Mr.Tinderella

Chapter 2: Meet Me

It's the end of Summer right after graduation. The sun is hiding behind the trees—the beam of rays making its way to warm Jay's cheeks. Birds were singing praises to greet the fresh new day. Jay put on his suit for another interview in the city. With a click of his thumb, he ordered an UBER from home by the subtle Schuylkill River to the town. Today is the sixteenth interview he had this month. A dreadful wait for a job hasn't had luck on his side lately. He no longer applying for jobs that would satisfy his ego. He would take any job by now. Merely trying to start a life out in the real world.

Ever since his father died last Spring. His stepmom Kayla took over the company with Jay's stepbrother Henry. Henry was from Kayla's first marriage who has been in the company for almost a decade. He introduced John Johnson to his mom. John had been a widow for eight years after the tragic death of Louise from a car accident by the Girard Avenue Bridge. Their life savored the loss of Louise. John focuses on work while Jay concentrates on school. They only had each other. Hanging on a thread with the memories of Loise to get by. John was a wealthy businessman. He was always busy on the road building an empire for Jay one day. With the distance, Jay knew that his dad loves him and wants to give him only the best future.

Things changed after John met Kayla seven years ago. John didn't mind that Kayla was eight years older than him. She was full of life and excitement, like a rainbow after the rain. Kayla definitely opened his heart to love again. With that, she changed John's motivation. John became focused on Kayla and distant towards Jay. That was the time Jay-Jay saw he was beginning to lose his father. After the birth of Jameson six months after the wedding. John was on his toes the whole time. Having a child in the '40s was challenging for both John and Kayla. Sleepless nights cry, and little arguments now and then drove the relationship into madness. Jay tried his best to be supportive and volunteers to babysit Jameson so that John and Kayla could go out for date night.

Last Spring break, John handed Jay a key. He was going to have a talk with Jay after Jay's trip to MIAMI. Unfortunately, John passed away before he could talk to Jay. It was a call that stripped Jay's soul at midnight. Losing Louise when he was just 8 and then John in his final Year of University changed Jay's forever. Jay never gets to find out what the key was for. It was the last thing that John gave him before he passes. Jay kept the toe size key close to his heart. Held by a silver chain around his neck. That was all he had from his late father, John. All of his father's business and wealth was transferred to Kayla since there was no Will written. The only thing that Jay inherited was the mansion. A wish from his late mother Louise that John kept.

 ***

John was a private man and kept his plan under wrap. No one knew what he had built on those nights that he was away. But Jay knew that his dad was a great planner. That he would one day find out the truth.

"Hey! I'm going to the board meeting, but I need to make a few stops before I get there. Do you want a ride to the city?" Kayla called out as she swoops by in the company's Ford Explorer.

"No thanks, I'm going with UBER," Jay prompted.

"Suits you. If you're late, don't blame me," Kayla waves as she moves out of the driveway. She's been giving cold shoulders towards Jay ever since John's passing. Jay has gotten used to it as he believes that everyone grief in different ways.

"Hey, bro! Another interview?" Henry pat Jay's shoulder.

"Yup, another one. Wish me luck." Jay said as Henry make his way to his Aston Martin Victor.

"You know you can work for me at the company. You don't have to go through all these interviews. Let me get you there. It would be a lot faster in my baby here than your UBER", Henry offered.