Icing on the Cake

FIFTEEN

Jaden knocked on Wayne’s office.

“Come in.”

He opened the door and entered the room, closing the door after him. Jaden took a breath and exhaled it slowly. He had not been to the office before. The office was tastefully furnished. There was a water cooler at the right side of the office just a little bit far from the door and a big desk was at the head of the office. There was also a desk lamp was on the desk and a PC; an in-tray, out-tray, calendar, files, and folders were all arranged on the desk amidst other things. Jaden walked slowly to the desk.

“Sit down,” Wayne said as he clicked on his PC to close his work so he could talk to Jaden.

Jaden sat on one of the swivel chairs and linked his fingers, hooking them at his knees. Wayne clicked again on the PC and then looked at Jaden.

He smiled slowly and began, “So...”

“Um... I don’t understand, sir,” Jaden said, pretending he didn’t know what Wayne wanted to hear.

Wayne grinned and leaned back into the chair. “I’m guessing you understand perfectly. But before you say anything, I want your opinions on the party we’re having for Sidney. You’ve done parties before, right?”

“Well, my mother was always in charge.”

“So, you can’t contribute any little thing?”

Jaden thought for a while and started talking. He explained few of the parties he’d attended and the ones his mother had organized while Wayne jotted down few things.

“But, why isn’t your wife in charge of it?”

“She is, but I want to take part too. I told her I would gather people’s opinions.”

Jaden nodded.

“So, that will be all then,” Wayne said.

“Okay,” Jaden said and got up before bowing slightly.

He had already gotten to the door before he turned back and walked back to the desk.

“Uh... I have not been very honest with you.”

Wayne leaned back into the chair again, a smile playing at his lips. “Explain more if you can.”

Jaden let out a breath. Here it comes. “Before I start, I’ll like to drop my resignation letter.” He dropped a letter on the desk and shifted it closer for Wayne to reach it.

Wayne glanced at the letter and then looked back at Jaden. His eyebrows hitched up in question.

“Well, something came up and I’ll have to resign. Either that or you’ll have to sack me.” He paused. “As I’m guessing you know, I am the first son of Mr. Chris Ludascott. He’s a famous business man and I’m sure you know him. He was recently admitted in the hospital and I’m needed at home. I’m sorry for deceiving everybody and I hope you’ll forgive me, sir.”

Wayne smiled a little. “You’re a nice, young man, Jaden. It’s true you deceived us but I found out along the line. I didn’t ask you anything about it because I believe there’s always a reason behind every act”, he paused, “and also because I didn’t want to interfere.” He sat up and rested his elbows on the desk, clasping his hands together. “Now tell me, why did you hide your identity?”

Jaden didn’t reply immediately. “I wanted to make it on my own, without the influence of my dad’s name.”

“Let me get this straight. You wanted to pursue a different course of work?”

Jaden nodded.

“So, what happened?”

Jaden shrugged. “It didn’t work out. It’s singing actually. I tried it twice but it didn’t just make the hit I wanted. Although, everyone I knew who heard the songs said my voice was superb, it still didn’t make the hit. I tried my hands at other jobs because I wasn’t ready to go home then, and that was how I landed myself here.”

“So, you’re ready to go back now?”

“More than ever.”

Wayne nodded. “That’s good to hear.” Wayne now picked up the letter. “So, when are you going?”

“I haven’t decided yet but it’ll probably be next week or the one after that. I’ll like to resign this week though.”

“Any particular reason why?”

“That’ll be personal, sir.”

Wayne nodded. “But you must attend Sid’s party.”

“I’ll make sure I do so.”

“Okay, then. Today will be your last day of work. By tomorrow, you’ll be relieved of your services. Is that okay with you?”

“Very okay, sir,” Jaden replied. “Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome. You can still stay here if you choose to.”

“I’ll prefer not to. Thanks though for the offer.”

Wayne nodded. “Goodnight then.”

Jaden bowed slightly again. “Good night, sir.” He turned and walked to the door.

“Jaden?”

“Yes sir.”

“Is Sylvia aware of your identity?”

“Yes. I told her some weeks ago.”

“Okay. You can go.”

Jaden nodded, turned, and walked out of the office. He sighed heavily as he got out. Wow. Wayne was a good definition of ‘kind’ and yes, ‘nice’. He had not shown any sign of anger when Jaden had told him about his identity. And when he had been given the resignation letter, he had done just what Jaden wanted. Maybe, he wasn’t supposed to be angry. And by tomorrow he was going to be a free man. Again. Now, why didn’t that make him happy as he thought he would? Probably because of his ice queen, or better still, his ice princess.

He sighed. How had he gotten himself into this mess? Now, it was going to be hard walking away from this house, knowing that Sylvia was not going with him. When he had discovered he was attracted to her, he had thought he would be careful enough not to fall deeper into the trap but, that was exactly what was happening now. This was more than mere attraction.

As he neared his room, a shadow fell across the hallway. He looked up, pausing his thoughts and speaking of the devil, he saw Sylvia walking towards him. Only that she didn’t look at all like a devil. He slowed down and finally stopped when she was in front of him.

“Are you done with your meeting?” Sylvia asked.

“Yes, I’m done with it. I’m guessing you want the gist of how it went.”

“Of course.”

“Okay. He asked of my...”

“Shh. We shouldn’t discuss it here. C’mon, let’s go somewhere else. My room.”

“Your room?”

“Do you have any better place in mind?”

“Well, the sitting room is there for one and the patio is also another...” He stopped. She wanted somewhere private, he could tell from the message she sent with her eyes. Oh, crap. He would have to struggle with self-control if they would be together – alone – in her room. But he guessed it was better than having her in his room where he was in control, at least. “Okay, then. Let’s go to your room.”

She snorted and turned, walking towards her room while Jaden followed suit. They entered and closed the door after them. Sylvia sat on the bed while Jaden settled for the sofa. Distance was important between them for now. He looked around the room now, admiring how neatly arranged and beautiful it was. Just like its owner, he thought, looking at her. She gestured for him to start.

Starting with the request of his opinions for the party, he described how his discussion with Wayne went till the very end. When he told Sylvia about his resignation, he couldn’t help but notice the way her face changed. He didn’t know how to describe it but it wasn’t any close to happy. When he was done talking, silence reigned.

“So, you’re saying you’ve resigned?” Sylvia asked, still not believing her ears.

He nodded.

Her heart thudded against her chest. Mercy. She understood that he would have to leave one day and she thought she had been ready but, this still came as a shock. She wanted him to stay for a little more time. Jeez. Where was that coming from? He should go. He was supposed to. At least, she still had that dinner date with him so this was not the last time she would set eyes on him.

“Will you still stay here?” she asked, silently praying that the hope she felt didn’t reflect in her voice.

“No, I won’t. I’ll be leaving on Monday.”

That hope she had vanished. “You know someone around here?”

He shook his head. “I’ll be staying at a hotel. But I’ll still be coming to visit before leaving and I’ll definitely be around for Sidney’s home-coming party. And yes, our date will still hold,” he added, answering her unsaid question.

She smiled a little at that.

“Did you resign because of the dinner date?”

“Partially. I didn’t want it to be like a driver taking his boss out. It sounded absurd and I’ve never heard of anything like that, in reality. And I want a little time for myself before I go back home.”

Sylvia nodded. She didn’t know what else to say. Just that she was going to miss him, a whole lot. Now, how had that happened? This was certainly not what she wanted to happen, she thought. She had told her heart millions of times but it had stubbornly refused her warnings. Now she would have to suffer the consequences alone because – according to her thoughts – he was not someone who did long-time relationships.

“Sylvia?”

She jerked out of her thoughts. “Yes?”

“I was asking if you’ll miss me, because I’m certainly going to.”

She could only stare at him for a while. What had he just said? Her heart thudded. And why was he asking that?

“Well, I’m going to miss your dumb talks for sure,” she said, managing a smile.

He grinned and then, they were silent again. And then, she became aware of him watching her. Whatever for, she prayed a little it wasn’t what she was thinking because that would complicate matters. But then, she still hoped he liked her the way she liked him.

His eyes captivated her as it always did and a familiar heat expanded. With him, it was so natural, as well as it was inevitable, her reaction to him. And it sometimes caught her off guard as she hadn’t felt like this before. Why did it have to be him that caused this reaction from her? It wasn’t like this with Dave. And certainly not like this with the other few guys she had crushed-on when she was in the university. With Jaden, it was totally different. Her heart seemed to connect with his. With his voice, he could cause a thousand butterflies to flutter in her chest.

She looked away.

“I’d better be going now,” Jaden said, standing up. He didn’t want to tempt himself by remaining in her room.

She nodded, knowing that if she argued and he stayed, something was sure to happen. Jaden looked at her. She looked so vulnerable; it was difficult not to take her into his arms. He had better leave. But then, she looked up at him and although she’d nodded for him to go, her eyes said an entirely different story.

He struggled to get control over his emotions. He shouldn’t really be feeling this way, should he? He looked away, muttered ‘goodnight’ and left the room, leaving Sylvia staring at the closed door.

She sighed. She knew he had wanted to hug her. And she had wanted him to. But that wasn’t ideal, right? Darn. Why was this so hard? What was it about him that caused her to feel this way?

What would happen if she just let go and allowed nature take its course? She could fall in love with him, and he could just leave her and go back to his home, never to return to her. Could she risk it? After all, wasn’t love a risk? He could leave her heart broken but there was still a chance that he wouldn’t. She wasn’t the only one feeling this attraction; she had seen it in his eyes. He could possibly fall in love with her too. But was he worth that risk?

Sighing again, she got up, arranged her bed, and laid down flat on the bed, spreading her arms.