"I'm listening," I said. "Jenny, I have reason to believe there are people out for your father". "What makes you say that?" I said. "Well, I have certain reasons that I cannot get into, he has requested I not get you involved in our business. But all I can tell you, is that you and your father need to leave New York. I have property along the west coast". I was confused, who is after my father? Where would we go? What is he hiding from me? "I still have so many questions, who even are you?" I said. "Jenny, there are people who are willing to do anything to destroy your father's business".
"It's my turn to make an offer," I said. "I will only go if Becca can come with me". "Fair enough, you will need to be ready to go and have all of your things packed by the end of the week" said Jesse. "I'm giving both of you ten thousand dollars to get new clothes, and other things you think you will need". I turned wide-eyed at Becca. "Mr. Marinos, that is really unnecessary…" I said. "Jenny you don't understand the severity of the situation… I'm just doing what is best for you to help your father. He has suggested I go with you to keep an eye out. And please… Jesse is fine." said Jesse. "So basically you're my father hired you to babysit me, over a thousand miles away". I said, starting to realize what was happening. "Technically, your father begged me to get you out of New York, and no, I'm not a babysitter, you're going to live on my property… other people live in the condo too. So it's basically a frat house on the beach" Jesse said. By now it sounded like I offended him. I could tell that my face was getting red because I was getting hot and Becca was elbowing me. "If you could excuse us for a minute, B?" I said as I motioned Becca out of the booth. "Of course, please hurry back so we can finish discussing my offer" said Jesse.
"Becca I don't understand any of this," I said. "J, I think this is a good thing… we've been looking to travel for a while. Maybe this can suffice" said Becca. "I guess you're right, but doesn't it seem a little off, we just met this guy, and he is giving us each ten thousand dollars, and telling us we need to leave? It just doesn't make any sense to me" I said. "I know, it's your decision, but let's get back to the table. We've been gone for a while" said Becca. We started back towards the table. I shuffled into the booth then Becca came in after me. "Well, what is your decision?" said Jesse. "How long would we be there?" I said. "As long as it would take for us to find out who is after your father" said Jesse. "Fair enough, how many people live there?" I asked. "Well, there are six rooms. With two beds, two walk-in closets, and a double bathroom in each room. Including myself and Luka, there are seven people living there" said Jesse. "So it's a giant house… got it," I said. "So, what do you say?" said Jesse confidently. "If this is what my father thinks is best… but I'm still unsure about going. B, what do you think?" I said. "J it's up to you, it's your call" said Becca. "Alright, I guess we'll do it then" I said hesitantly. "Wonderful, I will have Luka direct deposit the money into your new accounts. We are going to leave in three days" said Jesse. "If you don't mind, I have a few loose ends to tie up here, so if you would excuse me. It was nice meeting you too. I am looking forward to seeing you" said Jesse as he got up from the booth. "I will see you girls later; I must join him" said my father as he got up after Jesse.
As they left, I followed Becca as she shuffled out of the booth. We headed back to our rooms. On our way to the elevator, we noticed a familiar face walking out. "Hey Luka! Over here" screamed Becca way louder than she should have. "Oh hey girls, what's up?" he said relaxed. "We met Jesse, he told us about his offer" Becca said. "Well what did you say?" said Luka. "Well we wouldn't be talking to you if we said no, we'd still be over at the table getting lectured" I said, annoyed. "Well you guys going is for the best. Jesse is very good at what he does. He will keep his word to your dad, you guys will be safe" said Luka. "Will you be there Luka?" asked Becca. "Yes, I live with Jesse and the others at the house" said Luka. "Awesome! I'm looking forward to it," said Becca. "Well, if you excuse us Luka, we need to go get our stuff from upstairs, then we need to leave. We only have three days to get everything we need for, who knows when" I said. "Believe me, you girls will be fine. Jesse has everything figured out" said Luka.
We said our goodbyes to Luka and headed upstairs. "Becca…" I said questioning her. "Don't even go there," said Becca. "Can you make it any more obvious that you like him? You were practically drooling on him when he was talking to you" I said. "I was not!" said Becca. The elevator door opened, ceasing our conversation.
As we got to our rooms, I noticed that someone clearly had entered mine. Just assuming it was room service, I didn't think much of it, and continued to get what little clothes I had. Then I realized, what would I put them in? I didn't have a suitcase, or a bag to put them in. I walked around to the side of the bed, and on the table, there was another note attached to a big, purple suitcase.
Hey Sunshine,
Hope this note finds you well. I have arranged for a cab to pick you and Becca up in fifteen minutes. He will drive you both to the Northside mall downtown. You can shop there as long as you would like. He will give you his phone number to call when you are ready to be picked up. Luka has sent you both the money in your accounts. Here is the card you can use. Looking forward to seeing you again.
J.M
Not knowing what to think, I picked up the phone and dialed Becca. Just then, I heard someone knocking at my door. I looked through the peephole, only to see Becca already beat me to it. I opened the door, and she rushed her way in. "Ready to go?" said Becca. "This is starting to get weird. How does this guy have so much money, and why does he want to blow it on us?" I said. "J, you worry way too much. Your dad has something to do with this, so I say just roll with it" said Becca. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It just seems off to me" I said. We took our cards and went to the lobby.
As we got there, we saw a man with a sign. It looked like someone welcoming home a family member from the airport. The sign read "Avery & North". "I guess that's us," said Becca. We walked over to the man, he stared us down and said "Are you Miss. Jenny Avery, and Miss. Rebecca North?". "Please, it's Becca," Becca insisted. "Very well, allow me" said the man as he opened the car door for us. As we headed down the street, the man didn't say a word. He asked us once if the temperature of the car was alright, but other than that he kept his eyes glued to the road, and his mouth shut.
We pulled up to the Northside mall, the biggest mall in Manhattan. The abundance of people was overwhelming. The thousands of people intermingling in one enormous area was almost inconceivable to the human eye. People were everywhere: ogling at items they knew they would never be able to afford, buying armfuls of miscellaneous items from the countless numbers of stores, the families eating at the sports bars watching their favorite teams drinking their favorite alcohol, and the children running through the candy stores buying their favorites with whatever spare change they had. This was extraordinary. People of all kinds: rich, poor, clean, dirty, black, white, tan, young, old. Every and any type of people one could imagine, all intertwined into one unified building.
"Where to first?" said Becca. "This place is huge! I have no idea where to start" I said, eyeing all of the stores around us. We walked into the first store, then the next, and then the rest of the stores to follow. We soon found ourselves covered in bags from the countless number of stores. "I think it's time to go, I don't think I can carry these for much longer" I said. "You're right, I'm exhausted". We walked out of the mall, not realizing how long we were in the building. The stars were out, and the sky was black.
I dialed the number that was on the note from Jesse. He was at the entrance in less than 10 minutes. Becca and I got in the car and we drove back to the hotel. "Thanks for the ride," said Becca as we got out of the car. "No problem" said the driver as he sped away. We entered the building, and walked towards the elevator, our arms still layered with our bags. "I'll see you in the morning B" I said. I opened my door, and instantly dropped my bags. I crashed on my bed. Tomorrow we were going to leave New York.