"They're really pretty. How do they grow them?" Jesse called out as he watered the plants. He has picked his favorite one of all of them, small cacti.
"They buy them and set them outside for nature to take its course." As early as 6 am that morning, Sandra had already called, dishing out instructions on how to water her babies. Some required little water, others needed none and some needed a lot.
Jesse promised to help as he was the one who asked them to take the break so there we were, taking care of the plants after breakfast. The security walked up to us a few minutes later. It was a different one from last night. This one was taller and looked more frightening.
"Good morning Sir, someone by the name of Joshua Willow is here to see Miss Thompson." His face was turned up the whole time and it never relaxed.
Josh? I completely forgot about both him and our date all thanks to Jesse. "I have to see him."
Jesse already had a disagreeing look on his face. "Do you? You could just say You're not home since you have to be so modest."
"But I'm home." I handed the tools over to him and went out to meet Josh. He stood there glaring at me and shaking his head.
The security walked Josh to me and we stood outside the house "What was that about?" Josh asked about getting to where I stood.
I pretended not to know what he meant "The guards?"
"Security." I corrected. I shrugged like it was no big deal "I thought I needed them, I guess."
"For what?" He was asking too many questions. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"
"Not at all. Do you wanna come in?" I asked, pointing towards the house.
"Is that who I think it is?" Josh's eyes widened as he stared at something behind me. I followed them to see Jesse standing right there, his hands in his black shorts and his security surrounding him.
"Yeah. Jesse Erhart. Didn't know he was such a show-off." Every time he took a step closer, the security followed up behind him. "Why won't you be a target when you keep showing yourself like this?"
"Are you blaming me for my predicament? It's not my fault everyone wants to jab at me you know." He was being so dramatic placing his hand on his chest and looking around.
"It's an honor to meet you, sir." Josh bowed and stretched out his hand for a handshake. Jesse looked towards me and I gave him a nudge before he took Josh's hand.
"Can't say the same but ok." He was being so childish. "Well, Mr... what's your name again?"
"Josh...I mean Joshua. Joshua Willow." He stuttered.
"Joshua. My assistant and I have to head back inside. We've got a whole day ahead of us." He didn't wait to hear Josh's reply before he swooped me off and back into the house.
"I never said I'd be your assistant," I yelled after he dropped me.
"Cute. I didn't finish up one month's worth of work to watch you stand and talk to Josh baby." He was adorable.
"For real?"
"Why do you think I didn't bother to reach out for two weeks?" So that was why. I thought he left me for good.
"Fine. Let's set some rules down." I ran to the room and came out with my pen and paper. "Come here," I ordered but he remained where he was, arms folded across his chest and a very stern look on his face.
"Please," I begged but he remained sitting. "Fine, I'd come to you." His face straightened out a bit and we got down to business.
"Rule number one, no intimacy. No kissing, no touching, no sex, and no fingers." I stopped to make sure he was following but he sat there, no emotions whatsoever. "Rule number two, don't interfere with my personal life. I don't need you snooping around, it's creepy. Rule number three, no special treatment. Rule number four, no showing up at my house uninvited."
"Agree with all these and I'd be your assistant." I got bold.
He took a long sigh "Where do I sign?"
I pointed towards the space underneath where I wrote, "employer", and he put down his signature. "How about you? Do you have any rules?"
He didn't need to think twice "Never object to anything I say." I waited to hear more but he didn't say anything else.
"Is that all?" I asked and he simply nodded. This shouldn't be that hard, I thought. "I have to go to the ice cream store. It can't remain closed."
"I booked it for the whole week. I'd decide if I want it open." His eyes were closed all the while he spoke.
I left him there to attend to the dishes in the kitchen. He cooked well but was bad at tidying places up. When I bent over to pick the eggshells, there was a loud bang and something flew over my head. The window shattered and some of the pieces pierced through my skin.
In the ruckus, I heard Jesse scream "Stay down momma, we're under attack."
All I wanted was a simple life.