“Oh, okay.”
“Do you want to get dressed? We can watch a movie.”
He flashed his beautiful smile at me, but more than that, his words were something to get me out of my isolation. I pushed my worries to the back of my mind. ‘I would loved to watch a movie. A romance?” I said hopefully.
“Sure, you can pick it. I’ll wait out here for you.” He ducked back out the door and shut it behind him.
I went back to the dresser and looked for something comfortable. Jeans and a t-shirt plus a oversized cardigan. All Gucci. Of course. I shook my head, and opened the door to find Jay waiting in the same spot as before.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thanks,” I said laughing. Jeans and a t-shirt after several days with no shower. Yeah, real beautiful.
We retraced our last route, but went past the living area we’d sat in, down a long passageway and through a set of double doors. I blinked twice to make sure I wasn’t seeing things, then realized of course, someone that spends three thousand dollars on lingerie is going to have a home cinema.
The smell of popcorn and butter smacked my lips. Rosie stood to the side at an old fashioned looking popcorn cart and scooped some of the popcorn into tubs for us.
I turned around, looking for a place to sit. There were both sofas and high backed single seats, enough to seat twenty people. I wasn’t sure which to pick, so hung back to follow Jay’s lead. He chose a single seat, and I sat in the one beside him.
“What movie do you want to watch? Any one you want.”
I was going to say Gone With The Wind. Or Breakfast At Tiffany’s. But a thought struck me, and I said “Fatal Attraction.”
He looked away from me, his head angled up, before turning back. “Okay.”
The movie reflected my anger. And hurt. Being lied to, then lied to again. But when she got that kitchen knife, I realized it was Matt I was so angry at. Matt had caused my hurt and pain. Matt had broken me, not Jay. Jay had saved me.
I shook my head. Jay had saved me. But he also hurt me. He also lied. But he saved me. I’m in his house. He doesn’t want money from me. He doesn’t seem to want anything from me. I’ve been here days and he’s done nothing but take care of me.
I became lost in my thoughts and didn’t see the rest of the movie. Why does my heart want Jay when my brain knows better?
After the movie, we returned to the dining room for dinner. My body was still in need of restoration, and I ate all of my roast chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
“You look tired,” Jay said from across the table.
“I am exhausted.
“That’s normal, the doctor said to expect that.”
I smile at him. At all he’s done for me. Was it enough to make up for the lie? I don’t know. After all, Jenny did say his motivation for lying was different from Matt’s, and understandable.
“I think I’m going to go to bed.”
“Of course. I’ll walk you up.”
He took my hand, and I followed him back to my room. He let go of my hand and opened the door. I looked at him, my heart fluttering the way it had on that first night after D’Angelo’s.
I searched his eyes, looking for a clue. Something, anything of what he was thinking. I only saw warmth.
“Good night,” he said, and kissed my forehead.
In the morning I felt much better again. Almost normal. Almost. I got out of bed and had a shower. Washed the days of filth off of me. The water cleared my head as I held the diamond pendent in my fingers.
Jay was so easy to spend time with. His touch was electric. And he saved me. His behavior during my time here had been nothing but that of a good old fashioned gentleman.
But he lied. Maybe if I could make him understand how Matt hurt me, I could understand the reason he lied.
I tied my wet hair back, pulled on another Gucci jeans and t-shirt outfit, and went searching for Jay.
“Abbie, you’re up. I hope that means you’re feeling better.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m feeling a little more normal.”
He came over to me and clasped my hands in his. He looked straight into my eyes, and said “Stop thanking me.” I blushed. I had so much to thank him for.
I took a deep breath. “Can we talk?”
“Of course, come with me to the breakfast room and Rosie will get us some coffee.”
43
“I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done for me,” I began after a drink of coffee. The words faltered, but I was determined to get them out. “Matt hurt me really badly. He lied to me. About who he was.”
Jay didn’t move. I continued, “He lied about who he was, and you did the same. Well, lied about who you were. But Jenny, she’s right, she said your motivations for lying were different. Matt. He…”