Yoga and a couple of hours of music always made Estella see things clearly, but this time, the magic was not working. Two days later after she met Edward, all she did was thinking, and more thinking.
Estella looked over to the piece of paper she was given, she still was not sure whether to trust him or not. She had discussed the proposal to Jay and he was rather supportive, asking her to do a background check on him.
She agreed.
The idea to have a co-partner felt like the push she was lacking. She had knowledge, talent, and her will. Up until now, all of the ideas and destination were in her head, but it seems to be taking an opportunity, coming out, into the reality.
Edward was searching for investors and if she was thinking even remotely right, it was her opportunity that came to her doorsteps.
Estella tossed the pen she was spinning between her fingers back at its place and picked up her iPhone. No one was going to tell the potential of his business goals and plans unless she personally investigated it.
From what Jay told her, he indeed was the real deal he claimed to be. He had come home that night carrying a piece of paper with Edward's details. Although there were no such mentions of his work which he claimed to be a freelancer, his profile was clean.
She still felt somewhere between vivid and vague. Hesitating, she punched his number from the paper Jay brought and gave him a call. No response.
Seconds later, a text popped up on her screen. You thought about it then? It was him.
She texted him back. Call me.
I can't call right now. So keep texting.
I need to know a few things before I come to any conclusion. But not like this.
Fine. I'll pick you up in an hour. Lunch is on me.
Estella felt like being caught off like that. Her cheeks felt hot, and she looked up, caughting the sight of her image in the mirror, she was red. Brushing the sudden feeling of tingles aside, she texted him not to pick her up and rather tell her where they were supposed to meet. He had not responded to her and half an hour later when Estella was convinced he'd be somehow in front of her house, she decided to get ready.
The hotness and redness crept its way back to her cheeks when Estella was rummaging through her clothes, hunting down for a dress. She couldn't decide what to wear. Casual or formal.
It was twenty to two on the clock, she was hurrying with a knee length dress, tights and a jacket. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, a thin eyeliner and nude lipstick, completing her look for the night. She wanted to look pretty but not to catch his attention. She still was having a second thought if the outfit was appropriate or not.
Lilah gave her a call from downstairs and she stalked out of her room and made her way to the living room. Edward's appearance in her house still came as a surprise even though he told her he'd be here. She made a note to ask him about it later.
Edward was sitting next to her father and both of them seemed to be so blended in the conversation, he didn't notice her.
She stared at him in content, taking in him. He was dressed yet again in a pair of dark coloured shirt and pants. His bright brown jacket made him look warm, his smile that appeared every once in a while as he talked to her father, he looked so attractive.
"Jay, here she is!" Her mother came from her behind, snapping everyone's attention to Lilah and then her. Estella's eyes met Edward's for a fraction of second and she looked away.
"He is a lovely young man." Jay said as both of the men stood up from their seats and approached her.
"Weren't you at work, dad?"
"And I'll be back in an hour. I just wanted to meet him in person." Jay was telling her
"And you'd be happy to know I know this man. "
Estella, taken aback, looked at Edward who was quiet the whole time, although he seemed cheerful. "Really?"
"It was a few years back, I remember now." Jay said. "It was a contract I was signing. I don't remember much."
She looked at Edward for an answer. "I told you I freelance. My friend Carlos was actually an agent, I was working with him. That's how we met. Anyway, I'll explain more on the way. Let's not miss our reservation."
Before Estella could ask to anything more, Jay was already walking them toward the door. "Be back soon. And call me when you're done."
Edward's car was parked in front of her house, and when both of them left, she breathed in silence. He watched her as she glanced around as if being inside the car was going to tell her about him and everything.
"What happened?" He asked. "You look—"
"How did you know where I live?" She cut in.
"Oh come on," he said, scrutinizing her. "You think I'll just randomly pick anyone and risk my money. Of course I looked up. And I recognised your father."
"Why did you pick me then?" She asked.
He turned the steering wheel to the left, gliding his hands on it swiftly. "You seem to be fit for the job. You said it was your dream. I think you'll be honest in our work. I'm sure of it."
"But I seem to have so many doubts about you."
"I'm not a scammer. Trust me." He pulled over, parking it neatly between two cars. They both climbed out and she scanned his car. She wasn't aware about the model but It was expensive.
"What about your work?" She asked, following him inside the restaurant. The place was spacious, well furnished with tables placed on the opposite sides of the walls. It smelled like cinnamon and roses, and the faint murmuring of people reached ears. Most of the tables were empty.
"You made a reservation here?" she commented, taking her seat. "Seems like they don't have that many customers."
"I lied." He sat across the table, facing her. "As much as I appreciate the hospitality your parents showed, I was uncomfortable."
She chuckled. "And I thought you were enjoying their company."
"I'm not very social." He slided the menu towards her.
"Then why come to pick me up?"
"I thought if I met your parents, you might feel I'm that serious and honest about our deal. Also, I met your dad a lot before we met."
"Must be destiny, right?" She laughed, joking. He smiled in response. "Anyway, what have you been doing up until now? Surely that car didn't come on its own?"
"You're right." He said. " I used to work in an office."
"Where?"
"Not that important. I was doing the work and the credit was given to my boss." He cringed slightly, grabbing the menu when Estella made no move to read or order.
"How did you get into freelancing?" She questioned. "I tried to find out about you as much as I can. Nothing much came up."
"Your dad asked me about that, too." He told her and a waitress came, taking in order. Once she was gone, he continued. "I have a friend, Carlos. So it's like a partnership."
"So how are you planning to invest?"
"My mother left me insurance." He stated blankly, throwing her off with information like that. He kept talking. "But I want it big and I have someone who'll give us money."
"You seem to have it all planned out."
Their gaze sealed and she could see the confidence that it had. "Of course, I planned. I've been planning it for a long time."
"And what else did you plan?"
"You'll see!"
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