Life After Jane

Coffee

Jane brought Rob to a nearby café just within walking distance. Rob noticed some people following them as they were walking as he looked over his shoulder.

Corinthia: Don't worry. They're working for me. I told them to keep their distance.

Rob: Are they bodyguards?

Corinthia: Nope. We're here.

Rob opens the café door for Jane and walked in with her. They got themselves a table at the far back. A waiter came by with a menu and left. Rob just had coffee. Jane had coffee and got some pastries for the both of them. It was strange. She would sit and have the same exact things she did back at the private house when it was just the two of them.

The waiter returned with their orders and left. The people who were working for Jane was seen seated at a few tables away from them. Rob looked at them and shook his head. It was strange to have people following them around. When he looked at Jane, she was looking at him like she was looking at someone she hadn't seen in a long time. Rob smiled.

Corinthia: So......How have you been? Good?

Rob: Uh......I'm......I'm alright....... I mean.......it took me a while to get back into the groove of things but......I'm uh......I'm getting the hang of it........ (looks at Jane) What about you? You look good.

Jane was about to say something but she then, she stopped.

Corinthia: Hang on.

Jane took out something from her bag. It was some kind of device in white. She placed it on the table and turned it on.

Corinthia: Now, we're good.

Rob: (confused) What's that?

Corinthia: Oh, it's nothing. It just erm......keeps our conversation private.

Rob: Private?

Corinthia: Yeah. Ya know, for safety.

Rob looked confused. What danger could they possibly have in a café?

Rob: What is going on? Are we in some kind of danger?

Corinthia: It's nothing to worry about. I just like to keep personal conversations private.

Rob was definitely confused. What did Jane mean by keeping things private? They weren't doing anything.

Rob: Erm......I was told that you were at the club the other night......

Corinthia: Oh, yeah. I was erm......I wanted to see you. Ya know, I wanted to see how you were doing...... You look good, Rob. (smiles)

Rob looked at Jane and smiled. He missed looking at Jane smile.

Rob: Well, I'm here. And I'm alright...... You're looking good. Busy and all.......

Corinthia: I'm busy but.........when am I not? (laughs)

Rob: Your receptionist said that you're only available next week on Thursday.

Corinthia: I am? Goodness! It must be the meetings with that tech company from Europe. They never get their schedules set on just one date. (looks at Rob) Sorry. I'm just all over the place these days.......

Rob: It's alright. It's what you do. It's good to be busy.

Jane looked at Rob and smiled. She missed having conversations with him over coffee.

Rob: Look, I don't wanna take too much of your time. This was nice. I uh....... I was just erm......I was wondering how you were doing.......

Corinthia: We still have time. I've pushed all of my meetings to later today.

Rob: (smiles) You didn't have to do that for me.

Corinthia: It's possible so......I mean....... I know you're busy too.

Rob just smiled. He wanted to tell Jane he missed her. He wanted Jane to see him again. He wanted her to see him every day. He looked over at the table where Jane's employees were seated.

Rob: Are they waiting for you?

Corinthia: No. Not really. I mean, yes. They're just there for observation purposes.

Rob: What are they observing? Us?

Jane didn't reply.

Corinthia: Look, can we...... meet again? Maybe somewhere a little more......private?

Rob looked at Jane like he was surprised. Did she want him for another week?

Rob: Where do you have in mind? When? I mean, aren't you busy?

Corinthia: I can have my schedule rearranged. I'm usually free at night.

Jane was writing something on a napkin as she was talking to Rob. She casually slid it over to Rob and smiled. The way she did it was as though she was trying to be discreet about it. She gently took Rob's hand and held it as she placed the napkin under his hands.

Corinthia: You can look at it later.

Rob: Ok......

Rob felt as though Jane was behaving strangely. She was a little jumpy and shifty. It was almost as though she was trying to hide something. Jane looked at him and sipped her coffee. Rob sipped his cup of coffee as he looked at her.

Rob: I uh....... I was thinking about that night....... When erm.........Wait, never mind.......

Jane: I was too. I just didn't think it mattered to you that much.

Rob: (surprised) Of course it mattered. I thought about it every day. I thought about you....... Erm......

Corinthia: I never forgot you, Rob. I couldn't. I know it was all just...... I mean......the contract and all......

Suddenly, there was a beeping. The device Jane placed on the table earlier was beeping.

Rob: What's going on?

Corinthia: Nothing. (trying to shut off the device) It's just all....... We're good. (looks at Rob with a straight face) So, I'll see you to discuss the erm...... the matter we were talking about. I hope things go well.

Rob was confused again. He just nodded and played along. They had their coffee and stood up. Jane walked Rob out and whispered to him.

Corinthia: (whispers) I'm sorry about today. We'll be in touch soon......

Jane walked Rob to the main entrance of the office building.

Corinthia: This is me.

Rob smiled and nodded.

Rob: It was nice seeing you again, Miss Castellanos.

Corinthia: (smiles) It was a pleasure meeting you again, Mr. Davis.

Jane stood there, looking at Rob like she didn't want him to leave. Rob smiled and slowly turned around. He looked at Jane over his shoulder as he was walking away. She was still standing there, watching him leave.