Magda sighed softly and made up her mind to attract hatred and rejection to herself, that's the only way she can achieve the aim. She has to do it, to earn hatred and spare her future father-in-law's life and reputation.
In New Jersey, Patrick Connor arrived at the eatery, shortly after Jessica joined him. Like nothing happened between them, they said hi and sat down.
Jessica glanced at him, he had this calm look that attracted her. Unlike Adrian he doesn't look intimidating at all. Rather than intimidating, he was attractive to her.
“Our friends will soon be here” Patrick informed stylishly. He hadn't told her that Adrian and Aurora would be joining them. So he chipped it in, so she would know ahead.
“Friends, which friends?” Jessica demanded. She can't remember having friends yet in New Jersey. Besides having a crush on Adrian, she'd not gotten into any friendship with anyone in New Jersey.
“Yes, I meant to say Adrian and Aurora” he informed,his breath in his throat. He was already envisaging her disapproval of it.
“I don't want to see those duo. I'll leave already” Jessica seethed, standing up but Patrick held her by the wrist and Jessica suddenly went calm, she felt a chemistry evolved between them.
Patrick gently let go her hands and Jessica's chin flushed with redness. She didn't go away like she wanted but took her seat, blushing and avoiding to meet his gaze.
Just then the couple arrived. Their presence readily diffuses the tension between the one time bed mates.
Adrian pulled out a seat for Aurora. An act that made the couple appear deeply in love and had respect for each other. Jessica envied Aurora.
That should have been her, being treated with dignity by Adrian. But he'd chosen her before and now, he chose her again. She's stupid to ever think he would be attracted to her.
“Hi Jessica,” Aurora chimed. She's the reason why this unceremonious lunch had to take place. Adrian wants her to apologise, and that's what she'd actually come to do.
“Hi Miss Blake. It's nice meeting you again” Jessica forced a smile. How couldn't Patrick not tell her earlier? This is too sudden and unexpected. She's not mentally prepared to meet the duo.
Adrian reached out for Jessica's hand, the latter pulled it away before he could hold her, smiling broadly. She made it casual in such a way that Adrian himself chuckled
“Jessica, you were something else yesterday. Your aggrieved attitude had a touch of vinegar baby” Adrian teased.
“I think it's fascinating to see you in love with a woman. You're such a sweet dude when you express love” Jessica replied, wearing a grin.
Patrick has this poker face on. Jessica is feeling hurt but holding back. Adrian has always had women who fall for him. He doesn't understand if his wealth attracted them or his handsomeness.
“Thank you” Adrian appreciated but this time, his face was void of a smile. He fixed his gaze on Jessica for a while before turning to glance at Aurora.
“Enjoy your meal, my love” He said and started picking dishes for her. Patrick glanced at Jessica and saw her eyes turned reddened.
Adrian was flaunting his love before her. He knows he's offended by Jessica's words and intends to make her feel unhappy the more.
But it's difficult for Jessica to accept the act. It's making her feel terrible and unworthy. He glanced at her again and saw her stiffened.
He glanced at Aurora and the latter locked eyes with him and shrugged. She pouted her lips. Adrian is something else.
“Why don't you get a job in New Jersey and settle here?” Aurora asked, obviously directing her question to Jessica. She knows how embarrassed Adrian has made her feel.
With a forced smile, Jessica shook her head “I don't think it's going to be a good idea. I'm not doing badly though but most importantly, I can't get a job here and start from a low position…” Jessica replied.
Settle in New Jersey and get to see Adrian almost every day? She wouldn't be interested in ruining her mental health. She doesn't want to seek refuge in a mental home.
“I don't think that would be the case if Adrian or Patrick hired you. You can begin here, start life afresh Jess” Aurora advised.
There are better chances and opportunities for her in New Jersey than the suburbs where she lives with her mother. Adrian told her about where they lived and how they got to know each other.
“Aurora is right Jess. There's a vacancy in the Lester's conglomerate. I'll ask Patrick to offer you that position. It's a competitive one, you'll have to take it before someone else does.
Patrick placed his cutlery down and asked “Patrick is here. Just ask him already” he teased and others either smiled or chuckled.
“Oh, it's fine then. Would you please fix Jessica in one of the managerial departments? I'll give her a brief training and you'll be ready to answer her questions…” Adrian requested.
He'd always wanted her to step out of that environment. Let her imbibe the lifestyle of the people in the city. She can also find a responsible man to fall in love with.
“You want me to offer her a managerial position because she's your friend or because she's qualified and can successfully fit into that position?” Patrick asked, wondering if Jessica can cope.
“Can you just act romantic for once? There are ladies here” Adrian scolded. He expected him to do or say things that would impress Jessica and see him as a gentleman.
“You know that romance hasn't been part of my life for a long time, right?” Patrick snapped at him. Friendship has its place and business has its own place too.
But bringing the two together in order to favour someone might have an adverse effect on both their friendship and business if things didn't go well as expected.
Jessica and Aurora were quiet while the brothers discussed. Jessica took a glass of wine to her lips when Adrian blurted out something vulgar.
“Yeah, I must have forgotten that you don't know how to fuck a woman. I'm sure your dick is now shrunk” Adrian mocked and chuckled.
Jessica froze and the wine she sipped choked and she started coughing. The wine spilled on her dress and Aurora had to quickly offer her a tissue to clean her teary eyes.
Patrick couldn't retort back at Adrian as Jessica choked. He just stared at her as Aurora attended to her. He knows why she choked. This moron brother of his made her choke because of his senseless words.
“You're a senseless guy Adrian” Patrick scolded and gave him a terrible stare. Quickly he ordered a dress and asked Jessica her size.
“This is all your fault, Adrian” Aurora reprimanded him. How can he say such words before another woman who is not married?
Who knows maybe Jessica was still a virgin. She hadn't really done it before and hearing such vulgar words, it would make her blush until she choked.
“I'm sorry Jessica. I didn't know it might affect you. This brother of mine hadn't gotten a girlfriend in a long time and his dick might have lost its usefulness” Adrian apologised, still teasing Patrick.
“You know I fuck better than you, idiot” Patrick snapped at him and the two women started laughing. Such crazy guys they've got amongst them.
“Jessica, let's go to the restroom. These two men are ready for lousy talk” Aurora said, deliberately wanting to excuse the two of them while Jess cleans up herself.
“I'll have the dress delivered to you when it arrives” Patrick offered and Jessica nodded. She was impressed at how prompt he ordered her dress and kept staring at her dotingly.
Only once he said sorry,but his eyes said it all too loud and sincerely. She wondered if besides being a perfect guy in bed he was also caring.
As soon as the two women stood up, Patrick turned and glared at Adrian “I started to fuck long before you did and you know I'm better than you in bed”
Can he explain why he was mad at him for being Aurora's friend? He thinks if he fucks her, she'll never come back to him again.
“You'll be talking about a prowess that has long slacked out. Just tell me, when last you had a good fuck?” Adrian mocked, and started laughing.
“You really want to know, Adrian?” Patrick demanded, fisting his palm.