Chapter 60. Six quotes
Johnson Enterprises
Jackson Johnson
It was Monday morning, and I was already at the office, ready to start the week. We had a lot of work ahead of us, including our annual event, a party for all the company employees. I held it every year to thank them for making my company the best in the country. I had a meeting with Maxima; I wanted to talk to her face-to-face about what happened on Friday. There was a knock on the door, and I guessed it would be her.
"Come in." The door opened, and Maxima appeared.
"I'm ready for our meeting." She entered, closing the door behind her with her tablet in hand. "I already have the details of the annual event. Your mother has chosen the dinner, and your father, the best champagne." She sat in the chair across my desk, excited about the event.
"You did it on purpose, didn't you?" She tried to suppress a smile, but when she saw I wasn't saying anything, she got serious.
"Oh my God, do you think I did it on purpose with Lilly? The truck with the new furniture? Her leaving her cell phone in her office? Her phone running out of battery at the estate? You two meeting? First, you can call the logistics company; they'll tell you what happened. Second, do you think I don't have a life to set up ambushes? No, Jackson. It might be destiny or something, but I didn't do anything you're thinking. I have no reason to meddle in your life. I'm not anyone to do that."
"Then I'll call to ask logistics why the new furniture wasn't delivered on time."
"They received it an hour ago today. The agent who was supposed to wait on Friday has resolved it."
"In that case, I'll discard that company for their lack of responsibility. I won't let it happen again." She paled.
"Discard? It's the best we have so far. We can't afford to break the contract with them."
"I don't like being let down, Maxima. If they give me a specific day and time, they have to fulfill it."
"Sometimes things will happen that prevent them from fulfilling, Jackson. Things always happen, like the car breaking down or traffic being worse than usual."
"They're discarded. And that's my final word." She pressed her lips, annoyed.
"Fine, I'll talk to them myself."
"No, I'll do it."
"Fine." I could see her annoyance growing. "Are you in the mood to discuss the event?"
"No. We'll talk about it later."
"Jackson, the event is in two weeks."
"And my parents are the ones who help me prepare it. You just inform me of the expenses, and I authorize the payment. Like every year. Nothing needs to change."
"Is that how you're going to act?" Maxima stood up, upset.
"How? Tell me. How do you think I'm acting?" I stood up from my chair, also upset. "Do you think I don't know you and my mother are up to something? Creating scenes between my employee and me? Since when are you and my mother such close friends? Why do you insist on meddling in my private life?"
"You're delusional," she muttered, and I heard it perfectly.
"Don't disrespect me, Maxima!" I exclaimed.
"Don't you disrespect me, Jackson! You're accusing me of things you think I'm doing with your mother. I won't allow it." We stared at each other, agitated. "I'm leaving." She turned and slammed the door of my office. I ran both hands over my face; it was a bad way to start the week, fighting with Maxima.
Before one in the afternoon, I thought about inviting Lilly to lunch, but my bad mood worsened. My mother had called to say we needed to meet at her house to discuss the event since Maxima had completely withdrawn from it. That made me feel bad. Although it wasn't mandatory for Maxima, she had volunteered years ago and was passionate about organizing the event with my parents. There was a grand banquet, live music, games to win household items, year-end trips, and a diploma for the best real estate agent of the year. There was also dancing and the annual photo with everyone who could attend the event. That was gratifying for me. It was a day dedicated to them for all the effort they put into being the best at what they did. And thanks to that, they elevated the name of my company. So I made an itinerary in my head to organize myself and be on time at my parents' house. I knew my mother would say something about Maxima withdrawing from the event preparations. I sighed, thinking that maybe I was wrong to think she and my mother were doing something behind my back when she had promised to leave the dates aside.
There was a knock on the door, and I announced they could come in. My secretary's head peeked in timidly.
"Mr. Johnson, I'm going out for my lunch break. Do you need anything before I go?"
"No, it's fine. Thank you. Enjoy your lunch." She made a grateful gesture and disappeared, closing the door. I got up from my chair, loosened my tie, and paced around the office for a few minutes, trying to control my bad mood. There was another knock on the door, and, annoyed by the interruption, I announced they could come in.
"Are you very busy?" It was Lilly's melodious voice. I turned to her.
"Hi," I smiled despite my bad mood, pleased that she had sought me out on her own.
"Hello, aren't you going out for lunch?" she asked from her spot. I motioned for her to come in. She closed the door behind her and started walking toward me, standing in the center of the office. But she stopped a short distance away.
"I'm not hungry," I said. She widened her eyes at my words.
"Really?" she asked, more surprised.
"I had a bad morning. Are you going out for lunch?"
"Yes, I'm going to the Korean place. I've been craving some ramen and wanted to see if you'd like to join me."
"Do you want me to order and we can eat here in my office?" She smiled and nodded. I couldn't hold back any longer, so I closed the distance between us. I looked down and got lost in her brown eyes for a few seconds. "Hi..." I whispered. She parted her lips to take a breath and barely smiled.
"Hi..." She licked her lips and stood on tiptoe to kiss me. I kissed her back. "Oh my God," all the frustration I had felt for hours dissipated with that single kiss. When we pulled apart, she ran her hands over my chest, caressing up and down. She stepped back, remembering we weren't at my house in the Hamptons but at the office. "So, you'll order?" she asked, and I nodded. I motioned for her to sit on one of the couches in the room. I walked to my desk and called Richard, asking him to order two ramen bowls with drinks. When I hung up, I looked at Lilly, who seemed deep in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" She snapped out of her bubble and looked in my direction.
"About what happened over the weekend." I smiled, recalling what had transpired between us.
"I've thought about it a lot too. It was... perfect." I said, moving to the couch next to her, gazing at her in admiration. "I wish it would happen again."
"Jackson," she whispered my name as her cheeks turned pink.
"Don't you?" She pressed her lips together, looking away, which I didn't like. "Didn't you enjoy it that much?" She smiled.
"How can you say that? Of course, I liked it. I loved it more than you can imagine." She paused.
"I'd like to talk about us." She took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before exhaling through her nose. I knew she was preparing to say something. I tensed and stood up to put some distance between us. "You don't want to go on dates with me anymore? Is that it?"
"It's not that, Jackson." She stood up too.
"I love how you say my name." She smiled, looking down at her feet. "Okay, I'll calm down. Tell me, what's going on?" She raised her gaze, looking at me intently, as if unsure of what to say.
"We need to set some rules." Lilly said suddenly. "Six dates." I raised an eyebrow.
"Six?" I asked, confused, and she nodded with a smile.
"And after that, we'll talk about us again."
"Why wait for so many dates to talk about what's happening between us?" She crossed her arms, showing total seriousness.
"Everything that's happening is new. Maybe..." She cleared her throat and looked away. "...you might want to try with other women."
"Are you serious?" She looked back at me, hearing the anger in my voice. "Do you think I need to look for and sleep with other women?"
"Maybe you need to see beyond me. Maybe I'm just a bridge to cross..." I approached her angrily at her words, putting my hands on her shoulders. Our eyes locked. I sighed before speaking.
"I don't need to see beyond or cross any bridge... I only see you."
"Jackson," I cupped her face, making sure she didn't look away. I needed her to look at me.
"No, no 'Jackson.' Don't you see? I've decided with my heart to give myself to you. Don't ask me why or when or what time... I just wanted it for the first time, and I don't want that to change." Then I thought I understood what she meant by "bridge." "Is it because of Oliver?" She furrowed her brow, placing her hands on my wrists.
"What does he have to do with this?" She tried to pull away, but I didn't let her.
"Because he tried with others. Because he broke your heart."
"It's just..." She didn't continue. "I think if you only stay with me, you might long to experience with others. I think you might get bored with what happens between us and the dates. I understand this is your first time with me."
"Wait, wait," I said softly, smiling as I looked into her eyes and at all the words coming out of her mouth. "Forget about the first time, the first woman I let into my intimacy, my sanctuary. I just want you to know right now that I want those six dates with you. And on that sixth date, we'll talk about us. Not to tell you that I want to experience with others." She pressed her lips together. "I know what I want, Lilly. I know that this thing flowing between us won't disappear in just six dates." She softened her gaze. "I know." She sighed.
"So you like the idea of six dates?" she asked with a big smile.
"Yes, I love it," I admitted.
"But those six dates will be on my terms," she announced excitedly.
"Fine, but then just give me the last date." She pretended to think about it, then nodded. "Perfect." I thought it would be the cherry on top. I'd ask her to be my date for the company's annual event, and if everything went as planned in my head, I'd officially ask her to be my girlfriend.