"Nothing Jason, calm down. Now if you'll excuse me April and I have a movie to finish," I say running up the stairs. I got a glimpse of Jason's face before I went to my room. If I didn't know any better it looked like he was pissed off. I shrugged my shoulders and thought nothing of it. It was probably just my imagination. I got on my bed and continued watching the movie with April.
April and I had a great time hanging out, but it was time for me to get to work. I head over to Jason's room to continue working on his project. Jason opens the door, but I notice something is off about him.
"Hey," I say walking in happily.
"Hey," he says in a monotone voice which catches me off guard. He usually is animated and cocky so I had no idea what could be wrong.
"Are you okay Jason?"
"I'm fine, now let's get to work," he says as he walks past me and into his design studio. I follow behind him still trying to figure out what could be bothering him. I stop at the entrance of the studio and notice Jason carrying a beautiful red gown.
"Is that a finished product?"
"Yeah just finished it before you came; I need you to try it on."
I begin to strip my clothes and Jason stops me, "Before you continue let me leave you to your privacy." He walks out the door and shuts it. Okay now I'm seriously worried. Usually Jason stays and watches me as I get uncomfortable being under his gaze, but today he is being polite and not harassing me. I mean this is what I wanted in the first place, but now it's actually pissing me off. I change into the dress, and open the door. Jason walks back into the studio and nods his head in approval.
"It's perfect on your body, what do you think?"
"I agree the dress is beautiful," I say as I stare at myself in the mirror. He examines the details before making a slight alteration at my hip to take it in some more.
"Okay take off the dress so we can begin on the next outfit."
Just as he begins to walk out of the room, I grab his arm and stop him.
"Jason what's wrong you're not acting like yourself tonight." He turns around to look at me and I notice the vibrancy in his eyes isn't there.
"What do you mean?"
"Well you aren't animated or excited like you usually are, is everything alright?"
He chuckles to himself before turning to face me, "Christina everything is fine you don't have to worry about anything alright. I told you that I would treat you with respect and be a professional so that's what I'm doing." He smiled at me and left me to change. As I removed the dress, it hit me. Jason started acting weird after he saw me with Aiden earlier, but that can't be it. Jason doesn't seem like the type to get jealous, if anything he's the type that looks to get even with somebody. I shake my head and focus on changing. When I'm done I let Jason back into the room.
He proceeds to look at the different fabrics he could possibly use for his next outfit. I take a seat on one of the chairs and just watch him. The thought of the possibility of Jason being jealous of Aiden keeps playing over and over in my head. If he's jealous then there may be a possibility that he really does like me. A few more minutes of silence pass, and Jason continues to lay out his design plans. I decide to play a game on my phone while I wait for him to call me. Right when I'm about to start a game, I get a text message from Aiden. A giant smile spread on my face as I read the text.
"Just wanted to say goodnight." I immediately reply to him.
"That was thoughtful of you, goodnight to you too."
"Before you go Christina would you like to go out with me tomorrow, you know like to the movies or something?"
Oh my god, I couldn't believe that Aiden was actually asking me out. If I reply no, April would probably call me stupid. I don't want to seem too eager so I play it cool.
"Aiden are you asking me out on a date, like an official date?"
"Yeah I am." I started having butterflies in my stomach and couldn't help but smile. Aiden was a catch, and I would be a fool to turn him down.
"Then yes I'd love to go out with you."
"Sounds good I'll pick you up tomorrow in the afternoon see you then."
"Bye." I was so distracted by my phone, that I didn't notice Jason staring at me.
"Oh my god Jason, why didn't you say anything," I say placing a hand on my chest.
"I was being polite and letting you finish you're conversation."
"Who were you talking to anyway? You had the biggest grin and I can't help but be curious."
"If you must know it was Aiden." Jason's lips pursed into a straight line the moment I said Aiden's name.
"What did he want exactly?"
"Jason I don't really think that's any of your business." Jason turned around and continued his sketches.
"I'm sorry I guess you're right, it's none of my business."
"Jason can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," he said not even attempting to look at me.
"Could it be that you're jealous of Aiden?" Jason turned around and started laughing.
"Christina that is rich," he said while holding his stomach.
"I wasn't trying to be funny Jason, I'm serious. Is he the reason why you're acting this way today?"
"Look Christina you're a beautiful I can't even deny that, but I never get jealous." The way he spoke sent shivers up my spine. Jason walked towards me and I took some steps back, until I eventually stopped at the wall. Jason put his hands on the wall at both sides of my face so that he towered over me. He was so close to me and I could feel is body's warmth radiating off of him. Jason stared at me with those piercing blue eyes of his which I was slowly losing myself into. He then moved his hand to my left cheek and caressed my face. He slowly lowered his face to where our lips were mere centimeters from touching. Right as he was about to kiss me I turned my head to the side, "Maybe we should call it a night."
Jason slowly straightened himself up his eyes never leaving mine, "yeah maybe your right, have fun with Aiden tomorrow." I nodded my head and excused myself from his bedroom. I walked at a quick pace back to my bedroom. On my way there I run into April coming out of a bathroom.
"Christina are you okay?"
"Oh hey April what are you doing up so late?"
"The fact that you answered my question with another question leads me to believe that something is indeed up." I sighed and pulled April towards my bedroom.
She took a seat on my bed, while I pace the room like an idiot.
"So are you going to tell me what happened or no?"
I stopped pacing an looked her in the eye, "Aiden asked me out tomorrow."
April's eyes shot wide open and a huge smile appeared on her face. I could tell she was ecstatic to hear this development.
"Christina that's great is that the reason you're freaking out?" I had to lie to her. I can't exactly tell her about the project Jason is working on.
"Yeah I'm kind of nervous."
"Don't worry I'll help you get ready later on today, but for now just get some sleep." April got up from my bed and gave me a hug before leaving my room. I got in my bed and stared up at the ceiling. What the hell was Jason trying to do tonight? My face got all hot thinking about what happened earlier. I shook off the feeling and decided to think nothing of it; he was just probably trying to mess with me again. I closed my eyes and let sleep take over.
In the morning I head down and see April dusting the living room. I feel kind of bad that I don't help out with the chores around the house anymore. Mrs. Anderson had instructed me not to, saying that I should focus on my mother for the time being.
"Hey April."
"Hey girl, so how do you feel this morning?"
I gave her a confused look, and remembered that she must be talking about my false pre-date jitters I had last night.
"Oh I'm fine thanks for asking."
"So have you decided on what you are going to wear?"
"Honestly no April, and I can't just show up wearing my ordinary clothes. Aiden is a wealthy model agent; I have to look at least presentable in terms of clothing."
"I got you covered."
April pulls my arm and drags me down the hallway to Mrs. Anderson's studio.
"April what are we doing here you know that we are not supposed to wear any of her designs."
"I'm aware of that Christina, which is why you are going to wear her old designs."
"What?"
"Mrs. Anderson has a lot of clothing which have not been sold in stores, because they were either discarded or sent back because of low sales. She keeps them in this room." April opened a door in the studio which led into what seemed to be a walk in closet.
"Wow."
"Exactly, Mrs. Anderson doesn't mind if we take clothes from here because they are never going to hit the stores. If anything she donates them to the Red Cross."
April and I go through the racks of clothing. I saw some things that I liked, but April seemed to find the perfect outfit for me.
"This is the outfit for you." She held up leather leggings, a black crop top, and a black leather jacket.
"April are you sure this doesn't make me seem, you know slutty."
"No you will look hot in these for sure. Aiden will have to do a double take when he sees you."
I take the clothes from April, and she brings me to her bedroom. She hands me a pair of black red bottom pumps.
"Thanks so much April, but you don't have to let me borrow your shoes."
"Your dressing to impress remember don't worry about it. Anyway I have something to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"Well I have been practicing with makeup, so I wanted to know if you'd let me do yours for your date."
"Sure April."
"Great I'll see you around noon."
Now that my outfit was picked out, I decided that I might as well use my free time to work out. I changed into a pink sports bra and some spandex shorts and head down to the gym on the first floor. I opened the door to find Jason and I assume one of his friends. Jason eyes met mine for a brief second before he turned around. I made my way inside and got on the treadmill. I couldn't help but feel as if I was being watched. One minute later Jason's friend walks up to me and introduces himself.
"Hey there beautiful."
"Hey," I say without making eye contact with him.
"My name is Alex; I'm a friend of Jason's."
I stop the treadmill, and extend my hand, "Christina and it's nice to meet you."
"So are you a model?"
"No actually, I'm the house maid."
"Really now I find that hard to believe," he said with a cocky grin.
"Well I am now if you'll excuse me I would like to finish my work out before my date today."
"Oh so you have a boyfriend."
"That's none of your business." Alex raised his hands in the air and walked away leaving me to finish my workout. After forty-five minutes I called it quits and headed to my room to shower. When I was done I dressed up in the clothes April had laid out for me on the bed. I do have to say I did look good. As I'm admiring myself in my mirror, April comes into my bedroom with a ton of makeup.
"Wow I had no idea you had such a collection."
"I told you I've been experimenting now sit down." April faced me away from my mirror, so that she could surprise me when we were finished. When she was done she told me to close my eyes and spun me around.
"Open your eyes."
I opened my eyes and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. "Oh my god April I look amazing your seriously talented."
"Thank you."
"No seriously, why don't you become a professional makeup artist?"
"I'd really love that, but people need to see what I can do and you're the only one I've practiced on."
"Okay but seriously think about it, this smokey eye is everything."
At that moment the doorbell rang, and I stiffened up.
"It must be Aiden." I started getting nervous and April could definitely tell.
"Relax Christina, he asked you out because he saw something in you that he liked. There is no need for you to be this nervous okay. I'll go get the door; you just come out in a minute."
I nodded my head and fixed any kinks in my hair. I could hear April greeting Aiden downstairs so I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. As I made my way down the stairs I heard Aiden stop talking and saw him focus his eyes on me. When I finally hit the last stair, he spoke.
"You look amazing," he said as looked up and down my body.
"Thanks, you're not too bad yourself." He smiled and reached out a hand for me to hold. I took his hand and we headed out the door to his car. He opened my door for me a like a true gentleman as I took my seat. He walked over to the driver's side and got in, and we were off. As he drove I snuck glances at him from the corner of my eye. He was seriously perfect, everything from his smile to his clothes.
"Christina a picture lasts longer." I immediately turned away and felt my cheeks heating up. All I heard from Aiden was a huge laugh.
"I was not staring for your information."
"Sure you weren't."
"Anyway which movie are we going to see?"
"I figured we'd go see that new movie, Divergent."
"Sounds good, I've wanted to see it too."
When we got to the movie theatre, I was shocked that there was a valet section for parking. Aiden and I got out of the car and he handed over the keys to the valet. We walked side by side, but then I noticed that Aiden wanted to hold my hand again. I smiled at the gesture, and held his hand. We ordered our tickets along with some popcorn and soda.
The movie theatre was dark, but you could still see couple who did nothing to hide their PDA. It was making me a little uncomfortable, seeing as I haven't been on a date since I broke up with my boyfriend from high school. Aiden turned off his phone before the movie started, which made me smile, because I knew that I had his undivided attention. As the movie began, he placed his arm around me and brought me closer to him. Being in his warm embrace was comforting. I felt safe and wanted, and that feeling was great. When the movie was over, we walked out of the theatre hand in hand.
"Hey Christina I have been fighting the urge to ask you this question, but who did your makeup tonight?"
"Oh April did, she's the girl who opened the door for you. She also picked out my outfit."
"Well she certainly has an eye," he said moving his eyes up and down my body causing me to feel a little self-conscious.
"No but seriously Christina, she has the talent to become a makeup artist."
"Really?"
"Absolutely, do you mind if I take a photo of you? I could show my father and see what he thinks."
"Go for it, April would be so happy."
"Alright give me a pose."
I did a simple pose with my hand on my hip, while Aiden snapped the photo.
"Can I see?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because the moment you let a woman see what she looks in a photo she will want a redo, and you look perfect anyway."
"That was sweet."
"Well I'm a sweet guy. So how about we go grab some dinner."
"I'd like that." I grab his hand again as we walk towards the parking lot. I get a phone call and notice the number is from my mother's hospice. I immediately stop and take the call.
"Hello."
"Yes Christina, its nurse Carrie."
"Yeah hi, is there something wrong?"
"Dear I think you need to get here now, she doesn't have much time left." I begin to tear up and I see the concern on Aiden's face.
"I'll be right there," I say as my voice begins to crack.
"Is everything okay Christina?"
"No my mother doesn't have much time left I need to get to Villa Marie Claire now."
"Alright I'll take you."
Aiden and I rushed down to the hospice, and ran inside skipping the visitors check in desk at the front.
I run up to my mother's room and see the room filled with a couple of nurses. I push my way through, and rush to her side. I notice Aiden waiting outside in the hallway
"Mama I'm here."
"Christina," she said while touching my face. I could feel how weak she was and I broke down.
"Oh mama I should have been here with you today. You're going to be fine okay; you still have some fight in you."
My mother shook her head as a stray tear fell from her face.
"Honey I'm sorry I have to leave you so soon."
"No mama don't talk like this." She held up her hand to silence me, "Please honey let me get this out."
I nodded my head as my tears continued to fall on her bed. "You have been the light of my life. I have cherished every moment we spent together."
"I'm sorry I will not be able to meet your husband or my future grandchildren, but please let them know that their abuela loves them when the time comes. I regret I didn't spend enough time with you but Christina..." She brought my face closer to her and kissed my forehead before whispering, "Te amo." Her arms then went limp as the fell from my face to her sides.
"MAMA please don't leave me!" I collapse onto her as I'm overcome with grief. I sob as I watch her chest rise up and down for the last time. The room stilled and the electrocardiograph monitor flat lined. She was gone, my mother was gone.