THE ROAD TO YOUR HEART (Completed) ✔

26: An Invitation

On Saturday, Chris and Marley met up at a bar to discuss what happened the previous day.

"Man, Jacqueline flipped out when she saw me at the door. She was so angry."

"I told you didn't I? You're lucky she didn't hit you with a stick." Marley burst out laughing.

"At some point I even told a lie because I was under so much pressure and didn't want her mom to think I'm some creep."

"What lie did you tell?"

"A horrible one. And I feel really bad about it but I can't backtrack now." Chris shook his head. "She kept on asking me how I found out about her location and even called me a stalker. I had to tell her that she was the one who told me the name of the street that day on the lake. And that when I got there, I had to ask an occupant of one of the houses on that street if they knew where she lived."

"My man Chris Hayes! Pulled yourself right out of that one like a true professional didn't you now?" Marley laughed.

"Not quite! Her mom actually saved me if not, everything would have gone down hill after that giant lie I told, and they would have probably kicked me out or even called the cops."

"Whoa! You got really lucky. How did she save you?"

"So Jacqueline had been firing questions like a loaded tank for almost 10 minutes. It finally came down to her asking me how I got her home phone number since I said it was through her that I got her location. I mean, it's not like I didn't see that question coming, I just didn't want to create more lies. I was about to tell her I looked her up online, when her mom came to my defense."

"You know if you had told her you looked her up online, she would have concluded that it was the same place you got her address." Marley took a sip of his drink.

"That's exactly what I was worried about. I had no other choice. If I had said something else, she would have assumed you or Kim had something to do with it. Didn't want to complicate things for everyone."

"The good thing now is that it all worked out in a favour. From all you've said, it does sound like Jacqueline's mom is a good woman." Marley nodded.

"Man, she's an angel. She was so nice to me. She has a brother, Nolan. He's a good kid too." Chris smiled.

"So did Jacqueline later forgive you for showing up at her place uninvited?" Marley asked.

"Yes and no. She was so mad that she stormed off to her room. Her mother followed her and talked to her on my behalf. She eventually came out and we had dinner. I tried to talk to her for a little while but she wasn't responding. Though I made her smile a little with something funny that I said. I'm hoping her mom and brother would put in a good word for me."

"Will you call her again?" Marley asked.

"If I had her phone number I would have called her again." Chris shrugged.

I thought you saw 2 of her numbers online."

"I did. The first one didn't connect. The second one turned out to be her home phone number. I don't think I should call her through that again considering she's still pissed about the whole thing. I dropped my business card though, just in case she decides to call me which I think would happen only in my dreams." Chris chuckled.

"Never say never my friend. Cheers to the beginning of something beautiful!" Marley raised his glass to his friend.

"Thanks Man!" Chris responded.

*********

A few hours passed and Chris returned home. The second he walked through the door, he realized for the first time in years, how lonely it actually felt to live alone in a big house. He knew he'd come a long way from the man he used to be. That man never felt bored or had the word 'lonely' written in his dictionary. That man was one text message away from having company around.

But, that was then and Chris was no longer that man. He knew he was on a different level now. A level where he felt something that he had never felt before. A level where, a woman named Jacqueline, had touched his heart in a way, no one ever will.

Chris opened his eyes and realized he'd been smiling from ear to ear. No wonder his cheeks were hurting. "That's enough daydreaming for one day." He smiled as he got up from his couch and climbed up the stairs to his bedroom.

He took a shower and jumped right into bed after he was done. He tried to do some work on his laptop but within a short while, he fell asleep.

The next morning he woke up to his phone ringing.

"Ugh, who's calling this early?" He muttered as he turned his head to look at the clock. "Oh wow, 10am!" He got out of bed and stretched. He was about to go to the bathroom when his phone started ringing again.

"Ugh, who's that calling this early?" He asked as he walked to the side table where his phone was plugged to the charger. "Huh... No way!" He beamed a smile as he hurriedly picked up the phone and answered the call.

"Mrs Jasmine, good morning!"

"Good morning, Chris. How's everything going?"

"Everything's great! How are you and how's Jacqueline and Nolan?"

"We're all doing fine. Thank you for asking. Uhm, not really sure what your schedule is like today, but I was thinking it'd be nice to have you over for lunch later on, if that's okay with you."

"Oh wow! That's very kind of you Mrs Jasmine. I would be more than happy to join you for lunch, but... Is Jacqueline in support of this?" Chris asked inquisitively.

"Yes she is. You see, I wasn't too happy with the way things turned out, the last time you were here. That's why I've organized this lunch, so that we can all formally welcome you to our home. What do you say?"

"I say yes!" He chuckled. "I'd love to be there. What time?"

"2pm!"

"Perfect. See you then Mrs Jasmine."

"See you soon. Drive safe!"

**************