Chapter 29. A label
Lilly Bradley
Jackson gently squeezed my hand, which I had extended to propose being friends. I didn't really see anything wrong with it, even though he was my boss. We were people who could interact normally outside of work...
"You don't really believe that, Lilly."
"Jackson," we released each other's hands when we heard Máxima. He turned to her, and she gave him a warning look. "I've finished talking to your mother," she said, and he smiled at her words.
"Good, good," he looked at me. "Well, I think you're leaving now," inside, I wanted to tell him that I really didn't want to go. Maybe I could stay until the party ended, but something inside me strongly urged me to leave, so I listened to my instinct.
"Yes, good night, Mr. Johnson." He raised an eyebrow, and I corrected myself. "Good night, Jackson." He glanced at Máxima, who was walking around the car to get to her door. He gave a quick nod.
"Good night... Lilly." It was a whisper, and he winked at me playfully, then raised his hand to wave at Máxima. She didn't react, just got in and started the car. I waved my hand and got into my seat. Jackson stood there, watching as Máxima backed up the car. I wanted to smile, but I held back.
"I see you and Jackson get along well," Máxima began as we left the Johnson mansion. I cleared my throat.
"Yes, I work for him. I suppose the better the boss-employee relationship, the better one can work in a pleasant environment." We finally got onto the highway that would take us to the city.
"Oh, I see. And what happened inside the mansion? I saw Richard escorting Miss Vans to her car, and she didn't seem very happy..." She was quite curious.
"I don't know. I was with you at the table," she raised an eyebrow as if to say, "That's true," and besides, I didn't want to talk much since I didn't know Máxima well enough to have that kind of trust. "Who could tell you is Mr. Johnson." She pouted.
"I know Georgina Vans is going all out for Jackson. She's one of the best dates he's had." I didn't understand the point of that comment. "Her family hopes he gives her a chance, and in the future, we all eagerly anticipate a wedding..." I looked out the window, remembering the kiss in the hallway on the second floor. My heart had raced, and I exhaled through my nose, thinking about how foolish I felt for feeling on cloud nine with Jackson's kiss - although somewhat clumsy, but ultimately adorable. I touched my lips with my fingers. "Did you hear what I said?" I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Máxima, nodding.
"Of course. I can't really comment since I don't know anything about Miss Vans or my boss's life." I returned my gaze to the window and remained silent.
"Well, I will comment. Georgina is very suitable for him, although she's a bit spoiled. But who wouldn't be with the silver spoon she was fed with?" I frowned at her words and then looked at her.
"Does status matter that much? Being raised with silver spoons and dressed in the best brands?" The car stopped at a red light, and she turned her face towards me.
"In the world Jackson lives in, yes. Just like Jacob, they both grew up with the foundations of great wealth. It's no small feat, but Jackson created a huge conglomerate throughout the country and earned a status. Why do you think his mother arranged dates with the daughters of important and wealthy families?" That wasn't entirely true. We weren't wealthy, and it was his mother who had chosen my sister to have dinner with him...
"But what about feelings? Love? Aren't those foundations too?" Máxima turned her gaze back to the road and didn't give me an immediate answer.
"You wouldn't understand if you're not in an influential and wealthy family." I raised my eyebrows.
"Well, from here to China, those foundations are strong and the most worthwhile."
"Oh, please, Lilly! Are you getting sentimental? Do you think someone like you or another employee of the company has a chance with such a man?" I felt a punch in the gut with those words.
"Before I knew he was my boss," I tried to bite my tongue and not tell her, but the way she had spoken annoyed me. "...I had a date with him. And I'm not wealthy, I don't have a great status." She gasped.
"What?" She let out a laugh. "You must have dreamed it." More laughter followed.
"Stop." I said sharply. Her laughter started to fade as she glanced at me briefly. "Stop the car." I demanded.
"But why? You won't find anything at this hour."
"Just stop it, that's my problem." She stopped the car, and I got out. Before closing the door, I leaned in. "Drive safely. See you on Monday and thanks." I closed the door, and the car began to move, merging into the night traffic. I adjusted my coat and tucked my small bag inside. Walking along the sidewalk, I exhaled sharply, feeling relieved not to be trapped with her and her comments in a small space. Okay, I'll be honest with myself, everything she said bothered me. It was as if Jackson was a piece of meat being auctioned to the highest bidder. "Well," I searched for my phone in my coat pocket, turned on the GPS, and had my location. I raised my eyebrows, seeing I was on the other side of the city. I typed a message to Leah, asking her to pick me up and sent her my location. When she replied to wait because she was far from me, I leaned against the fence of a green area. I hugged myself, thinking about Máxima's words. "Silver spoon. Please..." It was like she loved rubbing that in my face. She must have seen something to emphasize Georgina.
Almost an hour later, Leah arrived in our father's car. She seemed worried. As soon as I got in, she started asking why I was on this side of the city and at this hour. I listened for a few more minutes about the dangers I could encounter, especially dressed as I was, and finally, she asked how the party went.
"Fine," I sighed, staring at the rear of the truck in front of us.
"Just fine?" Leah wanted to know more and knew I was holding back.
"I had fun, ate delicious food, drank champagne," a smile appeared on my lips as I remembered Jackson coming to my side and asking me to drink water. "Great music and atmosphere..."
"Wow, sounds like a celebrity's party..."
"Something like that," I smiled.
"So, is that it?" I made a face.
"I kissed my boss." Leah gasped.
"What?" She couldn't look at me since she was driving. "Tell me."
"A woman he dated before insulted me..."
"What? Did you defend yourself?" Leah sounded anxious.
"Yes, well, with words, but when she pointed out that I was British, my boss stopped me, took me to the second floor to get away from her, and then in the hallway..."
"What happened in the hallway?"
"He said I drove him crazy, that..." Leah screamed, startling me.
"Give me more..." She smiled excitedly.
"We kissed, but we stopped..." Leah hit the steering wheel.
"And does he kiss well?" she said playfully.
"Yes, but it felt like it was his first kiss. It was a bit awkward but sweet." I felt my cheeks flush. "I really enjoyed it, but everything changed when he took me to a bathroom to freshen up. When I came out, his expression and look changed. He called me 'Miss Bradley.'"
"Which miss?" Leah mocked. I punched her arm, and she laughed. "Come on, tell me."
"And I... responded the same, by his last name. I thought his mood swings were a type of bipolarity until he stopped me from leaving and asked if I was manipulating him."
"What?"
"Yes, so I decided to leave. I saw the woman he had dated before..."
"The one who insulted you just for being British?"
"The same one. She went back into the house, then came out with his head of security. When Máxima said we should leave, Jackson caught up with us in the parking lot and told Máxima that her mother was looking for her, leaving us alone. He apologized, and we talked about something that led us to just want to be friends."
"Friends?" Leah sounded a bit surprised. "You know there's only one step from friendship to..." I interrupted her immediately.
"No. Stop it. Jackson doesn't have friends, just like me. We'll only be that."
"Lilly, he's your boss. Isn't it supposed to be strictly professional between a boss and an employee?"
"Outside of work hours, we'll just be Jackson and Lilly."
"Oh, Lilly, don't say I didn't warn you, but both of you are using the label of friendship as an excuse to see each other. From what you've told me, I don't see any of that between you two."