- What again?!
- Sorry…
She backed away to close the door to his office but he'd swung it wide open and hugged her tightly… desperately even.
- Bad day?
- Yes. Still… I'm sorry I screamed at you, I thought it was Lachlan. He's been bugging me every few minutes since this morning… I think he does so on purpose, just to see me fuming.
Jane couldn't see his face, as he didn't let go of her yet… but Rafael's voice was so tired.
Jane tried to break away from his tensed body but Rafael wouldn't let her – he just tightened his grip and buried his face in the nape of her neck inhaling deeply.
- Shh, stay, please…
- Rafael, I want to close the door.
- Yes, right…
He'd let go of her briefly to slam shut the door and then he took Jane by the hand and took her to the recliner.
Jane liked this chair. It was hers. Quite literally – this chair was brought to Rafael's office specifically for her, as it was getting more and more uncomfortable for Jane to sit in very formal and rectangular leather chairs that Rafael had in his office. The recliner didn't fit in with the rest of the office design – the chair was all soft forms and lots of cushions – and Jane tried talking Rafael out of it… but he was very persistent. The argument ended when Rafael promised that he would re-do the whole office to fit the chair if this inconsistency bothered her so much. Jane had to agree that THIS would've been too much and so the chair alone was a lesser evil.
Rafael set down and pulled Jane to join him. Yes, recliner was THAT comfortable – two people (including one pregnant woman) could easily fit in! Right now her back was resting against his bended leg and Rafael was placing soft kisses on her shoulder. His hand was tracing circles on her belly – something he did very often hoping for a response from their baby…
- You know, - Rafael's voice was distant, as if he was saying subconscious thoughts without even realizing it, - I thought about calling you earlier today…
Jane placed her hand on top of his to stop his movements and that made Rafael to focus on her when she asked:
- Yes? Why? I mean, why haven't you called?
Rafael shrugged and looked away to the general direction of his desk. The desk was a mess – piles of folders and files, fabric displays, furniture catalogues and so on and so forth – everything that went with major renovations that Marbella was going through right now.
He turned back to Jane and kissed her. Then Rafael pressed his forehead to her shoulder and sighed with relief:
- I needed this. You. Just some peace, some normality… But then…
Jane smiled – whatever they had was not exactly "normal"… but it was their "normal" and she knew that.
- Then what? Why haven't you called? Lina could've covered for me, today wasn't a busy day, I could've come…
- Yes, I know… It's just… After our fight last week I don't ever want to make you feel like I'm using my boss's privileges on you.
Jane sighted heavily… Rafael wasn't really getting the point of that conversation one week ago. She tried explaining again:
- Rafael, don't ORDER me to come, ASK me to come, as your girlfriend… If I can come – I'll come, if I can't – I will still try to come if you really need me. And it seems like your really need somebody to cheer you up.
Rafael smiled sadly and nodded:
- I don't need somebody, I need you. But… here I am, telling you not to stress about things – and then calling you to complain about my stresses. Not much of a consistency, right?
Jane's gaze shifted to their entwined fingers on top of her baby bump and she said:
- Rafael, I'd kissed you five years ago and the next time I saw you I was wearing a tail and was ALREADY pregnant with your baby. We are an odd couple with no hint of consistency in our relationship.
Rafael chuckled and kissed Jane – this girl could lighten his mood with just few words!
In a meantime "this girl" continued talking:
- So don't overthink it too much – just tell me what's been bothering you. I can't promise I'll help… but I promise I'll listen.
Rafael moved his head in circular motion – he could feel how tension was leaving his neck and shoulders and his body was relaxing in a comfortable recliner. Now that Jane came he was almost willing to rethink his emotional state – was it worth all the fuss and stressing if she was here with him?
Jane nudged him:
- Rafael, my shift is over and I still have some time before my classes… but you ought to start talking if you want me as your audience! What's bothering you? Out with it!
Rafael crooked a sad smile:
- Not much… Only I don't seem to be able to satisfy my father… no matter what I do.
Jane tilted her head asking carefully:
- Why would you think that?
Rafael answered:
- Did you know that when I bought this hotel it was actually loosing money? That's why the previous owner agreed to give it away so easily…
Jane nodded for him to continue and Rafael did:
- Today I've submitted my yearly report… We've managed to pay all the debts, to clear land purchase disputes, to secure initial renovation and rebranding successfully… We've finished this year with a significant profit… Yet my dad still told me that Marbella is the least profitable of HIS hotels… and he "may need to trust somebody more qualified to make something out of this mess".
That was harsh. Jane could see Rafael's face darkening as he was retelling his father's words… and what was even worst – they both knew that "somebody more qualified" Mr. Solano was referring to was none other than Lachlan, "the son he always wanted but never had"…
…
Somebody yanked the door handle and when it didn't open Lachlan's voice yelled from outside:
- Rafael, what the hell? Open the door!
Rafael yelled back:
- Go to hell, Lachlan! I'm not in the mood!
The voice from the outside promised:
- I'll be back and you'd better be ready for budget discussions! Or else…
Rafael sighted and closed his eyes. He knew it wasn't rational – but he still feared that little prick. Not because of himself but for the influence he had on Rafael's father…
Jane stood up and went to retrieve her phone from her purse. She deliberated for a moment and than pressed a number on her speed dial. When somebody answered Jane said:
- Hi!... Yes, everything is fine… Yes, I'll tell him… No, wait, that's not what I'm calling about! Listen… Remember that discussion in the locker room we had yesterday? Yes, that… Can you do it now?... Yes, I really need it!... Good! Room 521… Yes, I know whose room it is! Just make sure he's IN there, ok?... I owe you one! Thanks!
And with that Jane ended the conversation. She looked around and was met by Rafael's amused and really curious gaze:
- Under normal circumstances I would think twice before asking you about your private conversations… but since you'd mentioned Lachlan's room number and this is still MY hotel… May I inquire what was it all about?
Jane looked guilty… and victorious. Before she could answer her phone beeped and her screen said "Mischief managed". Jane giggled and answered to Rafael's earlier question:
- I'll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word of it to anybody, especially to the chief of staff, Mr. Derek.
Rafael raised his hand and gave a pretend pledge of allegiance:
- I solemnly swear to keep whatever information I receive from Jane Gloriana Villanueva a secret from this day forth!
Jane squinted her eyes:
- … and not use it against everybody involved in terms of disciplinary actions and such!
Rafael raised his eyebrows in surprise but complied:
- Yes, that too. Oh, c'mon, Jane, what did you do?
Jane nodded:
- Remember we had to call the security company because the door locks malfunctioned few days ago?
- Yes, I do. They said it's a glitch in software and they are working on a bug-fixing patch right now… What does it have to do with you?
Jane shrugged nonchalantly:
- We have this bellboy, Jamie … he had an idea as to what causes the glitch… we'd checked and he was right! So now… let's just say that we know how to effectively lock somebody up in his room until service team arrives.
Rafael barely contained his laughter when he was interrupted by a phone call. He reluctantly stood up and went to his desk to pick up the phone. Seeing caller's ID he mouthed to Jane "Service company" and answered the call:
- Yes?... Really? I haven't received any such report yet… What exactly does it imply?... Oh, it's a bit inconvenient… Ok, I'll check about it and call you if we'll need your help after all.
Rafael cancelled the phone call and dialed another number:
- Lachlan! Did you skip classes when they gave lectures about chain of command? Why on Earth would you call our security company before reporting to me about any problems? Are you the one who signed the contract with them? Are you the one who's paying their bills?... No? Really?! Then be so kind and don't forget who's in charge in Marbella!... Yes, I know. But to open your office they would need to reboot the whole system and I don't want our guests to be locked up in their rooms just for your sake… It may damage my hotel's image and you wouldn't want that, would you?... Great! So be a good little trooper and wait till evening program starts and I'll try to arrange for fifth floor to be emptied by that time to set you free… What?... Ah, yes, I'm afraid you'll have to skip dinner with my father. I'll be sure to tell him you'd sent your regards… Bye!
Rafael almost threw away his phone and beamed the happiest of smiles… that quickly changed into confused when he saw Jane's horrified expression.
- What? Jane, what is it?
Jane's hand flew to her face to cover her gasping mouth:
- Oh my God! Bills! We've totally forgotten about them! We thought it would be nice little trick to get Mr. Derek away from us when he's really asking for it… I never thought it costs you money! What have I done?
Rafael almost fallen to his knees before seated Jane and took her hands away from her face. He kissed her knuckles, then her palms and wrists… Rafael reassured her:
- If I knew there was a way to get Lachlan from my back – I'd pay money to get it done. Anything short of criminal activities will be fine by me! But to clear your conscious – no, it actually doesn't cost me a thing. As per our current contract with security company they provide any service required for their software and equipment. And seeing how I can claim that their malfunctions inconvenienced my guests and staff, I will renegotiate better conditions for our next contract. So you see, Jane, not only did you just saved me from Lachlan… but you'd also EARNED hotel some money!
Jane nodded with satisfaction – she did good today. Rafael marveled out loud:
- Is there anything you can't do?
Jane thought for a moment and then replied:
- I can't do your budgets… So you'd better get back to work so you have some good news for your dinner today.
- Are you sure I'll be able to come up with good news in few hours?
Jane nodded immediately:
- I'm positive! I'll… I'll pray for you.
He knew she wouldn't be praying for his successes in something as mundane as renovation budgets. Jane would be praying for him to succeed in earning his father's respect – so elusive and so wanted. Rafael knew that subject of his family was a bit awkward for Jane… she grew up surrounded by protective care and mutual respect… she could never fully understand that this wasn't a given. Not for Rafael, at least.
But she'd still supported him. She was there to lean on and cheer him up… and today Jane actually came to the rescue! She was a marvelous woman!
- …Rafael! Hello!
- Um… What?
- I said, I have to run… But I can stay…
- No, you go. I have to come back to my work anyways. I'll call you later, ok?
- Sure! Good luck!
Jane kissed him briefly and was almost at the door when Rafael remembered something:
- By the way, beautiful, what was it you were supposed to tell me? From your phone conversation…
Jane blushed but answered:
- It's just a conversation Lina overheard… There's gonna be a wedding party tomorrow… some of the female guest were discussing that…
Jane blushed even more and Rafael was at the edge of his seat curious as to what could get this kind of reaction from her:
- Jane, what is it?
- They were discussing how you look "yummy" in those slim dress pants… and there's a wager going about whom you'll treat with a drink first. I mean… I'm afraid there's a hunt for you, Rafael.
She closed a door behind her and Rafael fell to the backrest with a groan. Great, that's exactly what he DIDN'T need right now – a bunch of giggly bridesmaids cornering him at the dance floor.
But there was also a more important issue at hand… Jane seemed off when she was telling him about it… maybe she was just shy… or was it jealousy?