6. Jake: Don’t Judge Me

Chapter six

Jake – Don’t Judge Me

I’ve always prided myself on being a levelheaded person. I have never had troubles keeping my emotions in check, nor being calm and rational in every situation I’ve ever found myself. Why is this woman able to bring out the very worst in me in the first few minutes of our meeting?

Well, as coolheaded as I can be with anything or anyone, I don’t think I have the patience for women who think they’re better than everyone else just because they own three shops. Not only was she sidetracked before she could grace us with her presence, she sure took her sweet time while at it.

Ryan never gave me any details, but sort of hinted at Aurora having had it rough. I may have judged her, but the same can be said for her about me, as well.

She took a glance at me, and I could definitely read every judgmental look and thought flashing across her face. That was before she wiped her face into a blank canvas, muttered a lame excuse, and strutted to her office. What had passed through her pretty little head? She doesn’t even know me. And I have no desire to give her that pleasure.

This wasn’t the woman Ryan had eagerly talked with me about. He had painted her to be some sort of hardworking fairy, and I guessed I’d unintentionally placed her on a pedestal without even realizing it. The hardworking part, he was very correct about, but the fairy part, I’m not so sure. Fairies definitely do not judge people by their looks.

You’re lying to yourself, Jake. I dislike how my mind argues with me all the time. True, she actually does look like a fairy.

As she walked toward us, her eyes were the first thing I noticed about her. Up close, I could see they are a striking deep green or bluish-green, which hints at strength and vulnerability. She exuded independence and an air of confidence.

From what I could observe, she should be of average height, but her posture and her self-assured demeanor make her appear taller. It’s not just the heels she was wearing.

Her hair cascaded in loose waves down her shoulders, but the color is uncertain because of the bar’s colored, dim lights. Maybe a deep gold. Whatever the color is, it contrasts with her porcelain complexion. I could also see fire in her eyes, and at the same time, a softness I can’t pinpoint.

For a moment, I was awed. And that was right before she stared at me in that manner and went into her office. The awe I had felt was instantly replaced by disappointment, anger, and another subtle feeling that I decide not to dwell on - maybe a tiny bit of hurt. Judgment wasn’t what I’d been expecting.

I had lied when I insulted her bar, and it was just a childish way of getting a reaction from her—which worked even more than I expected. Glad to know it’s easy to get under her skin.

The bar downstairs is nothing like the bars I’m accustomed to. In fact, I never thought such bars could exist. The VIP section came as a surprise too, a perfect contrast against the space downstairs, and, I had to admit, I was greatly impressed by the thought and reasoning that came with the design. More so when Ryan told me she had designed it herself. The sleek and well-stocked bar is the centerpiece of the VIP section.

The bar counter is made of black marble, with a sense of opulence, contrasting with the rough-honed wood bar downstairs. Behind the VIP bar, shelves are lined with an impressive selection of top-shelf spirits and expensive wine bottles, glistening under the soft glow of the gold accent lighting.

Subtle jazz music welcomed me as I stepped upstairs, enhancing the sultry atmosphere. The VIP section also features private alcoves separated by sheer curtains, providing intimate spaces for small groups or couples to enjoy their drinks and conversations.

I’m certain I spotted some very expensive cars being parked by the valet outside when I came in, probably some hotshots from the city who need somewhere refreshing to unwind. She’s definitely making bank with her businesses—at least this one.

Our group had moved to an open space somewhat closer to the bar. Apparently, it was their usual spot to unwind and allow Aurora to keep her eyes on things.

I respect hardworking women, but from the conclusions I garner from the subtle hints Ryan had dropped, Aurora has opened all of these shops because she could not trust the stability of just one place.

Maybe she’s afraid of it not succeeding and leaving her without permanence. She seems the type to hate commitments, and women like that are dangerous and selfish. I would know, I thought to myself bitterly.

It would have been better if she had opened all three out of passion—not because she’s afraid to own one thing in case it ceases to be hers. It’s really immature of her, but then, Ryan might be totally off in his assessment.

Aren’t you being quite the hypocrite, Jake? Aurora reminds you of someone you know: yourself! I pay no heed to my mind, refusing to toe that line of reasoning.

I said what I said, and I definitely do not feel remorseful about it, or at least not that much. But I do have to apologize to Ryan. Judging by the look on his face, I know I messed up really bad. Massaging my temples, I can feel a headache starting to poke at me.

“I’m very sorry, Ryan. Brittney, kindly accept my heartfelt apology. I didn’t mean to go at your friend like that. Guess I wasn’t feeling the night and took it out on her. And I didn’t even mean to.” I apologize and Brittney looks at me as if I have horns sprouting on my forehead.

I would look at myself in that way too. The apology sounded lame even to my ears. And that was a very wacky excuse for acting rude to someone.

“But you were fine minutes before Aurora showed up,” she said, while raising an eyebrow .

“Yeah! Totally! You were totally cool before she showed up, smiling even. What’s up with you, man? I didn’t invite Aurora here for her to get disrespected like that. What the heck is wrong with you, dude?”

Ryan spoke for the first time after the incident, and even though he is trying to mask it, I can feel the disappointment and confusion rolling off him in waves.

I don’t want to feel guilty over anything, and at the same time, I don’t want to say anything that will get Ryan angrier than I’m sure he already is.

Brittney is staring at me intensely, and I don’t like the look on her face. Like she is trying to replay the whole incident in her mind to pinpoint exactly what had gone wrong.

“I’m sorry,” I say, and take a swig of my drink to escape Brittney’s scrutiny and Ryan’s still bewildered look. Brittney’s eyes began to shine with realization, and I feel myself tense.

“Eureka! I got it!” Brittney suddenly says, her face lighting up. And I don’t have a good feeling about what she’ll say next. I hate being called out.

“It’s because she went back to her office immediately after seeing you, isn’t it?” Brittney asks.

I am a little bit surprised how she figured it out so fast and easily. But I will never admit to it, no matter what she says. She grins widely and wiggles her eyebrows. Ryan looks at her weirdly, as if she had just said that alcohol comes from cow milk.

“You were mad when she turned around and went back to her office without so much as a ‘hello.’ Isn’t that right? And it hurt your pride.” She laughs good-naturedly and continues. “You got the whole thing wrong. It’s not what you think. Aurora didn’t act that way to be rude, she—”

I raise a palm to stop her from completing her statement for two reasons. One being the fact that she called me out about Aurora’s reactions hurting my pride, which she definitely didn’t, I tell myself. The other reason is the fact that I don’t want to hear whatever excuse she has come up with for her friend.

We all saw what happened, and trying to make excuses for her is not right, not when the princess didn’t even see what was wrong with her actions.

“You don’t have to make excuses for Aurora, and no, my pride is doing just fine. The ‘princess' did nothing to hurt it.”

Brittney laughs in reply and Ryan rolls his eyes.

“Dude, I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding. She meant no disrespect. I’m sure of that. This is unlike you, Jake— blowing up like that. I’ve never seen you react in that manner, not even when you found out that Sophia was—”

“That’s enough, Ryan.” I give him a hard look to get him to stop talking. Ryan has always had a big mouth. “I’m sorry, man,” Ryan says softly, remorse etched on his face.

Brittney was watching the whole exchange with a calculating look on her face, and I could practically hear the cogs whirring in her head.

“You mentioned your personal assistant is on maternity leave, isn’t she? And you need a temporary personal assistant as soon as you can get one?” she asks, entirely changing the topic.

And I am glad she did. I don’t want to hear more about tonight’s incident and I have no qualms jumping on Brittney’s change in topic. I nod in affirmation, not letting my preference for the topic shine through. “I’ve had the office announce that there’s a vacancy for the post, and the interviews are on Mond-”

She claps gleefully and grins widely, not letting me finish my sentence.

“It’s settled, then. I have a cousin who’s in desperate need of a job. I’ll let her know there’s a vacancy in the new construction office. She’ll be there on Monday for the interview.”

Ryan looks confused at this. “Since when did you have a cousin in need of a job?” Brittney glares at him and gives him a look, intending to communicate an obviously hidden message. I find it very suspicious. Maybe there’s a hidden story concerning her cousin she’d rather not get into.

“Yes, my cousin, who you definitely do not know, is in need of a stable job, and I’ll make sure to let her know there is a vacancy somewhere,” she says, with gritted teeth, while holding his gaze the entire time.

Ryan’s face lights up in understanding and he grins while nodding enthusiastically, which I also find a little weird and . . . yeah, suspicious. It’s none of my business though. Her cousin, her business.

“Gentlemen, if I may call it a night? It was nice meeting you, Jake. Text me when you get home, Ryan.” Brittney downs the remains of her tonic water and stands to leave.

Ryan nods at her, telling her to drive safe. She shakes hands with me, grabs her bag, and heads out, leaving only the two of us at the table.

We talk and laugh into the night, reminiscing about college, and avoiding that one topic that was a very big part of college. And I find myself grateful for it.

Brittney’s suspicious cousin nags at a very little part of my mind as the night settles in.