Chapter 4

I had to wonder the same thing, had we met before?

There was something familiar about him, painfully familiar I might add.

I thought back to last night...I was crying and trying to remember a name..."Je...Je" I kept saying. Something was definitely up and I knew it had to do with this mediator bs.

However I didn't want to draw enough conclusions without knowing anything for sure, then again perhaps Jesse felt the same way?

"No...I don't think so" I finally answered.

His face looked full of wonder like he wasn't satisfied with my answer. He disregarded the current conversation and picked up the phone.

"Who are you calling?" I asked half knowing the answer.

"Your mother of course" he answered dialing. I quickly got up and ended the call, without putting the phone down he raised his eyes at me. I felt my insides melt. My goodness he was handsome.

I realized that I needed to give him an answer about my behavior "I...I don't want her to worry"

Jesse smiled "That's self less of you but you're pale and need to get home. Also if you don't mind I'm removing this Paul as your first emergency contact"

He gently picked up my hand from the receiver, I don't know if I imagined it but it felt like he held my hand a little longer than necessary.

I was sure my pale complexion now had traces or rouge along my cheek bones.

"Please..." I asked trying to be a little flirtatious and innocent, looking up at him with my well styled eyes.

I definitely got a reaction from him, especially since his grip on my hand tightened a little.

He hung up the phone, and looked at me some what smug.

"Acting like a good girl now?" he teased "Alright little miss, what do you suggest? You can't stay here and your mom will find out."

I looked at the clock, the lecture was nearly over and I was out of options. I sighed and went to sit back down.

"Can I tell you something before you call?"

Jesse nodded and sat next to me.

"I have caused trouble my whole life and my mother has had to pay the price for all of it. After remarrying and moving here she excitedly talked about a fresh start...and you know I've never worked this hard."

I sighed

"Weakness isn't part of my vocabulary. I don't want to bother her or make her baby me when she's finally this happy with her new husband."

I was hoping to tug a heart string in Jesse, hey I was being sincere and showing him some vulnerability for once.

"Just know that...I'm not senselessly stubborn-okay?"

Jesse chuckled "Oh so you care about what a stranger thinks of you?-ah look at that there is some color in your cheeks now"

I sighed, I was too tired for this.

"Alright little miss, I'll grant your wish this once. Just don't get spoiled alright?" he looked up and let out a breath "I can't believe I'm about to do this. Just...wait here and try not to cause trouble until I get back. I'll drive you home"

I ended up waiting outside the hospital breathing in the nice cold air, relaxing with my eyes closed.

"You know I would've thought you hated hospitals with all the potential ghosts you might encounter."

"Hello Mercedes, you know I could really use a break tonight."

Mercedes laughed, a genuine child this was. "Aye esta..." she spoke in Spanish, I couldn't understand her but she was clearly annoyed. "I just came to congratulate you on getting rid of Paul. He's dangerous"

"I've dealt with danger before" I told her "Are you sure you're a child? You act much older"

Laughing again she said "I am so much older than you"

Right...

"Who are you talking to?"

I heard Jesse ask, this wasn't the first time I had been caught talking to a specter. Normally I change the subject or simply answer that I was talking to myself but for some reason I said "The ghost of a little girl"

Thankfully Jesse only laugh "Oh I see, you really need your rest"

I made no motion to move but did open my eyes to see a starry sky. How pretty.

I felt Jesse's hand on my forehead "You're a little warm" he told me.

I took a deep breath "Sorry the cold air is making me feel better. I'll be fine."

He sat beside me "You know I'm not feeling too great either"

I gave him a side eye "Then just stay out here with me"

Jesse laughed, I felt like I was causing this guy a lot of amusement.

"You're a handful"

or a lot of trouble.

"Sorry Mr. De Silva, I'll behave from now on" I said a little more flirtatious than intended. I knew because my words made him visibly uncomfortable.

"Please just call me Jesse" he said.

Oh! I wondered if he had issues with his name.

I felt woozy enough to ask, if Jesse hadn't seen me earlier he probably would've thought I was intoxicated.

Through half lidded eyes I asked "Do you not like your name?" I wanted to further tease him by calling him Hector but then I remembered he was still my ride home.

Jesse was quiet. "Come on, I told you something personal about me!" I whined.

"I didn't ask!" Jesse answered defensively. I sighed stretching my arms high above my head, presenting some more developed parts of me to this college student.

Why was I doing this? Fever probably. Didn't stop him from noticing.

"Alright then I won't ask again Jesse" and smiled hoping to still seem nice enough to be granted a ride home "Will you still give me a ride home?" I asked standing up and walking towards the parking lot well aware that Jesse wasn't the type to go back on his word.

"Aye...esta..." he said. I didn't know what that meant but the way he said it sounded like I was grinding his gears in a very different way than when Mercedes said it

Jesse was a lot more chivalrous than I imagined, he was insistent on meeting my mother and explaining that he had no ill will towards me or Paul. Yes she did see him drop me off. He also felt obligated to tell her what had had happened at the hospital. In the end I almost convinced him to leave on the basis that this would defeat the purpose of him giving me a ride home.

He countered by saying that the jig was already up because I had been dropped off by him and not Paul. I had to explain that I would handle it and that his presence would only send the wrong idea.

Unfortunately we had argued for too long that Andy came out to greet us, that's right Andy! I had to wonder if he had portrayed this protective father figure for me or to ward off Jesse.

"Suzannah we have been waiting for you and Paul to start dinner" he looked over at the driver who he obviously knew wasn't Paul.

"Hello Sir, I'm a college student teaching lectures at the hospital" Jesse began sounding confident. "Unfortunately I witnessed an adolescent aggression from this ones boyfriend and decided it best to take Suzannah home myself"

This one...?

As nice as that all sounded Andy didn't seem entirely convinced he looked at me "Is this true?" he asked me half hoping Jesse was lying, because both he and my mom liked Paul.

"I know it doesn't sound like Paul but he over reacted with his jealousy. Look" I showed him the marks he had left on my wrist "He tried to drag me out by force. But that's when Jesse stepped in" I couldn't help but blush a little, mostly because of how much I disliked showing this state of weakness in front of anyone. In the end I decided I wanted my family to like Jesse more than they did Paul. I was willing to sacrifice some dignity. I had a feeling that he would become part of my life from now on.

Andy's concern focused on my bruises "Oh my goodness Suzannah! You need to press charges or a restraining order!"

Honestly I wasn't opposed to the idea of forcing him to be at a distance but Paul was fabulously rich and I didn't want my parents wasting money on court orders.

I shook my head "Nah, I think he'll leave me alone from now on" I don't think that lie convinced anyone. "Besides this isn't the right time to talk about this" I said making gestures at Jesse.

Andy seemed to remember he was there and cleared his throat.

"Well, Jesse then. Thank you for getting him home safely." Then he looked deep in thought "You know we had an extra plate set up anyways-why not join us for dinner?"

I looked at Jesse and said "He's a good cook if you're hungry."

Jesse gave me a "Looks like someone is feeling better" kind of look.

Jesse nodded "Alright" he then pulled the key from the ignition. When he stepped out of his car his eyes widened with surprise.

"You live in this house!? he asked completely astonished.

"You know it?" asked Andy trying to hide his pride "I fixed it up myself, while maintaining it's historic appeal" I rolled my eyes and smiled. Brownie points earned.

As Jesse and Andy went about talking about how this house was a historic land mark, I found out that one of Jesse's ancestors stayed at this very house. I was so deep in that conversation that it made me want to do some of my own research later on.

Jesse spoke about his ancestor through out dinner and how he bravely fought off an assailant that was none other than his bride to be secret lover!

What an exciting history, apparently that cancelled all marriage arrangements.

"And what happened next?" Doc and I both asked.

Jesse smiled "Well it was risky to not marry into money but luckily the De Silva family managed to prevail and managed to help shape Northern California's into what it is today. Now my family owns a few vineyard's"

I was so surprised of what I heard and it made me wonder even more why Jesse didn't want to be called by his real name.

After the exciting history lesson, the night was uneventful, Jesse continued to earn more and more brownie points with my family, by helping clean up the kitchen and not being intimidated by all my brothers.

Heck him and sleepy seemed to get along the best. He fit right in, but you know who liked him the most? No not me, the dog. Max absolutely adored him and followed him around the house, his tail constantly wagging.

Doc ran up to him "I've been doing some calculations and I think that I've successfully concluded where it was your ancestor was staying the night he was attacked"

Uh oh...

"Suze's room! Do you wanna go see it?"

I interrupted before Jesse could even think of an answer "That's crossing the line. Besides my room is a mess" Doc pouted "Awe..." I couldn't resist "How about next time kiddo? I'll invite Jesse over again?"

"I'm not a kid..." he mumbled. I sighed defeated and noticed the book in his hand "Hey could I borrow that for tonight? I'll give it back in the morning"

Doc simply shrugged and handed it to me.

The family was wrapping things up and we were all saying goodbye to Jesse, my family seemed to really adore him and explained that he was always welcomed. Polite as ever he said his good byes and left.

I realized as the door closed that I had a lecture coming my way, and I needed to give my mother a full explanation on to why there was Jesse instead of Paul.

I was unaware however of the hateful eyes that followed Jesse as he walked to his car.