His Ransom 5(3)
“You’re mine, Lacey,” he said, nuzzling the soft spot on my neck.
I was his. I only wondered if he was truly mine.
Chapter Two
At the hotel, I could see the Eiffel tower from my window. Jake was getting ready for the negotiations initial meeting, picking out one dark suit from the three almost-identical suits he had brought on the trip.
My phone rang.
“It’s my mom,” I called to Jake. “Should I pick up?”
“Why not?”
“Isn’t it, you know, super expensive to have calls overseas? Like, roaming?”
I knew as soon as I asked the question that Jake would have no idea. It wasn’t his fault, he just had no concept of spending money. It had never been an issue for him. So of course he wasn’t concerned.
“No problem,” Jake said. “Talk to her. Here, I’ll give you some privacy.”
He closed the bathroom door. I stared down at the phone and then picked up.
“Hi,” I said.
“What’s wrong?”
I laughed and plopped myself back down on the bed.
“How do you know something’s wrong, mom?”
“I know my baby,” she said. “It’s in your voice. A little chip on the side of it. What’s wrong?”
"Mom, I…” I stared up at the ceiling. The ceiling was plaster, and it had a painting all over it. The edges of the ceiling were bordered with gilded wood.
“I don't quite know what I'm doing,” I said. That about summed it up.
"Oh, darling. Nobody knows what they're doing.”
“Is that the secret of adulthood?” I asked.
“It's not really a secret, is it?”
I sighed.
“Mom, what do I do?”
“What are you doing?”
“Painting.”
“That’s nice.”
“And not selling very many paintings.”
“Who cares about that? That Jake guy?” I could sense the hook in her question. She could always tease out the essence of a person with her questions.
“No,” I said. “I care. He doesn’t care at all, that’s the problem.”
“I want to meet him,” my mom said.
“Mom, don’t sound so suspicious.”
“I am suspicious. This is the first man you’ve seen that you sound excited about. And from what you’ve told me of him, he’s very impressive.”
“And that makes you suspicious?”
There was a pause. I thought it was the connection, but then I heard my mom take a breath.
“I’m always suspicious when things seem too good to be true,” she said.
“He’s not. I mean, he’s wonderful. And he…uh, I don’t know how to say this,” I said. I tapped my fingernails against the windowsill. “He took me to Paris.”
“He’s taking you to Paris?”
“Took me. We’re here. I can see the Eiffel Tower now.” I looked out at it. It was smaller than a few of the other buildings in the skyline, which seemed strange to me.
“You’re in Paris?”
“Yep.”
“That’s awfully romantic. Is he practical at all? Does he do the dishes?”
Of course. My mom would ask about washing dishes.
Jake had servants to do everything for him. But I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to tell her about how rich he was. My parents had always been wary of businessmen in suits. My dad said they were afraid to do any hard work.
“I can testify that I have seen him wash a mug,” I said, telling the full extent of the truth.
“Oh, you! You’re in love, that’s alright.”
“Am I?” I turned away from the Eiffel Tower, looking toward the closed door. Jake had taken me here to allay my fears about his business trip being all business. I should have been happy to see that he would do anything to get rid of my jealous feelings. Instead, though, I had a strange feeling of dread. Like I was going to find Jake kissing another woman.
French-kissing another woman.
I shook the image out of my head. No way. Jake was taking me here because, let’s face it, what woman wouldn’t want a man to sweep her away to Paris?
It was wonderful. I should be thrilled. And I had the perverse pleasure of being able to tease Jake about abducting me twice.
“Lacey, I’m ready to leave!” Jake’s voice came through the door.
“Mom, I have to go.”
“I heard that. Can’t I even talk on the phone with him for a second?”
“He’s going to be late for a business meeting.”
“Is that more important than me?”
“Sorry, mom!” I said, feeling a little uneasy. “I love you, okay? I’ll call you later!”
“Love you too, sweetheart,” my mom said.