Author's POV
Elizabeth Rodgers glanced up as her private detectives laid their investigation reports about Jake on her desk.It was pretty fast but Elizabeth was always their VIP client and first priority.
Detective Murphy cleared his throat, “Mrs. Rodgers, we’ve dug deep into Jake’s past. The kid’s got a humble background. Born and brought up away in a hill town, tucked away from the mainland, mother died at childbirth,father was alcoholic and abusive. He worked his way up in showbiz with no connections or godfather to speak of. It’s pretty impressive, really.”
Elizabeth’s expression darkened. The thought of her daughter associating with someone from such a low-class background made her blood boil. “Humble background? Is that supposed to impress me? I don’t want my daughter anywhere near someone like him.”
Detective Hardy shifted nervously, exchanging a glance with Murphy. “Well, there is one interesting detail we found.Its quite surprising.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued despite herself. “Go on.”
“Jake’s father received a significant sum of money once in his lifetime. And it came from... your husband.Does Mr.Cole have any connections to the hills? ”
Elizabeth’s face drained of color. “What are you talking about?" She shook her head. " Connections at the hills?” She murmured, " Not that I know of! ”
Murphy nodded. “It’s true. But we don’t have any more information about the transaction. That’s all we could find.We deeply regret not being able to provide more information about it, Mrs.Rodgers.Please pardon us. ”
Elizabeth stared at them, her mind racing. “You’re dismissed.”
The detectives quickly gathered their things and left the room, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts. She couldn’t believe it.
Her husband had given Jake’s father a large sum of money? What could it mean?
" You silly old man! ” Elizabeth gritted through her teeth. "I need to find out what this moroon has been cooking behind my back! ”
Determined to get to the bottom of this, she decided to call Jake and see how her husband reacted. She picked up her phone and dialed her daughter’s number.
“Hi, ,” came the uninterested voice on the other end.
“Hello, darling. I was thinking, why don’t you invite Jake over for dinner tonight? I’d love to meet him properly.The last time wasn't that peaceful.”
Mercy almost fell on the other side. There was a pause. “Uh, sure. That’s... unexpected. But okay, I’ll ask him.I hope this is just a dinner and you are not planning to cause any ruckus. He is just a colleague to be clear. I don't want to drag him into any unwanted fiasco.He already got his own sets of problems.”
Elizabeth forced a smile, though her daughter couldn’t see it. “It's just a dinner,darling.Your brothers are in town, so is your dad. What better way to bond as a family.Jake will just be an addition. See you tonight!"
She hung up, her mind working towards her next step.
That evening, Elizabeth was in the kitchen, overlooking the preparations for dinner herself. The kids hadn't arrived but Mr.Cole did. He walked in, looking puzzled.
“Liz, what’s going on? You are in the kitchen? ”
She turned to him, masking her agitation with a smile. “We’re having a guest for dinner. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.”
He raised an eyebrow. “A guest? Who?”
Before she could answer, the doorbell rang. Elizabeth wiped her hands and elegantly walked to the door, answering it herself. Everyone was stunned. Even the butlers and the maids. She opened it to find her daughter standing there with Jake.
“Hi Mom” Mercy said nervously. “This is Jake.”Turning to Jake she repeated, " Jake, this is my mother! ”
Jake extended his hand, a charming smile on his face. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Rodgers.”
Elizabeth shook his hand, her smile tight. “Nice to meet you too, Jake. Come in, dinner is ready.”
Phill and Percy joined moments later.
Elizabeth led Jake and Mercy into the dining room, her mind still buzzing.She had to play her cards right.
The opulent chandeliers, a long mahogany table set with the finest china all exhumed an air of old money elegance.
Phill and Percy were already seated, casually chatting. Both men, impeccably dressed.Percy leaned back in his chair, giving Jake a once-over. “So, you’re the one causing all this fuss.”
" Welcome our guest, boys. This is Jake! ” Elizabeth chirped as he held Jake by his shoulders.
Phill sighed, fidgeting with his fingers, trying to keep his head low. He couldn't stand the sight of Jake in front of him but he didn't want to cause any trouble in front of his family.
Jake chuckled, though he seemed a bit on edge. “I didn’t realize I was causing any trouble. Just here for dinner because Mercy insisted. I also wanted to apologize for my behavior at the party in person .”
Mr. Cole, who had been silent, finally spoke. “Welcome, Jake. I hope you’ll enjoy the evening.Forget about the party. It's all in the past. If my wife invited you, it means she already forgave you. Which is very rare, by the way.“
"Thanks, Mr. Rodgers,” Jake replied, trying to keep his tone respectful despite the palpable tension.
" It's Mr.Cole not Mr.Rodgers! ”
Jake looked confused. He didn't understand their family dynamics. Elizabeth hadn't kept her husband's last name.
With unspoken words Elizabeth motioned for the staff to start serving.
“So, Jake,” Elizabeth began, her tone deceptively light, “tell us about your work. Mercy mentioned you’re quite the rising star.”
Jake cleared his throat, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on him. “Yeah, I’ve been pretty lucky. Started from nothing, really. Just hard work and a bit of luck.”
Phill smirked. “Luck, huh? Funny how that works.”
As Phill and Jake glared at each other there was no denying their underlying hostility. It didn't skip Elizabeth's razor sharp eyes.
" Cool it boys! It seems like you two know each other too well! ” There was silence and Phill and Jake looked away. Elizabeth continued, "So, Jake, do you have any family?”
Jake gulped. Let's face immediately popped up as if it was synonymous to the word family.
" No!Just my old man, but he passed away.”
Elizabeth’s gaze sharpened. “Your father. Did he ever mention knowing anyone from the city?”
Jake shook his head, clearly puzzled. “No, ma’am. My dad wasn’t really the social type. Mostly kept to himself.I lost him when I was very young. A kind hearted aunt brought me up after that. Why do you ask? ”
Mercy shot her mother a warning look. “Mother, can we not do this? Jake is here for dinner, not an interrogation.”
Elizabeth’s smile was thin. “Of course, darling. Just making conversation.”