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“Who, Mr. Belvedere?” Avery said, mocking Mr. Jenkins while sipping her coffee. “He gives me the creeps. I’ve been around plenty of people who have butlers and maids and shit, given who Jim is and all, but this guy is a bit over the top.”
“How so?” I wondered if John would be mortified if he knew his guests felt this way about his butler.
“Well,” Avery said, smiling at me, “Jim had this conversation with John first thing this morning, so I’m not gossiping behind John’s back, just to be clear. But John said he interrupted you both last night, being nosy and shit?”
“I just thought that was normal with rich people,” I teased.
The ladies all laughed. “Not hardly,” Ashley chimed in. “Although these men don’t live as lavishly as one might think from their worth. We tend to value privacy, which is why, if we’re ever in the company of house staff, we usually let them off the hook or let them know they’ll be called to the main house we’re staying in, if a situation arises for us to have staff on hand.”
“Yours is mainly on the yacht,” Avery said to Ash. “But what this guy did last night to Jim and me, checking up on us, was surprising to Jim. That’s usually the quickest way to lose your job, so it was strange that a seasoned butler would intrude like he did.”
“So, that’s not normal?” I questioned, confused.
“No,” Avery answered. “These men don’t like to be treated as though they’re a bunch of college kids in someone’s home, and the staff needs to keep an eye on them.”
“If I’m being candid,” Elena added, “from the little I know about John and his personality, I’m surprised he has a staff. The guys have never really gone for the house staff on hand treatment. I mean, they’ll all tolerate it perfectly fine, but to have the house staffed to serve their needs or requests just doesn’t seem like any of them.”
“True,” I smiled, wishing I had known John for longer to be able to add my input. “I guess since meeting John and having spent time at his house, the last thing I expected was to show up at one of his family’s vacation homes and see butlers and house staff like we’re visiting Downton Abbey,” I chuckled. “But, then again, I didn’t imagine we’d fly over in a personal jet, either.”
Avery laughed and sipped her coffee, “Oh, let’s not give these men too much credit. They do love their lavish lifestyles for sure, and the private jet excursions prove that without a doubt. However, they don’t insist on being catered to. They’ll play with the toys but also appreciate their privacy and try their hardest to live like normal humans.”
“I don’t know much about John’s family,” I said, feeling a bit more relaxed in the company of these women who seemed completely down to earth. “But it does seem like his parents might run the show a little bit?”
Avery nodded. “He’s from old money,” she said knowingly, “and old money people are quite different. When I married Jim, I was all but homeless,” she laughed. “But that story is for a different day. Anyway, with Jim’s status and the circles he’s in, I’ve learned quite a bit about how these people conduct themselves. It used to be extremely intimidating because I didn’t appreciate the eyes staring me down as if I were Cinderella every time we made a public appearance. The shit Jim has taken from some of the upper elites is absolutely ridiculous, but the pressure to behave a certain way and the expectation to live up to everyone else’s standards is real. I’m just happy that Jim chose love over proving himself to those fuckers, and I’m grateful every day for him. With or without money, that man is the other half of my heart and soul, and I couldn’t imagine living without him.”
I frowned, “Do you think John’s parents will pressure him the same way?”
I recalled John’s concern a few weeks ago when I’d never seen him so down. He was seemingly terrified about his parents, his future, and his life…with me. For Avery to talk about how Jim’s acquaintances frowned upon his relationship with her, I had to wonder if that would happen with John, his parents, and their friends.
I had no idea how the life of the wealthy worked. I figured it was the same as ours, except they were all blessed with a bit more than normal people.
“I’m not sure about them,” Avery added, “but just be yourself. Enjoy the fun and early days of dating someone you’re drawn to. It will all work out as it should. And because John is racing his skis down that mountain with three other trust fund boys who all chose love over status, I’m sure he’s getting all the pep talks he needs if this is something that concerns him.”
“Love always wins in the end,” Ashley said with an endearing smile. “Remember that. And whatever you do, don’t allow this lavish home or the staff on hand to intimidate you. Enjoy all of it, have fun, and revel in the happiness you’ve found.”
I smirked, “Yeah, our relationship is moving at warp speed, and of course, I feel like I need to find red flags and prep myself for it all to crash and burn.”
“That’s natural,” Elena added. “But don’t let this nonsense,” she waved her hand around the room, “the butlers, maids, five-star live-in chefs and all, bother you. I’ve seen the look in that handsome man’s eyes, and there’s a love vibe in the air.”
“And each one of these men has had it,” Ash said, “and your boy got bit in the ass with that love bug too. So, I say, let’s head up to the slopes, meet these men for lunch and beers, and do what we came here to do.”
“I agree,” I smiled, a bit relieved. “I have no idea how we even got onto this subject.”
“Because John expressed how pissed off he was that he’s got a lurker or a spy for a butler in the home,” Avery laughed. “I’m telling you, when he and Jim were discussing this Jenkins character, the lively John I met yesterday turned into quite the irritated man.”
“I had no idea,” I answered honestly.
Avery smiled, “That’s why you’ll both be just fine, parents or no parents to interfere with their son’s love life. He’s already shielding you from the bullshit, so that’s a huge plus in my book.”
“Shielding me?” Great, there's something else I didn’t notice.
“It’s not like he’s keeping secrets,” Ash added, “but he’s not okay with his family interfering. He doesn’t want to scare you off. From what I know in these circles if a man wants a future with a woman and she’s not from his class, so to speak, he keeps her as protected as he can from it all.”
“Part of me wonders if that’s what his parents are doing with staffing the house?” Elena asked.
“Could be,” I answered.
“Don’t worry,” Ash added. “It appears John is already ensuring that it stays out of your life.”
