Breaking Point

CHAPTER V

The weekdays went on dreadfully with a hectic schedule of the school festival. Finally, the awaited weekend comes around. Jake gets all of his things ready for the interview. He puts on his best suit to match the high-class custom that is the Beckett household. He has all of his notes and recorder all set up, and he also makes sure he has something to bring to her family as in a gratitude for letting him intrude their home. He is all made up and ready to find her house. All that's left is for the agreed time to come. On the other hand, Beckett has been busy all morning ordering her maids to extra clean the whole house. "Everyone, please clean it properly to the inch of the corners. I cannot let that guy think I'm sloppy. I'm going to make him fall for me in my natural habitat." Initially, she only wanted to put him in awe with her majestic house and material things she has around her house; but after some consideration, she thought that this might be the perfect opportunity to finally nail the coffin and complete her original goal.

ding-dong ding-dong

A voice comes out of an intercom: "Yes, who is it?"

"This is Sophia Beckett's friend, sir. My name is Jake. I have an appointment with Sophia Beckett, sir." He sounds rigid as if a robot is ordering food in a restaurant. For the first time, he feels the intimidation Beckett family is capable of radiating.

"Understood, the gate will open in a second." The gate opens to marvelous scenery of a vast garden in their yard. It is full of different flowers and plants groomed with care and love. The entrance to the house is not visible from the gate with the entire garden surrounding the whole yard. The lovely scent of the flowers almost made Jake lose track of why he was there to begin with until a butler comes by to guide him to the mansion.

"Welcome to my wonderful mansion." Beckett greets him from the top of the stairs. He nods at the butler, thanking him for guiding him to the mansion.

He walks up the stairs while he is mesmerized by all the stuff displayed around the mansion. "Not bad of a mansion you got here", he says nonchalantly to hide his excitement.

Becket gives a big smile on her face. She already knows that he is toning down his excitement. She decides to play along until he cracks. "Come, I'll give you a tour of the mansion. Please keep your energy to the minimum", she says as she walks elegantly in her majestic dress.

He gives her a confused and weird look. "Why do you talk like that? You sound like a tour guide robot in a museum." He ignores her and proceeds on the tour. The tour continues onto the art section. There is a whole gigantic room specially dedicated for arts and paintings. Beckett keeps walking to show him all the amazing stuff she has and Jake finally stops at a glass art of a crane. He never thinks of himself as an art enthusiast but the sight of a crane made in glass actually catches him in awe.

"So, shall we move this to the living room and begin our session?" she asks him with her hands gesturing in the direction of the living room. They head to the living room filled with snacks and beverages, served by the maids and butlers, complete with Jazz music in the background to lighten the room. The chandelier on top gives out the perfect sophisticated vibe to the room with a hint of lavender scented candles at the corner of the room.

"I didn't know you like Jazz", says Jake.

"Well, there are thousands of things you don't know about me yet", replies Beckett with a hint of smirk.

"And that's why I'm here today. To know more about you", he suggests with a smile.

"Well then, shoot." She sits on the couch and grabs her teacup. As she waits for Jake to decide on where to sit, she sips her tea in the most elegant way possible.