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“Does it though. Name one person you heard of who got rich from a scratch card.”
“I don’t know anyone who buys scratch cards, so no, I can’t.”
“That’s my problem.”
“I don’t understand.”
“People like you don’t live in the world the rest of us inhabit. You don’t understand what it’s like to tie yourself in knots and your only way out is hoping that lady luck deals you a fresh card.”
She leans back and for the first time since I met her, Jessica looks defeated, and I don’t like it at all. Wishing I could help, in fact, she only needs to ask, and I would solve her sister’s problems in a heartbeat, which once again surprises me. I don’t do charity, only when it benefits me on a tax front, that is. I’m not even sure I like the way my thoughts are heading and so say rather abruptly, “You can’t fight your sister’s battles. She’s made her own mess.”
Jessica nods, which surprises me again, and her voice sounds hard as she agrees with me. “It’s sad though, don’t you think?”
“Not really.” I shrug. “From what you’ve told me, she could pity you more.”
“Why?” Rather than look angry, she merely looks interested, and I lean back, fixing her with a blank expression.
“You have a good job, admittedly, but what else? By your own admission, you have nothing else apart from a sterile space to return home to every night. You say you have no friends, aren’t connected to your family, and prefer to work.”
“What’s wrong with that? It works for you, too.”
She raises her glass, and it makes me laugh out loud and raise mine to hers in a toast. “To meeting your match.”
“I’m not cheering that.” Her eyes flash. “You’re not my match. We’re nothing like one another.”
“If you say so.”
To be honest, in my opinion we’re more alike than anyone I’ve ever met. I understand how her mind works and I admire her. I don’t believe I’ve ever met a woman who isn’t giggling and wildly flirting with me by now, intent on only one thing. My money. I’m not delusional. I realise they see the successful businessman with more money than they can ever spend, and I don’t blame them for wanting some of it for themselves.
However, I’m not the sharing kind and so I enjoy a few dates that always lead to my bedroom and then I ignore their calls and instruct Sylvia to tell them to stop calling me. I’ve never met a woman I wanted to discover more about until now. It’s not because I am insanely attracted to her either. I find her interesting, which is a first for me. She is an enigma, a challenge, and a beautiful woman. What’s not to like? Even her smart mouth and barbed comments don’t put me off. I like her, which is a first for me and now I have her in my sights, I’m going to do everything possible to keep her there.
* * *
As I pullup outside my mansion, I can sense the disapproval radiating from Jessica and my heart sinks.
“You’re such a stereotype.” Her cutting remark rolls off me like water on a window and I shrug. “It’s just a house.”
“That is too big for one man. Honestly, Robert, I haven’t even been inside yet and I’m already angry.”
“I will not apologise for my home, Jessica. That’s your problem, so deal with it.”
Setting the alarm on my car, I unlock the door and enter the security code into the alarm system and say wearily, “I’ll show you to your room. It’s late, we can catch up in the morning.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Her voice is curt and full of business, and any warmth she showed me in the bistro has disappeared in the chill of winter.
I understand my home is extreme, and it’s way too big for one person. She’s right about that but I didn’t buy it to be homely. I bought it as an investment. It’s a way to make more money and I don’t care what she thinks, at least that’s what I’m telling myself but deep down inside, I do. Rather a lot as it happens, and I curse my bad judgement in bringing her here and not my apartment by the river. In fact, I really should relocate there because it’s closer to the office and more than adequate for my needs. This house is like my soul, dark, empty and full of shadows.
We head up the grand staircase and Jessica is silent for once, which I’m enjoying. Now I’m home, my mind has switched off and I want nothing more than to shower, change and slump in front of the game in my cinema room. Just imagining what Jessica would have to say about that exhausts me and I’m not in the mood for another lecture about my living standards, so I’m a little abrupt when I swing open the door to my prettiest guest room and say wearily, “You should find everything you need in here. There’s a bathroom attached and a dressing room. It has a lock that works from the inside and last time I looked, there wasn’t anyone lurking behind the curtains. If you need a coffee or anything to eat, the kitchen is at the bottom of the stairs, third door to your right. Help yourself, and don’t worry, I’ll keep out of your way.”
“Good.” She moves past me into the room and then hesitates before closing the door.
“Well, um, thank you for the meal. I really would have preferred to pay half, though.”
When I cast my mind back to the almost fist fight we had when the bill came, I disguise the ghost of a smile that threatens to lift my dour mood.
“It’s fine. Just consider it expenses.”
