Chapter 4 – What Tara Likes

(Blake's POV)

"Are you sure Mr. Williamson won't mind?" Tara glances at me, then turn her eyes again on the wall aquarium separating the dining room from the kitchen. She was standing in front of it, and as a child, she was looking at each fish as if memorizing its features.

Tara is the first woman I brought here whose interest is on my fish rather than me and my 21,000 square feet living space, which is, by the way, over $50 million in cost.

"He won't," I don't mind, I answer, thinking of her going ballistic once she sees my bedroom made me smile. I had a fish tank installed in my whole bedroom wall. 

"You really like the sea," she beams as she sits down on the chair and takes her notebook and pencil.

"You like swimming?" I ask, watching her doodling again on her notebook. I feel like I won't get tired of watching her. The longer I look, the more I realize why she is beautiful. She has long eyelashes that whenever she blinks or gazes, her eyes become more dreamy and gorgeous. Her childlike facial expressions are making me crazy. Like, right now, she is pouting her lips as she concentrates on something.

I shake my head as I focus on preparing the food. I turn my back on her hoping to get a wine to complement the steak and salad, but I don't want her to have a wrong idea of me bringing her here. I sighed. This is the first time I brought a girl into my place without thinking of sex. I just want to be with her. Period.

I opened the fridge and took out the pitcher of orange juice instead.

"I'm not really sure if I'll like it," she finally answers. "We live in the countryside... so, I'd never had the chance...Stella brought me once on the beach, it was lovely."

I set up the table, then after I placed the steak, salad, and orange juice, I went to Tara. She seems engrossed in doodling she barely noticed me, so I stand behind her to see what she's doing, and to my surprise, I saw the sketch of me while cooking.

"Wow! You're good," I exclaimed as I take the notebook from her. Her pencil sketch was much better than the charcoal painting I had in my parents' house. It was like a picture in a black and white filter.

She grins, leaving her notebook in my hand, and then walks toward the table. She must be really hungry.

I flip the other pages, but it was the only drawing she has in it. The rest of the pages contain her schedule, notes related to her work, and reminders, which was really personal but Tara seemed not to mind. I felt awkward scanning her notebook, so I close it and place it back on the countertop table.

"Hmn... you can really cook," she grins again, and then inhales the scent of the steak, "Are you sure your boss won't mind we're eating his food?"

"He won't mind," I assured her, watching her as she enjoys the food.

"This is great! The best steak," says Tara after she swallows the food. She opens her eyes and smiles at me. "Sorry, I have nothing to compare it to, but this is really good," she reaches for her salad.

I suck for air when I saw her licking her lips. I wish she will stop doing that because I might come to her to help her lick the steak juice from her lips.

"I thought you're hungry," she asks when she noticed I wasn't eating.

"Yeah," I pick up my fork and knife and start eating as well. Eating a steak will never be the same again after this. "You have great talent. Are you some kind of illustrator?" I ask, although her schedule shows she is an online English tutor, the notes, the pronunciation guides, and grammar rules to remember were written there.

She shakes her head. "I'm a tutor, and drawing is just my hobby," she answers as she picks up the lettuce in her salad.

"What did you take up in college?" I raised both hands. "Sorry, I know you don't want me asking personal questions."

She shrugs. "Well... you're feeding me right now, so, I'll give you a chance to ask five personal questions, and I'll give you honest answers."

"Hmn... I must choose the right question wisely then," I said, looking amused at her. "Back to my question, what did you take up in college?"

"Education. My father died when I was in high school so I gave up my dream of becoming an architect," she answers then drinks her juice.

I feel the hint of pain in the story but I didn't dare to ask that part yet. "Why did you draw me?"

She raises her eyebrows and looks at her notebook. "This is my first time to be in the city alone. The farthest place I've ever been was the shopping mall near our apartment, and that's it. Everything is just so colorful here, and later when I get home, It's hard to decide what to draw first. The dancing umbrellas, your lovely aquarium and..." she said dreamily.

"Me?" I cut in. I just want to tease her but she surprises me with her answer.

"Yeah," her cheeks flushed red as she admit it. She meets his eyes. "You are gorgeous, Blake and I've never seen anyone as handsome as you. Sorry for being straightforward, but Stella says it's good to be honest,"

I stayed quiet for a while, feeling contented by just looking at Tara. I am amazed at her honesty and innocence. I just hope she doesn't look at me like I'm a piece of art.

"What's your next question?" she asks while tearing the lettuce she picks up a while ago.

"Tara, it's obvious that you don't know the questions in the envelope, but why did you do it?" I ask curiously.

Now her face turns red. She heaves a sigh before answering him.

"It was a favor from Stella. She has helped my family a lot when we're struggling, and I told you, she paid me in return. I was supposed to be working tonight but she doubled the payment. How can I say no?"

"You needed the money," I uttered as I remember her computation of expenses in her notebook. I saw the lacking amount, and encircling it several times, I can imagine she was having trouble getting it.

"Who doesn't?" she sniggers.

I nodded, but the money she has on her list is nothing compared to what I have. I can even write her a check now, and she can decide whether she wants to work for a year or not.

"You have a boyfriend, Tara?" I didn't mean to ask that questions, but usually, a boyfriend is good support, and weirdly enough, I want to know where I stand.

She shakes her head and presses her lips, but after a while, she explains her gesture. "I can't afford to be in a relationship when I had to focus on helping my family. A relationship is a distraction, Blake."

'Relationship is a distraction,' I totally agree with her, that's why I never stay in a relationship for a long time.

"Every girl has their dream guy, what's yours?" I want to know more. I don't know why but I am dying to know.

If Tara answers she wants a man who would give her comfort in life, I would be very much willing to oblige. I can give her this place, or she can choose where to live. I can even give her money or a blank check. All she has to do is ask.

If she says she wants a man who would take her around the world, I would be glad to travel with her. I don't care where she wants to go as long as they're together. All she needs is to say it, and I'll give Sam a heads up to fix everything. We could leave now.

Even if she asked me to give her the moon, I'll probably do it.

"Blake," she calls my name, "Are you okay? Back to earth please,"

I snapped out from my daydreaming. Holy cow! What am I thinking? I suddenly got confused as I gaze at her. Tara is just another woman who is trapped in my place. I have never done this before, even when I was young, whenever I want something, I must have it. I will have it. I have never considered other people, except for my family.

Right now, I want her. I must have her.

The truth, I can have Tara now, but something stops me from making my moves. I feel like she is special, different from the others.

"I was just thinking how childish my question was," I smile, thinking how stupid I was for asking such a question as if I was some kind of teenager.

She grinned, "You must be thinking," she continued changing her voice, "'what am I? Some kind of a high school teenager asking Tara of her dream guy?'... that's kinda hilarious, right?" She burst out laughing.

I blush for the first time today.

She shrugs. "It's okay. Hmm..." she presses her lips again, then raises her eyebrows. "Maybe like you!"

I straightened up. I didn't expect Tara would consider me, but I stayed quiet for I feel there was something more.

"Any woman would like you. In physique, you're a perfect guy, Blake." she sneers.

I groan, "Why do I feel there's a 'but' after your sentence,"

She chuckles, "You're smart. Yeah, right,"

"Tell me," I ask as I enjoy our casual talk.

"I don't know you," she answers and then looks down on her plate as she finishes her food. She didn't say anything after that, leaving me frustrated. It is so hard to read her.

I stared at her. Just a while ago, when she came into Samantha's office, she looked like a lost stray cat looking for a place to stay. She has probably gathered all her courage to listen to my answers in the interview that wasn't meant for me. And now, I can't stop myself from wanting to know her more.

"Then tell me, what is it that you like in a man? If I'm perfect, what would stop you from liking me?"

Tara meets my eyes to let me know she is honest with her answer.

"I don't want a rich guy... most especially filthy rich guy!"

Her answer surprised me, and for the first time, I didn't expect that being extremely rich will be a great stumbling block of man's happiness.