“This is where I live,” he says casually, as if this was a normal house for one person to live in. I still haven’t gotten out of the car, amazed by what I see. Only when the door on my side opens, and Jake offers me his hand, do I close my mouth.
“Okay, just to be clear, this is not a house, this is a castle. Don’t tell me you live on your own in this gigantic house.”
“Pedro, a guy who takes care of the pool and the garden plus my housekeeper are here when I call them.”
“A housekeeper?” I look at him. “Do you even need one? You’re never home.”
“Yes,” he says, like it’s no big deal. “I’m lost without her.”
“Oh, poor Jakey.”
“Are you making fun of me?” he raises his pierced eyebrow, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Never,” I giggle, before Jake invites me into his ‘humble’ home. I’m completely surprised by what I see. I don’t even know what I was expecting. Considering he’s so successful, he no doubt makes a lot of money. Instantly, I ask myself what I’m doing here. I don’t belong here. I’m just a simple city girl who has never seen a house like this. The foyer is big and has a high ceiling. On the right, there’s a black staircase, leading to the first and second floor. On the left, there’s a closet. Jake takes my coat, hangs it on a hanger in the closet, and then he gently pushes me into the next room—the living room, which is enormous. There’s the TV which takes up the majority of the wall. Walls are painted white, almost the same color as sofa, which is big enough for 10 people. Behind the couch, a framed picture of his family is hanging. At least I assume it’s his family since he’s on it, together with a younger girl and two middle-aged people. I stand in front of it for a while, studying it. Jake looks a little younger, and his sister can’t be more than ten years old in the picture. I feel his hand where it frequently rests—at the small of my back. I turn to him with a gentle smile and ask him about the picture.
“Yes, this is my crazy family,” he grins, his voice full of tenderness and love for his family. “Sarah was nine years old here. I can’t believe she’s almost 18 now,” he scratches his chin, and I’m curious to know more.
“Do you two get along?” He nods.
“Yeah, she means the world to me. I don’t see my family much, but when I do get to visit, we spend the whole time together.” I bet it’s really hard being away from his loved ones during the season. They must feel the same way about him.
He takes me to his kitchen next.
“Hello, Camilla,” Jake greets his housekeeper who is busy cooking on the stove. He kisses her cheek, and she gives him a one-armed hug.
“Hi, Mister Burns. The food is almost cooked,” she smiles at him.
“It’s Jake. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Jake?” Jake reaches his hand into the pot for a little taste, but she gently slaps his hand away.
“Hey, keep your hands to yourself, Mister. It’s not ready to eat yet.” She wags her finger at Jake and looks at me.
“Camilla, this is Ella. Ella, this is my lovely housekeeper, and the person who keeps my house from turning into a pigsty,” Jake laughs cheekily. We shake hands, and I smile at her.
“Nice to meet you,” Camilla says, glancing at Jake, and winking at him.
We continue our tour. A glass door on the far end of the kitchen leads to the backyard where a big swimming pool is covered with a tarp. Jake shows me the rest of the rooms on the ground floor, one of which is a fully equipped gym. Next, we head up the stairs toward the guest rooms. There are four, each with an adjacent bathroom. They all look the same—a king-size bed, two big closets, a TV, and a balcony. His bedroom is on the second floor. There’s also a half-covered terrace with wooden deckchairs, stacked on top of each other, but there is no use for them now that it’s wintertime. We slowly head back to the kitchen, and Jake tells me to sit down.
“Doesn’t Camilla need help? I feel weird sitting here while she’s cooking for us. I’d like to help.” Jake shakes his head, smiling. “What?” I look at him sideways.
“You’re so cute. Don’t worry. Camilla enjoys cooking. We’d only be in her way.” I nod reluctantly. The next moment, Camilla rushes out of the kitchen, carrying two plates in her hands. It smells so delicious my tummy starts rumbling.
“Thank you,” I say, as she sets a plate in front of me, and I grab my fork and knife. Jake whispers something in her ear. She nods and bids us goodbye. I take a bite of beef tenderloin with marinated walnut sauce. It tastes so good I close my eyes in ecstasy. It practically melts in my mouth. As I open them again, I see Jake staring at me with his blue grey eyes. “I’ve never tasted anything so delicious in my life. It’s heavenly,” I say, my mouth full.