Icing on the Cake

ELEVEN

"Are you just going to stand there all night?" Jaden asked Sylvia, breaking into her thoughts.

"Oh?" she muttered.

"Get a blanket from the first wardrobe if you're waiting."

Sylvia scowled and turned to go. There was no way she was going to stay here with Jaden of all people. With everything including the attraction she felt for him, this could as well be a setup. And anything could happen if she remained here this night.

But then, as she got to the door, instead of opening it she stopped. Should she go or not? Deep down, she wanted to stay but common sense required that she left. Or did it? She could just stay for few minutes and then leave. Besides, she could bring up what Sandra had said today. She sighed at her own weakness. She turned and stared at Jaden. What was it with him that made her behave this way?

"Don't just stand there and stare at me. I didn't do anything wrong."

Sylvia smiled a little and walked into the room. She went to the first wardrobe, opened it, and took out the blanket. Then, she looked round the room. It was spacious and big. There was a big bed in the middle; the first wardrobe was at the left and a walk–in wardrobe was beside it. There were two sofas, a flat–screen TV, and a chest of drawers. There was also a dressing table, stool and a mirror in the room. And the bedside table had a lamp on it.

"I can sit on the sofa, right?"

"It's your house."

She glared at him.

"Okay, fine. You can use it."

She nodded. Then, she went to the sofa and arranged the blanket on it. Then she proceeded to take one of Jaden's pillows. Jaden held it back.

"Don't tell me you're going to sleep."

"What else does it look like I'm doing?" Sylvia quipped. "When you want to sleep, just holla at me and I'll wake up. Don't worry, I'm a light sleeper."

Jaden didn't reply. He simply stared at her.

"Okay, I'm not going to sleep. How could I possibly do that? I just want to rest," she said, half-heartedly though.

He released the pillow. She took it and went back to the sofa and sat down. She arranged the pillow behind her back and relaxed back. She folded her legs and used the tail of the blanket to wrap her legs.

"Why do you act mean when you're actually kind?"

Jaden's question surprised her.

She shrugged. "I am mean. I'm just both mean and kind."

Jaden chuckled.

She took in a deep breath. He'd open the floor for discussion. She'd just take the cue. "Can you be honest tonight?"

It was Jaden's turn to be surprised.

"Whatever for?"

"I want to ask a question."

Jaden stared for a while. He had learnt to always look before he leapt. And Sylvia had just thrown a bomb. "It depends on the kind of question you want to ask. It might come to a stage where I'll have to lie."

Sylvia smiled. He had just put it out blunt. If what Sandra was saying was true, he'd have to lie. But why would he lie? Why did he need this job when he had enough money already?

"C'mon, ask your question."

"Who is your father?"

The bomb just exploded. His father. What the hell did she know about his father? He took a deep breath. Maybe she didn't know anything. Maybe she did. He just had to find out.

"What do you exactly mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean. Who is your father?"

"My father is Mr. Ludascott. He is married to Chloe Ludascott. I'm their first child and I have two younger sisters. Is there anything else you want to know?"

"You didn't answer my question, Jade."

"I don't want to."

"Why?"

"I'm a very private person."

"Even though it'll cost your life?"

"You couldn't possibly kill me just because you want to know who my father is."

Sylvia laughed. "You underrate me Jade."

"I don't think I do."

She leaned back into the pillow and exhaled slowly, her edges of her mouth climbing up a notch in a smile. "You're stubborn."

"You should've noticed that earlier."

"So, who is he? A top–notch businessman? Middle – class person?"

"My dad is neither of those."

Crap.

He was lying. She knew it. His father was a top–notch businessman. Sheesh. A banger exploded at the pit of her stomach. So, Sandra was right.

"You're lying."

"I didn't say I'd say the truth answering your questions, did I?"

"Then, you're saying you just lied?"

"Is that a crime?"

"Why are you acting this way?"

Jaden sighed and sat up. "Why are you asking?"

Sylvia didn't reply. "Don't bother about answering. You've just convinced me that it's true. Your father is the famous businessman Sandra talked about. Now, the question is – and please don't lie – why are you here?"

There was silence after that. Another bomb had just been thrown his way. What was the answer to that? Should he just come out clean?

"I'm here because I want to work. I wanted to do this."

Sylvia blinked. She just didn't get it. Why would he want to work as a driver? For Pete's sake, he was approximately a billionaire. So, why on earth had he wanted this job?

"Why?"

He stared at her for a while. Should he trust her? Or should he not? Darn! How the hell did Sandra figure him out? Maybe, that was why she was in the law firm after all. Her instincts were strong.

"Okay. I'm going to tell you." He let out a breath. "My dad is Chris Ludascott. He is a top–notch businessman, practically a multi–billionaire. He knows other business men in the country and I was really surprised your dad didn't decline my offer for this job since I was suspecting he might have known my dad. I think it might be my luck."

"So why did you want this job?"

"Maybe I heard a little about your escapades and I wanted to know you up close," he said, his mouth tilting with a smile.

She snorted and rolled her eyes. "You're not telling me the reason."

He sighed. "I just didn't want to inherit my dad's business just yet. I was a little bit of the bad guy in the family. I wanted to go into music instead of the family business so I left home about three years ago. I tried singing a song – two, actually – but it didn't make the hit I wanted. So I went into other jobs since I wasn't prepared to go home then. I worked as a cook, then a chef, a photographer, a decorator and a DJ before coming here. I thought I would try music again after leaving this job but I think I won't anymore."

"Why?"

"I want to go back home. I know it'll be like the prodigal son's story but I just can't go on like this. It's about time I took over that business."

Sylvia smiled and clapped. "Congrats."

His eyebrows arched up in question.

"Oh, forget it." She let out a small sigh. "Wait a minute. You haven't been to your home in three years?"

He winced a little at her tone. "Yeah."

"Wow! How on earth did you manage that?"

He shrugged.

"Okay, I know you're a guy and I'm not but at least didn't you miss your parents, or even your sisters?"

He smiled a little. "I do miss them. I call them every week to check on them and all that. My mum always persuaded me to visit but I always refused. My dad didn't say much anyway. He was always asking when I'd be back, my sisters too."

Sylvia nodded. It was a little blow to know that he wouldn't be staying for long but at least, she was happy that he was going home.

She yawned.

"You want to sleep now?" Jaden asked.

"Yeah, don't you?"

He shrugged.

"Do you want to make this night short for me?" He didn't reply. "Just go to bed. We have to go to church early tomorrow."

"Okay, then. Good night."

She nodded.

He straightened his pillow and laid down. He drew up the covers as the weather was cold and pretended to sleep. Sylvia brought out her iPhone, connected her earphone, and started playing a ballad. She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the sofa. What was going to happen when Jaden left? She thought. All of a sudden, she didn't want him to leave. But that would be selfish, wouldn't it? He finally wanted to take over the business. She was supposed to encourage him, wasn't she? Not think of how to make him stay.

She sighed. How the hell did she get attracted to him in the first place? It had happened so fast she hadn't even known how to stop it.

She opened her eyes and looked at Jaden. He looked well asleep. She stopped the song she was playing and got up. She took the pillow and arranged it on Jaden's bed. Then, she folded the blanket and left it on the sofa. She glanced back at Jaden. She blinked. Did he just blink or was it a trick of the light? Either ways, she was going to sleep. If she remained here longer, she would doze off for sure and she couldn't predict what would happen after that.

She walked to his bedside and bent a little. Slowly, she reached out and smoothed his forehead. Who the hell was he to make her behave this way? She sighed. She stared at his face. He intrigued her, she thought, very much. She felt the butterflies in her stomach again and she closed her eyes, trying to bring herself to order. She was really in deep guano, to be feeling this way.

"Goodnight," she whispered and got up and then, walked to the door.

"Sylvia."

Jaden's voice jolted her. She turned abruptly. Crap. So, he wasn't asleep. She bit her lip. That meant he was aware of what she just did. Oh God! She didn't want him knowing how she felt. Oh, how she wanted to disappear right now.

"Yes?" She practically squeaked.

Oh, was that a smile on his face? Why the hell was he laughing? Now, she wanted to hit him.

"Don't tell anyone else about what I said this night. If anyone should, let it be me, please. I don't want the workers treating me like..."

"Yeah, I understand."

"And please, don't change." She didn't reply. "Please."

She nodded. "I'll try."

"Thanks."

She nodded again. "Good night."

She switched off the lights and went out. She had gotten across to her room when she remembered. She went back.

"Do you mind if I leave your door open?" she asked, peeping into the room with her hand on the door's handle.

"Why?"

"Just in case anything happens to you in the middle of the night, so I can know."

He thought about it for a while. "You realize I'm a grown up, right?"

"Grown ups get sick and you can't just trust that you'll be able to take care of yourself if anything happens."

"I don't want to... stress you."

"You won't."

"Are you sure?"

"You're wasting my time."

"Okay."

She nodded and straightened. She pushed the door open halfway and went back to her room. She entered and went straight to her bed. Geez, she was exhausted. She laid down and slept off.