Chapter 6

Narrator-

Cara rested her head against the dark tinted window, as the black sedan cruised along the expressway. There was a soft jazz tune playing on the radio, but Jason lowered the volume until the sounds of the rolling tires almost drowned out the musical notes. Cara crossed her arms over her chest, and moved her body as far against the door as possible, maximizing the amount of space between herself and Jason.

She felt a bit of mucus lodge in her throat, but only proceeded to clear her throat as soft as possible. Upon hearing the sound, Jason chanced a side glance at Cara, then he focused back on the road. Cara closed her eyes when she felt a warm wave of tears coat her large eyeballs. She blinked multiple times, and her wet eyelashes painted thin streaks of salt water to stain the glass of her eyewear.

Cara's nose clogged, and she didn't want Jason to hear her cry. So opening her eyes, she looked out the window and tried to focus on the trees that zoomed by her line of sight. Cara hated that she folded into herself in such a defeated manner. Her father raised a fighter. At least, Cara believed that she could always be brave when her father was around, because she knew he always had her back. But now, her dad was gone. Her anchor had been taken away indefinitely, and the man who served as a crutch for her brave and outspoken nature was gone forever.

Cara felt lost. When Jason showed up in the hospital room and she stood up to him, she did this because she had someone worth fighting for. Someone she could always count on. Now, not only did Jason singlehandedly wipe away her support system, he also took her voice. He invaded her home, and rendered her helpless. Cara hated this.

She wasn't weak. She wasn't this weak woman who cried endlessly. Nor was she one to go down without a fight. Cara reminisced on when her mother passed. She had been the one to take on the role of taking care of her father. She learned to cook so that he'd remember her mother's hand. Even as a minor, she landed a job at a local bookstore to help with the bills. Cara stood on her own two feet, and took care of her father when he needed her the most. She was a caretaker, an outspoken soul, and yet here she was, stifled and defeated.

Cara acknowledged that she was alone, and apparently at the mercy of a heartless man.

Across the arm rest and dashboard, Jason gripped the steering wheel firmly. He could understand Cara's distress, but he had no interest in offering her any comfort. As far as he was concerned, Cara would just have to suck it up, dry her tears, wipe her hands, and move on. He didn't mean to be so harsh with her earlier, but something about the way Cara stood up to him yesterday had him on edge. And when he showed up to her house today, her welcome was nothing short of a deception and slap to the face. He found her huffing and puffing to be immature, and the stubbornness and her pushing the contract into his hand to be unprofessional.

Jason understood that Cara was raised in a sheltered home and protected by her father. He knows that the only reason Joe accepted the deal he offered was because of Cara. When Jason saw how much Joe fought to keep a roof over his daughter's head, he found his actions to be commendable. Jason even sought to the possibility of meeting Cara one day, just to see the daughter that Joe prized so much. And now that he's met her, Jason was unimpressed. Cara could do better in the manners department.

While Jason exited the expressway, he could've sworn her heard Cara sniffle, but just as before, he offered no consolation to her distress. Instead, he saw this as an opportunity to lay some ground rules.

Jason didn't clear his throat. He didn't have to. Instead, he just spoke.

"Now Miss Thompson, because your case of employment is special and different from a regular position, there are certain things that you will have to do that may be different to the other employees." Jason began, then he paused waiting for Cara to respond.

Cara's closed her eyes and mentally shook her head. She couldn't believe she was in this situation with a man who spoke as if he was not of this century.

"Miss Thompson?" Jason called out, and Cara rolled her eyes but kept her lips shut.

Why did he keep addressing her by her last name? Cara wondered.

"Miss Thompson." Jason said again, and just as before, the dark woman ignored his call.

"Miss Thompso-"

"Oh my gosh, like dude, I heard you the first time." Cara snapped before she could stop herself.

Jason felt a ticking in his brain, something that happened whenever he had a sudden flare in his anger. His index finger tremored above the steering wheel, before he forced his grip on the rubber wheel again.

"I made my expectations of receiving a verbal response clear quite early on." Jason said in return, his voice poised with a stiff undertone.

"Just leave me alone Jason. If you want to talk about your rules go ahead, since you like the sound of your own voice so much. Like I can hear you, just say what you have to say and leave me alone." Cara expressed before huffing and leaning her head against the window again.

Jason sighed and shook his head. No way. The sedan had just arrived at a red light, where on the right side was a park entrance. Jason didn't plan on going any further with Cara until he got her attitude in check. He wasn't going to allow any form of disrespect to enter his home. Jason understood the pressure that Cara was experiencing, but he has tried his best to be nothing but kind, cordial and straightforward with her. This act of ignorance, he couldn't allow.

Jason turned on his blinker, and began shifting in between the lanes, until he made it to the right turn lane. Jason entered the park, and his actions caused Cara to frown. Jason drove slowly for there were pedestrians crossing from the large parking lot, to the field across where the various playgrounds had been installed. Children cheered and giggled as they ran through the grassy fields. Parents and soccer moms yelled out orders of caution that fell on deaf ears, while Jason saw to pulling into a parking spot.

He shifted the car into park, and shut off the engine. Then he leaned back in his chair but didn't speak right away. Cara kept her eyes forward and avoided making any sudden movements. Jason waited until he felt the tension in his skull and neck muscles dissipate, then he released a soft yet prolonged sigh through his nostrils, and decided to speak once again.

"Miss Thompson, I have made it very clear what this relationship will look like. I am professional and an adult, and so are you. I expect that if I speak with you respectfully, you will return the favor. I have tried to be patient, and while I know that this is a tough time, I also know that it will only get tougher if you keep acting this way. Now we're going to try this again, is that understood Miss Thompson?" Jason spoke straight and without a stutter.

His speech was clear and eloquent. His voice holding a calm rhythm, while his tone was hard and yet kind.

Cara, however, didn't care.

"If you want my participation, you'll take me back home and we can talk a new deal. I'm not dealing with this BS Jason, you're being cruel and I'm not going to submit to begging you for mercy. I won't do it, if that's what you're looking for." Cara replied defiantly.

"Miss Thompson-"

"And I am not a child Jason, so stop being so condescending." Cara cut him off.

The tension rose in Jason's brain again.

This time, he didn't wait to calm down.

"I find it interesting that you'd make any request Miss Thompson," Jason began, "given that since the very beginning you have been nothing but guarded and defensive towards me."

At his words Cara opened her mouth, but Jason raised a hand in sign that he wasn't finished.

"Now if you're sulking because you're not getting your way, I suggest you stop." Jason warned.

"Alright, your father and I we made a deal. You took on that deal when he could no longer go on, and you will abide by terms of this agreement. I will not have a repeat of this redundant conversation, so once more, I will ask you to stop acting immature. If I address you, I expect a verbal response, no huffing, no puffing, you can vent out those nonverbal frustrations on your own time. Is that clear?" Jason expressed firmly.

Cara sucked her teeth and looked out the window. She shook her head and tears of frustration began to stream down her cheeks. Her right leg began to bounce, causing the entire car to move. Cara swiped her tongue over her teeth, while her lips remained sealed shut. Her tongue was drowning in liquid salt, and the bulge of tears that puffed in her neck muscles, made Cara feel close to sobbing.

Jason took on a tone that only her dad would use when she crossed a line. Cara hated that. No one could ever tell her when she's crossing the line except for her father, and yet now Jason was doing just that. He not only took over her home, but now he was taking on an authoritarian role against her. Cara wanted to lash out, her bouncing knee and crossed arms said as much. But she had no choice, she could fight Jason every step of the way, but she still would have to pay him back.

Jason gave Cara a few moments to gather her wits. He himself took advantage of the silence. His index finger no longer twitched, and the tension in his skull had trickled away on the tail of his ever-slow breaths. Jason took notice of Cara's bouncing leg and crossed arms. A sign that she was trying her best to close him out and not listen. But Jason decided to try again.

"Is that understood Miss Thompson?" Jason said, his voice going just a note softer.

Cara blinked slowly, another trail of tears ran down her face. She swallowed a gulp, but decided to bid her time.

"Crystal." Cara replied with a blunt voice.

Jason nodded.

"As I was saying before, the other employees need not be aware of the case under which you are employed. It is a private matter between us, and I'd like to keep it that way. If not, that is up to you. I have planned for you to share a room with another young woman by the name of Cindy. You will come to find that I have ten entertainers in total, and an even greater number of others for security details, which means you will never have to worry about anything safety related. There is a kitchen staff that prepares our meals, and I expect everyone, including you to be present at breakfast, lunch and dinner." Jason took a pause, just to test Cara's nature.

Cara, who's tears had dried up and she now stared blankly ahead at the park-goers on the playground, blinked and gulped again, before replying carefully, "Okay."

Jason nodded, slightly pleased, but not convinced. He knew Cara's character. She was bidding her time, and he was aware that sooner or later, she'd start fighting him again. Jason also suspected that these next six months would not be easy. He liked his women tame and submissive. Thus far, Cara has proven to be anything but, and Jason truly did not wish to entertain her spoilt nature, and for her sake, he secretly hopes she fell in line soon.

"Now because I initially planned for you to act as an entertainer, you were supposed to meet up with our costume designer. However, now that you will take on a clerical position, you may never have to step foot in the club if you don't wish to do so." Jason continued, although he couldn't forget her curious gaze when she drank in the text from the contract he presented her earlier.

"Once we arrive at the mansion, I will have Cindy help you get settled, and I will work on the terms and a list of clerical responsibilities that you will have to fulfill. Is that clear?" Jason questioned in finality.

Cara shook her head just slightly, and released a bitter smile and one chuckle syllable. Then she nodded and pursed her lips, her once stiff shoulders going soft.

"All good." Cara replied, but she didn't look at Jason.

Nonetheless, for now, Jason was satisfied. With a nod of his head, Jason turned in the ignition, and they soon drove out of the park. For the remainder the of the ride, the occupants of the vehicle shared no form of communication, except for the occasional sigh and audible exhales. Cara leaned her head against the window again, her eyes glazing over as she reminisced on the days of her youth.

Her father was bed ridden for weeks following her mother's burial. Cara imagined the picture of her small thirteen year old frame moving around the kitchen, as she attempted to execute her mother's famous pumpkin soup. She also saw herself approaching her dad with a tray of warm milk and toasted bread. She reminisced on the first time her father stepped out of the bedroom scaring the crap out of Cara. She remembers his smile when he embraced her and thanked her for being so brave.

Cara, so lost in her dense thoughts, missed it when the traffic filled road suddenly morphed into a two-lane route, bordered by tall pine trees and large oaks. The long route remained this secluded and free of homes and pedestrian traffic for more than five minutes, until the road itself ended at a large mansion which sat on a small hill.

Jason arrived at large black iron gate, where he pressed firmly on the brake, keeping the car in place. He lowered his tinted window, and reached out to a small keypad. He punched in his private code, and with a beep from the small box, and click from what Cara assumed was he gate's lock, the black metal barricade began to roll open on three large wheels.

Jason waited for the large gate to be completely open before he started driving in. When the car did cross into the mansion's yard, the first thing Cara noted were the two armed men, dressed in all black standing by the gate. They each held on to a leashed German Sheperd, and though both dogs sat silently, they sent tremors of fear down Cara's spine.

And that was just the start of it.

Cara gulped as the gate rolled shut. The men nodded their heads towards Jason. These men also sported army-styled haircuts. They wore dark shades, and Cara doubted that these men knew how to smile. Jason continued on the drive along the thinly traced two-lane route. Cara noticed the mansion sitting on the hill at a distance. Looking around the plantation, Cara notices that the entire field, starting at the gate and circling to a distance that her eyes could no longer spot, was encircled by a solid brick wall, painted in white. On the inside of the brick fence, were green, healthy bushes of Yew Plum Pines, as tall as the wall itself. From that point, Cara's eyes encountered the lush green landscape of low cut grass, with tall pines and oaks organized in a fashion that did not overcrowd the yard, along with various water fountains spouting water into the air around the establishment.

Cara gulped and sighed nervously. She had never seen a place so beautiful except in pictures, less step foot in one. The closer they got to the mansion, the more ornament the yard became, with well kept flowers, garden statues and various types of greenery. The driveway itself was large circle and in the center a bigger waterfall, designed with various baby angels, birds and flowers, took it's majestic place. It was already afternoon and the sun was starting to make it's way to it's lowest points in the sky. Jason stopped directly in front of the set of large beige stairs that led up to the brown double doors of the mansion.

A young Valet in a green jacket quickly saw to opening Cara's door. He held out his hand, and Cara carefully accepted his help.

He smiled a professional grin and greeted, "Good Afternoon Miss Thompson, and welcome."

"Thank you." Cara replied.

The young man nodded and saw to retrieving Cara's bags from the backseat. As he did this, Cara missed the middle-aged woman, dressed in a maid's outfit exit the stairs and approach them. Cara reached out for her bags, but was surprised when the young an turned and handed them to the woman.

The woman, grabbed the bags, allowing Cara to take her purse. Then she performed a swift bow, and headed back up the steps without a word. The valet then ran around the car and opened Jason's door. Jason exited the sedan, handing the young valet the keys. While he did this, Cara allowed her eyes to peek at the outer appearance of the tall mansion, which appeared to loom over her form. The outer wall of the mansion was coated and polished in a beige color palette. The brick banisters bordering the large staircase made of three flights of five stairs each was also painted beige. When the stairs reached the base that led to the double doors, the area enlarged into an elongated front porch, with a large bronze lion bordering the entrance on each side. This porch-like base ran along the the entire length of the mansion.

Jason walked around the car and brushed passed Cara while instructing briefly, "follow me."

Cara did so without question. She was still struck silent by the mansion itself. Cara climbed the steps carefully. When both she and Jason reached the top of the stairs, as if like magic, the doors were pulled open from the inside. The entire situation and the grandeur of the area made Cara internally shake with fear. This was not what she expected when Jason said mansion. And the more she discovered about the wealth of this place, the more she feared getting involved with Jason, and yet, here she was.

Jason walked through the doors routinely. Cara on the other hand stepped as carefully as possible, almost as it she were walking on a priceless glass. As soon as Cara was safely sheltered inside the home, the doors closed shut, and Cara realized that there were two butlers, dressed in the exact same clothing, comprised of black suits, white dress shirts, black bowties, and white gloves. Their shoes were black yet, but their faces resembled what Cara could only imagine as the pain felt when a broom had been pushed up someone's anus.

Cara turned back around to find Jason staring at her. He had moved and was standing at the base of the right flight of stairs that partook in the grand double staircase. She blinked in shock, not expecting to find him looking at her. Cara approached Jason carefully, while he stood with his hands in his pockets. But before he could speak, Cara overheard a woman emerging from a room on her left hand side.

"I told you Jason was here." A thin, beautiful dark-skinned girl, with round and plump dark lips, a button nose, and chocolate eyes, taller than Cara, exclaimed.

"And with him he brought the goddess of love herself." A man with short brown curls, and a heavy European accent, replied.

This man, with light brown eyes and a short-haired stubble covering his jaw and cheeks, approached Cara. With his olive-skinned hand, he instantly grabbed Cara's left arm. He brought the back of her hand to his lips, while his eyes remained on hers. He made a show of kissing it as slowly as possible.

Cara looked at him in confusion.

"Hello, my name is Vincent. Pleased to meet you." He greeted with a bow, then he dropped her hand.

"Um, hi." Cara said, then cleared her throat.

"See you've made her uncomfortable already. Girl ignore him." the woman spoke once more waving, the man, Vincent, off.

Vincent wiggled his eyebrows in a goofy manner, than winked at Cara.

"I'm Cindy." Cindy pointed to her chest and held out a hand to Cara.

"You must be Cara."

Cara nodded and shook Cindy's hand, "nice to meet you." She greeted in return.

"Cindy, please show Miss Thompson to her room. I will send for her when I'm ready." Jason instructed, then with one last glance at Cara, he took his leave.

"Sure thing." Cindy confirmed to a receding Jason, then she hooked her arm with Cara's, shocking her.

"Girl I'm so glad you're here, so let me be the first to say welcome. Now come on." Cindy cheered and giggled, and all but dragged Cara up the stairs and to the right, to what Cara assumed was her room.

Meanwhile down the hall that led towards the back of the mansion, Jason entered his office. He closed the door then sat at his desk. He removed the folded packet from his back pocket, and opened it, as he triple checked that Cara signed everything. While doing so, Jason's mind drifted to the memory of Cara's curious tone as she wondered about the details on that page. He found that her curiosity was dangerous, especially when she wondered about things that did not concern her. It's what got her in trouble with Jason in the first place, and now Jason looked forward to seeing how Cara took to the liberty of either knowing the club, or remaining within the limits of what truly concerned her here in the mansion.