Eating from a food truck was something Jade had not expected Jake to do, most especially at night time. She thought he’d be one of those person’s who would only eat in those swanky restaurant in town. But here he was sitting on the bonnet of his car, eating a burrito like it was his last meal on earth. Jade held her food in her hand as she peeked at Jake like she has found something amusing.Not only was she was amused by Jake eating street food, she also found the name of the food truck funny. ‘Villian’s Wagon’.What was the owner thinking when he came up with that name? She had noticed the way the truck owner had talked with Jake. She could tell that this wasn’t his first time there. She had a feeling there was a story behind it.”You don’t like it?” Jake asked when he noticed she hasn’t eaten more than a few bites from her beef burrito.”I do. It’s very nice” Jade honestly replied with a quick smile as she took another bite from her burrito.”I knew you would like it. Believe me Villain wagon sells the best street food in the whole city” Jake said enthusiastically.”Really?” Jade asked, not sure if that was true. How would he know that for sure?”Maybe the best to you, but definitely not the best in the city. I have eaten some nice food too” Jade stated. In all honesty, Jade could swear that this was the best burrito she had had in her entire life. The crispy hash brown and the flavour of the meat made the burrito taste divine. But she also thought there might be some place else in this same city where someone sold something better than this. She didn’t think Jake should be that conclusive about it.Jake could see the doubts written on her face and it made him smile.”I know it’s hard to believe, but I don’t mind proving the validity of my words” Jake said still smiling at her. Jade was perplexed. Jake was talking with so much confidence, like he was dead sure of the fact that the food truck they had just gotten their meal from the best.”How?” Jade asked out of curiosity. How was he going to prove it?”By going on a food adventure with me” He said as the side of his lips curled upward.”What?” Jade was surprised. Food adventure? What was that?”Yeah” Jake jumped to his feet. “How about I take you on a food hunt. Then you can decide if really they truly serve the best burito among all food trucks””What?” Jade couldn’t believe him. So to prove his words they were going to go round all the food trucks in the whole city at night just to eat burritos? How many burrito could they eat if they embarked on such foolish adventure? It would be dawn by the time they were through with this madness.”Come on miss Jade, I don’t want you to go home thinking I’m saying baseless things””But sir…””It’s Jake. I’m not that old and for tonight you’re my adventure partner. So lets go” He said in a happy tone. Jade didn’t get the opportunity to protest because the next minute Jake was already sitted in the driver’s seat eagerly waiting for her to join him.Jade looked at him through the windscreen, she was completely dumbfounded. What was that about him not being old? Who said he was?She looked at the time, it was damn late, and for some unknown reason this man was going to drag her across the whole city just to prove some silly point. This was childish.She should just concede that he was right. Truthfully this burrito was the best she has eaten, so if she concurred to his claims, she wouldn’t be lying right? She would only hold the belief that someone might make something better than this.Jade walked closer to the door of the passenger seat, making Jake’s smile broaden. He anticipated taking her for this so called adventure. He couldn’t believe he keeps coming up with these stupid ideas just to spend time with a woman.He could guess Phil and the rest would probably laugh him to scorn if they ever found out about all his stupid antics. He shrugged his shoulders, they didn’t matter, none of them did, as long as he was happy being around her none of them mattered.Jade stood by the door without going in, she really wanted to go home and rest. She still had work tomorrow, and most importantly she had to talk to Kevin by morning.Jade looked at Jake one more time, she could see the excitement in his eyes and it reminded her of his predicament. She remembered when he had said his life lacked something fun in it and he was in need of anything that would be fun.Was he doing this just so he could have fun? Was his life really that boring that he’d do anything just to liven it up? Even a night food hunt?Now she understood why some wealthy people sometimes committed suicide. Some people might be wealthy but their lives might lack happiness. And she was beginning to think that maybe Jake was like those people who had everything but had nothing. This was the irony of life. She had promised herself that she’d help him know what the true meaning of fun was.Maybe she should just compromise and tag along with him. This was an opportunity to help him. Jade heaved a deep breath before taking another step to the car. Her hesitation made Jake anxious, but he also didn’t want to force her into doing anything at all. If she insist on going home, he’d gladly do that. He’ll only have to create another opportunity to see her before the weekend.His nervousness grew when he saw her reach for the door. Was she going to..”Alright Mr Beau, I really hope you’re right about your food truck” Jade said as soon as she stepped into his car. A smile broke out on Jake’s face when he heard her.This was too good for him. Who was in charge of the heavens today? Whoever it was must really like him. If he could he take that being out on a treat.”I know I am” Of course he was. That was a fact he was most certain of. Villain Wagon actually did serve the best burrito in the city, because the Mexican man in charge of it, had inherited a special receipe from his mother which was a traditional secret he uses. And that was what made his burritos different, and Jake could never get enough it. He drives there to get it himself whenever he craved for it.”So how do you want to go about this little adventure of yours” Jade asked staring at him.”How about we go to the best food night stands and compare the tastes?””And how do you know which one is the best?” Jade asked back.”With google of course. You’ll check on the best food night stands serving burritos and I will take us there” He said with a grin.”So we’ll go to all of them?” Jade asked curiously. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea agreeing to such a silly plan.”Nope. I believe you’ll have to be at work by morning as I do. So why don’t we do this for the next one hour then I’ll drive you home afterwards. We’ll continue from wherever we stop tomorrow. What do you say about that?” Jake suggested. His heart was skipping beats as he waited for her answer. If she agreed, this would solve his problem of only seeing her by weekend, because he’d get to see her a few more times before Saturday.Jade contemplated it for a while. Jake has been of great help to her. If he hadn’t stepped in at the right time at the club, she probably would have fallen to the ground and earned a few mocking stares and laughters from onlookers. Sharing a few more hours of her day with him doesn’t seem like a bad idea. So far last weekend didn’t go as bad as she hoped. And it would also be an opportunity for her to learn a thing or two about the city and it’s food stalls.”Okay. But only for tonight and tomorrow” Jade stated. Jake didn’t expect that, he thought he could convince her into doing it for the whole week. He nodded his head in agreement. He had wanted it to last a few days, but it seems now he has to think of something else.Something that will let him spend a more hours with her, probably a whole day.”Let’s go then” Jade said as she whipped out her phone from her pocket to google a few night stands serving burritos, while Jake started the car and drove off.An hour later Jade was eating her sixth burrito for the night. And to be frank, none of the ones she had eaten tasted as great as the one they had eaten at Villains wagon. Her stomach was so full from eating so much. She had only taken a few bites from them except the first, but she felt so full.”So?” Jake asked impatiently. He had noticed Jade was being too stubborn in acknowledging that Villains wagon served the best burritos.”Well this doesn’t taste bad at all. if I’m to be honest it almost taste as great as that Villains whatever burritos” Jade said. Jake narrowed his eyes at her. He didn’t believe a word she said.”You’re not serious right?” Jake asked with a disbeliving look. There was no way Jade’s remark was true, he was more than sure of it.”Well, I’m being hon…””Don’t say it. I know it’s not true. My villy’s burritos taste the best. You’re not being fair by comparing this to his” Jake said matter of factly. Jade lips twitched when she saw his facial expressions. He was acting like a child waiting for his father to say a word of praise to him.”So?” He asked again.”Okay, your burrito tastes the best” Jade finally said.”I knew it” Jake cheered. Jade looked at him as he smiled like had just won a lottery. He really does have a good smile.”Don’t be so happy Mr Beau, there’s still tomorrow. Who knows what we might find” Jade said with a smile of her own, which pulled a string on Jake’s heart.”Don’t worry about that. I’m sure the result would still be the same” He said confidently.’How cocky’ She said to herself._______Jake hummed his way out of bed the next morning, it was another day to see his Jade. Last night was fun and he couldn’t wait to have a repeat of that. The drive back to her house was quiet but he had enjoyed every bit of it. He enjoyed the silence between them because he was happy as long as she was there, sitting in his car, telling him where to take turns on their way back.He had expected Jade to turndown his offer on dropping her off, but surprisingly she didn’t. She had agreed easily and had tendered a long list of thank you to him. Jake couldn’t believe he was intrigued by such mundane things.Jake was estactic about seeing her. He couldn’t believe he was enjoying the mere sight of her. He couldn’t help it, everything about her felt right. The fact that Jade wasn’t like the other girls who he had met was what intrigued him the most. His was curious to know who Jade Peterson truly was and his curiosity was growing day by day.He strolled to his grandfather’s room to check on him before leaving for work. He had scheduled a board meeting this morning. There were some discrepancies with the report he had gotten from each department yesterday and he wanted to tackle them as soon as possible.”Good morning Grandfather” Jake greeted.”Morning” Grandfather Beau greeted back without raising his gaze to Jake. He was struggling with the cuff of the sphygmomanometer as he tried checking his blood pressure. It was a routine for him.”Let me help you” Jake said as he walked closer to the single seat his grandfather was sitting. Jake took the cuff from his hands and helped placed it around his arm before turning on the automated sphygmomanometer. They both waited in silence as the machine did it’s work. Engaging grandfather in a discussion while the machine was on would interfere with the result of the sphygmomanometer.Jake frowned when he saw the readings of his grandfather blood pressure.”Grandfather you haven’t been skipping your medications are you?” Jake asked causing Grandfather Beau to vigorously shake his head in denial.”No” He firmly replied. Jake decided to do a re-check just to be sure. His grandfather’s blood pressure was a bit too high and it was risky if it remained persistent.”You’re sure?” Jake asked when he got the other result, it was still the same.”Yes. I don’t play with my health boy” Grandfather Beau told him as he rolled down his sleeves. While Jake put away the sphygmomanometer.”But your blood pressure is way too high. What have you been thinking about lately?” Jake asked. “Hope you’ve not been eating what you shouldn’t eat?” Jake eyed him suspiciously. His grandfather can be naughty at times. Just for a few moments of pleasure he’ll compromise his health.”I have not. Now stop nagging me and tell me how’s the company going?” Grandfather asked in a more serious tone.”It’s been good. Don’t bother yourself about the company. I can handle the company well , just take good care of your health” Jake told him.” Well I just want you to have enough time to yourself. You’re still young and you should enjoy your youth. You keep coming home late this days, even by weekends you’re not at home anymore. You need time to yourself, to maybe find someone to date not the usual one night stands you do every now and then” Grandfather Beau said with seriousness.”Maybe I should bring someone to help you, so you can relieve yourself from so much stress” Grandfather suggested. He knew how hectic and consuming the company can be. He had started it and had worked there for years so he knew what Jake might be going through. He was grateful to his parents who had match made a wife for him, or else he wouldn’t had the time to do so for himself. And luckily for Henry, Jake’s father, Grandfather was still running the company when he got married. But unfortunate for Jake, there was no one to share his burden except his brother who was shying away from his responsibilities.”Grandfather I’m okay. I’m not stressed, you’re the one getting stressed over nothing” Jake assured his grandfather.”I’ll be heading out. Have a meeting in an hour” Jake said looking at the time.”Hold on, have you seen or heard from Hillary lately?””No” Jake replied while his Grandfather nodded his head.”Are you really not going to tell me what you and Hillary talked about?” His gaze hardened on his grandfather.”Don’t tell me it’s nothing, because I know something is going on between you two. Something other than the reason why i hate her and want her gone” Jake added, silently telling his grandfather he dare not lie about it.Grandfather Beau looked at him silently like he was contemplating something. “I promise to tell you when everything is settled” Grandfather Beau told him. Jake wanted to insist on be told the truth, but he also knew his grandfather was a stubborn man. He’ll never get anything out of him if he doesn’t want to tell.”Grandfather, you have one week to settle whatever it is. And you’ll tell me the truth at the end of one week” Jake said as he left the room.He almost made a detour to Blake’s room but he kicked out that thought. He wanted to know what state Blake was in especially after what happened last night. They probably meet after the meeting this morning.Though Jake was busy all day, he only had one thing on his mind and that was seeing Jade. He remembered prior arrangement regarding tonight’s meet weren’t made. He didn’t know when or where he’ll pick her up.He picked up his phone and searched out Jade’s number. He nervously dialled her number. His heart was thumping as he waited for the call to be connected. He has noticed that he suddenly becomes nervous and his heart beat like crazy whenever Jade was involved.After a few rings Jade finally picked up.”Good day Mr Beau” Jade greeted. Jake smiled when her voice came through the phone.”Good day miss Jade. Hope you’re having a great day?” Jake asked still smiling to himself.”Yes, thank you” There was a small pause before Jade’s voice came again.”What about you?” She asked with her soft voice.”Me? If I’m having a great day?” Jake was surprised when she asked. He thought she’ll probably say something else.”Yes””Well I wasn’t, but now I am” He said causually, but there were so many meanings buried in those words.”Are you calling about tonight?” Jade asked. She was sure that was why he had called.”Yes, sorry if I’m disturbing you at the moment” Jake apologized.”No, you’re not. It’s lunch time” Jade quickly explained.”Oh, that’s true” Jake had completely forgot about having lunch. There were still so much to be done, that he barely had enough time to spare for lunch. “I didn’t get to ask you when you’ll be free tonight”Jade fell quiet for a while, her face was scrunched up as she thought about it. Should she go home first? Or maybe meet him immediately after work that way she’ll go home on time. She had returned home really late last night.”I’ll be ready after work” She said. It was best if she met him after work. Jake’s smile widened when he got her reply.”Okay. I’ll pick you up””There will be no need for that. Just text me where I’ll meet up” Jade hastily replied.”Miss Jade, I’m sorry I can’t let you do that. After all we don’t have a fixed location in mind. How about I pick you up then you can pick our first stop” Jade didn’t know what to say to refute him. He always has a way of making her do whatever he says. His words were irrebutable.”Mr Be..””I’ll see you later miss Jade. Remember not to eat too much. We have a lot to try out later” He said with smile and somehow Jade could tell he was smiling at the moment.Jade removed the phone from her ear, and she stared at it. There was something about Jake that she didn’t understand. The man was an enigma.The person who all the blogs talked about and the person she had seen at the club and the person she has been spending a few hours of her time with were completely different. It was almost as if, he was a regular guy who you’ll meet and would probably like. He didn’t act like the playboy people painted him to be, but somehow looked like a someone who just wanted to be happy, and experience all the fun filled things life has to offer.Not once has he made her uncomfortable by mentioning what had happened between them. And she has noticed that he no longer looked at her the way that made her uncomfortable. Not that she was beginning to feel relaxed around him, but she just felt things were beginning to feel different.’Maybe he wasn’t trying to sleep with her as she earlier thought.. But what if this were all his ploy to make her feel comfortable around him, and then he’d make a move of her?’ Jade thought.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 54
