Chapter 5
Megan took a walk out in the garden after sorting the laundry and starting the washer. She needed the sunshine on her face and the fresh air in her lungs. She bent down to admire some flowers that caught her eye.
“Hello Miss.”
Megan looked up quickly, not realizing she had company.
Benjamin stood above her, his head blocking the sun.
“Hello again. Benjamin…right?”
“Yes,” he said tipping his hat. “How are ya faring here at Mr. Dean’s home?”
“It’s…okay.”
“You’re looking tired. Are you feeling well?”
“Yes. It’s all a little more than I had expected, but I think over time I’ll get better at it.”
“I think so. You’ll find your groove. Enjoy the sun when ya can and take care of yourself.”
“Thank you,” she smiled and walked back to the mansion. She wanted to get her work done before it was time for her to fall into bed this time.
She went through the schedule she made up after learning what was expected of her and tried to rearrange it to make things easier, but she just couldn’t get it, even with Jensen taking care of dinner each night. There were things she didn’t expect when she found Jensen’s ad online. She figured basic cooking, cleaning, vacuuming, laundry and the occasional errand. But she was quickly realizing that rich people were more demanding with a much higher maintenance that she expected. Ironing, polishing, help with redecorating, shopping for things normal people didn’t shop for and a penthouse to clean at least once a month. Even by skipping a few things on the list, Megan had a difficult time keeping up and literally fell into bed each night.
She sat at the table precisely at six and waited for Jensen to join her. It was usually just the two of them, which initially made it awkward for Megan until she learned that Jensen always drove the conversation between them. He also expected her at dinner precisely at six with no excuses. She tried taking food to her room, or out on the balcony, but he didn’t like it. His insistence prevailed over what she wanted so she just pacified him.
He slid his spatula underneath a small piece of baked chicken and placed it on her place, added some fresh tomatoes and grilled potatoes. Her salad was already sitting in a separate bowl next to her plate.
“That’s too much,” Megan proclaimed, putting her hand up.
“How are you ever going to feel better and keep your strength up if you eat like a bird?” He poured her glass with fresh cold milk and sat in his chair. He waited to eat until he saw her put some into her mouth, something he often did. “How is it?”
“It’s very good, thank you,” she said, covering her mouth with her fingers.
“So, tell me more about those culinary classes you mentioned earlier?”
“I took some catering classes, pastry and French cuisine. I fell in love with cooking. There is such an art in it.”
“I can see it in your eyes.”
Megan blushed and tucked her hands into her lap. “I took classes part time while working at the college. They had a program there that entitled all employees the opportunity to take classes for free.”
“Very nice.”
“I would have finished top of my class.”
“But you got fired.”
Megan nodded.
“You didn’t really steal the food did you, Megan?”
She snapped her head up and looked at him.
“I didn’t think so,” he affirmed.
“How did you know that?”
“I’m pretty good at reading people. What happened?”
“Does it matter?”
“It does to me.” He stared at her intently.
“I walked into the large cooler to get some supplies. One of the other employees was stuffing a crate with fruit…potatoes and other stuff. I guess I scared her when I went in. She grabbed the crate and ran out of there, knocking a big glass jar of pickles off the shelf with the corner of the crate. It smashed really loudly. A couple of others ran in and saw me standing there. When they did inventory later and found out about the missing food they pointed their fingers at me.”
“Why didn’t you tell them what happened?”
Megan picked at her chicken with the prongs of her fork. “I didn’t know her story. I wasn’t going to rat on her. I know what it’s like to be down and out.”
A long silence made her look up at him. He had a gratifying look on his face. “Eat your dinner,” he said softly. “I’d like to see what you can do in the kitchen. Would you like to do that? Tomorrow night? I’ll leave the menu up to you.”
“I’d like that.” She felt an excitement in her stomach. She wasn’t sure how she was going to get everything done and cook dinner, but she was going to try.
“Okay then…it’s a date.”
Megan glanced in his direction, seeing a goofy smile on his face.
“A…date?”
“I’m kidding.” He stabbed several potatoes and shoved them into his mouth.
“I think I’m going to go up to my room. I have some things I’d like to get done before bed.”
“You should eat more,” he mumbled.
She pushed her full plate back and stood up before he could swallow his food and argue with her further. “I’m really not that hungry tonight.” She walked out of the dining room and ran up the stairs to her room.
The next morning, she got up earlier than normal. She wanted to get her dinner planned out before she set in to complete her work for the day. She quickly showered and threw her hair up, sitting down at her desk and making out a small menu for the two of them.
“Keep it light but let’s offer a few delicious choices.” She smiled as she thought about the opportunity she had. With no limit on her cash, she could make anything she wanted. She went through some of her favorite recipes she kept and got online onto some of her favorite cooking sites. This was her chance to show him what she could do.
She started feeling light headed when she was finishing up her grocery list. She glanced at the time and jumped up when she realized half the morning had gone by. She grabbed her purse and ran down to the kitchen. Jensen had already left for work so she didn’t worry about running into him. She grabbed an apple and a quick glass of juice before grabbing the vacuum and buzzing through her Friday morning chores. Luckily, many of the duties on her list could be skipped over or done quickly. She was back in the kitchen before lunch. She put her schedule away, vowing to finish the rest when she got back from the grocer’s shop.
She did a quick inventory and noticed a brown case on the counter.
“Jensen’s case.” She picked it up and looked inside. His schedule book she had seen him carrying around was sitting on top of several bound papers. She took down his office address from the letterhead inside, closed the case, grabbed her purse and scurried out the door.
Her car wouldn’t start, again. She tried a few times and after cursing at it she tried one last time. She often thought about getting another car, but this was a classic 1966 Mustang Convertible. She saved for what felt like forever for this car and was proud when she bought it outright, with cash. It needed a lot of work and it was a little beat up but when she was able to, she planned on putting money into it.
It started that time she let it run a few minutes before leaving.
She followed her GPS to Jensen’s office and parked in a side parking lot. After she shut the car off, it backfired. A woman walking by jumped and looked at Megan like she just swore at the woman. Megan smiled awkwardly, waving. “Sorry.” The woman scurried by without saying a word.
Megan looked at the paper she scribbled the address on and confirmed it on the very tall building in front of her before going inside. Everything was mirrored, or black, very sophisticated and clean. She wondered if Jensen ever got tired of being so clean. She walked up to the attractive brunette behind the main desk and waited patiently for the woman’s phone call. She pressed a button and looked up at Megan.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Jensen Dean?”
“Name please?”
“Um…Megan Jenkins.”
The receptionist looked at her computer. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No. I just came to bring…um…he forgot…I have a delivery for him.” Megan didn’t want the woman to think she was his girlfriend bringing him something he forgot from home.
The woman looked annoyed. “One moment.” She pressed a button on the phone system. “Yes, I have a Megan Jenkins here with a delivery for Mr. Dean…. Yes…. Thank you.” She looked up at Megan and smiled. “Top floor, to the left off the elevator. Follow the hallway to the end.”
“Thank you.”
She went to the elevator and pressed the arrow up button. As she waited, she looked around intimidated at her surroundings. She smoothed her shirt and ran her fingers through her hair until the elevator arrived. The doors opened and a group of people got off. None of them looked at her. She watched them walk toward the lobby, each one dressed perfectly. She sighed and got onto the elevator, pressing the highest number available, 45.
When the doors opened again she stepped out and hesitated. This place was so professional. Maybe she should have called first. She looked down at her clothes and turned to get back on the elevator just as the doors closed. She frantically pushed the button but it didn’t return. The hallway was a dark and shiny, almost metallic wall and ceiling. The floors were glossy black with small lights illuminating from the top and bottom. Although she could hear the clicking of heels every so often, she couldn’t see anyone. She slowly walked along the wall toward Jensen’s office. As she got closer she heard voices and they weren’t having a nice conversation. Two men were talking very loudly and very directly back and forth. As she got closer, the voices got louder. Each office she passed had glass walls with dark green curtains fitted from the top to the bottom. Most of them were drawn for privacy. Each office she passed she confirmed that the voices did not hide behind those doors.
When she rounded the corner at the end of the hallway, there was one more office. The curtains were not drawn and the door was not closed. She stood there like a deer in the headlights, staring at two men just inches from each other’s face. She wanted to turn around and leave as fast as she could, but she was afraid to move for fear of being discovered.
“It wasn’t your client to sign!”
“You know just as well as I do that the market is free game until that signature is on the paperwork!”
“Jensen, do you have any idea how long I have been working on this? This was my brass ring.”
Jensen’s voice got very low and he moved closer. “I don’t give a fuck how long you’ve been working on it. I’m not giving it up.”
Megan backed up slowly knowing she was in the wrong place at a very wrong time. The stranger scoffed and turned toward the door, looking directly at her. Megan felt like the blood drained from her entire body. When he turned back toward Jensen, Megan turned and walked quickly down the hallway.
“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer, Dean!” The man stormed out of his office and walked down the hallway toward Megan.
She hit the button on the elevator praying that it would arrive quickly. I should have left the case with the receptionist. Why didn’t I just leave it with the damned receptionist!
She stood there with her head down.
“Hello.” The man’s voice had softened so quickly. It was smooth, suave, charming. She looked up at him and smiled before looking at the elevator. “I’m Tristan. I haven’t noticed you here before.”
“I…I don’t work here.”
He leaned on the wall toward her. “I know. I would have noticed a lovely like you.”
Her cheeks felt hot and she wanted to be anywhere but there. He held out his hand and a business card between his fingers.
“What’s this for?”
“Let me take you to dinner.” His eyes were smoky and he was beyond sexy.
Megan took his card and nodded quickly. The elevator doors opened and Tristan held them for her. She didn’t want to get on but she had been standing in front of them. She would have looked like a fool if she didn’t. Tristan followed her on and let go of the doors. Just before they closed, a hand wedged in between them. When they opened, Megan gasped. Jensen looked at her, then down to the case in her hands. He held his hand out to her and pulled her off the elevator.
“Don’t make me call security and have you escorted out of here.” He pointed his finger directly at Tristan and stared at him until the elevator doors closed. Just before they did, Tristan looked at Megan and winked at her making her feel even more awkward than she already did.
She stood there, nervous about what was going to happen. She didn’t do anything wrong, but she sure felt the guilt like she did.
“The…um…receptionist told me I could come up,” she said dryly.
Jensen just stood there, watching her with a half grin on his face.
“I tried to leave when you were…in your…meeting.”
He took the case from her hands and walked down the hallway. When she didn’t follow he stopped and turned around. “Come on.” He turned and walked the rest of the way.
Megan hesitated, looking at the elevator and back at Jensen. She walked back toward his office. When she reached his door, he was working on something at his desk.
“Come in, sit down.” He didn’t look up.
Megan sat in one of the chairs and waited quietly. She looked around at his office, marveling at the richness and beauty of it. The same dark metallic walls, same black glossy floor, but it was covered by a large deep red oval rug that looked like it came from an exotic foreign country. The curtains on the large windows were of the same shade of red, but with tan panels added to it for even more beauty.
“Would you like a drink?” He pointed toward the far corner that inhabited a mini bar.
“No. Thank you. I should really be going. I still have a lot to do today.” She got up and smoothed her shirt again.
“Have lunch with me. That jerk turned me off from work for the day. Let’s go indulge in some good food.”
“But, I still….”
“I heard…that your boss gave you the rest of the day off. So, you can’t say no to me.”
“Do I still get to make dinner?”
“Oh, I am looking forward to it.”
She smiled, as he got up and escorted her to Claridge’s Hotel.
When they pulled up, a concierge opened her car door and led them inside. When Megan looked at the building she realized it was a hotel.
“Mr. Dean?”
“Please, no formalities. Call me Jensen.”
“Why are we…here?”
He could sense her apprehension. He walked closer to her, putting his hand on the small of her back. He leaned in to her and lowered his voice. “They have the most amazing hake mousse with shrimp.”
“Oh.” She took a deep breath realizing he was watching her again. “There’s a…restaurant inside.”
“Yes.” He held the door for her. “Several in fact.”
As they sat at their table, she sipped the water placed in front of her. “Is everything in your life so extravagant and rich?”
He looked around. “Pretty much. Why would it be any different?”
“Just seems like…such a waste of money.”
“I guess I never thought of it that way. Do you like it here?”
“I do. It’s very open, comfortable. Tell me about the company you work for.”
“Well, I have been there for six years now, fresh out of college.”
“Wow. Six years and you are already a CEO?”
“I am very good at what I do.” He stared directly at her, not taking his eyes from hers.
She had to force herself to breathe. The waiter broke the tension and took their order. She was able to gain her composure.
“Why are you so intimidating?”
“You think I am intimidating?”
“Yes.” She looked directly at him. “I do.” Her stomach was in knots but she refused to look away.
“Why is that, Megan?” He met her stare and grinned.
“You are always looking at me, sometimes not saying anything at all.”
“I think you are attractive.”
“Not just looking at me…you look…into me.” Her body started to tremble.
“You intrigue me. I want to know more.”
She tore her eyes away from him and picked up her water with both hands. “Just ask, I’m an open book.”
“I will…when the time is right.”
“So, who is Tristan?” She looked back at him and saw his jaw clench together. His soft gaze hardened and he raised his chin. “Does he work for you?”
“No. He works for a competitor.”
“Oh, I understand the tension then.”
“The company he works for is affecting mine at the moment and I have to stay on top of things every minute.”
“So, then why did you take the afternoon off?”
“I just took a major client from him. One he has been working on and investing in for the past three months. He needs time to lick his wounds.”
“Sounds like dirty pool to me.”
“When you’re in a position like mine, sometimes you have to pull out all of the stops. It cost me quite a bit, but it will be worth it in the end.”
“Is he from London?”
Jensen looked at Megan for a long time. “No,” he dragged out. “He is American. He is cocky and very arrogant. He likes to play women and steal secrets. If you had any sense about you, you’ll stay away from him.”
Megan couldn’t help but smile. She tried to hide it but didn’t do so well.
“You think I’m kidding?”
“No, but it’s cute the way you get jealous.”
He gave a hearty laugh. “I assure you, I am not the jealous one. I just have to keep an eye on what is mine, and what I want, to avoid…confrontation.” His eyes were back on her, heavily.
The waiter delivered their meal and Megan was more than grateful for the timing. She vowed to never bring Tristan up again.
After lunch Megan was beyond full.
“It’s nice to see you eat something more substantial than a bite of chicken. Come on, I’ll drive you back.”
“Actually, my car is at your work.”
“I had Mr. Black pick it up and drive it back for you.”
“Why?” Megan was a little miffed.
“Because I didn’t want you to have to worry about picking it up later.”
“So you don’t bother asking me what I want to do? You just make your own plans, expecting me to fall into line?”
Jensen paid the bill and got up from the table. Without saying another word, he left out the door. Megan walked quickly after him.
The drive home was a little tense. She waited for him to say something, but he wasn’t offering, so she broke the ice.
“I guess because you control some big company you feel you can control everyone else in your life?” She saw his jaw clench again. “Mr. big and powerful has nothing to say?”
“If it weren’t for me you’d be out on the street right now.”
“I’d have had another job soon enough.”
“Not soon enough. You were already two months behind on rent.”
She turned sharply toward him. “How did you know that?”
“I do my research. Did you think I was just going to hire you blindly? Especially, with no experience?”
“Then why did you hire me?” She regretted it as soon as she asked. She knew why he hired her. She should be grateful that he did. But she was proving herself and working hard to earn her keep. “Just because I live under your roof and work for you doesn’t give you the right to govern everything I do.”
They pulled into the driveway and parked in front of the house but he didn’t get out.
“Just because I do things that involve you, without asking you…doesn’t mean I’m trying to control you. I just thought….”
“Well, you shouldn’t think so much.” Megan opened the door and got out. Instead of going to the front door and waiting for Jensen, she took the path around the house so she could go in her own door to her own small wing of the house.
Jensen watched her storm off as he sat in the car. When she disappeared, he got out of the car and walked toward the front door. He stopped on the steps and when he heard screaming from the back of the house, he dropped his case and bag and ran hard core around the house. The thought of anything happening to that girl caused a panic to run through him. When he rounded the corner to the back he saw Mr. Black standing there, his arms folded looking up at Megan’s door.
“Where is Megan?” he asked, panicked.
Mr. Black very casually pointed to her door.
“Well, what the hell happened? Is she alright?” He ran up the stairs to her door, knocking on it. “Megan. Open the door. Are you okay?” There was no response. “If you don’t answer me I’m coming through this door!” His voice was like thunder. He listened and still heard nothing but silence. He stepped back a few steps and charged the door, raising his foot and side kicking the latch as he threw his entire weight into the door. It came apart, pieces of slivered wood flew everywhere. He landed on the floor in the room and looked around. “Megan!” He shouted. He heard a sob and followed the sound. She was crouched down, shaking in her closet in her bedroom. He ran to her and helped her up, wrapping his arms around her until she stopped shaking.
“What happened?” His voice was so calm and smooth.
“A man…tried to grab me.” She shook her head violently. “I can’t…I can’t do it again.”
“Okay, okay. No one is going to do anything to you now. Whoever it was is gone. Mr. Black is out there guarding you now, and I’m right here.”
There was something very soothing about being in Jensen’s arms. He stayed with her until she was okay and then ordered Thai for dinner.
“Come down stairs with me. Dinner will be here soon.”
She followed him down and sat on the couch, watching Jensen lay a blanket on the rug in front of the fireplace.
“I called to have your door fixed but it won’t be done until morning. I don’t feel comfortable with you staying up there with no protection.”
She had a feeling she knew where this was going.
“If you don’t feel comfortable staying in this part of the house with me, I can get you a hotel room.”
“Oh.” She smiled. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
The doorbell rang with their dinner and Mr. Black walked in from the other side of the house. While Jensen paid for the food, Megan saw Mr. Black. She jumped off the couch and ran toward the door with a look of panic on her face. Jensen grabbed a hold of her and put her against the wall, protecting her with his body. When he turned to see her perpetrator, he put his head down.
“Is this the man who attacked you?”
She nodded.
“Damn. I feel like a shit-heel now.”
“What?”
“I never introduced you to Mr. Black.”
“This…is your security guard?”
“I am so sorry. I completely forgot you never actually met him.”
“I didn’t attack her,” Mr. Black said. His voice was very monotone, much like it was the day she called for the job offer. “I tried to stop her, to question her on who she was.”
Jensen looked at the both of them and shrugged. “Thai anyone?”
Mr. Black declined and let Jensen know he would stay on for the night.
Jensen and Megan got comfortable on the living room rug, ate Thai and drank wine.
“You finished out your first week. What do you think? Are you going to stay on?”
“As long as there are no other surprises waiting for me around the corner.”
“I’ll make sure of it.” His eyes sparked.
“I’m sorry about dinner.”
“It wasn’t your fault. You’ll have plenty of time to make it up to me,” he said smiling. “Can I ask you something personal?”
“Sure, I guess so.”
“Why are you afraid?”
“I’m not,” she said defensively.
“Megan, something in your life has made you afraid of men.”
She put her head down for a minute. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe she just knew she could trust him.
“They seem to like to take advantage of me.”
“How?”
“Usually sex.” She bit her lip. “My father, ex-bosses, even an old boyfriend.”
“Your own father?” His eyes narrowed and his face got dark.
“He wasn’t my real father. I never knew my real parents. They left me when I was a baby.”
“What happened?”
“They dropped me off at an orphanage.”
“Jesus Megan.”
“It’s okay. I got adopted out to a really nice family for a while.”
“For a while? What happened?”
“Drunk driver took their lives.” She picked at her fingernail. “Another family adopted me soon after that but they weren’t so nice. He would touch me and she would deny it. Accuse me of wanting attention. She would scream at me telling me I was trying to steal him from her. Called me all sorts of things.” She laughed a small laugh as if she thought back on a fond memory. “He said he had the best eighteenth birthday gift ever, but needed to give it to me in private. I wasn’t going to stick around to find out what it was. I took off, never saw them again.”
Jensen looked away.