Her Muse

Chapter eight

Picture of Jay's house above.

The adrenaline rushed through me as we sped past cars, ignoring traffic lights and going past the speed limit.

"This is my dream life!" I squealed holding onto Cole.

"You're screaming in my ears!" he shouted back but he sounded like he was smiling.

"You should feel honoured, my voice could beat Mariah Carey." I said, the wind whipping my hair and making it get to my eyes and mouth causing me to splutter.Why did they always look cool in the movies and I have to make it look like a weirdo?

"That's if Mariah Carey had the voice of an Ogre in another universe." he said as we went faster.

"Whatever, I could totally top Ariana though." I huffed and I saw him shaking his head as we rode in silence.

We soon reached his house and my God was it magnificent. The grandeur swept me off my feet. The house stood serenely, radiating a warm inviting elegance. The entrance was framed by a delicate archway. It looked refined yet modest. The walls were painted a soft, creamy white. Like it's grandeur, the house looked cold and empty without life but yet I stood at awe.

I turned to Cole. "Jay is this your house?" I looked dumbfounded at him.

"No, it's the tiny cottage beside it." He grumbled.

"There's no tiny cott- oh you were being sarcastic." I nodded. Jay looked at me like I was an alien from outer space before his face reverted back to stoic.

"Come on let's get inside." We walked in with me trying to keep up with his long strides. Curse his long damn legs.

The inside looked even more beautiful. There was a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling The floors were polished marble. I looked to the grand staircase where Jay was already bounding like it was his everyday life.....oh wait...it is. I followed him hot on his heels yet trying not to bump into him.

He led me to his room which was located in the western wing of his house. As I entered, my eyes taking the size of his room which was a lot. It looked orderly and arranged, not a thing out of place. The walls were painted grey and to the left corner was his bed with blueish grey sheets, well tucked in. There was a desk and a chair just beside it with books properly arranged.

I felt eyes on me and I turned to look at Jay, his eyes boring into mine, probably to get my reaction.

"Well, this is a clash with your personality." I looked around trying to find one thing that reminded me of him.

"Good, I hate this room." he grumbled. "But this isn't where we are staying. Come on." He led me out of his room into the hallway and then pulled on the rope that brought down stairs to what I assume led to the attic. We went up the stairs and I wondered how it'll look like inside. Safe to say I wasn't disappointed.

The walls were painted black with intricate wallpapers that I so badly wanted to run my hands on. There was a mirror and a small table holding different hair products that I never even knew existed. The room had neon lights giving it an eerie but warm glow.

"Now this is what I'm talking about."I nodded, impressed.

"My parents never come here so they will never know what I do." he shrugged and plopped himself on a bean bag.

"Why don't you tell them?" I asked curiously still taking in the sight of the room.

"Of course I'll tell them." He paused. "When I want to crush my dreams." he said haughtily but continued.
"They want me to take over the family business and before you say anything I know it's corny and yada yada yada but surprise; I don't want to. If they knew about this, they'll force me to stop." He sighed.

My eyes softened. "Well then you don't need them, you've got me over here." I giving him a smug smile. He chuckled and we stayed in silence before I blurted. "Do your parents poop cash or what? cause they are loaded." I whistled.

"Oh I wouldn't know, I don't search their dump for money." he deadpanned.

"You should. I bet you'll find something there." I said dead serious.
"Oh shut up and let's get started."

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I sat on a chair facing the mirror and he stood behind me. "Okay Jay show me what you got."

"This isn't a cooking contest or something I'm just styling your hair." He said, his piercing crystal blue eyes staring boredly at me. I shut up after that and watched him work from the mirror.

He moisturized my hair and then brushed through its thoroughly but making sure not remove too much of my curls, but rather the knots in my hair. "Wow you brush my hair a lot better than I do." I joked.

"Why am I not surprised." he said noncommittally but focusing on his task.

As I sat there, his fingers weaving braids into an intricate braid I felt a sense of calm wash over me. His hands moved with a practiced ease as he gently gathered a section of my hair, his fingers tracing the curves of my scalp. As he worked, I wondered how he felt braiding my hair. Does it feel fulfilling or does it feel like another task that needed to be completed?

"Where did you learn to do this?" I inquired.

His hands stopped for a second before he continued. "Do what?" he asked playing dumb as her continued maneuvering through my hair like an expert.

"You know what I'm talking about Jay." I rolled my eyes and I could imagine him doing the same before he spoke.
"My sister." he said in a clipped tone.

"You have a sister?" I asked my head itching to turn to look at him but I stayed still because I felt he would hit my head with a brush if I did.

"Yes." he replied coldy. I frowned. How had his mood dampened so fast? Is his sister a sore topic for him? I stayed in silence not knowing what to say anymore till he finished.

As I looked in the mirror at the end result my mouth unconsciously went into a smile

"This is-this is beautiful Jay." I gushed in awe touching it slightly, afraid I might ruin the masterpiece.

"It's just a crown braid." he shrugged indifferently standing behind me but looking at my hair too. I smiled even he knew that it look good.

"Thank you Jay." I smiled turning to him.

"No, thank you for holding up your side of the deal."he looked at me and I could feel heat rising to my cheeks.

"I-It's nothing." I stammered and suddenly turned back with the excuse of checking my hair out again.

"Oh Roxanne, you never asked me anything, you know concerning your book." He inquired cocking his head slightly.

"I don't need to." I scratched the side of my head.

"Why?" he asked. Isn't this obvious?

"Well, I'm already with you. I observe stuff a lot so I don't need to ask you questions like in your previous words 'some reporter'."I said making air quotes with my fingers.

"Er right." he said dumbly .

"Well then, I guess it's time to go." I began making my way out of the attic.

"Right." he said again. "I guess I'll see you later Roxanne." and he continued in a small voice.

I give him a weird look but shook my head "Bye Jay." I said and climbed out the attic. Huh that was the first time he used my name. I thought as I walked out of his house.

...

That went well...ish 🥲