HIS COMPULSION

Wrong Table

Emily and I laughed our way into the ranch from the woods like the good old times. We enjoyed our little race so much that we forgot we were running from something.

I crouched to scratch the ear of a calf snuggling on my leg. It hums in appreciation as I kept on scratching its head. Emily touched my shoulder trying to draw my attention.

“Girl you don’t wanna miss this, trust me”…

I looked up and followed her gaze to Bay and Claire seated on the front step. Bay is seated on the top while Claire is at a lower step seated in-between his legs. Her head against his chest and his arms are wrapped around her. They are discussing and convulsing with laughter.

A flash of pain Pierced through my heart.

“are you okay?” Emily asked. Squeezing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“ I’m totally fine” my voice raspy and heavy.

“ya! You don’t sound fine to me though”…

“They look cute together, don’t you think so?” an unfamiliar voice said behind us. Emily and I looked back in unison.

“you?” my eyes wide in shock.

“yes me” he said wearing a wide smile.

“Do you two know each other?” Emily asked looking from me to him confused.

“ yes, I met him on my way to school this morning”

“you have a very sharp memory… my name is Jake. It is nice to official meet you” he said reaching to shake my hand.

“Hailey” I said, shaking his hand.

He wiggled my hand gently way longer than a hand shake should last searching my eyes as if seeking answer to something… Emily coughs intentional rolling her eyes.

“my hand” I reminded him to let go.

“oh, yes! Sorry about that. I was completely lost in the moment”. Finally, he looked towards Bay and Claire and clears his throat. “young love” he said, standing akimbo.

As a Emily and I tried to escape while he was still admiring the two teenage lover, He jogged to catch up with us.

“you should stay for dinner…please” he stare down at my face making a puppy eyes. Emily and I literally spent about twenty minutes trying to explain to him why we won’t stay for dinner but he was persistent.

“how are you related to Mr. Schuyler?” I asked

“Ahhh!” he inhales raking a hand over his face.. “he is my uncle…. Before you ask why I have not been coming around, let me just answer you… I was out of town. We moved when I was much younger. But am back now… I heard this place is short-handed and requires an extra hand” he smirks darting his eyes across the ranch.

“ my father and I were doing just fine, but I suppose, extra hand won’t hurt”…

He snapped his finger in realization. “I knew it! I knew I have seen you somewhere. You were little… about eight to Nine years… you always come here with your dad… Ah! Children… they grow so fast” he shakes his head. “you have grown so big and… and beautiful”… he looks me from up to down.

Emily chuckles “ children? Can you imagine that?... Hailey, he said children like he is an old man” Emily laughed, playfully bumping my shoulder.

My body felt lighter as we discussed. It was like Jake had lifted weight I’d felt since I saw Bay clinging onto Claire. At least for a few minutes. For the moment, though, Jake was just a distraction. He’s humor is infectious, and when he smile, one could see a glimpse of resemblance between him and Bay. He has a perfect body, a perfect smile…

“about dinner, you’d stay, right?

“ hmm” I hummed rhythmically, swaying, raising his impulse as he gives me a pleading glare.

“ okay, so… hypothetically. Let’s say I decided to stay. What would you do for me in return?”

“ okay… I will give you a tour around Fothoman”

“very funny. You want to give me a tour in a town I know better than you, more like, I, giving you a tour town”

“ we want dollar bills not some stupid ride around town. Emily said and I backed her up.

“fine, name your price”

“ let’s say…. 200” I Said knocking my head with a finger.

“ how about, 100?”

Me and Emily share a surprising gaze, and we nodded in unison.

“we have a deal” I said shaking his hand.

I have reduced to a sobbing mess. More puddle than a person. But I am determined to make the best out of my evening instead of sobbing and sniffling over Bay. Emily and wander around the compound trying to kill time before the big table dinner. Jake asked us to stay out of the kitchen that he’d be making dinner all by himself. What a gentle man.

My eyes falls on Bay and Claire in the porch eating from a box of chocolate. She bites gently into the edge of the truffle and brought her lips towards Bay’s. He bites down on the other half.

Our eyes met and it lingered for something before he looked away. He reached for her and cupped her cheek with his hands, pulling her face to his…

I thought he was going to kiss her, but instead, he’s tongue flicks out to sensually lick the corner of her mouth where I guessed she had a truffle on… he looks back at me and grins. He did that on purpose to get on my skin, obviously.

“I think you should stop looking at them, otherwise you will keep getting hurt”… Emily said.

Emily and I entered the dinning room, where Mr. Schuyler, Claire and Bay are already seated around the table. Claire’s eyes glued to her phone. Jake rushed up and pulls out a chair for me, and I slide onto it.

“ Miss Hayes, I’m glad you could join us” Mr. Schuyler said

“ thank you for inviting me”…

“ … and Emily, how is your grandmother?... I heard you were in Olivelane throughout summer”…

“yes sir… she is better now. Thanks for asking”

“Claire, how is the Mayor? I heard that he is running for the governorship seat?”

She finally put her phone away… “yes! He is starting his campaign soon. He is very occupied now trying to clear up his schedule. I believe he is making plans to see you soon”…

Mr. Schuler nodded without saying a word. As everyone settled down. Jake started handing everyone their bowel. He smiled at me. Bay looks from Jake to me… his eyes narrowed red in anger. I took a spoon of the food into my mouth and groan a little at the delicious taste.

“Have something to say, Ms. Hayes? He flashed me a smile knitting his eyebrow.

“ It’s incredible”…

“I’m glad you like it, I made it specially for you”

Bay rolled his eyes, and took a sip of water from the glass.

“are you sure you made this yourself” Emily asked.

Mr. Schuyler gave a small laugh “do not underestimate Jake, he is an international cook.

“thank you uncle for the wonderful intro…”

We ate silently. only the clinking sound of spoon on plate could be heard…. Bay could not take his eyes off me. He was looking at me all through the silence with so much desire in his eyes. Left for him, he would sweep the plates down in one swig and spread me out on the table to feel me up with his length.

After several seconds Jake clears his throat.

“Claire, how did you end up with such a grumpy boyfriend?” Jake asked, leaving a mischievous grin at the corner of his mouth

An irresistible grin tugs at the corner of my lips. Emily and I bites our lips trying to suppress a laugh.

“Bay is not grumpy… he is a great guy with a very strong personality, that’s not the same as being grumpy”… she responded.

“then I will rather not have a strong personality, don’t you agree?”… Jake subtle.

Bay angrily pushed his bowl forward sending some of the food in it flying out. A good amount splashed on Claire’s dress. The evening is just going as good as I wanted. Claire froze in shock.

“what is your problem Jake? Got something to say? Bay Chided

“calm down boys, it hasn’t gotten to this. Can’t you two stay in one space for one hour without a fight? What is all these?” Mr. Schuler asked.

Bay stared dagger at Jake before storming out in rage…

Claire stood up “thanks for the dinner Mr. Schuyler… bye Jake” she said and hurried out after Bay.

“Jake, what was that for?” Mr. Schuyler asked looking disappointedly at him.

“ I was only playing. It’s not my fault that he took it seriously”…

None of us on the table could eat more… Emily and I helped Jake to clear the table, Mr. Schuyler retired to his bedroom. As it start getting dark, Jake offered to give us a ride back home.