Chapter 4

She looked like she was about to bolt.

Jesse took in the way her eyes went wide and that slight lean of her body. She was like a startled deer and Jesse was positive if he made any sort of sudden move, she would run. What the hell spooked her? He only suggested she watch the ending.

Ok, not the way to treat a client, Jesse. You are not support to frighten her, you idiot.

He sat back down, relaxing into the couch. Jesse let a few moments past, turning his full attention to the tv. When she still did not move, he turned and beckoned her over, patting the seat next to him lightly. His face was etched with his most reassuring smile yet the lady was still scowling at him suspiciously. Jesse thought she would bailed but then a miracle happened. She made her way over, albeit a little reluctantly and perched herself at the edge of the sofa. Jesse did not want to push his luck. He turned back to the tv and let the silence fall between them.

"What are you showing me?" he heard her speaking up.

"The ending of The Breakfast Club. 1985, one of John Hughes' finest," he replied, not taking his eyes off the screen. The goodbye scene was being played and his favourite song was playing. Jesse waved vaguely towards the tv, his face splitting into a grin. "This is the best part. This song launched Simple Minds in the U.S. It could've been a Billy Idol song but he turned it down; that idiot. But it perfectly sums up the whole movie. It's both sad and beautiful."

He heard a scoff.

"How so?"

"Just think about it," Jesse replied. "These reluctant misfits were thrown together and forced to spend time with each other. They become friends. Barriers and walls came down. We see them finding things about each other and about themselves, yetwe don't know for sure whether they'll still be friends on Monday."

Jesse warmed up to the subject.

"There was this whole dialogue earlier where Claire...that's Molly Ringwald's character...was so sure they will not be friends beyond this, because they are all from different social circles. She was called a bitch but it was the truth. While they could be friends like this, right here right now, things are different in their normal lives."

He turned just to make sure she was following what he was saying. Only to find her staring at him with those eyes. Jesse paused for a moment.

"That's why the song is so poignant," he continued. "They may pass each other on the hallways on Monday and ignore each another but you know... Don't you forget about me."

She glanced to the screen and for a few moments, was absorbed with Bender's voiceover reading out his essay.

"I never see the movie that way," she confessed. "I always thought it was pretty boring. Don't get me started on Allie's makeover. That was pretty scary."

Jesse laughed.

"What?" she scowled, staring st the screen. "I prefer how Allie looked before. She didn't need any pimping."

"Yeah, I can relate why you like that alt girl look," Jesse said. He briefly let his eyes raked over the lady sitting at the other side of the couch and quickly looked away when she turned back to him.

"You're really into this, huh?" she said.

"What? The movie?"

"The movie, the song..." she continued, nodding towards the tv.

Jesse took a moment to think of his reply.

"It's the score," he finally answered. "It lifted the whole thing onto another level. It made a mediocre ending to something else. Music is just so powerful, you know. It can change lives and blow people's minds."

There was a beat of silence before she answered, sounding much softer than before. "I can understand that."

Jesse nodded, turning towards her with a smile. "Yeah. I think you would."

They were just looking at one another while the credits rolled. She tilted her head to one side, scrutinising him.

"Who are you really, Mr. Clark?"

"I am not sure what you mean," Jesse replied, frowning slightly.

"My friends put me up to this. They said they hired an escort for me. A professional," she spoke up evenly. "I was not too happy but I want them to shut up and went along with this. I didn't really want you to be here. But so far you've been...different."

"What were you expecting?" he asked.

At his question, the lady shrugged but her face spoke volumes. Jesse did not need to press further. He knew very well what people thought of escorts, gigolos, prostitutes, man whores. Most of the time those names or the disgust behind them didn't bother him. He knew what he was doing this for. It was just a job. But somehow at this moment, he felt...a little shabby? Like he was not good enough to be here?

This was not good.

No one had ever gotten under his skin like this before. He needed to get his head back into the game.

"You are the client, Miss Lane. I'm here to please you," Jesse said huskily. He had inflected the please, dragging it out a touch longer. Jesse noted with satisfaction how her head had snapped up in response. "Just tell me what you want. I'm happy to do it."

Her stare was unflinching like she was trying to read his mind.

"Right," she replied, getting up to her feet. "I'm going back to my work. Just let yourself out when it's time."

And with that, she walked away and Jesse heard the bedroom door clicked shut.

The next day

"So. Tell me how last night went."

Beca took a huge yawn and glanced irritably at Stacie. The tall brunette was perched at the corner of the dining table, her eyes ogling Beca while she was trying to eat her breakfast. Room service had turned up just ten minutes ago and she really wanted to dig into her eggs florentine. Stacie had other ideas though.

"Becaaaa..."

Stacie's wail was grating and Beca out her fork down with a groan.

"Can this wait until I had something to eat?" she said churlishly. "And coffee. This can definitely wait until I finish my coffee."

Stacie huffed impatiently, now looking round the suite. She straightened up and took a walk round, ending up in the bedroom. Beca could hear her opening the ensuite bathroom before she came and perched back at the exact same spot.

"You know why I am here so early?" Stacie pouted. "I was hoping to catch your stud at work."

Beca nearly choked on her eggs.

"Uh. No." Beca shut her eyes momentarily. "None of that."

"What? He didn't show you a good time?" Stacie pressed further. "Damn it! I was so sure. Despite that boy next door looks, he got that glint in his eye, you know. Like he could be really dirty."

"No, I don't know," Beca scowled. "Aubrey was clear it was just a date. No sex."

"Yes, but were you not tempted? All you need to do is to negotiate a price," Stacie said easily. "Come on, Beca. You haven't had sex since L-"

"Stacie, stop!" Beca spoke up, holding up her hand. "I am not just going to have sex with some random guy. I don't even know why you girls are doing this. Isn't this dangerous?"

"Quite the opposite, my dear. " Stacie said breezily, taking a nail file from her clutch and began to file her nails. "We've checked him out. All clean. Good references, great feedback. You need a professional, Beca. Someone who know what he is doing. No strings, no hard feelings."

Beca shook her head. Her friends' logic defied her sometimes.

"What if he blabbed? Have you check the papers today?" Beca said.

"Very discreet service. Nothing in the papers, just so you know," Stacie replied. "We'll sue the Treble House within an inch of its life if anything comesout." Stacie put her nail file away and smirked at her long time friend. "Did you not like him? It took me hours to choose him for you."

Beca thought about last night. "He was... not like I expected."

Stacie tapped her chin thoughtfully and then took out her iPad, opening her email.

"If you don't like him, there are others," she said. She found what she was looking for and pushed the tablet towards Beca. "There's a few. Choose one for your next date."

This time Beca definitely choked on her breakfast. Stacie cheerfully thumped on her back and offered Beca her glass of OJ once she finished coughing.

"There's more than one? Aren't we done with this hare brained scheme?" Beca squeaked.

"Nu-uh," Stacie shook her head. "Remember what's happening next month?"

"Chloe's getting married," Beca replied, taking another bite of her egg. She thought fondly of the redhead. She always knew Chloe would be the one amongst them to get married first. "The wedding's next month. All of us are going."

"Yes...and who else?"

Beca was busy cutting the muffin on her plate when what Stacie meant finally dropped.

Ah fuck.

The week after

God, he was tired. Bone tired.

Work was brutal today. He had run himself ragged at the office trying to sort out all the changes Mr. Robertson wanted to all those insurance policies. He had to explain to an old lady sounding tremulous over the phone why the company had rejectsd her insurance claim and the poor dear was crying so hard Jesse tried to dodge flirty Gina who was trying to corner him down at the photocopier room.

If it was not enough, his shift at the bar was hairier than usual. It all started badly when he was a little late, having to run home to check on his mom. Sam had to stay behind at school and he had to make sure mom was okay. It made him late and Marcus was again eyeballing him, making snide comments about his commitment to the job. It was a bartending job, for fuck's sake. And he only stayed because the boss let him play live music once a week. During those times, the audience had been great and generous with praise and tips. If not, he would have jacked this stupid bar job months ago.

When Donald and Bumper appeared at the bar just when he was about to close, egging him to come out and have sometime to eat, Jesse could not be happier. It was not every night that Donald and Bumper make an appearance. But when they did, they were in for a long one. They would end up, deep in burgers and fries at the nearest all night diner and talked about anything and everything. It was a throwback to when they were in college and after the day he was having, Jesse needed it. He would suffer tomorrow at work but some things were definitely worth it.

He was midway biting into his burger when Bumper spoke up.

"How was that Lane job?"

Shit. Bumper gonna go there? Did he get a complaint? Jesse chewed his burger slowly, mulling over the question. How did that job go? Not a total wipeout but not a total success either. He had did exactly what she asked him to do and when his two hours were up, Jesse had knocked softly at the door to say goodbye. He didn't get an answer. She was probably deep in her work with those huge headphones on and couldn't hear him. He had debated on whether he should knock louder or perhaps tried opening the door but common sense took over. She clearly didn't want his company.

"It was ok," Jesse replied. "I don't think she was happy with me though."

Bumper swirled the straw in his milkshake. "You didn't go all starry eyed on her, did you?" he frowned. "I thought you'll be cool with someone like that."

"I was cool." Jesse objected. He totally was. Yeah, true, he did stare a lot but she was pretty. She was really, really pretty. He didn't stare just because the client was THE Beca Mitchell, singer/songwriter extraodinaire. It had threw him a little when she opened the door but Jesse thought he recovered magnificently. He never had such a talented star as a client before. Why would she even need to hire someone like him? She was rich and famous. Hell, she had hits under her belt before she turned nineteen.

Jesse couldn't help asking. "Did she complain about me?"

"Nah, man," Donald chimed in. "We're just curious. Her manager arranged to have three dates in a row. You were first. We sent two more and both were sent packing within ten minutes. She's tough. I think one of boys came back crying."

"Yeah, she is a little...difficult," Jesse said. "I can't work out what her deal is." Oh? Two more Trebles? She had dates with two more? He was suddenly itching to know which ones. Bumper and Donald would never tell thoughand he knew all of them would have signed that NDA. So no talking, not even in the locker room. Which ones, though? - Jesse thought a little jealously.

"So the next date, you are it." Bumper said decisively, slurping his milkshake noisily.

Jesse was still thinking about who the hell those two were that Bumper's announcement sank in a little late. It did sink in though.

"What? Dude, no."

Both his friends raised their eyes at him simultaneously in surprise.

"You don't want it?" Donald said. "She's pretty hot."

"It's not that," Jesse replied a little unsure.

"She's paying top rate," Bumper answered, the businessman as usual. "The pay's pretty sweet, bro. I hate to lose her clientele."

"That's exactly it," Jesse said, waving a fry in exasperation. "I don't think she likes me. You're going to get an unhappy client who'll demand her money back. Send someone else."

Donald and Bumper exchanged a look.

"No can do," Bumper said breezily. "The next date is at her apartment. We need someone trustworthy." He paused to slurp more of the milkshake. Seriously. Bumper was addicted to that thing. The sound of him sucking through the straw was really loud.

Bumper put down the empty cup and leaned forward towards Jesse, fixing him with cool eye. "I don't know what you did that night, dude but it worked. She specifically asked for you."

AN : Hi all, I'm sorry for the short chapter. I had to cut the next scene because it will make this chapter far too long. I am also seriously having a major wobble about Jeca and Pitch Perfect right now No guesses why; you all know why. I just need to get my head back in the game. Please show me some love. Have a lovely week, all.