Ghost

Due to my issues with my dad, I couldn't go into the house just yet to speak with him. Instead, I stood outside my car, staring at the country fence he loves to put up, and wishing he'd come out and see my first before I go in. The thing I have with my dad has been since my mom left.

He divorced my mom, I still don't why. She left, and got married to someone else, a few years later, she died. My dad attended her funeral and even dropped a white rose on it. A white rose had always been a symbol of their love. But honestly, since my mom left, dad hasn't tried to be with another woman. I'm happy for that, but I still hold this little bitterness in my heart, toward him for sending my mom away. I was still so young.

"How long till you go in, son?" I hear my father say from behind.

He's wearing a colorful shirt with a brown jacket on it. His jeans look faded. With all the money I and Mich have, he wouldn't want us to do anything for him. He only allowed us to get him this country house because it was a birthday gift. A few months later, he transformed the place into a ranch for a horse or two, then up to dozens.

"I was going to go in" I lie.

"Uh-huh. Like I haven't seen you some couple times drive by, do the stare, and leave" Dad accuses. I roll my eyes following behind him.

"What's up Pup,  I say and he smiles.

"Everything's good."

"Have you heard Mich is getting married?" I ask, and he stops in his track.

"Is that what you came to me to talk about?" He questions.

"Yes. Exactly that"

He sighs and continued in his steps.

"Leave her alone Jacob," my dad said, surprisingly, because he'd always been protective of Mich too. But it seemed he gave up on her and her wrong choices of men. Hey! I'm not a saint, don't come for me please, but I know my limits, and I know what I'm after, but Mich is seeking someone to love her.

"I don't like him"

"You're not the one marrying him"

I sigh. "Oh come on! Don't tell me Mich talked you into this"

"She didn't. I want her to be happy" Dad says, he offered me a glass of whiskey, I couldn't say no. "You know she brought the boy here about a week ago"

"You don't say" I mumble with full sarcasm, gulping

"They seemed ok. He seemed to like her."

"Like all the others"

Dad shakes his head. "There's something about this one"

I sigh. Coming here to talk to him is a complete waste of time then.

"What about you Jacob? Found anyone, or you're still with that Claudia"

"Let's not" I grunt.

"Why not?" My dad pressured and I sigh. "Look, son, something's on your mind, you just got to let it out. Also, I think you should take a break from work. Maybe like a vacation. You work too much. You could even take your sister and the boys"

"No thanks! I'll pass on that one" I say.

"So you'd rather want to go alone"

"Yes. I'm sure she wouldn't want to leave her boyfriend behind" and I'm sure as hell not bringing him along.

"Fiance" Dad corrects me. Even worse. "And the father of her unborn child" ok! That's enough description. I stand up. "You going?"

"Yes...I got to go plan that vacation" I say before walking out of the house, not even looking back.

°°°                    

The moment I open my front door, Claudia is there smiling with her hand full of roses.

"Look what I stopped by to get" she squeals before kissing my cheek and walking past me. She looks overdressed for the morning, in a tight black and white gown, grey heels, and a tight bun. She looks sexy but I'm not telling her that, because I'm not one to throw compliments around.

"Off to somewhere?" I ask her, shutting my door.

"Yes. I was thinking you and I could have breakfast since we didn't have dinner last night " She smiles up at me.

"I don't know" I sigh, scratching behind my neck. "I want to head to work to clear out some things". I'm not telling her, I'm planning a vacation, or she'd want to come along.

"Oh" her face falls, but she lifts it back up with a smile. "Then we'll have breakfast here. I'll make anything you want to eat, just name it" She says gleefully.

"Um... pancakes?"

"Great choice" she takes her heel off, slipping her feet into the warm slipper by the corner.

"Any plans for the weekend?"

I walk into the living room "No!"

I hear pots and pans clanging, along with the cooker going on. I cal Piper.

"Good morning sir"

"Morning Piper. Could you cancel my schedule for three days?"

"Yes sir, will do"

"Thank you," I say and drop my phone, switching to my laptop, I search for the best place to have a holiday for the Winter. I'm not a vacation person. And anytime I'm to go on one, it's always Claudia instigating it, and it's always the beach.

Aspen!

"Jacob!" Claudia calls me and I turn to the doorway, where she stood now in an apron and a raised brow. "I called you like thrice. I wanted to ask what you'd love with the pancakes"

"Sorry, I was thinking"

Her eyes suddenly soften as she walks to me, sitting on my legs, she wraps her arms around my neck.

"What's on your mind? You've been off since Wednesday"

I'm not one to share family matters, but maybe I could trust Claudia. I don't know if she was the type to say anything to the media or stuff like that, but honestly, I never trusted any girl with my personal life, except Becca. There you go again.

Just as I'm about to talk, my phone rings, and I set her aside, jumping off the chair like some demon was after me.

"Hey, Piper. What's up?"

"I got your jet ready for your trip"

"How did you know I was going on a trip?"I ask.

There's a small pause. "I figured sir" she then says and I'm amazed, but impressed. No matter how many times I threaten to fire her for doing something wrong, I just couldn't do it. She's way too important a PA to fire.

"The pancakes are getting cold!" Claudia announces to me in the hallway.

When I look at her, she'd made herself pretty comfortable, in one of my shirts. It's not so long and her thighs are exposed. I follow her to the kitchen, taking a seat on the counter.

"Taste great," I say and she smiles.

 °°°                      

The weather is about one degree here in Aspen when I arrive, and it's so fucking cold. I'm tired as hell, and hungry too. And it took me about an hour to convince Claudia I was just driving out for a break.

Glad I brought a jacket, I stuck my hands into the pockets, warming them up.

"Should I take your bag in sir?" My hired driver asked and I shake my head.

"Not it's good. I'll take it from here on" I say. It's only a little box. "But whenever I need you to get me anywhere, I'd call," I tell him before tipping him off a huge sum and he walks back to his car.

I wheel my box into Chalet Le Rocher. One of the best lodges for a vacation in Aspen. It's close to the mountains, the woods, and it's got pretty comfortable stuff

I walk up to the front desk.

"Good evening" I greet the woman there, and she smiles at me.

"Good evening sir, you must be Jacob Fox," She says with much enthusiasm and I nod. "Well, your PA called in and reserved a room for you"

Yes. I told Piper to do that, just before the plane kicked off.

"Yes."

"If you don't mind, I'll call an attendant, and he'd show you to your room"

"No need for..." As I'm speaking, a lady joins the counter, interrupting my speech.

"Sorry, here for two rooms," she says and I could swear I'd heard that voice before. I turn to look at the lady that spoke, and my heart somersaulted it's Becca Sanders. How is she here, and by my side? Before I can say a word or move away, she stares at me, and her eyes popped open. She looks good and healthy, after all these years. Her hair is now a bit darker, her eyes a wild green, and her lips a full pink. She's staring at me as if she's seen a ghost. Funny how we parted at a place like this. We went for a break at a summer camping lodge. And now fate has caused us to meet here. At a lodge in Aspen, and I bet she's on her holidays too.