Chapter 30. Dominic
Jackson Johnson
Penthouse in New York.
Sunday morning and I couldn't sleep. Was it normal to feel this way when I saw someone else? I replayed everything from last night to think and come to a conclusion: "Attraction." It had to be that, since I had never met a woman like Lilly. She wasn't drooling over me, she wasn't making those lovesick eyes, and she didn't flatter me just to flatter me; I hated people who did that. But Lilly, she was the opposite, she said what she thought and that was refreshing. There was a knock on my bedroom door, and when I said they could come in, my housekeeper entered.
"Good morning, Mr. Johnson, I thought you were at the gym." I shook my head, getting up from my armchair, already showered and dressed.
"I went earlier. Can you send the tuxedo to the dry cleaners? It's hanging on the bathroom door." Samy, the kind lady with a warm look, nodded with a smile as she pulled the sheet off my bed to make it. "Thank you."
"Breakfast is ready, sir." I thanked her and went down to the kitchen, sat at the counter, and started eating while reading the news on my tablet. I swiped up to go through the news until I reached the society section; my mother and her birthday party were on the front page. There were photos of the group and the DJ, the illuminated dance floor, the guests inside the tents, and waiters holding trays with champagne glasses. Then, I swiped further and saw a photo of Lilly and Maxima, both smiling at the camera. I tapped the photo to enlarge it, saved it, and edited it, removing Maxima from the side. Then, I saved it in a folder where I kept all confidential things under a code.
"Sir, what would you like for lunch?" Samy asked, coming down the stairs and heading to the kitchen.
"I'd like some meat." She stopped and turned to me.
"How do you want it? Grilled, marinated, barbecued? Vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice?" I didn't decide quickly.
"How about marinated, with vegetables and mashed potatoes?" She nodded with a smile.
"Perfect." I looked down at the saved and edited image of Lilly. Her smile was beautiful, her loose brown hair made her look younger.
"And how did you enjoy your mother's party? It's all over the society news." She asked, taking things out of the fridge. I looked at the image of her, then locked the tablet and put it next to my plate.
"It was entertaining." I remembered what happened on the second floor, the kiss with Lilly.
"I can see from your smile that you had fun for the first time..." I laughed.
"Nothing escapes you, does it?" She smiled more at my question.
"I've been your housekeeper for over ten years. I haven't seen that sparkle in your eyes since I started working for you. You've smiled without grumbling and cursing under your breath as you usually do on Sundays. But the strangest thing is seeing you here when you have a rule of escaping to your sanctuary on the weekend."
"I know, I know, it's just that my mother insisted I go to the party..."
"And it's a miracle you agreed." I smiled.
"Well, I heard there would be a guest and I just wanted to see her." She continued chopping the vegetables on the cutting board, stopped, and looked up at me.
"Miss Grant?" I shook my head. "Miss Barnes?" I shook my head. "Well, then I'll play it safe... Miss Vans?" I tensed just hearing her last name, she noticed my smile disappeared. "Well, I guess the guessing game is over."
"It wasn't any of them, except for Vans who made a scene and insulted a guest just because she was English. Her attitude is something I disapprove of. And to think I could have gone out with her again..."
"I think that's how women around you act when they want to get your attention," she pouted, "You know what I think."
"I know, but... I've met one who doesn't do that." She raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"And she's the reason you agreed to go, isn't she?" I nodded, smiling again.
"She's just different. She's direct, says what she thinks, doesn't get flustered by my presence, and has no intention of winning me over in any way."
"Wow, your eyes really do sparkle, Johnson."
"I don't know what you're talking about..." I took my coffee cup and finished it, then got up and lay down on the terrace. The weather with the sun was pleasant. A call interrupted me, and seeing the screen, I answered. "Johnson."
"Are you in the city?" Máxima asked.
"Yes, I'm in my penthouse. Is something wrong?" I replied.
"I wanted to talk to you. Am I interrupting anything?" I frowned.
"No, I was just resting."
"I'm in the building. Can I come up for a bit?" she asked.
"Sure, I'll authorize it." I hung up the call, dialed the reception, and instructed the manager on duty to let her in. After hanging up, I got up and walked to the kitchen where Samy was cooking. "Can you prepare some snacks? Máxima is coming up." She nodded quickly.
"Should I chill a bottle of wine?" she asked.
"No, just a diet coke in a glass with ice," I said, knowing Máxima liked that. "And some simple snacks. I don't think she'll stay long." I heard the elevator bell ring in the distance. "She's here." I left the kitchen and Máxima emerged from the elevator.
"Sorry to bother you on a Sunday," she said.
"It's no problem. Come in. Do you want to go to the terrace?" I asked, and she nodded. I led her to the terrace, and she seemed surprised.
"It's beautiful after the last renovation."
"Yes, I love it," I replied sincerely. She sat in one of the chairs, and I sat across from her. Samy appeared and placed the drinks on the table.
"Wow, you remembered I drink diet coke," she said to me.
"I've known you for many years."
"And you always have it in case I come by," she teased.
"My mother also asks for it when she visits, so don't feel too special, Máxima." She burst out laughing.
"Let me at least feel like someone pays attention to me." She continued laughing, and I just smiled, shaking my head.
"Alright, alright. What brings you here? I'm surprised you called," I said, intrigued by her visit, especially on a Sunday.
"Well," she cleared her throat, "last night when I got home, I found a note from Hanna." My eyes widened. "She left me."
"What?" I was shocked. Hanna had been her partner for over ten years.
"Yes, I was surprised too."
"But have you tried to find her?" I asked.
"No, I think it's best for now. We have a lot of work, projects, and then there's the company's annual dance. I'll be quite busy..."
"Wait," I interrupted. "We're talking about Hanna, your partner of over ten years, and you're not going to look for her?" She pressed her lips together.
"She decided to leave me. If she didn't want to, she could have just talked to me and told me things were bad. But no, she just took her things and left."
"Don't you love her?" I asked, and she tensed.
"I think our feelings have changed."
"Well, if you no longer felt anything for each other, it's better to take separate paths."
"I think so too. She thought I..." Máxima trailed off.
"You cheated on her?" She nodded.
"But I didn't..." We fell silent for a couple of minutes. She sipped her soda, and I drank my water. Samy arrived and placed the snacks in the center of the table. Máxima thanked her and ate a bit. "And how did it go last night with Georgina?" she asked curiously.
"Georgina?" I needed more context.
"I saw Richard escorting her to the parking lot..."
"Oh, that." I cleared my throat and felt uncomfortable. I don't usually explain my decisions. "She got a bit intense, and I asked Richard to take her to her car."
"And before that, Lilly followed you when you left the dance floor, then Georgina followed..."
"You were quite entertained," I said, crossing my arms. She smiled, amused by my words.
"Just a little... I'm curious."
"Did Hanna take everything?" Máxima raised an eyebrow at my change of topic.
"Yes. Everything. Well," she glanced at her watch briefly, "I think I should go."
"Oh, so soon?" I asked, trying not to sound sarcastic.
"I think I've made you uncomfortable, and I don't want my presence to become tedious."
"No, of course not. How could you think that? You know I don't like explaining private matters."
"Is Lilly something... private?" she asked, and my irritation surfaced.
"If you're leaving, I'll walk you to the elevator."
"Yes, I'm leaving." She smiled, finished her diet coke, and stood up. "No need to walk me. I know the way." She patted my shoulder as she passed by. I looked at the view of the neighboring high-rise buildings, wondering if I had been rude or if she had been intrusive.
"I'll go with the latter."