Where to Next

Chapter 5

My head was spinning! What is going on here and why has April been gone for so long? Craig moves closer to me and starts to rub the side of my arm to calm me down. ̈

̈Jade, I promise you April is fine ̈. 

¨She is here on business and it really doesn't involve you ̈, 

he says calmly trying to guide me back into my chair. I reluctantly sit back down into my seat. I feel sick to my stomach because I know something isn't right here.

̈ ̈What did he mean he paid a lot for me ̈ 

I asked wanting to know what I really was doing here. Craig now kneeling down in front of me with one hand on my knee and the other caressing my face says,

̈Look I am going to be straight with you ̈.

̈These guys are my dad's business colleagues and they hired April to bring in beautiful attractive women to fill the room ̈. 

¨You know, to be some eye candy and April showed up with just you so they are pretty upset ̈. 

Craig seemed like he was telling the truth. I mean why would he lie. I couldn't help, but wonder why he didn't want me to go see his dad. My mind is racing again,  I blurted out

̈then why couldn't I go see your dad if that is all it is ̈

Once again Craig tries to calm me down and reassures me that he was telling the truth.

̈My dad is a pig and chases after anything with long hair and a skirt ̈. 

¨He would of been all over you and I just ̈, 

then he paused for a second. He quickly jumped to his feet and took a step back almost trying to carefully choose the right words. 

“I don't want to overstep my place, I know I just met you, but I like you ̈.

He placed his hands into his pant pockets of his suit. He was looking at the floor now avoiding eye contact as if he was embarrassed.  

I was taken aback. Did he just say he liked me , I asked myself? Well, I wasn't expecting him to say that and I didnt know how to respond. Craig then looked at me and apologized. 

¨I am sorry Jade, I am out of line ̈

¨I think we keep getting off on a bad foot ̈

̈ ̈Do you think maybe we can arrange to go get coffee or something some time ̈ he asked with a much softer tone. Just as I agreed I heard the tapping of April's heels on the marble floor as she entered the room. She called out to me,

̈Jade we have to go the limo driver is waiting ̈. 

I felt silly for acting like a nervous child in front of Craig. April was clearly fine. I stood up to leave and Craig removed his hands from his pockets and stood tall with his shoulders back. He quickly asked me if I would mind giving him my number? Of course I said yes. He then asked to see my phone. I took it out of my purse and handed it to him. He quickly opened my messages then started texting.

̈ ̈There I just sent myself a text ̈. ̈

̈I will text you a little later if that is ok ̈ he asked. 

I stumbled to find the right words. ̈

̈Sure, yes, I mean of course ̈. 

I turned and followed April to the limo. April didn't talk much on the way back. I was still processing everything that happened tonight. When we got home I went straight into my room. Pulling off the wig made me feel like a pumpkin at midnight. Who am I kidding? He liked this sexy, seductive Jade. That wasn't me at all. I still had this horrible pixie cut my mom gave me. What man would find me attractive, I told myself.