Chapter 15
Nicholas
“This is it.” He pulls up to a house that looks like a palace of some sort from that popular Netflix series, filmed in England. I’ll soon remember the name of the show.
I ring the doorbell and a few seconds later I’m pleasantly surprised. “Hi! I’m Emily, you must be Nicholas.”
The excitement I feel is even more than that time when, as a teenager, I found money — money I had completely forgotten about— in my pocket, after my jeans went through the heavy-duty cycle on the washing machine.
I instantly recognize her from the Instagram photos. I had assumed she was a close family friend based on the pictures she posted with Lisa and her family. But still, I wonder what she’s doing here.
Smiling, I gently nod. “Yea, that would be me… I wasn’t expecting to see you here.
But nice to meet you in person, Emily” and extend my hand to her (Is it okay to hug her, after all we are Instagram friends?).
Yup, it definitely is okay. Sensing my hesitancy, she ignores my crummy attempt at a handshake and comes in for a hug. This feels nice.
At this point, I know that I should describe her for you. But it’s best to put it like this.
Whenever I’m asked, what’s my favourite movie? It’s impossible to answer the question. Too many great movies.
Whenever I’m asked, what’s my favourite song? It’s impossible to answer the question. Too many great songs.
If you were to ask me… Who’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen? It’s impossible to answer the question. Too many beautiful women in the world. But if I had to choose one, it would be Emily.
“This way,” she says smiling while leading the way. She’s wearing a yellow mini dress with strings at the shoulder that fits her perfectly. One pull at the string and it would all… stop, stop right there, get a grip yourself. Have some respect.
So, yeah, on a respectful note — as she walked ahead of me, I can see that her back is magnificently toned, like she does a lot of bent-over rows with resistance bands in the gym. Her calves are also magnificently toned, like she does a lot of squats.
“This is Lisa’s home office,” sweeping her arm in an arc to show me the room.
“And that’s my study.” She points to the room beside Lisa’s office. “Although, I kinda don’t live here anymore. I just visit on the weekends when I don’t have any plans.” Okay, so she used to live here. Why?
“Now, I live rent-free in the Davis’ penthouse,” she snickers, “although, in my defence, I’ve begged them many times to let me pay something. But they won’t have it.” Again. Why?
“Over here, we have the exercise room.”
Given the sheer size of this ‘palace’, one definitely needs a tour guide.
Wait, hold on a second, it hits me that her face is well made up — foundation, eyeliner, blush and lip gloss. Did she pretty up for me? (As far as I know, and can see, I’m the only guest). What’s happening here?
And did she just ever so slightly pull on her dress to magnify her boobies?
We continue down the hall and as we enter the living room, Alex gets up from the couch, introduces himself with an unnecessarily firm handshake, practically crushing my fingers.
“Hi Nick, I’m Alex.” This pussy is definitely insecure about being married to a woman who in 2023, according to the Wall Street Journal, earned US$11 million.
“Good to meet you, Alex. You have a really nice house.” But what I really want to say is: Lisa has a really nice house.
“Thanks, I’ll show you the squash court after dinner. You play?”
“Nah, I’ve never played before.”
“You watch the NBA?” he asks, pointing to the game on the TV.
“Yea, but I only watch teams who’ve won the title more recently than 1973.”
“Touché, man,” he laughs. “The knicks never fail to disappoint us.”
“Hi, Nicholas. Welcome to our home.” I look up to see Lisa coming down the curved staircase, her hand gliding along the rails. Speaking of curves. Damn. Seeing her again does something to me.
“Hi Mrs Davis, thanks for having me over,” is what I resort to saying.
Lisa walks over and hugs me. “Call me Lisa, like the thousands of colleagues at head office and elsewhere. Even Emily has finally learned how to call me Lisa, after years of asking her to do so.”
Emily chips in, “Yes, Nicholas. You don’t want to make Ms Wanna-be-cool over here feel old.”
We all laugh, because what else can you do in this situation.
“My son, James, lives in Italy, so it’s just the four of us. Let’s go to the courtyard,” Lisa instructs.
The indoor courtyard is well lit and overlooks a man-made lake. In the middle of the courtyard is the most unique live edge slab table I’ve ever seen. The table is laden with several dishes containing various types of meat and fish. I love octopus. Gimme some ah dat.
We sit — Alex at the head of the table with Lisa to his right. I sit beside Emily, across the table from Lisa.
Halfway into my steak, Alex reaches out and takes Lisa’s hand. “So, do people at work think Lisa is a cool boss?” From her reaction, I can tell he’s not usually affectionate. Although I already know this.
“Yea, I think she’s generally viewed as cool. But, you know, you always have the haters.”
“If only they knew Lisa … all she ever does is work. She never does anything fun. When was the last time you even went to a party and danced?” Emily teases.
If only Emily knew. If only Alex knew.
“Leave Lisa alone, you know she’s shy on the dancefloor. Plus, she does other fun things like Kalooki, where she’s the champion. Right hun?” Apparently Alex thinks this is funny.
So, again, we all laugh because what else can you do.
And while they continue to poke fun at Lisa, ridiculing her for missing a step at her nephew’s wedding in the Cha-Cha Slide song… my thoughts drift.
“Thanks for last night,” Lisa had said, kissing me on the cheek on the drive back to Kingston.
“For taking me to the party, of course… not the sex,” she giggled.
“It’s the first time I’ve really partied and danced.
It was fun. Alex never takes me out to dance and whenever we are invited to a wedding or birthday party, he’s always more interested in having drinks and chatting with the guests.
So, I just float around the dance floor and do my own thing. ”
“Nick… speaking of dancing, my friends and I are going to the club tonight, you should come… it’ll be fun.” Emily threw out an invite, bringing me back to the conversation.
“Yes. Go out and enjoy New York City,” Alex instructs, like he’s my older brother and needs to give me advice.
“Yea, you should definitely, go,” Lisa joins in, because she really has no choice but to say that.
“Okay, great. I’m in,” I say. Now this is starting to get a little weird… me going out with Lisa’s ward. “Send me the location and let me know what time to meet you.” Shit, now we’re going to have to exchange numbers… in front of Lisa.
“We’re going to pre-game at my apartment first, then head to the club.
It’s only a few blocks away. I’ll text you the address.
What’s your number?” While she saves my number, I glance at Lisa who is looking uncomfortable.
Her smile reminding me of the smiles of contestants at a Miss Universe pageant, the ones who are among the top five finalists but who aren’t ultimately selected.
“What’s your number?” I ask, because it would be weird if I hadn’t. Now, I’m just overthinking. Right?
“212 ...” She stops, “Are you going to save it?
“No, its fine… I’ll remember it and save it later. My battery is on four percent.”
“212 - 375 - 6859.”
“That’s crazy… do you have photographic memory?” she asks giddily, like a kid excited about a magic trick.
Lisa shifts in her seat, looking even more uncomfortable.
As I reach across the table for the lobster, Emily asks, “Uh. Where do you find time to be involved with so many charities? I really love that you volunteer to serve food at a homeless shelter. It’s something I’m passionate about, but I only get to volunteer on Christmas day when I can make the time. .. not consistently like you.”
“I don’t know. Thankfully, it just works out that way,” I respond. “I’m fortunate to be in a position to be able to help those in need.”
“By the way, at the luncheon, I was speaking to Alicia, the Head of HR and also a director for State Foods Jamaica Foundation. We were discussing upcoming charitable initiatives, and she shared that you personally fund the entire feeding programme at the shelter… and that the foundation is looking to partner with you in this regard and to expand the programme,” Lisa chimes in.
“Yea, I met with the foundation last month… can’t wait for them to get involved,” I tell her.
“Wow, that’s so nice,” Emily says.
And Lisa agrees, “Yes, it’s really good of you.”
Uninterested in the discussion, Alex switches the conversation. “Good stuff man. Tell me something… What’s the real estate market like in Jamaica? I’m always looking for opportunities.”
After dessert, Emily officially ends our dinner. “Well this was fun, but we need to go now to get ready.”
“Absolutely. Dinner was great. Thanks for having me over. I’ll meet you at the apartment, Emily,” I respond.
“Sweet, see you later.”
I get up and shake Alex’s hand, “Nice to meet you.”
“You want to check out the squash court before you run?” he asks, sounding like a brat. What the fuck is wrong with this guy?
“You can show him next time,” Emily says, coming to my rescue. Though, I wonder what she means by “next time”.
“Sounds good. Nice to meet you as well... all the best in your future endeavours at State Foods and otherwise.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“I’ll walk Nick out,” Lisa interrupts, while I request an Uber.
As we walk through the living room and out of sight, she whispers, “Do you like Emily?”
“No. What? Why do you ask?” It is the truth. The real question though is — Would I fuck her? I didn’t know the answer to that. “Where is this coming from?” I ask, pretending to be clueless.
“She’s really into you — she rarely wears makeup or listens so attentively to any of my guests.” She sighs. “And she wore that dress just for you.”
Lowering her voice, “Am I still seeing you tomorrow night? I told Alex I’m playing Kalooki with friends.” She sounds doubtful. Even insecure.
“Of course. Pick me up at 4:20pm, I’ll send my location closer to the time. Can you do me a huge favour?”
“Sure, what’s that?”
“Don’t wear any underwear… it’s been too long.”
“I won’t.” She smiles at that and looks relieved.
And just like that night on the beach, I look into her eyes with the intensity of someone who wants to be all over her.
That intensity has to be put on ice though, as my Uber pulls up. I badly want to pull her close and make her mine, but settle instead for a hug.
Hopping into the vehicle, I leave to get ready for a night out on the town (or city to be exact).
In the passenger seat, I look back at the house as the Uber driver turns left on to the adjacent street.
The name of the Netflix series with the similar-looking houses almost comes to me…
I can literally see it... but it flies right out of my head when I see Lisa’s silhouette, all curves, against the front door. Her hands by her side.