Chapter 11
One week later was Rose’s day off so she was thinking in do something special with Mia. It was also a holiday so Mia didn’t had school. They were both at home, Mia was playing with her dolls and Rose was watching some pictures of her when Mia was younger when her cell phone rang. She saw Jack’s number and smiled.
“Hello…” she said
“Hello…how are you?” he asked
“Fine! What about you?” she replied
“Couldn’t be better…look I’m calling because I have nothing to do today and I was wondering if I could take Mia to the cinema…”
“Wait I’ll ask her…” Rose said “Mia…Jack is asking if you want to go with him to the cinema?”
“Yes…yes…” Mia happily said
“She wants to go…but today is my day off and I guess I’ll stay home alone while you and my daughter have fun…” Rose said to Jack
“We can go together…the 3 of us…I’m sure it we’ll spend a good time…”
“Yes we think it too…”
“What time can I go pick you?”
“At 2 pm…then later you can have dinner here like I promised remember?”
“Okay…see you later then…”
“See you…”
Rose turned the phone off. She was so happy.
“Mia we have to hurry…we’re going to cinema with Jack…”
“Yes mommy…can I choose my clothes?”
“Yes you can…now go take your shower and then I’ll go take mine…hurry up miss…”
Mia went to the bathroom and Linda arrived.
“Oh what a day! I’m so bored!” Linda said
“Wanna come with us?” Rose asked
“Where?”
“I’m going to the cinema with Jack and Mia…” Rose said
“With Jack! He invited you?” Linda asked
“No…actually he invited Mia…” Rose said laughing
“Don’t play with me…he invited your 6 year old daughter instead of you? I know the trick…he invites the daughter to get the mother…”
“Seriously…he called me to ask permission to take her…”
“Beware or she’s going to get him before you do…if you keep playing hard that way you’ll see…” Linda said teasing Rose
“He broke up with his girlfriend…”
“Now he’s available…I don’t see what’s your problem…go and get your man girl…”
“You think is that simple…”
“It is that simple…just tell him you like him…and go with the flow…”
Mia finished her shower and then Rose went to hers. Later then Jack arrived. He knocked and Linda opened the door.
“Hey Linda…are the girls ready?” Jack asked
“I’ll go check it…I’ll be right back...” she said
Linda went to Rose’s room and Jack stayed in the living room waiting for them. When Rose was ready she came with Linda and Mia to the living room. Mia run to Jack and kissing and hugging him.
“I’m going to be jealous…” Rose said
“For who?” Linda asked
Jack looked at them and smiled.
“You look nice…” he said to Rose
“Thanks…” she replied
Linda looked and Mia and blinked at her. Rose saw but didn’t understand what was going on.
“Uncle Jack…I have a bad new to tell you…” Mia said
“What is it?” Jack asked
“I can’t go with you and mommy…I’m staying at home with Linda playing monopoly…” Mia said
Rose looked at Linda. She finally understood what that blink meant. Mia and Linda had an arrangement to send her alone with Jack.
“Mia what’s gotten to you?” Rose asked
“I think you should go with Uncle Jack…I don’t mind if I don’t go…I prefer to stay at home with Linda…”
“Well let’s go then or we’ll miss the movie…” Jack said
“But…Mia…” Rose insisted
“We’ll be fine…” Linda said smiling
Jack opened the door; Rose didn’t had another choice than going alone with him. Of course she liked the idea but she didn’t wanted to show it, so she did all that theatre. Mia kissed them goodbye and then they left.
“So which movie are we going to see?” Rose asked
“I don’t know…I planned to go see “Finding Nemo” with Mia but since she’s not coming…I don’t know if you want we can go see it…” Jack answered
“Actually…I don’t feel like going to the cinema today…I’d rather go anywhere else…” Rose said
“Okay we can go wherever you want…” he said
“Let’s go to that place where you took me that night…” she said
Jack drove to the same place they went on the night he saved her. When they arrived Rose exited the car first and went to see the view. A few minutes later Jack joined her.
“You liked this place, didn’t you?” he asked
“I did…it just makes me feel different…a feeling of freedom that I can’t explain…” she said
“I used to come here when I was a kid…this was like my secret place…I never brought anybody here…unless you…” he said
She walked around and then sat on the grass. He sat next to her.
“I never had a secret place…I never had what other kids had…I quickly passed from child to adult…I didn’t had the teenage years to do what teenagers do…you know…those crazy things like escape from home at night, go to the beach with friends, get drunk, a full hand of boyfriends or more…” she said sadly
“It’s never too late to do what we wanna do…you’re still very young…you have a plenty of time to do it all…” he said
“What did you wanted to be when you were young?” she asked smiling
“Me…well…I…I wanted to be an actor…” he answered a bit embarrassed
“An actor! I could never guess…” she said laughing
“What about you?” he asked
“I wanted to be a doctor…neurologist…” she said
“Uau…that’s amazing…I never knew a person who wanted to be a neurologist…my sister is in medical school but she wants to be a paediatrician… “ he said amazed
“Unfortunately I couldn’t follow my dream…I never finished high school…” she said sadly
“It’s never too late to finish it…I’m thinking in going back to college…I let it on the first year because my father needed help in the office…”
“If you ever come back to college I promise I’ll finish high school…” Rose said
“Deal…” he said
She laid back down to watch the sky. It was a beautiful day, the sky was blue and there wasn’t a single cloud.
Jack did the same. They stayed in silence just listening to the birds singing. Rose turned around and started playing with the grass.
“I feel like I’m 15 again…” she said smiling
“Why?” Jack asked
“I don’t know…for a moment I forgot about the entire world, responsibilities, work…”
He turned around to stay in the same position she was.
“I used to come here when I was younger, just to leave my parents searching for me…swim on the lake…or just to think…it’s a relaxing place…that’s why I brought you here that night…” he said remembering old days
Rose turned around again and stayed looking at the sky.
“It’s a magical place…” she said
He approached his face to hers trying to kiss her but she raised before he could even touch her.
“Catch me if you can…” she yelled and started running
He smiled and raised up too and then started running after her. When he almost caught she slipped and they both fell on the grass again, one next to the other. They couldn’t stop laughing.
“You just caught me because I slipped…” Rose said breathless
“I would catch you anyway…” Jack replied
“Let’s play 20 questions…” Rose suggested
“Alright…you start…” Jack said
“What’s your favourite movie?” she asked
“That’s a tough one…I have many…but I like Spielberg movies for example…” he answered
“Do you like love movies?” she asked
“Well…yes…generally I would say I like them…”
“You like them with happy or sad ending?”
“That’s relative…it depends on the story…I like with good stories…”
“Favourite actor and actress…”
“Well…actors I like Sean Connery, Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro…actresses I like Meg Ryan very much…”
“How old were you when you gave your first kiss?”
“God! The things you ask…do you think I remember that?” he said laughing
“Well I do remember mine…there are some things we never forget…” she said surprised
“I agree but when they are bad you want to forget…mine was a disaster…”
“So you do remember…”
“Yes…I was 14 and she was 12…the most disgusting thing in my life…I hope she had learned how to do it now…” he said laughing
“It’s not a matter of learning…the practice is important…but you seem to have much practice in the business…”
“You don’t?” he asked
She blushed and felt embarrassed.
“I believe that’s not a question for a boy to ask a girl…” she said trying to change the conversation
“You started this…it wasn’t me…” he replied
“Okay…so let’s change our conversation…” she said
He kissed her when she wasn’t expecting it. When the kiss finished they looked at the sky; it was almost sunset.
“I think we should go…it’s getting late…” Rose said
“No…just a little more…” he said kissing her neck
“Seriously Mr Dawson…I still have to make dinner for us remember?” she said laughing
“Can’t wait to taste it…” he said kissing her
Back at home was Linda and Mia. They were playing monopoly like Linda had promised to Mia.
“Linda…” Mia said
“Yes darling…” Linda said
“Do you like Jack?”
“Why that question now?” Linda asked surprised
“Because I like him…he’s funny and makes me laugh…and he likes mommy too…I want him to be my daddy… mommy said that I could choose a daddy so I’ll choose him…”
Linda was speechless.
“Do you know what? I think it won’t take too long until he turns to be your daddy…” Linda said
They heard a noise. It was Jack and Rose arriving home. Rose opened the door and entered first followed by Jack who closed the door. Mia run to hug Jack and her mother.
“So how was the movie?” Linda asked
“Nice…” Rose answered her “Honey did you behaved?” she asked Mia
“Yes I did…” Mia said “Jack do you want to play with me?” she asked Jack
“I’d love to but I promised your mom that I would help her with dinner…” he said
“Don’t worry…I’ll help Rose…you can stay here with Mia…you’re the guest…we could never let you cook for us…” Linda said
“Let’s go then…” Rose said
Linda and Rose went to the kitchen while Jack stayed with Mia watching TV.
“So how was your date?” Linda asked Rose in the kitchen
“It wasn’t a date…well it was something like that…I don’t know…we just took the time to know more about each other…” Rose said
“Is there anything I need to know?” Linda asked
“No! Why?” Is there anything I should tell you?” Rose asked
“Of course! I’m your best friend…if it wasn’t for me staying with Mia I’m sure it wouldn’t be the same…” Linda said offended
“I don’t have anything new to tell you…” Rose said opening the fridge
“At least have you kissed him?” Linda asked a bit loud
“Shut up! He can hear us…” Rose said
“A simple yes or no…” Linda insisted
“Okay…yes…” Rose finally said
“Oh my God! Is there anything official or is just a flirt?” Linda asked
“Official? Just because I kissed him doesn’t mean we’re gonna get married…” Rose said drinking some water
“At least not now…” Jack said entering the kitchen
Linda started laughing. Rose spitted most of the water she had drunk. Jack laughed of the situation.
“You were there?” Rose asked him blushing
“I was coming in…to tell you that I’m going outside with Mia to play basketball…while the dinner isn’t ready…”
“Okay go…I call when dinner is ready…” Rose said hiding her embarrassed face
Jack left with Mia.
“You know very well I can’t have anything serious…with nobody…” Rose angrily said to Linda
“At least you could try…forgetting the past…starting a new life…” Linda said
“What you’re asking me is impossible…specially now…that my father is here…”
“Here? What do you mean here?” Linda asked nervous
“He’s Jack’s father partner…he owns some actions of the company…see…he’s so close…that’s why I left the party earlier than I was expecting…he can’t know I’m here…it would be my end…” Rose explained
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet…but first I have to be sure that Mia is safe…and that he doesn’t find us here…”
“Are you thinking in escaping again?”
“I can’t spend the rest of my life running away…” Rose yelled
“But you know what happens if they find you…”
“Of course I know…that’s why I can’t and I don’t want to have nothing with Jack…it wouldn’t be fair with him…”
“So tell him the truth…”
“I can’t…it would be too risky…what if he goes talk to my father?”
“He wouldn’t do that…and he’s a person that could help you…what have you told him?”
“The truth…I just omitted some parts of the story…”
“Which parts?”
“About me being married…and the fact that my father and my husband are coming after me to take my daughter away from me…the rest he knows…”
“Did your father saw you in the party?”
“No…I left as soon as I knew he was there…but Jack’s father knows I’m his daughter…so it won’t take too long until he finds me here…”
“So you gotta tell Jack…I’m sure he’ll understand…”
“I don’t know…what if he leaves me because I’m married?”
“So you really like him…or you wouldn’t bother to tell him…”
“I do…like I never liked anyone before…that’s why I want to spare him of all this mess and the pain this can bring to him…he broke with his girlfriend…because of me…I have to sent him back to her…it’s not fair for him, she can make him happy…”
“Rose…if you want to do something you gotta do it now…he likes you…and he is going to do anything to be with you…if nothing serious happened yet you better get out before it’s too late…” Linda advised.
“Tonight…I’ll end all…actually there’s nothing to end…but I’ll talk to him…” Rose promised.