Chapter 3

My alarm set-off at 7:00am. Crap, I fell asleep staring at the ceiling. I even had the weirdest dream… Staring at the ceiling. Well whatever. I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and got dressed. I went down to get my car at around 7:30am when I saw that there were two cars parked in front of my apartment building. One of them was a black sedan and the other was a Limo. 

Lucas got out of the driver’s seat of the Limousine. Seeing him in broad daylight made me realize that he was indeed a very handsome man, around 6’4, I guess. He could get any woman he wanted with his looks alone, much more so with all his money. But instead he chose to drown himself in misery and mourn for the death of his wife. She was such a lucky girl to have had a husband like him, other men would have just moved on. I’ve seen that happen a lot in my line of work. You can’t imagine how many husbands were responsible for their wives ‘suicide’.

“Good morning, Jaime. Are you ready to go?” Lucas said. I could feel his excitement, like a child going on a field trip with a new friend. I wanted to tease him a bit, but I decided not to.

“Yeah, let me just put my things in my car.” I said. “It’s alright; you can give your keys to Jordan.” He pointed to the tall, tan, muscular man who just got down from the passenger seat of the sedan. “He’s my chauffer and an ex-military driver. He’ll take your car to my place. Don’t worry; he’s not going to scratch it.” 

“I actually wanted to ride my car.” I answered directly. I am not exactly the type of person who was easily impressed or excited with fancy things. Besides, I just got Jack last night and I was looking forward to riding him today.

I thought that Lucas would be vexed at my ungratefulness. Any normal person would jump at the sight of a Limo, but instead I saw him toss his car keys to Jordan, carry one of my suitcases, and headed towards the parking lot. “Alright then, I’ll just ride with you instead.”

When we arrived at my car, Lucas helped me pack my things into Jack’s trunk. For a rich man he sure is down to earth. He does look the part of a billionaire— well-mannered with an air of authority and a confident smile, but the way he carries himself was very carefree and relaxed. I have never seen this part of him for a long time. The past months have been very rough and exhausting, and seeing him in a new light made me realize why she fell in love with him. Why…

“…all?” My thoughts were cut-off with by Lucas’ sudden question.

“Sorry what?” I asked.

“Is this all your stuff?” he asked again.

“Ahh. Yes. Sorry.” I said as I unlocked the doors of my Chevy.

Lucas was about to enter the passenger seat but I stopped him. “I think you should drive. I don’t know where you live.” I said as I handed him my keys. Well I did, but he does not have to know that. 

“Are you sure? I thought you wanted to drive your car.” 

“I said I wanted to ride my car, not exactly drive it.” I explained. “Besides, I kinda miss sitting on the passenger seat of this car. My parents were also agents of the company I worked for, you see. Back in the day, this was the car assigned to them. They used to take me on trips in this Chevy when I was younger.”

“So that’s why you’re such an amazing investigator! You must have gotten it from your parents. They must be so proud of you to follow in their footsteps.” Lucas exclaimed as he got into the driver seat. I sat myself in the passenger seat and buckled up.

“I wish. However, I would never really know. They died in a mission in Shanghai ten years ago.” Crap. I wanted to cry. Why did I even bring this up? “The company decommissioned this car when they passed, like they always do when an agent dies. But last night I was finally able to get my hands on it.” Stop talking god damn it. You’re just hurting yourself, Jaime. I felt tears flow from my eyes.

Lucas’ sunny expression returned to the miserable state I’ve been used to seeing the past months. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I understand what you feel completely.”

“Thank you.”

“Does it ever get any better?” He asked. “People say that time heals all wounds. Is it true?”

“The wounds never really heal. And in the small chance that they do, there will always be a scar. Losing someone is like losing a part of yourself that you can never take back.” What the fuck am I saying? I was supposed to make him feel better, not make him feel worse. But I can’t lie to him. Even after ten years, I miss my parents dearly. Her death did not make things easier for me as well. It’s like the pain just keeps on adding up until I explode. “Sometimes you think that you’ve moved on, only to realize that you haven’t. And when the memories of them come flooding back through, it would hurt like hell. Other times the pain is so intense that you would beg for death, but it won’t come, and all you would think about are the ‘what ifs’ and ‘could have beens’.” My voice was shaking. This was the first time in a long time that I opened up to someone; the first time in a long time I felt safe.

I saw Lucas gripping my steering wheel tightly. What I just said clearly affected him.  “We should get going.” I suggested, and Lucas droved out of the parking lot and into the road. The sedan he was with followed behind us.

I noticed Lucas take a wrong turn. This isn’t the way to his house. I almost called him out for it, but then I realized that I wasn’t supposed to know where he lived, so I just let it slide. 

Lucas was silent the whole drive to his house. I think the story about my dead parents got him to think about his wife. Stupid Jaime. 

I fell asleep in the car and I didn't notice that we drove way passed what I knew to be his home in London. A few hours later I felt Lucas shaking me awake. "We're here." Lucas whispered.