The entire crowd was lost for words. Why would Jacob Harrington know a wretched live-in son-in-law like Alexander?
Every jaw in the banquet was dropped as Jacob Harrington gleefully came over to the bar.
"Alexander Chase, I wasn't sure you'd make it," he said, as he shook his hand firmly, ignoring everyone except, including Julian.
"Jacob Harrington," Alexander greeted with a slight bow.
"Sir Harrington, do you know this man?" Julian stammered.
"Well, not as much as I would love to. Did you come with him?" Jacob replied.
"No, I didn't," he answered.
"Oh, that's too bad. Oh, about the business contract with your family, do well to tell your father to consider it a done. Just a few more I's and T's to be dotted and crossed, and it's a done deal."
"Will do just that, Sir," Julian replied, his entire body quivering with gratification.
"Now, Alexander, would you like us to chat, here or go somewhere else?" He said to Alexander, completely ignoring Julian once more.
Alexander took a glance around, the number of green eyes piercing at him, trying to find out what was going on. Even he had not the slightest clue what was going on.
"Anywhere but here would be nice," he replied.
"Great," Julian said as he ushered them to the mansion's rooftop balcony.
...
"Nice view, isn't it?" Jacob Harrington asked. The two young men were seated on the balcony of the mansion.
"Yeah, it is, but it doesn't answer my question of why exactly I am here. Why was I invited, why did you invite me?" Alexander asked with confidence.
Jacob took another sip of his glass. "The Blue Moon Diamond."
"What?"
"How were you able to discern that it was a fake?"
Alexander's mind journeyed through memories of the original blue diamond dangling across his mother's neck as she ran through the Chase Mansion courtyard. The Blue Moon Diamond was her favorite gift from his father.
"I happen to know a thing or two about the blue diamond," Alexander replied.
"Right, I myself, I'm a strong lover of those shining rocks. I planned to buy the blue diamond from Lady Lockwood after it was gifted to her. Well, that is before you shattered it to pieces and proved it was a fake, so you have my thanks."
"I'm glad I was of help, but there is no need to thank me."
"Nonsense. You accomplished in mere seconds what might have taken my diamond expert team weeks to do."
"Then I'd advise you to change your team," Alexander replied, causing Jacob to burst into laughter.
"You are funny," he managed to say amid his heartfelt chuckles, leaving Alexander clueless and confused. He couldn't recall trying to be funny.
"If you say so," Alexander replied, taking a sip of his wine glass.
"You got brains, hands, and you tell a mean joke, you are definitely a keeper," Jacob slipped out.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I don't quite follow," Alexander replied.
"Oh, right, I haven't gotten to that part yet," he said as he rearranged his composure,
"Alexander, I am a man who knows a diamond in the rough when I see one. And Alexander, you are a diamond, one I'd love to keep for myself. What do you say, Alexander? How would you like to work for me as my assistant?" He said.
Jacob Harrington's offer hit Alexander like a vocal shock wave.
"Your assistant?" Alexander restated for confirmation.
"Yes."
"But you already have an assistant," Alexander replied, pointing over to Silvia who had been standing a few feet away from them the entire time.
"Yes, I do, but where is the law that says a man can't have two assistants? Besides, it wouldn't hurt to have one with sharp wits and can still pack a punch. No offense, Silvia," he said.
"None taken, sir," she replied.
"So, what do you say, Alexander?"
Alexander took a long pause before opening his mouth to speak.
"Sir…"
"Please call me Jacob or Jay for short. Well, that is until you take the job and start working for me," Jacob Harrington injected.
"Jacob, thank you for your generous offer, but I am afraid I cannot work for you."
"What!" Jacob screamed in shock, while his assistant murmured the same word to herself.
"Are you certain of this, Alexander? Are you sure you don't just need some time to think it over?"
"Give me all the time in the world, and my answer will remain the same," Alexander firmly answered.
"Come on, Alexander, I thought you were smart. Don't tell me you plan on being a live-in husband for the rest of your life," Jacob said.
Alexander remained quiet.
"Seriously!? Why would you want that? why would anyone want that?" Jacob continued.
Alexander took another long pause before replying again.
"Three years ago, my mother was diagnosed with severe colon cancer and needed an immediate colorectal resection. I had no money to save her. She was going to die in a matter of days if nothing was done, and that was when I met Luther Lockwood who saved my life.
He offered me a deal that I married his daughter, became her husband, and in exchange, he cleared my mother's medical expenses. He saved my life and that of my mother's, and for that, I have decided to be the most hundred percent loving and devoted husband Seraphina could ever ask for."
"Wow," Jacob paused. Alexander's words held reason, emotions, and core values in them. "I'm sorry I had no idea. How is your mother now?" He asked sincerely.
"She passed away about a year ago, but it is thanks to him I got the chance to spend the three whole extra years with my mother, and for that, I am grateful, and will do everything to honor my part of the deal, giving it my one hundred percent. Hence why I cannot accept your job offer."
Jacob Harrington let out a long sigh. "Okay then, if that's your resolve, I guess there's nothing I can do or say that would change your mind, but if you do change your mind, my offer remains on the table."
"I will do well to remember that, Jacob."
"I will not be holding my breath, Alexander," Jacob jested, causing them both to laugh.
"Friend?" Jacob said, raising his glass for a cheers.
Alexander let out a smirk. Tonight was playing out not how he had pictured it to play out.
"Friends," Alexander replied, completing the cheers.
The newly acquainted friends sat and chatted for a couple more hours.
"I'm afraid it's time for me to head home," Alexander said, rising to his feet.
"Already?" Jacob queried.
"I'm afraid so," he replied.
"Okay then, here is my card. If you are ever in need of a favor, don't hesitate to call me," Jacob Harrington said, handing him his business card.
"Okay," Alexander replied and collected it. "Thank you for tonight."
"It was my pleasure," Jacob replied, as both men shook hands.
"See you around," Jacob said as Alexander walked off.
Alexander smiled and waved back.
After Alexander had left, Silvia couldn't hold it in anymore. The cat-killing curiosity in her was eating her up.
"Sir, I just don't get it. You hardly consider anyone a friend. What about him is so special?"
Jacob Harrington took a long pause before responding. He rose from his seat with his champagne glass in his hand and walked to the edge of the balcony, catching a view of Alexander leaving the mansion.
"I wasn't sure at first, but I am now," Jacob said, partially lost in his thoughts.
"Sure of what, Sir?" Silvia asked, still curious as a button.
"He is him?"
"He is who, Sir?" She asked again.
"Alexander Chase is the mercenary that saved my sister's life."