Maid for Me (10 page)

“What, are you going to cry now?” Mina struggled not to laugh at Jaiden’s misery.

Jaiden pouted. “You’re not going to sympathize? I had the car modified and completely pimped out. It’s one of a kind.”

“Ghetto talk really doesn’t suit you. Besides, it’s nothing your money can’t buy again.” Mina grinned. Jaiden’s expression softened.

“The Stalker is going to pay for this.” Jaiden shook his fist in the air.

“He or she has an official name now? You’re finally taking this seriously?”

Jaiden tilted his head. “I’ve been taking this seriously.”

Mina shrugged. “So where are we going again?”

“To my father’s office. You ready to meet your future father-in-law?” Jaiden gave Mina a boyish grin and rested his head on his arms behind his neck.

“Excuse me?”

“Time for you to meet the parents. In my case, you only have to deal with my father.”

“When will I have to meet your mother?”

Jaiden looked out the window. “Never.” He balled his hands into fists, knuckles whitened.

“She passed away? I’m sorry.”

“She didn’t. But she’s dead to me. Let’s not talk about her.” Jaiden changed the topic, re-reminding Mina about her role and how he had to deal with two psychos-the one sending the threats and the one forcing him into marriage.

Still thinking about Jaiden’s reaction when she had mentioned his mother, Mina wondered why he was so upset all of a sudden. Deciding not to snoop, she scratched her face and said, “What if Madison’ is the culprit?” She tapped her fingers together.

“Anyone can be a suspect. Even you.” Jaiden pointed at Mina, eyes unblinking and filled with comical gravity.

Mina’s eyelids fluttered and her eyes rolled. “While someone destroyed your car, I was still inside Mungo playing dress-up like a life-sized Barbie doll. You were there, picking out clothes for me.”

“Which reminds me. Before you meet my father, make sure you change into that peach dress we picked out.”

“You mean the peach dress you picked out,” Mina said.

“Yup.” Jaiden winked.

They rode the limo to the D.L.P. corporate building in silence. Mina craned her neck skyward, appreciating the structure of the silver-glassed edifice. The bottom floors were curved upward-the skyscraper’s unique structure fascinated Mina.

“Impressive, isn’t it? Let’s go.” Jaiden pulled Mina into the building and brought her in front of the restroom. Mina changed into the peach dress and fixed her hair. She walked out of the restroom, demure with her arms behind her back.

Jaiden tilted his head. The peach summer dress flowed to her ankles. To him, she looked like a naïve princess who lived all her life in a cottage atop a grassy knoll. Girls with freckles, he decided, were extra cute. Even if they weren’t exceptionally pretty or beautiful.

He extended his hand.

“Hold my hand. It’ll be more convincing that way,” he said. “You ready to meet my father?”

Mina took Jaiden’s hand with her sweaty one. When he didn’t pull away, he surprised her. They rode the elevator, still holding hands.

Should I tell him we didn’t have to hold hands until we reach his dad’s office?

A minute later, the pretend-couple ambled into Jameson Daniels’s office after Jaiden knocked on the door.

If Mina hadn’t already been inside Jaiden’s mansion and limo, the office and its amazing view of the city skyline and Thussan River would have impressed her even more than it did now.

Jameson, in a dark gray suit, sat by his desk, with a phone wedged between his right shoulder and face. He motioned for his son to give him a second before he ended his call. After returning the phone to the receiver, he folded his hands. “Pandemonium down at City Hall-rallies against budget cuts again. A day doesn’t pass if Uptowners are completely satisfied.” Jameson’s eyes shifted from his son to Mina. Mina smiled at the Uptown Comptroller-a handsome middle-aged gentleman who resembled a weathered version of Jaiden. Unlike Jaiden, Jameson’s eyes weren’t violet-blue-they were a striking dark blue.

Jameson did not smile back at Mina. Jaiden held Mina’s hand in the air to make sure his father could see. Jameson’s expression hardened.

He signaled for the pair to sit. Jaiden pulled a seat out for Mina, across from Jameson.

Jameson extended his hand for Mina to shake. “Jameson Daniels, Comptroller of the Uptown. And who might you be, Miss?”

“Mina Lin.” Mina shook Jameson’s hand.

“Mina is from Prunai-Pudai,” Jaiden said, lying through his pearly whites. Mina stopped herself from smiling-even a fifth-grader could tell Prunai-Pudai was a made up location.

“I’ve heard of Brunei and Dubai, but Prunai-Pudai?” Jameson’s hearty laughter filled his office. “Madison called me earlier this morning. We had a long talk. A very long talk that cut into my conference meeting time.” Jameson stroked his beardless chin. “She told me you’re dating one of our maids. Is Miss Mina here said maid?”

“Well-” Before Jaiden could fabricate his lie further, his father interrupted him.

“Don’t tell me that Prunai-Pudai is an unknown island in the middle of the ocean east of here. And that this girl before me is some princess.” Jameson laughed again.

Always one step ahead of his son, Jameson reached over and patted Jaiden on his shoulder. “If you don’t want to marry Madison, I would understand. Besides, you’re still young. We can deal with Madison and Michael without fabricating lies.”

Chagrined, Jaiden released Mina’s hand. “I’ll admit it—Mina is my pretend girlfriend.” A sinking feeling grew in Mina.
Does this mean I no longer have to work for Jaiden? If that’s the case, then he’ll pay me zilch!

Her body on fire, Mina slammed her palms on Jameson’s desk, catching both father and son off guard.

“I’m a pauper, not a princess. But that’s not what you two should be discussing here. Mr. Daniels, I’m sure you’re aware there’s a stalker out there who wants you and your son dead.”

“I am well aware of that.” Jameson faced his son. “Many people would love to kill me. Oh and Bunion had told me about the damaged Maserati. My deepest condolences to you, Jaiden.”

Jaiden dropped his head, an invisible tear rolling down his cheek. “Thank you, Father.”

Mina groaned. “Let’s be serious here, guys. I have reason to believe your lives are in great danger. I can protect your son and help him kill two stones with one bird,” Mina said, her scanning eyes plastered on Jameson’s face.

“You mean kill two birds with one stone.” Intrigued and amused, Jameson tilted his head downward. “Please elaborate.”

Mina inhaled, her chest rising like a puffin penguin’s. “In pretending to be Jaiden’s girlfriend, I can help him discourage Madison. Plus, I can protect him because I have a black belt in Mina-Jitsu.” Mina karate-chopped the air in front of her.

Jameson chuckled. “’Is she serious? Mina-Jitsu?”

“Yes, she’s stronger and more capable than she appears. Anyway, I’m sure Madison didn’t tell you why she wants me to marry her, right?” Jaiden flashed his brows.

“Please enlighten me.” Jameson rested his hands on the desk.

“She’s pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. You wouldn’t want a bastard as your grandchild.”

Jameson shook his head. “I see.” He sat back, turning his swiveling chair to face the windows. “Does Michael know about this?”

“I don’t think so,” Jaiden said.

Jameson faced the young couple and tapped his fingers on his desk. “Then go ahead. Continue to pretend to date. However…” Jameson stretched his neck. “Madison also mentioned the maid was pregnant. Are you going to pretend to be pregnant, Miss Mina?”

“I really don’t want to,” Mina admitted. Jaiden nudged her thigh with his knee. In retaliation, Mina stomped on his foot. Jaiden sucked in his breath to prevent himself from grunting in pain.

“It’s better that way, Father. I’ll have more of a reason to marry Mina than marry Madison,” Jaiden said when he regained his composure.

“I would appreciate it if you do not do anything that may affect my reputation and career.” Jameson glared at his son for a second.

“I understand, Father.”

Jameson picked up a golden pen and twirled it with his fingers. “This means you will have to make sure Madison doesn’t run her mouth to the press. You will not have to pretend you’re pregnant, Miss Mina. And there will be no pretend marriage.”

“I understand, Mr. Daniels.” Mina raised her chin at Jaiden, her eyes smirking.

“Jaiden?” Jameson cleared his throat.

“Capisce.” Jaiden gave Mina a thanks-a lot-look. “And you don’t have to worry about a real pregnancy either, Father.”

“Good. Now, as for stalker and the threats-I’ll tell you what we’ll do. I will hire more guards to patrol the manse. Whenever you go out, Driver will be your chauffeur. I will talk to Commissioner Keller about our situation but tell him not to publicize this.” Jameson reached for the phone. “As soon as they’re needed, the police will be on the case as well.”

Jaiden nodded. “Sounds good to me, Father. Detective Graham should have a full list of suspects for me by the end of the week.”

“Excellent. So,” Jameson looked at Mina, “I trust you will keep my son safe.”

Completely serious, Mina saluted Jameson. “I will guard him with my life if need be.”

Both father and son glanced at each other and chortled.

Jameson folded his hands. “Alright then, I have more business to attend to. We’ll have dinner tonight.”

“Yes, Father.”

“It was nice meeting you,” Jameson said to Mina.

Mina grinned like a goof, as if she had a crush on the handsome, older gentleman. She left the office, following Jaiden. In the elevator, Jaiden let out a sigh of relief.

“That went relatively well,” he said. He raised his palm. “High five?”

Mina obliged, smacking his palm soundly with hers.

The ride down thirty floors would have taken less than a minute if the elevator didn’t jolt its brakes and black out. The sudden stop launched Mina toward Jaiden, slamming her body against his. The closed, dark space reminded Mina of the grave she had fallen into. If she were alone, she would think about her daddy and sink into sorrow. Jaiden, warm and breathing, reminded her how great it was to be alive, even when one was stuck in a busted elevator.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be okay,” Jaiden said, reassuring Mina by not pushing her away. A flashback of a five year old Jaiden played before his eyes. The child huddled in the corner of his dark bedroom. Crying, he covered his ears to keep out the sounds of his parents screaming at each other. Vases and fists flew, the walls almost shattered, and the child wondered what he had done wrong to make Mommy and Daddy mad.

Amelia, a young and beautiful maid, wrapped her arms around Jaiden, the same way Mina hugged her arms around him now. Amelia sang him a lullaby, wiped away his tears, and kissed his forehead.

“I love you,” Jaiden said, his voice soft and sad. Amelia was his favorite maid-she resigned two years ago for no apparent reason.

Mina pushed herself away from Jaiden. She could feel her heart beating against her chest.

Did he just say he loves me?

*EIGHT*

The lights flickered before they lit up again. The elevator resumed its journey downward, as if nothing had happened. Likewise, Jaiden smoothed his shirt out with his hands and stretched his neck. Mina planted herself at least a leg’s length away from Jaiden.

“You okay?” Jaiden grinned, snapping out of his sad reverie. “What’s wrong with your face? It’s tomato red.”

Mina gulped.
I must have heard him wrong. He probably said olive-juice or something like that.
“Nothing. I have thin capillaries and whenever I get scared or excited, they spill blood,” she blurted.

“I see.” He grinned. The elevator door opened and Jaiden walked out, leaving Mina in the elevator with her heartbeats calming. He turned around and faced her. “I’ll have Driver take you home. You can take the rest of the day off.”