Chapter Two

        William reluctantly gave her a ride to Robert Johnson's house. They exchanged goodbye's and she watched him drive off before turning to face the 'gigantic' sight in front of her. Although the house was quite a distance from where she stood, she was able to catch a glimpse of the beautiful sight in what was Robert's Johnson's house. Better still, mansion. She made her way to the front gate and was just about to hit the bell when a tall, huge man with a compressed face emerged from nowhere startling Theresa. As if his height and size wasn't enough, the grim expression he wore complimented the huge scar he had on the right side of his face, making him look intimidating.

     "Theresa Gray?" he asked in a deep voice.

     She gave him a brief smile and nodded. "Yes." 

     He drew open the seven feet steel gate and pointed towards the Victorian like building far away. Her eyes followed his long fingers and she let out a sigh calculating the distance of the walk she was going to have to make. She managed a lazy smile before advancing towards the house.

         Her heels tapped rhythmically on the concrete side walk which looked like it had just been washed as it shone brightly under the morning sun. Soon enough, the house came into clear view and she marveled at the intricate sight. It was a two storey red brick modern Victorian building. Long and wide, perhaps 9,500 square feet. Fine glass window almost at every corner of the building giving it a modern yet typical picture of the Victorian era house. There was a mower trimming the turfs beside the sidewalk and when she waved her hands to greet him, he grinned excessively at her. After walking for what would seem like hours, she finally came upon came upon a fountain which stood amidst the compound, and right ahead was the front door. 

       A blonde woman in her late 40's stood on the stairs holding a towel in one hand and a window sprayer in the other. Her thin mouth was curled in a welcoming smile that would have eased whatever strain of nervousness she might have been feeling. 

      “Good morning Miss Gray," she greeted warmly. Theresa wondered if Robert had told his entire household he would be expecting her seeing as they all knew what to call her.

      “Good morning." She replied curtly as she made her way to the stairs.

      "I'm Margaret," she started back towards the door, flipping the three inches double door open. "The housekeeper."

        If she thought the exterior of the house was beautiful, the interior was just exquisite. The black tiled squared floors had been adequately polished, complimenting the cream colored settees which surrounded a large coffee table with a small vase on it. On the walls hung three paintings; one of Robert Johnson leaning on a railing with a whiskey glass and cigar in his hand. He looked much younger in the portrait. The other two portraits, Theresa suspected to be his wife and son. A huge crystal chandelier that could probably light the entire city hung in the middle of the room. The place seemed so surreal to her as she'd only imagine these in her head. But, staring at the beaut in front of her, she could already conclude Robert Johnson had not just a great taste but high and sophisticated as well.

       They came out the back where the covered pool was and into a small garden where Robert stood with his wife checking out the different flowers that had bloomed. Luckily for her, Robert turned just in time to see Theresa step into the garden. She didn’t want to be the ruiner of the beautiful moment he was having with his wife. He motioned to Theresa to come up to where he stood whilst Mary; his wife, went back into the house. They had exchanged a brief introduction when they came near to each other.

      "Welcome Theresa," Robert greeted, stretching out his right hand.  

      Theresa couldn't quite believe the sight in front of her as she'd never imagine this in one of her wildest thought. But, she did well to hide her excitement. "Thank you, Mr. Johnson. For having me," she said taking his hand. "All the pleasure is mine." 

       His mostly grey hair would have made anyone think he was around eighty or in his late seventies. But his strong physicality and demeanor definitely made him look sixty-two as he was. 

     "Let's walk?" he asked, not particularly in question as he had began walking through the beautiful garden before she could utter a word. Theresa followed suit. 

     "You have a beautiful house, Mr. Johnson," she complimented whilst taking in proper view of his garden.

     Robert smiled knowingly. "It took five architects to come up with this modern Victorian structure quite appealing to me. I wanted only the best." He disclosed wearing something that resembled a smug on his face.

      She nodded not the slightest bit surprised that he made five architects jam heads together to map out the plan and or structure of the house. Little wonder why it looked like the palace of the Queen of England.

      "How long have you been living in the city?" he conversed much to her surprise.

      "About four years now," she answered.

       He shook his head in satisfaction and she couldn't quite place what was satisfactory about that. They reached the gazebo and both took seats across each other. 

     "Coffee?" he asked.

      Theresa nodded in response and Alfie filled two cups with coffee and served it.

      "I hope you like it this way," he was referring to the black coffee.

      "It's exactly how I like my coffee."

       Again, he shook his head in satisfaction which left Theresa wondering even more. He had taken a few sips of his coffee when he rested in his chair and crossed his left leg over his thigh. "I take it you know me Theresa."  

      She let out a quiet laugh. "Who in this city doesn't know Robert Johnson."

      "I guess my reputation precedes me." He affirmed, taking another sip of his coffee. He made a throat clearing noise and delved right into the purpose of the meeting. "You must be wondering why I called for this meeting."

      "Certainly."

      "I have been observing you for quite some time now."

       Ordinarily, Theresa would have thought: 'creepy' but she found it very appealing. 

       "I'm not stalking you or anything like that," he laughed, further clarifying what he meant. "I just happened to come across your blog one day and fell in love with your writing."

      Now, she flushed. Her cheeks turned pink and her face split into a wide grin all in a matter of seconds. Surely, she couldn't contain that one for even a second.

     "What's the name again?"

     "Gray Talks Reality," she replied. 

     "It's quite a successful blog," he commented and she appreciated the compliment. "I believe I've cleared the air on how I knew you. You must have been wondering about it."

      "Yes. It did come as a shock to me when your secretary called. Actually 'shock' is an understatement."

       By now, he had downed his cup of coffee and just requested a refill when Theresa had barely taken four sips.

      "Honestly, I'm flattered Mr. Johnson. I didn't think you'd come across my blog or even love it," Theresa chirped.

     "Now you know, I'd like to offer you a job at my agency as a journalist."

      No way! Her mind exploded in that moment. Was she hearing right? Robert Johnson just offered her dream job in his agency. She was surprised which was very glaring with the expression on her face. She was sure her mouth had formed an 'O'.

      Robert laughed. "That's not all Theresa."

      There's more? Could this day get any better was her thought. 

      "I also want you to write my biography."

     The first thought should have been 'Wow, yes!' but she couldn't help the thought that he had been diagnosed with an ailment, probably cancer and his life has been limited to a year or two which would explain why he'd want to get his biography written now. 

     "Are you sick Mr. Johnson?" she blurted out her thoughts before she could rethink it.

      He stopped short for a second or two wondering why she might have thought that and then he realized why she must be thinking that. He emitted a chuckle and made to explain the situation to her. "I'm not sick Theresa. But I'm not getting any younger either. And we don't know what the future has install for us. I want to make sure the world learns of my story and how I made it to where I am today. So, I'd like to kick start that right away."

     Well, it was a rational reason, she thought. 

     "So, what do you say? About the job offer and my biography? No pressure Theresa. But, I'd let you know that I don't ask twice."

     Typical of him to say no pressure and still affirm that he doesn't ask twice. That was definitely going to put pressure on anyone but seeing as Theresa had dreamed of becoming a journalist since forever, her brain wouldn't spare her an opportunity to think over it. And in that moment, she screamed "Yes!" At least, that's how it sounded in her head.

     "Yes, Mr. Johnson. I would gladly take you up on those offers."

      He leaned forward and reached for his coffee. "Well then," he sipped. "We start on Monday."

      She was screaming inside. Finally, she was dumping that sickening P.R. job in that suffocating agency being run by that tyrant, Barris. She was all smiles, grateful for this angel that had just been sent into her life. Just like that.

     "Mr. Johnson," she started. "I am very grateful for this life changing offer right now. You have no idea how much this means to," she beamed very much excited about this beautiful Saturday and all the bliss that came with it.

     He sat back again, with his coffee in his hand shaking his head satisfactorily. "You earned it, Theresa."