CHAPTER 7: NOTHING IS EVER AS IT SEEMS

Jess and Leslie got home and found a quiet locked house. Her father seemed to have stepped out as the car was also missing. Jess panicked even more as she imagined that her father had fallen ill and was rushed to hospital. Jess let herself in using her key and then she called her father to check if everything was ok. He let her know that he had gone to pick up a cheque and then decided to do some shopping with Margaret. A relieved Jess began to brew some hot chocolate for Leslie so that they would calm down. She was terrified because of Todd’s arrest, and she couldn’t help but think that she was next on the police’s radar. She served Leslie some chocolate and some pastries and Leslie sat up from the sofa where she was lying down. She had been very quiet since they got home.

“Jess, I think I’m going to raise this baby alone,” she said softly.

“What baby?” Jess asked, confused.

“I’m pregnant,” Leslie said softly. Jess gasped in surprise while Leslie picked up her cup of chocolate and began sipping it. 

“When did you find out?” Jess asked.

“Yesterday. That’s why I came over. I was so scared.”

“What did Todd say about it?”Jess asked. She was worried about this turn of events because Leslie’s parents were strict and esteemed members of society. They would never approve of such a situation especially because this child was conceived outside of wedlock.

“He doesn't know. I was going to tell him today.” Leslie’s eyes filled with tears as she imagined life as a single mother with no job. 

“Don’t worry. Everything will be alright,” Jess said. Her words sounded hollow and she wasn’t even sure she had convinced herself that things would be fine. 

“I’m not strong like you,”Leslie said, then she faced Jess. “When I came over yesterday, I saw how much you have on your plate. Margaret was cooking dinner for your dad but I imagined what else you had to do. So I tidied the house a little and did some laundry. I didn’t even know how to use the machine so Margaret showed me the ropes. I’ve never worked a day in my life Jess. If I can’t even do laundry without help, then how I’m I supposed to raise a whole human being?”

“You are overthinking this. Everything will be ok. You will learn. I learned too,” Jess said, rubbing her back gently. They drank their chocolate in silence then Jess decided to call Pete and find out what was going on. He simply told her that he was on the way and hung up. Jess told Leslie this and then Leslie said something unexpected.

“Todd has a gambling club that he runs at Spree. That’s probably why he was arrested.”

“What?” Jess asked in surprise. “How long has this been going on?”

“All through campus. Some of his friends introduced some new players and I’m guessing that is how the police found out,” Leslie said. She was so calm, that Jess was starting to get a little bit worried. 

“Is it legit or is it usually rigged?” Jess asked. 

“It’s rigged in favor of whoever has more bets, but Todd gets a cut from the winner. Come to think of it, that’s probably why the game was so empty last time. Maybe one of the sore losers talked to the police,” Leslie said.

“Do you usually attend?” Jess asked.

“Almost always,” she said.

“So what happens if your name comes up in the investigation?”Jess asked and her heart skipped a beat.

“Todd wouldn't do that to me,” Leslie said.   

“Let me get you some milk,” Jess said and stood to go to the kitchen. She was too confused to say anything else but she was also surprised that Leslie would be ok with such an arrangement. Leslie was so naive when it came to Todd. He could do no wrong and no one else could make her see reason. 

“Can I have more cookies?” Leslie asked. Jess nodded in affirmation then headed to the kitchen.

Leslie was an only child to highly successful business people. Her parents were high powered individuals who had built a successful empire through their complex logistics company. They had always wanted Leslie to join the family business but she was more interested in partying and living the good life. Her parents did not know that her rebellion was driven by her bitterness. Her parents gave her every material thing she needed but they never had time for her. She was raised by nannies who became her family. Her childless uncle and aunt also became close to her and they were a better family to her than her parents had ever been. Her aunt and uncle had attended her graduation and the party in full, while her parents had only spared her an hour. She always imagined raising children with Todd, in a happy humble family. She did not care what kind of work he did as long as he was a loving husband and father. Leslie could now see her dream fading away and she did not know what to do about it.

In the kitchen, Jess was warming some milk but all sorts of thoughts were running through her mind. What would happen to Leslie and her baby when her parents and Todd found out about this? Would Todd take responsibility? What would Leslie’s parents do to Todd? Was Todd arrested because of his business or Pete’s business? How was she supposed to help? There was too much to consider and Jess felt her head spinning with anxiety. She took the milk and cookies to Leslie and she found her staring into space. 

“Pete should be here soon.” Jess said.

“How does he even know where you live?” Leslie asked. 

“ He dropped me here after dinner yesterday,” Jess said. She laughed to herself when she remembered how Pete tracked her everywhere just because she was carrying his money. Her little white lie sounded much more romantic than the truth.

“ Where did you go for dinner?” Leslie asked excitedly. Her eyes almost popped out of her sockets when she mentioned that it was in the penthouse of a luxurious hotel.

“Tell me everything,” Leslie said. “It will help me get my mind off things,” she added when Jess hesitated. Jess recounted everything including how Pete picked her up after work and they drove to his hotel. Leslie was so excited when she heard about the clothes and cosmetics selection and she was even more impressed when she found out that Pete had introduced her to his business partners. She nodded in approval when Jess said that he was going to get her a better job.

“ I think I like Pete more now,” Leslie said. “I always thought he was some arrogant guy who was spoiled by exposure to too much money from his parents. I never knew it was actually his own money that he was using.”

“But he was never flashy in school, was he? I never even noticed him.” Jess asked.

“Not really.  It's just that he sometimes wears these really expensive shoes and clothes that are designer, and I was wondering how his parents allow him to blow their money that much. He once came to school with some Manolo’s and said he had to wear them because he was attending a family function.”

“Manolo?” Jess asked in confusion. Leslie rolled her eyes in response.

“How can you not know about one of the most expensive men’s shoe designers in the world?” she asked with amusement. 

“You know my problems are more local than international,”Jess said and they both laughed at her silly comment. 

Jess’s father and Margaret came home just when they were giggling. Luckily for them, no one asked about their early night and they went on as though nothing was amiss. However, Jess’s father recognized the tension but he remained silent. The girls helped them take out groceries from the car and this was when it hit Jess that she had not prepared dinner. She quickly prepared a simple meal while Leslie walked around the kitchen making a mess. They were about to serve dinner when the doorbell rang. Jess then remembered that Pete was supposed to come by for his car. She went to open the door while Margaret and Leslie served dinner. Pete looked angry but Todd looked extremely frustrated. "Where's Leslie?"Todd asked. "They are having dinner."

"Please call her. We need to leave,"he said. Pete walked past him and asked Jess, "Is your dad home?"

"Yes."she nodded. “Why?” 

"Come introduce me,"he said, taking her hand. 

“It’s not really necessary,” she said reluctantly.

“I can’t just ring the bell and not even greet the owner of the house. I’m not that disrespectful. Show me the way,” he said and then followed Jess into the dining area.

Todd followed behind reluctantly. Jess was upset because this joke was going too far. They walked into the dining room and Jess's father sat up when they got in. "Dad, meet my friend Pete. You've met Todd before." Her father greeted them warmly and invited them to join them for dinner. They declined politely and then excused themselves. Leslie followed suit. Jess walked them to the door and she pulled Pete aside. 

"What's going on?"she asked. 

"Todd's car was involved in a hit and run a few weeks ago. He got it fixed but the police have been looking for him. He's been released on bail." Pete said. 

"So you had nothing to do with this?" she asked.

"Of course I did. I was driving the car." Pete said sarcastically. He started walking away and Jess pulled him back. "I'm sorry,"she said softly.  He looked at her with a look that she didn't understand and then he walked to his car. Todd and Leslie got into a waiting taxi and waved goodbye to Jess. Pete got into his car and Jess walked over to him. 

"You didn't tell me anything about work." she said. He pulled out a small envelope with cash then said, " No more work for you. I can't work with guys like Todd who the police are always looking at." He said cranking up his engine. 

"Wait, so you are dropping me because of Todd's issues?" She asked. She was really depending on the extra money that had started coming in. She would soon be back to struggling if the work was really over.  "He's your friend's boyfriend. He will always be around you. I'm guessing it's not as easy for you to cut people off, as it is for me." He said. 

“We don't see each other that often. Leslie is the one who is my friend.” Jess said.

“It was nice working with you Jessica Harris. It was good while it lasted.” He said. 

“At least let Todd keep the job at the travel agency. They really need the money.” Jess said thinking about the baby.

"I can't believe you are begging for them. Guys like Todd never turn legit no matter how many times they are arrested. It's always one scam after another. Leslie is a sweetheart but she's from old money. She will be fine wherever she goes. Her parents have set her up for life. They do not need your help. You take care of your father and yourself. " he said.

"It's not that simple,"she said. "Leslie is like my sister."

"Then tell her to lose Todd because the police are generating a long list of crimes against him. I thought it was just the gambling but it's so much more. I can't continue working with him because the police will continue looking into him and then my business will fall under their radar." He was quiet for a minute and then he got out of his car and took out a relatively large box from the back seat. Jess was surprised that she hadn't seen it before when they were using the car. The box was wrapped in decorative paper and had a big bright red bow on top. 

"There's 15 deliveries in here. Each of them has a room delivery number. Most are for tomorrow but some are due on the next day. You don't need to call me tomorrow. I'll see you when I see you," he said, then reached out and gave her a warm hug. "Please please be careful, " he said and kissed her cheek gently. She watched him drive away and then she entered the house. She had suddenly developed mixed feelings towards Pete. He had been so kind and gentle towards her tonight that she had begun to see Pete as a human being. She walked into the house with her package and met her father standing at the window overlooking the driveway.

"Is everything okay? "He asked Jess.

"It's ok. Todd is in some trouble with the police and Pete wants me to avoid him. We have a difference of opinion because I can't cut off Leslie, and Leslie can't cut off Todd," Jess said. She decided that an edited version of the truth was much easier than the truth because she couldn't generate any more lies.

"Well it sounds like good advice,"her dad said. “Listen to the boy.”

"I can't abandon Leslie now." Jess said. 

"I'm not asking you to abandon her. Just limit your interactions and avoid Todd. Also stay away from him in public." He said.

"I will, "she said. They finished supper in an awkward silence and then each retired to bed. Jess opened the gift box and the first thing she saw was a large box of chocolates. She put them aside and then took out the five separate packages. Two were larger than the rest. Three out of the five had room numbers and tomorrow's date indicated. The fourth had a room number attached and the later date indicated. At the bottom of the box was another large package filled with chocolates. There was a tiny card with a rose inscribed on top and the writing inside had an endearing message. 'Sweets for my sweet'. Jess smiled and popped a chocolate into her mouth and thought to herself how this was beginning to feel like a real relationship. Maybe Pete would make a good boyfriend if this became real. She shook her head and brushed off her fantasy. This was just work. When she had packed her large handbag she finally went to bed.