Not Money But Warmth

Linda's POV

I was strolling down the path, with the BMW trailing behind me as I looked for an appropriate attire for the afternoon. I would be meeting Jake after two whole weeks, and I can't wait! I have to look my best!

Window shopping is not my best trait, but I figured that Jake likes the bohemian looks with junk jewelry and DIY clothes, so I decided to placate him and abandon my usual designer clothes and buy something from a thrift store. Afterall, daddy says that we should support the small businesses too. 

I am really annoyed at the car trailing behind me, dogging my steps and blaring it's horn indignantly at every other passerby. I told daddy that I won't be needing a car this afternoon, but after the incident at the carnival, he would not leave me alone. Thanks to that blast, I now possess a full time bodyguard and a butler who is supposed to follow me even to my romantic dates! Can you imagine? The utter monstrosity of it all!

I can't blame daddy much, I am the only close person he has got after mom left us. I don't have much memory of her, I was only two when she was gone. I had seen pictures of her, ofcourse, she was a gorgeous model and an aspiring actress and the tabloids those days were full of pictures of daddy and mom. My mother was( is?) breathtaking, she had the perfect figure, the perfect looks and the perfect dressing sense. Daddy used to say that when she walked down the road, every eye turned towards her, such was her glamour. However, she was frivolous and she had high tastes. Daddy loved mom so much that he worked day in and day out to meet her expensive tastes and provide for her every need. This is how he established the empire, his sheer driving force was to pay for his wife's bills. 

A lot of people say that my dad was lucky, that he married a gorgeous woman who motivated him to get this rich. But, I can only see his sorrow, I can only see how toxic mom was to him and how, after she left, he was forlorn and heartsick for a long time. Everyone says that I saved daddy from that despair, that I was his sole respite and consequently, he constantly worries about me. 

I still don't know why mom left. Daddy never speaks ill of her but I know she never wanted me. It was the only thing that she did for daddy's happiness and she got suffocated with a baby, so she abandoned us. I wish I could know what became of her. Clearly, she never turned out to be an actress but somewhere down the line, she might have married another rich guy to ruin his life. 

I had always vowed to be nothing like my mom. I never forced Jake to go to expensive restaurants for my sake and I always made sure that I didn't demand too much of him. I can't suffocate him like my daddy and he is everything that I want right now. Fun, quirky, happy and always in mood for making others laugh. I have never met someone like him before. All the other guys I had dated before were either my daddy's business associates' sons or other rich guys who just wanted to impress me with their high end cars and their butlers ready to always wipe their asses. They always considered me pampered and therefore gifted me expensive stuff, took me to five star restaurants and not one of them ever made me laugh. None of them could see, that I didn't need the money, daddy had enough to shower on me... what I always wanted was warmth and laughter and someone to share them with. 

So, yeah, I am grateful for Jaky. 

Not that daddy is elated by the prospect of him. Me dating a nobody is his worst nightmare, but I know he won't interfere in my life ever. 

I was humming the latest "Karaoke Kauldron" songs, when I saw the dress. It was knee length, turquoise and golden beads ran along it's hem. It was the most exquisite thing I had ever seen, and just looking at it, gave me an assurance that it would fit me perfectly. The waistline was held with a delicate ribbon woven as a flower and the same design following the collar. It was love at first sight. I had to have it! Jake would simply love this. 

I was so happy with my latest purchase that I called my best friend, Cassie to share it with her. 

"Cassie, you must come! I bought this wonderful dress and you must tell me how I look in it. "

"I can't Linda. Not now. I am with Michael. We are practicing. I'll see you later okay?" Cassie cut the call. 

A tinge of jealousy cropped up in my heart. Cassie never denied meeting me before. I couldn't help but feel angry towards Michael, for keeping her aloof from me. Afterall, Michael came into her life and now everything is different. She looks different, more energetic and vivacious and she might be trying to give me the excuse of her Goblin Power thing, but I won't believe a word. I know it's all Michael's doing. 

I dressed up extra special that night. As expected, the dress fit me perfectly, I also blow dried my hair and donned red lips. Gazing at the mirror, I was more than satisfied, Jake won't be able to keep his eyes off me. The very thought made me giggle. 

When I arrived at the restaurant, Jake was already there…. sitting at a corner, looking unusually gloomy and tapping his feet impatiently. This was a surprise because Jake was always late and I had expected him to be so this time too. Moreover, his demeanor set me off foot...where is his easy laugh and his endless mirth? This is not the Jake that I know. 

I sat beside him and touched his hands gingerly. 

"Jaky, is everything all right with you?" I said tenderly. 

Jake looked up and I saw sadness in his eyes like I had never seen before. 

"What happened,Jake? You can tell me." I replied anxiously. 

Jake's hand quivered a little as he withdrew it from mine. None of this is going as I had expected and I had a terrible foreboding of something bad going to happen. 

Jake cleared his throat and looked me in the eye. When he spoke, his voice sounded like that of a stranger. 

"Linda, we need to stop seeing each other." He said abruptly. Then shaking his head, he added, "I am sorry." 

Jake stood up and left. I couldn't believe what had just happened! Did Jake really dump me? I sat there, heavily dressed, dumbfounded and heartbroken. 

"But why?" I yelled, then got up and ran after him.

"Why are you leaving me?" I couldn't control the tears that shamelessly poured down my cheeks. 

Jake's eyes were glassy too. He gulped and then said in a tired voice, " Please don't ask me Linda. I am sorry, I can't explain. It's too complicated and I can't drag you into this. This is for the best, Lin, trust me...for both of us."

He looked me right in the eye. I could see determination in his eyes, and also profound loss. As much as this hurt, my senses were numbed and all I could hear is his breath as he stood unacceptably close to me.