Icing on the Cake

EIGHTEEN

It was noon already the next day and Jaden was in his hotel suite. He was sitting by the desk in the room, trying to conjure up ways to improve his dad’s business. Lily had called him the previous day when he had gotten back from Sylvia’s home and he had requested that she should send him some of the business files, records, and reports. He had gone through them later in the evening and had started studying them immediately he got up from the bed in the morning.

The reports were not satisfying. It was said in the reports that as at last year, the business started falling. The profit had reduced drastically and the progress was at a snail’s pace. He had continued reading to determine the cause of it and was yet to conclude. Although, he suspected it was because the company had not been producing new products. The company manufactured household products, electronics, automobiles, and even computer games.

As Jaden started jotting down new ideas and themes for games, his phone rang. He continued jotting, ignoring the call. But the phone rang again and again so he got up to answer it. He looked at the caller’s ID and answered immediately.

“Hey K, what’s up?”

“Nothing much, just the usual stuff. Business is normal. The cash’s still flowing in and the ladies too.” Keith answered.

Jaden laughed. Some people never changed. “That’s good for you.”

“What about you? You’re sounding stressed up. Hope your princess isn’t giving you any problem?”

“Nah, she isn’t. Just that I didn’t sleep well last night. I had to do a little work.”

“Is it about the business?”

“Yeah.”

Keith smiled. “Welcome to the stress world, man. You’ll get used to it in time anyway. So, did Lily call again?”

“No, she didn’t. But she sent in the business files and reports. I told her I wanted to look at them. That was what I was doing last night.”

“Oh. How’s the report?”

“Not good at all. The business seems to be going down. No new products since last year and it seems the customers are tired of buying the old ones. The new car model produced last two years wasn’t satisfying and the customers didn’t buy much of it.”

“Wow! Why didn’t they mention that to you?”

“That’s what I also asked myself. But I remember my dad telling me that when he’ll hand the business over to me, it would be without problems. So, I guess he was trying to work it out before calling me in.”

Keith chuckled. “Your dad never joked with his words any day.”

“Yeah, and he hasn’t changed.”

“So, what are you going to do about it?”

“I was trying to come up with new themes for the computer games and a new model for a car. At least, when I go home, I’ll call a meeting with the managing board and everyone’ll bring their ideas.”

“That sounds good. It’s like you’re a pro at this. What were you running away from all this while?”

Jaden snorted. “Don’t flatter me please; I’m not one of your ladies.”

Keith laughed. “Talking about that,” he said, “how is Sylvia?”

“She’s okay. We’re going out for dinner today.”

“Whoa, whoa, Jade. Where did that come from?”

Jaden laughed.

“No, seriously, this is the first I’ve heard of this.”

Jaden didn’t reply.

“You’re serious, Jade.”

That wasn’t a question, but all the same... “Yeah, I am.”

“Wow!”

“What?”

“You’re in, Jade. This could lead to the real thing, you know?”

“It’ll be quite an adventure.”

“You’re crazy. This is not a game. You can’t just do this for the fun of it. Sylvia in particular, will hate you for that.”

“How?”

“You’re asking me how. Okay, tell me your plan. You’re asking her to dinner just when it’s days before you leave that place and you’re taking all of this as an adventure? Then, what are you going to do if she falls in love with you? You’re going to leave her?”

“Well, point of correction; I’m not taking all of this as an adventure. And stop ranting; I’m not going to fall in love with her. And I don’t think she will.”

“Whoa! Breaking news, Jade, that’s exactly what I see happening.”

“But not what I see happening.”

“Be serious man, this is no child’s play. It’s your life, your future.”

“Keith.”

“Yeah?”

Jaden blew out a breath. “We’re just going to have dinner together, just the way you have one with a business client, no strings attached. I’m attracted to her, quite alright but it’s not going to lead to the real stuff. I’ll know exactly when to back out.”

Keith was silent for a while. He knew Jaden was strong-headed when it came to certain things but he didn’t want to believe he was strong-headed about this in particular. He heaved exasperatedly. “This doesn’t make sense, Jade.”

“Nothing’s going to happen, K.”

“I just want to believe you. I don’t want you regretting all of this, or worse, getting hurt.”

“I won’t.”

“I’m looking out for you. You could still back out now. There are lots of ladies here you could have fun with, don’t just do it with Sylvia. I’ve not seen her face-to-face anyway, but I know she’s not the type to be used and dumped.”

“Yeah, she’s kind of spec... different,” he quickly corrected, although Keith already noticed his slip.

“Well, I’ve done what I can. The only reason I’m surprised is I never thought you were as stubborn as this, even worse than a goat.”

Jaden didn’t plan on laughing but the short laugh escaped through his lips before he could call it back. “Rascal. Well, me too, I never thought you had such amount of perseverance.”

“Miracles happen.”

“Not to punks like you.”

“Oh please, go back to your business reports. And send my greetings to Sylvia.”

“You couldn’t even give me an idea to solve the problem.”

“Don’t expect me to; I need to save mine for my own business. I wouldn’t want people buying your products while I’ll just be suffering in the corner.”

Before Jaden could reply, Keith ended the call. Jaden muttered an amused curse and threw his phone on one of the sofas. He went back to the desk and sat down, trying to remember what he had been thinking of before Keith’s call.

JADEN GOT DOWN from the car and rounded the car to open the door for Sylvia. It was few minutes to six. Sylvia had been ready when he went to her house earlier to pick her up with a car he’d rented. He opened the car door and she stepped out of the car. She was dressed in a beautiful blue evening dress and black, five-inch heeled sandals. The gown was sleeveless and had a glittering bodice. Linking his arm with hers, they walked into the large restaurant.

They entered and he led them straight to an empty table for two. After she was seated, he took the seat across her. She looked round her. The place was full with mostly couples and few families. She recognized the restaurant. It was one of the top-class ones that few people could afford. She looked back at Jaden and put her fingers on the table. “The place is nice,” she said, smiling.

He returned the smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

“How’d you know about it? I know you’re not familiar around here.”

He shrugged. “I have good instincts.”

Sylvia snorted.

“Okay. Someone told me about it. I looked it up and it was nice so I chose it.”

She smirked a little. “I knew your instincts couldn’t have brought you here.”

He wanted to blurt, ‘yeah, they mightn’t have but they sure led me to you’, but he knew better. “So, how’ve you been?”

She shrugged slightly. “The way you left me.”

He tilted his head a little. He knew she had replied innocently but he didn’t take it the same way. Her reply only reminded him of the several reasons why he should not have left the Browne’s house. “You mean I shouldn’t have left?”

Realizing now what she had said, her eyes widened and she bit her lip a little. “No, that’s not what I meant. I just...”

The waiter’s arrival cut her short and she heaved a little sigh of relief. Jaden gave their orders and the waiter left. Darn. She had thought a dinner with Jaden would be easy and simple. Now, she wondered why she hadn’t declined when she still had the chance.

Jaden faced her. “Are the orders okay by you?”

“Yeah, they’re fine by me.” She paused. “Sid told me you came to the house yesterday.”

“Yeah, I did. I was hoping to see you but you were at work.”

“Yeah, I’ve resumed fully now.”

“So, how’d you manage to leave early?”

She smiled. “I told my mum I had a date and she practically threw me out of the office.”

Jaden laughed; a rich, deep sound. He didn’t ask but he knew she had mentioned that it was with him. “I miss your mum.”

“Yeah, and she misses you too.” She paused. “You met with my brother right?”

The waiter arrived then with their drinks and poured it into two champagne glasses. Then, he left.

“Yeah, I did. He’s nice and easygoing. Now, talking about that, you never told me you could sing.”

“Me? Sing?” She snorted lightly. “Where’d you hear that from?”

He shrugged. “You’re quite popular.”

Sylvia huffed and took a sip from her drink. “And you also didn’t tell me you could play instruments soulfully,” she threw, rolling the word ‘soulfully’ on the lips.

Jaden smiled. “Well, I never was one to show off.”

She snorted. “You never had anything to show off for one.”

“Says the woman who just praised my talent.”

“I didn’t. Sid did.”

“And you commented.”

“Well, I-I had to,” she stuttered.

Jaden chuckled and drank from his glass.

“Okay, I admit it. I know how to sing. And you have a great talent too, according to Sid.”

“There are several others.”

“If they entail seducing ladies, I’d vouch for that.”

He stared at her for a while and grinned. She eyed him a little and rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to think of how handsome he was whenever he smiled or laughed.

“How have you been?” she asked after a while.

He shrugged. “I’ve been managing.”

“With living alone?”

“Exactly.”

Her eye brows went up a notch.

“Yeah, I know I’m supposed to be used to it but I love staying with someone. God helped me and my best buddy and I attended the same university. I stayed with him throughout. I enjoy my privacy though.”

She snorted.

“What?”

“It’s just like you’re spoilt,” she said, frowning a little.

He chuckled. “Am I not supposed to be?” She didn’t reply. “But I’m not. Really.”

“It’s difficult to believe.” She paused for a while. “By the way, who’s this best buddy? Is it the Keith Roberts you mentioned before?”

Jaden looked at her with admiration in his eyes. “So, you remember things? Yeah, he’s the same one.”

She would have retorted but decided to let it go. This was not the place to do that. She sipped from her glass. “Have you decided when you’re going now?”

He nodded and her heart sank. “Next week Monday.”

She nodded slowly. “Have you seen any of the business reports?”

“Yeah. I had Lily send them in yesterday.” At the blank look she gave him, he added, “Lily’s my dad’s secretary.”

“Oh.”

He paused a little. “You’re beautiful.”

Her eyes flew to his. Where had that come from? Crap. Her heart was now thudding against her chest and she fought silently to control it. Lots of people had said that to her but the way he’d said it, if she hadn’t believed it before, she surely would have right now.

She looked away. “Thanks.”

Jaden smiled and cursed under his breath at the same time. He hadn’t meant to say that but somehow; it had popped out of his mouth. Well, that was the truth anyway. With a small sigh, he picked up his glass and drank a little.

The waiter came again, this time with their food. He arranged it on the table, asked if they wanted any other thing and left.

“Can you take the day off tomorrow?”

Sylvia looked at Jaden. “Why?”

He shrugged and picked up his spoon. “I’m just asking.”

She looked at him cautiously, knowing he was up to something. What, she didn’t know. “Anyway, I don’t think that’s possible.”

He glanced at her and nodded. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I was thinking you should taste it first before me. Just so I’d judge from the look on your face.”

He chuckled. “Anything for you.” He put the spoonful of food into his mouth and chewed. She raised her eyebrows and he nodded. “The food’s superb.”

She smiled and picked up her spoon. “Just in case the food’s not healthy, I’m glad I won’t have to die first,” she said, grinning fatuously.

Jaden chuckled and Sylvia started eating. She commented too on the food.

“It’s better than the last time.”

His head shot up. “You’ve been here before?”

“Yeah. With Sandra and Sally. We had brunch here once.”

“Oh.” He had thought it was with Dave she had come here with and he was ready to punch himself for making the mistake of choosing the same restaurant. He heaved a little sigh of relief. “They have to improve on everything here or else, they’d be pushed to the corner with new restaurants springing up here and there.”

Sylvia nodded and they continued eating, still talking about the restaurant. Then, they drifted to other topics. Sylvia talked about her growing up, the happy times with Sid and the annoying ones too. Jaden talked only a little about his own childhood and moved to other safer topics. He didn’t want to get attached any more than before to Sylvia but he couldn’t stop being fascinated by what she said – her childhood ambitions, her quarrels with Sid, and even her escapades from the house.

Few minutes to eight o’clock, they got up to leave the restaurant. Jaden signaled the waiter and paid the bill and then, with his right hand on Sylvia’s lower back, he ushered her out of the restaurant. They got to the car Jaden brought, got in and Jaden drove off to Sylvia’s home.

He drove into the compound and parked. He quickly got down to round the car in time to open the car door for Sylvia and she got down. Then, they walked to the front door and Jaden stopped.

“Aren’t you coming in?” Sylvia asked.

“Nah.” Jaden noticed the disappointment she obviously forgot to hide and added, “I’d be tempted to stay here for the night if I go in.” And considering some things in particular, he wouldn’t want to do that.

Sylvia nodded and smiled. “Thanks for today. I enjoyed it.”

He smiled back and leaned in to paste a kiss on her cheek. “C’mon, go in. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

“Send my greetings to your mum and dad, and also to Sid, and whoever wishes to listen.”

She nodded and waved a little before going into the house. Jaden waited for a while before turning back and walking to the car. He glanced back at the house before entering the car. Starting the car, he reversed and drove away smiling without actually knowing.