"We prepared this outfit based on Jasmine's personality, please understand," said Madam Claire's assistant.
Jacqueline assumed he didn't want her to feel awkward, so she smiled, "It's ok. I'm pretty excited about it."
Madam Claire's assistant looked at her and gave her a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "It was simply an announcement."
The corners of her mouth slowly lowered, the light fading in her turquoise eyes as she realized he was just doing politeness. There was no denying that Jacqueline was so innocent, she gave her friendliness to everyone she met. And when friendliness was given, she subconsciously was kind to those people. Jacqueline was only 20 years old, and she needed time to understand what people, including Benjamin, were doing for.
Jacqueline said nothing after that. She was more wary of strangers and also felt insecure.
Until the preparation was done. She took a few minutes to look at herself in the mirror. She looked at the person who was wearing an expensive mini dress with jewels she could never afford in her life. She loved this outfit. It was beautiful and elegant. It made her more beautiful. Jacqueline sighed. Don't hold on to this beautiful image for too long, treat it like an illusion, Jacqueline reminded herself.
She was brought to the meeting location by Madam Claire's driver with her assistant. Jacqueline took a few seconds to observe where she and Benjamin would dine together. It was a small restaurant in the suburbs, with no nameplate on the outside.
She relaxed her tense shoulders. Well, she thought they were going to some fancy restaurant, where many members of the upper class dine, in the city center.
Jacqueline stepped out of the car and carried her own bag while Madam Claire's assistant waited for her in the car.
She entered the restaurant and went right into its bathroom. Opening her bag, she checked the short gun Rosemary had given her.
She shouldn't have brought this bag because it looked so out of place compared to the chic outfit she was wearing. But she convinced Madam Claire's assistant on the grounds that this was the first gift her father gave her when she received her acceptance notice from the university.
Technically, she's not lying but if taking a thorough look, she just wanted to make sure she has something to protect herself.
"So crafty," Jacqueline shrugged, remarking to herself under her breath. "Well, even if I feel like it's pointless to defend myself against a mafia don, I can't help but feel reassured just carrying a weapon of some sort. Who knows, it's instinct."
Jacqueline stepped outside to see a man standing near the entrance of the restaurant. His eyes lit up when he saw her.
With politeness, he approached her, "Good evening, Lady Kelly, my name is Hank, assistant to Mr. Turner. I am here to escort you to your room."
Jacqueline was a bit confused, "Good evening, Hank. I didn't think Mr. Turner would come so soon."
"Master is always patient with you," Hank told the truth. But Jacqueline did not believe in his words.
She maintained her polite demeanor.
The room was at the end of the hallway. It seemed to be a V.I.P. room because its door was larger and delicately carved compared to the other rooms.
Standing in front of the door of the room, which was tightly closed, Jacqueline's heart sped up.
"Please just call Master Benjamin, Lady Kelly," Hank reminded him.
"Oh~" Jacqueline didn't even know what she was saying.
"It's easier to negotiate with him if you call him Ben," Hank laughed. As a right-hand assistant, he was just trying to please his master as much as he could.
Meanwhile, his words went from Jacqueline's right ear to her left one. Nothing lingered in the wary mind of timid Jacqueline Kelly.
The door opened and Jacqueline entered. She thought she would see Benjamin as soon as she entered, but no, her line of sight was blocked by climbing roses.
"Wow," she mumbled under her breath. The space of the room was very beautiful and attractive to her. But that would be a nightmare for those who did not like the scent of flowers.
Suddenly a soft breeze brushed against her cheeks.At this moment, she realized that it was not a room but a wide corridor. She stepped forward, seeing Benjamin not long after.
"I believe you will have a joyful evening, my beauty, as I will make it for you," Benjamin approached her as soon as he saw her. He gently took her hand and kissed its back.
Jacqueline was a little flustered by his confident attitude. He acted like f*ck boys she saw at her college, thought Jacqueline.
Usually, they would receive Jacqueline's indifference, but this was Benjamin; she had to have his trust. So she tried to make her smile a real smile, "I look forward to it."
Jacqueline's reception caught Benjamin surprised but excited him.
He pulled up a chair for her, in a place she couldn't see (behind her), his gaze went dark and full of calculation.
He wondered himself what his mother had said to Jacqueline. He did not like her attitude at all, she smiled but did not allow him to get closer to her.
Benjamin brought her the menu before he took his seat. While Benjamin tried his best to show his pampering for her, Jacqueline expected him to use his authoritarianism.
Jacqueline looked at the dishes that were listed on the menu, she didn't know how to choose. The dishes had rather odd names. She had never heard of any drink called Spring Day or so many other weird names.
She used the menu as a tool to peek at Benjamin. He had absolutely no intention of ordering food, he was waiting for her.
"God, do something, Mr. Turner," she whispered in her mind.
Meanwhile, Benjamin was reminding himself to be patient and wait. According to what he learned from Hank, women spent a lot of time choosing. What helped him make a good impression on her was patience.
He did not have much experience, even though he had spent nights with lots of women. Because they only came to satisfy his physiological needs and he gave them money in return instead of sincerity.
Well, it seemed that the collision between them created nothing but an atmosphere of confusion.
If only Benjamin could hear Jacqueline's mind, his face would turn red because he was embarrassed.
Jacqueline then haphazardly selected the menu items.
At first, there was only the clinking sound as the knife and plate touched each other. But with ingenuity and wisdom, Benjamin finally found a suitable topic to talk to Jacqueline, about instead of flirting or discussing how to get information from prisoners and proved that he would really make her evening fun.
Jacqueline was more relaxed, but she never forgot that she was hiding a short gun in her bag. She could not deny that Benjamin was really good-looking, and he really made for her a memorable evening. Because it was true.
After dinner, they went for a walk in the nearby park at Benjamin's suggestion. Stepping out of the restaurant, Benjamin quickly looked around and saw an SUV parked nearby. He was sure with speculation that Madam Claire's assistant was inside.
Hugging Jacqueline by the waist, he led her to a nearby park.
"This place is pretty empty," Jacqueline blurted out, realizing it seemed to be just her and Benjamin here. Her guard against Benjamin increased.
"Of course, because this is private land," said Benjamin.
"But there aren't any mansions nearby, and they do not seem to use it for business," Jacqueline mumbled under her breath.
Looks like this park is owned by Benjamin. She wondered what this park was built for. Looking at the bushes hidden in the dark, she wondered in her mind if there was any tunnel behind one of the trees. It would lead to a certain cell, where prisoners were subjected to brutal torture for information. Would she be one of them?
This thought a shiver down her spine. But Benjamin's brain didn't pick up the right signal, he thought she was cold.
Benjamin immediately took off his suit jacket and put it on her. Jacqueline's eyes widened, she was wary of his sudden action.
"Mr. Mafia don, don't act like a good boy. I'm going to have a heart attack," Jacqueline yelled in her mind. It wasn't as romantic in Jacqueline's eyes as Benjamin thought it was.
But he didn't stop, Benjamin's eyes locked on her turquoise eyes. His lips gradually approached hers. Unmistakably, it was going to be a kiss.