Jade was amused by Jake’s idea. She didn’t know how he could think of something like that. ‘Fishing?’ Was he being serious?Did he mention he had seen this online?”So what else did your online research tell you to do?” Jade asked amidst laughter. She still couldn’t stop herself from laughing.”I’ll tell you only if you stop laughing” Jake was feeling embarrassed seeing her laughing like that, but he wouldn’t lie that he didn’t like it, because he did. This was the first time Jade was letting herself loose and laughing so freely in front of him. There was a way she laughed that revealed a bit of her perfect and beautiful dentition. Her eyes slowly closed up a bit as she laughed so beautifully, and Jake was completely enthralled by it.”Okay, I’ll stop now” Jade said stiffling her laugh. She took a deep breath to calm her excited self down.”So tell me what else did your research yield?” She asked again, her face was back to normal, but Jake could still her facial muscles twitch in excitement, making him sigh in his mind. His eyes were fixed at her as he watched her every reaction.God! there was something about her that made his heart leap with excitement.Jake picked up his phone and opened to his Word documents and started reading, “So it said, we could go on a little adventure, visit tourism sites, share a meal, play outdoor games, sing at the karaoke, and go fishing” Jake said as he counted with his fingers, with a smile permanently etched on his face.Jade was silent as she heard him speak. The things he said sounded private, more like things couples would do. Didn’t Jake know that?”So what do you think? There are some fun stuff right?” He said with a cherry smile reaching his eyes. Jade could see the excitement dancing in his eyes as he waited for her reply.For someone like Jake who was not just rich, but also famous and intelligent, with a huge conglomerate hanging over his neck, Jade felt the man was just too simple, just like every other guy out there.She has come to see there was a childish part to this great man that controlled and provided for thousands of workers. His excitement as he talked about doing this things with her, was just the way a child would be happy when he/she was promised a visit to the park.This Jake…this happy and ordinary looking Jake seemed like a whole different person from the one she met months ago.”Yeah, it’s good” Jade said with a nod.”So you’ll go with me right?” He asked expectantly.Jade didn’t have the heart to say no. And it was silly of Jake to ask for her opinion now. Why didn’t he ask her, while they were still at her place or over the phone.”Since we’re already here I might as well go” She shrugged.”But..” Jade’s speech slurred. She looked down at her dress and her face fell. This was going to be a problem.She had decided to wear a dress because she had thought they would go about their normal indoor outing as usual, but unfortunately it wasn’t so. And now wasn’t wearing something appropriate for their outing.”But what?” Jake asked in a soft voice, he was slightly feeling nervous when he observed the contemplative look on her face. She wasn’t going to turn him down right?”I’m not wearing something suitable for fishing” Jade mentioned in a dull tone. “You should have told me earlier” Jade said with a small sad pout.That was it? It was just because of that? He looked at her dress and he realized it wasn’t truly appropriate for fishing. It was still morning and he was sure it would be cold by the lake side. She’d definitely catch a cold if she went dressed like that.”That can easily be handled” He told her. Of course, this was just a minor issue. There was a mall right in front of them, so all they had to do was get something appropriate for her to wear, and then the problem would be completely solved.”Come on” Jake said as he opened his side of the door to step out.”Huh?” Jade was confused.”Get down” Jake ordered gently.”Why? Where are we going?” Jade asked in confusion as she stared at Jake who was already standing by the door.He bent down to look at her, “To solve your dress problem” He said with a vibrant smile. Jade stared at him in confusion, as she blinked her eyes. How were they going to solve the problem?”Come on” Jake said before closing the door. He urged Jade to step out, when she remained sitted and continued to stare at him in stupefaction through the windshield.Jake started to walk ahead because he knew she’ll continue to sit there and stare at him, this way she’ll be compelled to join him.Jake smiled when he heard the sound of the unlocked door. It seems he was beginning to understand just how her mind worked.Jade had no choice but to join him. As soon as she stepped out, Jake turned and locked the door with the key. He stood and signalled Jade to hurry up.They walked into the mall with Jade tailing behind him. She had an inkling on what he wanted to do, he was going to buy her clothes.She paused because the next minute Jake had stopped in front a female clothing shop. Jade knew this was what he meant he said they were going to solve her clothing problem. But standing right in front of the shop, she couldn’t take a step further.She wouldn’t feel comfortable with Jake buying her clothes. She couldn’t allow that. They weren’t that close yet, so she can’t accept such things from him.”What?” Jake turned to look at her when he noticed she was no longer walking behind him, so he walked closer to her.”What’s wrong?” He asked curiously.”I can’t let you buy me clothes” Jade blurted out. “Maybe we can do something else today and then go fishing some other time” Jade suggested.Jake looked at her, he totally understood her reservations. She had only agreed to be his friend last night, and to her this might be too sudden. Jake also knew he was probably moving too fast, and knowing the kind of person Jade was, he knew she wouldn’t be comfortable with this, but he doesn’t mind. Buying a dress or two, or even the whole shop was nothing to him, but he also wanted to show her how much he values their new found friendship. And to him this was just a little way of showing it.”Jade I know how you feel about this, belive me I do. But please don’t feel burdened by this. See it is my way of saying thank you for forgiving me, and also for agreeing to be my friend. But if that isn’t still enough then you do something for me in return” Jake said, making Jade’s eyes shoot up to him.’Do something in return? Something like what?’ Jake saw the questions in her eyes and he immediately opened his mouth to continue.”Whatever you’re comfortable with. You could prepare something for me like….food” He said as he stormed his brain to come up with something good.”Oh, Or maybe you can teach me how to cook or draw designs ,anything you’re good at” He said rushing up his words so Jade wouldn’t get the wrong idea.Jade simply kept her gaze on him as he kept babbling.Why does he always say stupid things? She asked herself. ‘Gaming, fishing, now cooking and designing…how does he even come up with all this ideas? Even Kevin can do better than this’ She said in her head.”Mr…Jake” Jade bit her bottom lip when she realized how she had addressed him. “Sorry I mean Jake, it’s okay. I’ll take the clothes” She knew she had to stop or might continue spewing out more nonsense. Who knows what he might say next.Jake’s lips broke into a smile. “Thank you” He said happily. He didn’t know what he would have said to convince her. “Let’s go” Jake led them into the shop. One look at the shop, Jade could tell it was a high hand store, that sold only branded clothes. ‘It must be expensive here’ Jade thought.Jade walked up to Jake who was already talking to one of the sales staff in the shop. She had only taken a step when her eyes fell on some of the female staffs who were giggling and smiling sheepishly, as they kept gawking in a particular direction.Jade’s curiosity got the greater hold of her, and she followed their line of sight. Her lips twitched when she realized they were oogling at Jake. Jade also found herself staring at Jake too. From the point where he stood under the lightings of the shop, Jade had to say that indeed Jake was as handsome as a demi-god. She smiled when she heard the girls giggling shamelessly.She couldn’t blame them. It was God who decided to bless him with such handsomeness. Maybe he should start walking about with a sunglasses.If she was his girlfriend, she’d probably buy him a mask.’Jade Peterson’ Jade screamed in her head. Why has she being thinking about Jake’s beauty recently?Jake’s eyes has been fixed on Jade since the moment she walked out of the changing room. The blue turtled-neck sweat shirt which she had changed into matched her sea blue eyes, and it made her look even more beautiful. Her curvy butt was made prominent in the back jean trouser she wore.She really shouldn’t wear those free sun-dresses anymore. He thought to himself.Now he knows what his eyes has been missing since Jade stepped out of her house this morning..it was her curves.”How is it?” Jade asked as she stood right in front of him. She couldn’t believe she was wearing such an expensive clothes. The price of the jean was preposterous and no matter how she had protested over not buying it, Jake had insisted and finally she gave in. She realized she couldn’t win over him.”Beautiful” Jake said truthfully. Indeed she was looking beautiful, and he was struggling to take his eyes off her.He has often questioned himself why she wasn’t a model. If she was, he wouldn’t mind starting up a company where she could model for him. He felt like her package shouldn’t be hidden behind some desk at her office, but rather they should be showcased for the world to see.”Just one more thing” Jake said as she picked up a black jacket he had picked up from the clothe line, before walking closer to her.”This should make you warm” He said putting the jacket behind her.Jade raised her head to look up at him, and he arched a brow at her, silently asking her to slip her hand into it.Jade lowered her eyes and slowly put her hand into the hand hole with Jake helping her. They were both standing so close and Jade could feel the heat emanating from Jake’s body.His breath was so close to her ears as he leaned his head backwards to guide her hand into the shirt. Jade didn’t know why he was doing it, he could have easily passed it to her.Her heart slowly began to thump hard against her chest and suddenly a memory flashed in her head. It was the memory of that night, when Jake had also been this close and he had snaked his hand around her waist. The thought of it made her breath hitch and she took a step back from Jake.”Let me” Jade said as she hurriedly helped herself with the Jacket. Her head was running wild from the sudden sensation that surge that through her body. This was the closest they have been since, you- know- when.Jake cocked a brow when he noticed the way she was acting. She was suddenly looking away and avoiding his gaze. He decided not to bother himself about it, probably she didn’t like being too close to him. Jake thought to himself. He didn’t think much of what he had done, because to him he was trying to help a friend.He walked to the counter where he paid the bills before leaving with Jade.They got into the car and Jake immediately zoomed off. He drove really fast making Jade a little nauseous, but she didn’t show it, because her head was still thinking about how close she and Jake had been at the boutique. She didn’t want to think too much about it, because that was something Lair would do right? She always think too deep about his actions. Jake was a novice in the female friend department. She said to herself.She was lost in thought she didn’t even notice when they arrived their destination. Jake turned off the ignition and turned to look at her.”What’s wrong?” Came his voice, startling Jade, who has been thinking about God knows what.”What?” Jade asked back. She wasn’t expecting a question from him.”You’ve been so lost in thought. Anything the matter?” Jake asked with concern. They were just cool a while ago, but now it was if they were back to their old days, when she totally ignored him and always looked like she’d rather be anywhere else than with him.”Nothing” Jade said, but Jake wasn’t convinced. He just kept looking at her for and Jade was equally staring back. Jake knew there was something on her mind but he didn’t want to push it. He was just getting close to her, and he wouldn’t want to ruin things. If she said nothing, then it was nothing.Jake finally looked away, when it seemed he also was getting lost just by staring at her. “Alright, let’s go. We’re here” He informed her. It was at this point that Jade finally realized that Jake had stopped the car and they were parked in front of a old cabin, with a lake in view. It was a lakehouse. Jake stepped out of the car and Jade did too.Jade stood in awe of the scenery before her. The cabin looked a bit old with white paint almost covering the whole of it, but it still held its beauty and glory. Jade gazed at the beautiful and well manicured plants and trees that were surrounding it. Looking at it, she knew the place was well maintained. Her eyes fell on the lake that was lying just right ahead, behind some tall beautiful trees, the green grass on the ground looked so green. A thick mist was hovering above the lake. The air was cold, now she fully understood why Jake had gotten her the Jacket, and had insisted she got a sweat shirt. He was indeed thoughtful.”Where’s this place?” Jade asked as she turned to Jake with curiosity lingering in her eyes.”It’s one of my favorite places. My dad owns it” He told her. His eyes focused on the cabin that was just in front of them. “I used to come up here with him to fish while I was younger” His voice was normal, but Jade could feel the pain and sadness behind his every word.”Come on let’s go” He said walking ahead with the bags which he carried in hand, and Jade trailing behind.Jake started to set up by the lake side, and soon they were both sitted and they started fishing. Jake helped Jade with her reel everytime it appeared to have hooked in a fish, but to her dismay, she couldn’t get one.”It seems you’re here to feed the fishes, and not to catch them” Jake said in a jocular manner as he looked at the pail of minnows that they were supposed to use as bait. It was almost gone. Jade turned to him with a mock glare, she sighed with a angry pout. He was mocking her.”You know what, I give up” She said throwing the reel, on the ground. She folded her arm across her chest as she glared at the fishes Jake had caught with stink eye.Jake bellowed out in laughter. Her expression was epic, and he loved it.”It’s not my fault” Jake said amidst laughter.”Don’t laugh, it’s all your fault. You know it’s my first time and you gave me a jinxed reel” Jade eyed him again before hissing angrily. How could he bring here and she couldn’t catch one fish?This was so unfair!
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 70
