C11

ISABELLA

Jaden was staring at me I tried really hard not to notice him but it was pretty much impossible.His eyes followed me everywhere I went.He was so busy watching me that he almost caught the meatballs he was making on fire.Is idea for a great dinner was spaghetti and meatballs made from scratch.Well that aside his constant gaze was making me feel uncomfortable.Even why we were eating dinner he was staring and missed his mouth at least five times,leaving a trail of tomato sauce down his chin,which he didn't wipe away in time,so it left a stain on his pale skin.

I ate with my head down,so I didn't have to make eye contact with him.why was he acting weird?,was it because I told him about my family?,If I'd known he was going to react like this,I wouldn't have mentioned it.His change in character and attitude was so drastic and all of a sudden it creeped me out.Did he really feel that bad for treating me the way he had been?I appreciated it but maybe he was taking it too far.

Suddenly my mind flashed back to him hugging me,his embrace was tighter than I thought it would be.Maybe he worked out?. He felt nice.....

I shook my head,no Isabella,I shouldn't think like that.Just because I was a little attention deprived and craved human contact didn't mean I should have thoughts about Jaden.He was an employer.

I peeked back at him and he jumped a little as suprised to be caught staring.His food once again missed his mouth and he didn't make any move to wipe it.Sighing I picked up my napkin and soaked it in my water before reaching over to wipe his face for him.

"What are you doing?" he said snatching me by the wrist into his hand and holding it away from him.

"You have sauce on your mouth and it's kind of gross" His cheek changed pink and he let go my hand,grabbing the napkin out of my hand and wiping his mouth "sorry about that."

He was apologizing again?"what is up with you" I demanded.

"With me?"

"You keep staring at me and apologizing it is weird,"

He frowned"I am not staring at you."

I gave him a flat look "really."

"I'm just not sure how I should treat you now," he admitted,I have never met someone in your situation and condition.

"o...okay maybe treat me as you would treat every other human being?" I shot back at him, "I am poor and not dying or anything."

He made an oh shit expression" that came out wrong."

"I bet it did."

"I just mean that now,I am more aware of how I have been mistreating you."he clarified "Now I don't know what to say as to not offend you."

"I shifted in my sit a little," I mean,I already said it was okay,you are forgiven.let's just put it away in the past."

He shook his head. "I am going to try to be less rude to the less fortunate."

"What you said right there,that's kind of offensive," I said smiling a little bit.it was almost cute.Almost.If you put aside the whole insulting bit.At least he was trying.

His eyes widened. "it is?"

"Don't overwork yourself,I know this will be difficult for you," I told him leaning across the table again to pat his hand.

When I tried to pull away he grasped my hand in his again,"Don't you resent me?" he asked.

I tried to free my hand but he held it tight."No,why?".I basically bribe you into being my pretend girlfriend.I knew you needed money and I could give you a lot.I knew you wouldn't say no".

"Guy,Jaden chill," I responded,so not wanting to listen to his lamenting."As long as you understand what you've done is wrong,that's fine.Stop thinking about it.You are just going to make things awkward."

He frowned for a little longer and it reminded me of a puppy being scolded and for the second time.I thought Jaden looked cute.Maybe it was because he lost his cocky attitude for the time being.

"You are not eating your meatballs,he finally commented."

"Uhm...I don't actually like spaghetti and meatballs," I said sheepishly.

"why didn't you say so,he demanded."

"You seem so excited and I didn't want to ruin it" I told him,shrugging "It's fine though.The noodles aren't bad."

"What do you usually eat then?" he asked leaning forward from his seat a little.

"Whatever doesn't need to be cooked.I really don't have time to eat during the day.Sometimes I like to treat myself with taco bell though. "

He regarded me as an alien specimen for a moment and then I saw his eyes moving all over my body was again and I felt the urge to flip him over. "You can eat that plastic wrapped garbage?"

Now it's my turn to frown."Have you ever tried it?"

"Have you ever read the ingredients...."

"Everybody knows how bad it is for you,you don't need to lecture me" I cut him off his statement,rolling my eyes."It's a slow delicious death."

He eyed me warily"That doesn't sound pleasant"

"I will bring you taco bell sometime,it's the only date I can take you on because I can afford it," I said jokinly.

Unfortunately,he must have thought I was serious because the pitying look return to his eye."I am worried about your health."

"And I am worried about your existent enthusiasm to try new things," I countered "Wouldn't it be better to learn about my life so it can help you not to offend me?"

He considered it for a moment"Iguess you're right then."

"I'll show you the poor side of life," I smiled and told him brightly.

"Right..."

There was a moment of silence and then my phone buzzed as I reached for it.seeing my boss from coffee shop had texted me.can you open for me tomorrow.I am sick.

"Ughhh," I groaned.

"What my boss is sick and wants me to cover him.That means I will have to go in at 5am."

"Five in the morning "Jaden repeated.

I checked the clock it was almost nine,"I have got to head home after we finish eating."

"Why are you going in so early?,just say no."

"Nah,I want the money," I responded,knowing I'd get overtime if I went in early.It would mak it worth it.

For a moment,it's look like Jaden was going in for an arguement with me but he just sighed lightly."Are you done?We can leave now,I'll finish eating later.You are barely going to get any sleep.You need at least eight hours of sleep each night."

"I usually survive on five," I told him standing from the table. "Do you need help cleaning up."

"No I'm not paying you to clean up,I,can do it after,let's go."

As we left,I caught myself glancing at the room he scolded me for almost entering earlier.Seeing how it was his brother room,I get that he didn't want me to in there.But did his brother still leave here or not? why would Jaden leave the room set up if he didn't? maybe his family was just as messed up as mine.

Jaden held his door open for me and we headed for his fancy black Porsche.I turned the radio on as soon as the car started,enjoying the rare moments of Sirius xm.Suprisely Jaden didn't talk immediately even when we were halfway to my house he hadn't spoken.I really began to think he was taking what I said too serious.

"So what's the next step of your plan?" I asked deciding to break the silence.

"Next plan.....for what?"

"Tricking your Dad" I clarified.

Jaden drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. "Hmmm...not so sure though but he may come tomorrow to talk to me at work so I'll pretend,I've fallen hard for you."

I nodded I guess that will be the next step. "what are you going to say? you should said I have got the best personality in the world and I am as cute as a button."

"I wouldn't be pretending if I said that," he responded and I caught my breath.He'd agreed with me? He seemed to realize what he said too,because he quickly coughed. "well, I mean,I've seen girls cuter than you."

"Wh...hey!" I snapped.

"I will say something along the lines of though," he continued,ignoring my indignant huff of air.

I crossed my arms "I bet he won't believe you."

"Why do you think that?"

"No one could fall for you with your attitude," I remarked offhandedly.

Jaden whipped his head towards me."What? I have a charming tactful personality! I've closed many deals and solve many issues with my personality."

"I can't believe you just described yourself as tactful."

"Do you even know what that means?"

"Just because I'm poor doesn't mean I'm illiterate."

"That was not what I was insinuating at all...."

"What does insinuate mean? I can't help not understanding,I'm just a poor girl.Nobody loves me.She's such a poor girl,from a poor family,spare her life of monstrosity!" I sang,putting my hand to my heart.

"Isabella," he said sounding exasperating. "You know I didn't mean it like that.And why did you just start singing?"

I squinted my eyes at him."They're lyrics."

"Yeah,bohemian rhapsody.I said"

"Bo....what?"

I put a hand to my forehead. "And I thought I've had a rough life....no wonder your radio is never no."

"I'm not a fan of music,"Jaden defended himself,coming to a stop at a red light."What's your street address again?"

I told him while pulling out my phone to show him one the greatest songs in musical history."I can't believe you don't know it."

"Music distracts me."

"I really think we were destined to meet Jaden."I told him solemnly. "you obviously need a positive influence in your life and that influence is me."

He turned to me with the most apprehensive expression on his face.I'm starting to feel our age difference."When you get older you don't have much time for....."

"Don't act like you are thirty," I interjected. "who really grows up anyway?"

The light changed to green and he hit the gas just as I figured out how to sync my bluetooth to his car.Making sure the volume a notch louder than he was comfortable with.I began playing the song.Jaden face was expressionless for the intro to the song. I bit my tongue to keep me from singing so he could just enjoy it.

"Mama,just killed a man," I sang quietly,unable to resist any longer.

"That's disturbing," Jaden commented.

I turned down the volume and scowled. "Just be quiet and enjoy it."

Jaden nodded and I turned the volume back up as we were pulling. onto my street,the song was ending.I did not get out until the last note finished.I pushed on the overhead light so that I could see Jaden's reaction. "Amazing,right? "

His face still held that unsure look.

"It's different."

"But amazing?"

"I liked your singing," he said.

I blushed immediately. "That wasn't......why were you listening to me sing! you missed the point."

"But....."

"No buts! I'm leaving but that song and listen to it until you know the lyrics by heart," I said quickly,reaching for the door.He liked my singing? I sounded like a dying whale.I'd gotten too into the song.How embarrassing.

"Isabella," Jaden responded chuckling a bit.

I turned to give him a dirty look,but froze when I caught sight of light in my room apartment "wait....."

"What?"

I felt dread run through my chest. "I didn't leave my light on when I left."

Jaden looked up at my apartment too."Are you sure?"

"Positive...." My mind fly back to the mutiple squatters I'd seen earlier."oh no," I gasped,ripping my seatbelt off.

"What?"

"No no no," I chanted,shoving the door open and scrambling out of it.I raced around the car,only to have Jaden open his door and grab me by the arm.

"Wait," he demanded.

I stared at him with wide eyes. "I think someone might have broken in."

"Then don't go in there alone," he said all of the early lightheartedness us gone.

My heartbeat against my chest almost painfully.I took a couple breaths to calm myself."It's fine.I might have actually just left the light on.You should go home.I know being around this part of town makes you nervous."

"Right now I'm so nervous to leave you alone."

I waved him off,jerking my hand more than I should have. "I'm fine.Go home."

"Let me come in with you....."

"No," I responded immediately. He let go of my arm and I felt guilty of being so harsh. "I mean.it's probably nothing.You were right when you said you'd get irritated in there."

He didn't look convinced.

I glanced back at my apartment,if ii were honest I was a little scared to go up there alone.I knew for sure I didn't leave the light on."fine,"I mumbled. "Come to the door but don't go in."

"I can accept those terms," he agreed

"Let me text my assistant first."

"Why?"

"Incase someone is in there and something happens,"he,replied and pulled out his phone from his jeans pocket.

I gave him a wry look,"I doubt it will be that bad."

"I'm an important person," he answered me and then slid his phone back into his pocket.:"Alright let's head in."

Everything was eerily quiet when I entered the building.The lights were off and the door was shut.Usually,the hallway light would be on and the first floor room door would be opened a crack to let the light filter in.I ignored it and headed up the steps.

The first obvious sign of something being wrong was my door open.My heart skipped a beat and a lot of thoughts ran through my head.Who was it? what did they take? maybe they just wanted some foods?

Jaden brushed past me and I opened my mouth to tell him not to open it but he pushed the door all the way open before I could.The sight before me was enough to shut me up.All my belongings were scattered around the floor.It looked like someone had looked through everything of mine and ripped open whatever looked like something could be hidden inside.All the books in my bookshelf were on the ground and open,meaning the spines were all now screwed up.My crappy five year old T.V was gone,as well as my DVD player.A lamp was also missing.A fleece blanket that my father had given me was gone as well.

"I'm going to call the cops,"Jaden announced his face was impassive.I couldn't tell what he was thinking at all.

I didn't care at the moment either.

It was tough to take in the scene.My place was completely trashed.

My home was ruined.