mean you don’t want to drive on these roads in the morning” my mum said

“No mum I will be fine. I don’t want to inconvenience you and besides I enjoy driving myself” I said

“ok if you insist” my mum said

“I do” I replied as I got to the door. Mike who was standing near the door then grabbed the door handle and opened the door for me which took me a bit by surprise.

“You don’t have to open the door for me” I said 

“Well I want to and I don’t mind at all” he said and smiled and as he did all I can say is that there are people who wear smiles perfectly, but Mike was the smile. His lips, eyes, deep clear voice and his physic made every step I took seem like it was in slow motion.

“Have a good day ma’am” he said as I walked out

“It’s Jaydeen, please just call me Jaydeen” I said

“Sure” he said with a nod.

“And all the best on your first day. You look great by the way”

I stopped and looked back at him pleasantly surprised by the comment.

“Thank you. All the best too on your first day with my mother”