The CEO's Reluctant Escort

Chapter 4

I gently took out my phone to see the caller and I was a bit surprised to discover that it was Jonesville Dane.

Shocked but happy, I pick up the call.

"Hey, Jones," I said in an enthusiastic voice.

"How're your blonde brains?" he cheerfully asked.

"I'm good, Jones. How are you and how was your day at your complex today?" I responded with a smile gently carving across my face.

"Well, my day today was gloomy and boring," he responded. "You left with the light and fun in my complex and all I could do today was pray for an opportunity to steal a glimpse of your elegance," he concluded.

Blushing, I responded. "So you simply are calling to collect your debt right?" I asked jokingly.

"So what do you say, would I get that lucky tonight or 'till some other day?" Jones asked in enthusiasm.

"Well—"

Jones abruptly cuts me short

"I wouldn't mind tonight and another, you know?" he interrupts.

"Alright, Jones calm down. Right now, I'm occupied. I'm preparing for an interview at NXTGEN tomorrow," I explained. "So, it would be better if we hang out some other time 'cause right now, you won't get a hundred percent blonde brains," I concluded.

"First off, congratulations girl!" Jones screamed in a high-pitched voice. "I know this is a big deal for you, so guess what? I will come to pick you up tomorrow for the interview. Just to show my support and cheer you up," he added.

"I would love that Jones, thank you," I responded.

"So, at what time should I come knocking?" Jones asked

"9:00 am, Sunset Peak apartments," I answered with a smile. "See you tomorrow?" I asked excitedly.

"Tomorrow it is, blonde brains," Jones concluded.

I was left dumbfounded, it's been a while since I talked freely with a friend and I am happy. Having Jones back in my life is a big deal and I loved the fact that he didn't choose to stay distant.

Jonesville Dane is a 6.2 ft Italian with a perfectly built body. He has the swag and the charisma to go perfectly with his IQ. He is just simply a dream man and this is something he is fully aware of.

He has what I would call the best personality I had ever seen in a man, he is jovial, kind, and sometimes, too honest.

With a smile stuck to my face, I cannot help myself but delved in the thoughts of praises about Jonesville Dane.

Jonesville Dane.

Born in Italy, father by the name Lorenzo Matteo and Scottish mother Emily Alastair. Lorenzo is a humble Italian orphan chef with no home other than the restaurant he worked with at the Port of Cagliari (ITCAG) Sardinia. Meanwhile, Emily was from a rather wealthy home.

Having a cargo ship to her name at eighteen, she had visited Italy in search of the best leather for a clothing line she had in mind. In her search, she found something rather more appealing than any leather.

After jones' birth, his mom launched her fashion line "The Female's Touch" while his Dad Evan Dane ran a male grooming service.

Similar to my experience, he lost both his parents Evan Dane and Emily Alastair to a car crash in the third year of his University at the University of Maryland Global Campus.

This incident, however, resulted in him dropping out of college. Nonetheless, that wasn't the end of Jones Dane. His late parents left their businesses under his name. Since then, he was determined to make the most of it.

Knowing full well he couldn't handle the businesses individually, he then turned it into a beauty complex, but still retained his mother's business name.

He was doing very well for himself.

Even though our losses were similar, our gains said a whole lot otherwise.

I got nothing but Olivia's health insurance coverage from my parent's death which had been exhausted.

I wasn't complaining but it was rough on me emotionally and physically. I would sometimes sink into my bed in tears hoping it all comes to an end or at least my life would take a new turn for the best

Smiling, I continued with my preparations. Reviewing thousands of possible written and oral questions and answers as well as practicing some basic level cyber security procedures.

Within a few hours, I was done summarizing my 6 years' worth of information and soon ventured into my world of imagination.

I had never been to the NXTGEN building but I know every inch of it by heart. I have always dreamed of getting employed in the company. I learned a lot from simply reading about it.

I would often imagine myself working and walking to meetings with a tablet behind the handsome CEO. Sometimes, I would imagine moving through the IT floor searching for discrepancies and hacks in the systems.

I prayed for the success of the interview not just for myself but also for Olivia's sake.

On concluding my revisions, I made my way to the balcony to enjoy the calm warring winds of a regular evening in New York City and the graceful site of hard-working men and women retiring from the day's jobs even while others just resumed.

Making myself comfortable, I begin to think about Jones, I wondered what he could possibly be doing right now. I also wondered if he had concluded the war within him, the war of identifying his sexuality.

***********

Jonesville

I am between the claws of check-balances and daily audits at the beauty complex and has tons of other documents that needed my attention. The merge was tough on me but that was the only way I knew how to manage it effectively.

However, I was beginning to think... I wasn't paying enough attention to the male grooming services owing to the records and was beginning to consider rebranding "The Females Touch" into something that could retain the name but also make known the male grooming services.

This was a big deal for me because I had hoped to be able to maintain both with all their uniqueness, but at the moment I only wanted to have some fun and get off work even for a night.

Unlike my Italian father, I am a complete and well-cultured gentleman who isn't looking to cause mischief or mess around. All I wanted is a long hearty chat with a friend and a good laugh, probably getting run along the way.

Although easily coming off as friendly, jovial, and accommodating, I wasn't all roses. Like every other, I had days when I just wanted to rest and cry out my heart.

This perceived immortality is what leaves every man longing for a friend thereby exposing themselves only to be hurt. That was the reason why I wanted Enya back as my friend. She understood me perfectly and wasn't one to betray. Loyal to the moon and back.

She would rather give you a reason why she would be staying off you, and back off than fight you. She always poured her heart out on a matter, never to hold grudges.

She was the simple definition of a good friend, with a beautiful soul. A person who had chosen to be happy no matter what.

I rested my back on the swivel chair as I filled my mind with the thoughts about her. The past years without her feels empty; so now that we finally crossed paths again, I want to make sure that I can keep her in my life this time.