THE WAY TO A MAN'S HEART - CHAPTER 1&2
💌💌Chapter 1
💌Jesse💌
I groaned and stretched my arms out. Finally I’m done with this typing.
I shut down my computer and hurried to my bed. I’ve been typing for hours and my fingers felt like breaking off
My back was aching and longing for the soft comfort of my bed.
I sighed in relief when I laid down. I yawned and darted my face to look at the ticking clock on the wall. Just then, Big Bentley gave it’s jingle. It’s twelve midnight
I can’t believe I’ve been sitting since I returned from work by five pm.
Gosh
I turned and laid on my tummy. I closed my eyes and drifted into the sweet land of sleep. Thank God tomorrow is Sunday… No work
***
My name is Jesse Mariano. I’m Italian but I live and work in London, England. I’ve been here since I was twenty, that’s five years ago.
I’m tall and I have black hair. My eyes are brown and my eyebrows too.
I work at Admire Fashion Company here and I’m the treasurer.
I own two cars but I hardly take the second one out, except on Sunday’s to church or a wedding that I can’t dodge.
My favorite color is orange because of my love for oranges
My favorite thing in the world?
Food
My mom and brother are living in Italy though they sometimes visit me here in England
One thing I’ve really missed about Italy is the food. Sometimes when I fantasize over my mother’s dish, I get a strong urge to book the next flight to Italy.
Actually, there’s an Italian restaurant here but their food sucks ever since chef Roberto resigned. There are other Italian restaurants but their food just doesn’t have the taste I want. The taste of Italy itself is lacking. But I still manage to always go there.
I wish I could cook. It would really be easier for me instead of ordering food all the time or going to restaurants always. And Alyson isn’t helping me at all. Always insisting I take her out for romantic dinners even when my eyes are dull and tired.
She just never understands. She only thinks about herself
Most times, I wonder if I’m the one who asked her out because she’s the opposite of what I want in a woman.
***
It’s a Monday morning already. I’m feeling really sick so I called the Company and took a day off. The wicked migraine I had since Saturday night was still lingering and I didn’t want to take drugs but I guess I’m forced to do that already
I walked downstairs with pain relievers in my hand. I opened the fridge and brought out water though it wasn’t cold yet cause I dropped it in few minutes ago.
I opened the bottle and took in some water before throwing in the pills and gulping down.
It’s so funny I haven’t eaten yet. I have morning hunger and the first thing on my mind when I wake up is usually food.
I took my phone and ordered pizza and in just few minutes it was delivered.
As I sat at the dining table eating, I got a text from Alyson saying she was at the door. Who even told her I’m not going to work today?
I sat still and ate two more slices of pizza and reluctantly stood up, I gulped down a full glass of my freshly squeezed orange juice and headed to the front door, licking my fingers.
I opened the door and she smiled brightly at me with dark red lips.
“hey babe” she cooed and winked
“wow!” I exclaimed as I looked all over her. She’s looking way too segzy and it’s just morning
“like what you see?” she asked and turned around slowly
“love what I see” I replied and she chuckled
“are you gonna invite me in or not?” she asked and I smirked and opened the door wide then stepped out of the way
“come in” I said and she entered inside and breathed in
“I smell pepperoni” she said and looked at me.
“I’m eating pizza. Wanna join me”
“I’m on a strict veggie diet” she replied and began to move to the couch. I rolled my eyes…. Models
“so why are you here early this morning?”
“because I called in at the company to give you some morning segz in your office, knowing how much you love morning segz but I was told you took the day off. So I came all the way here to still do what I intended to do on your desk, but this time it’s going to be either on your bed, the couch or the dining table. Choose one” she said and began to pull off her shoes
“you really want me to choose?” I asked
She stood up and began to finger comb her hair
“yeah choose”
I smirked
“all of the above” I said and she chuckled.
**
Alyson was lying in bed with my white blanket covering her. She was looking into a hand mirror and wiping off smudges of makeup from all over her face.
I on the other hand was out of the bed, standing with a bottle of wine and pouring it into a glass. I was wearing nothing but a towel round my waist.
Alyson and I had a rough time. We started out on the large couch there in my sitting room, then I took her to my dining table. But I was wise enough to shift my pizza aside.
The last place we found ourselves was the bedroom.
I just took a shower and I’m hoping for a stress free day.
“babe, I’m going to see Justin right now. I’ve got an appointment with him”
I looked at her and she dropped her phone and got down from the bed naked.
I threw her a towel and she wrapped herself up and walked into the bathroom.
I took my glass to my lips and gulped down a mouthful of wine before dropping the glass.
She’s got an appointment with Justin means she’s going to have segz with him. I’m not the only one she sleeps with. I’m just one of her clients.
Alyson and I actually aren’t dating. We’re just more like segz mates. But she sometimes makes it seem like I’m her boyfriend. I was the one who approached her and asked her out, strictly as friends with benefits. But I sometimes wish I had just made it a one day affair. It’s just days like today that make me wanna keep her.
**
I arranged my files and set them up in my drawer. It was time for me to close from work and I was arranging my desk.
A knock came on my door and it opened almost immediately.
I didn’t look at the person, I knew it would be Melissa, my secretary.
“you’re going home already boss” she asked and sat on my desk
“yep.” I replied and took my phone and car keys. My home keys were already in my pocket.
She stood up and stood in front of me then she held my arms
“are you sure you wanna go now?” she asked seductively and tiptoed, trying to kiss me. I pulled her down
“Melissa, not today. I’m in a hurry to go home. I’m so hungry” I said and she pouted
“then let’s go grab dinner together after we have fun. Come on, don’t turn me down after turning me on” she said and ran her hands on my chest
“I’ve got no energy for anything but the energy for food. Melissa, tomorrow we can have fun okay?” I pecked her cheek and took my laptop.
“good night” I said and walked out. I could hear her scoff but I just chuckled and headed out of the company.
This company of ours is the devil’s lair. Before you can get to work here as a model or any job at all, you have to bed someone.
You need a promotion, you sleep with the person in charge.
Secretaries constantly sleep with their bosses and models and workers are also partners in the biz.
Even janitors are not left out, some super horny models corner janitors at any corner and have segz with them.
The photographers constantly touch ladies B-__-bs and asses especially when their wearing half naked outfits, in the name of fashion.
But everyone knows the overall segz devil is the CEO. He might be walking around the company and see a sister or friend to a worker, if he likes her he orders her to his office immediately. I don’t need to tell you what happens there and if the girl refuses, the person she came to meet is loosing his or her job straight away.
Enough with the secret affairs of Admire. I’m hungry and I need to get some good food.
I entered my car and drove off. I actually wanted to drive straight to a restaurant but I decided to go home and take a shower first.
As I reached home, I noticed my curtains on my French window upstairs were parted. But I remember shutting them before leaving this morning.
Who’d be in my house without telling me? Did Alyson finally get a spare key?
It’s definitely her
I walked to my front door and opened it. As I got inside, I paused as the sweetest aroma of food hit my nostrils.
Who’s cooking? Alyson can’t cook.
I took about five steps when my mother came out of the kitchen wiping her hands with a kitchen towel.
“mom?”
She looked up and saw me
“oh my boy!” she ran to me and we hugged
“I’ve missed you my sugar” she said as we stared into each others faces.
“I’ve missed you too mama. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would have been ready to pick you up from the airport” I said and she chuckled
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“but what if I had traveled?” I asked as I sat down on the couch
“that’s why I called your janitor to know if you were around. I also called your personal assistant at your work place and she said you didn’t travel and you won’t be traveling until next week” she said, beaming with smiles.
“oh mom. You’re so adventurous” I said and stood up. She laughed and I removed my suit and kept it on the couch.
“what’s that sweet smell? Are you cooking?” I asked as I walked to the kitchen
“no I’m not cooking” she replied and I stopped walking and looked at her
“you’re not cooking? Then who is in the kitchen?” I asked
She smiled and I went to the door of the kitchen and looked. I saw a tall slim girl facing the cooker, she was wearing a blue short dress 👗 and her hair was in a ponytail. It was a really long hair.
“mom who’s this?” I asked still looking at her. She turned her face and saw me.
“whoah” I muttered at the large, bright and white eyes that were looking at me.
“she’s Louisa” my mom replied from behind me
“and who’s Louisa?” I asked still looking at the girl who was just staring at mother and son.
“the surprise I brought for you”
I looked at my mother
“what the heck?” I exclaimed as I looked at my mom in confusion
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💌💌Jesse
Mom entered the kitchen and held the girl’s hand. “come say hi to my son Louisa”
They both walked to me. The girl was wearing an apron.
“hello Mr Mariano” she said. She has Italian accent
“hi” I managed to say despite my confusion. I looked to my mom and she chuckled
“Louisa would be staying here with you as your chef. I know how much you love food and how much you miss Italian food so I brought her to always cook your meals” she said and smiled at the girl who managed to smile back at her. It seemed the girl was a little nervous.
“wow” that was all that came out of my mouth
“are you surprised?” my mother asked
“hell yeah I am”
“but there’s one condition Jesse, she has to go to school. She wants to get educated and you have to take care of that. You have to sponsor her to college”
“college?” I asked looking at my mom
“yes. I know it’s not too big for you. Come on”
“sure, sure that’s not a big deal. I can do that”
“great! I told you he would agree. You don’t have to be nervous anymore” my mother said and stroke her hair down. She smiled brightly. I was right. She was nervous
“thank you so much sir. Thank you”
“yeah. Uhm, what is it that you’re cooking?”
“chicken B??@š?s pizzaiol and tisimura for dessert” she replied in her cool Italian accent. No doubt this lady speaks Italian a lot.
“sounds good to me. I’m gonna go change” I said and my mother winked at me. Crazy woman.
I pecked her cheek and went to the couch, took my suit and laptop and headed upstairs to my room. I had a cool shower and I decided to rest on my bed for few minutes. I was wearing a white vest and white shorts.
I took my phone and browsed through it forgetting all the hunger that followed me home. Or was it the thought of finally eating something palatable that calmed me down?
I shrugged and continued going through Instagram.
I checked the time and found out that half an hour had gone. I was surprised. I looked outside through the large window and it was already dark.
“wow” I muttered and stretched myself. I got down from the bed and wore my slippers then strolled out of the room. I met my mom climbing up the stairs
“ohh pistachio, I was coming up to get you” she said as I started walking towards her
“stop calling me pistachio. It’s embarrassing” I lamented and she laughed
“that’s why I didn’t call you that in the presence of the pretty lady. Come on, dinner is set. Let’s eat” she held out for my hand and I gave her. She then walked me down the stairs like she always does.
When I was much younger, I fell down the stairs and broke my arm. It was a major fracture that didn’t heal till one year and five months. At that time, my dad had been ki||ed in a casino where he gambled, lost and didn’t have any money though he said he had lots of money with him as his wager.
Things were difficult for us, especially my mom who had to go back and stay with her parents since she could not pay our rent.
Her parents house was an ancient house, it was from the 19th century. My cousins and aunts and uncles were staying there too.
Just one week after our arrival, I was trying to run down the concrete stairs when I missed one and fell all the way down.
When my arm was treated, I still needed to use the stairs to go to my room. I had developed a fear for staircases and I refused to use the room upstairs. My grandparents wanted to arrange for a room downstairs so the occupant could go to my room upstairs but my mom refused. She was determined to help me let go of that new found fear.
She truly helped me. Everyday she would hold my good hand and walk me down the stairs gently. She would also walk me up whenever I was going to bed. This way, I felt safer because I knew even if I wanted to fall, mom was holding me.
Time flew, and I braced myself up and said I could use the stairs like everyone else. That’s how I lost that fear after months of living in it.
But till today, if mom and I are using the stairs together, she holds that hand
“we’re eating outside today. It’s really beautiful. I bet you’d feel Italy in the air” she said as we approached my courtyard.
I smiled as the sweet smell of food sanitized the area.
In the middle of the courtyard, a table was there. Two big candles lit up the table and the wine in the glasses sparkled. The sky had beautiful stars and I began to thank God it’s summer or else outside would be freezing to stay.
My mom led me to the table which was already filled up with food. I began to wonder if it was only pizzaiol we were having
Louisa was covering the wine bottle when we arrived.
“sit” mom said and drew a chair for me. I sat down and my eyes met with Louisa’s. She smiled at me and I smiled back
“I’ll say Grace” mom volunteered and we all closed our eyes and put our hands together as mom prayed.
To be honest I didn’t hear a word of that prayer, my nostrils blocked my ears. The smell of good food wouldn’t let me be.
I only knew the prayer was over when I started hearing Amen. I opened my eyes and said Amen too.
We began to eat and I couldn’t stop Mõ@?ing out loud. This food is the food cooked by angels in heaven.
“this is the best thing I’ve had this year. Gosh!” I said amidst mouthfuls
“you like it?” Louisa asked
“do I like it or do I love it”
She smiled
Mom nudged me with her elbow as crumbs of chicken fell out of my mouth while I was busy Mõ@?ing.
“where are your table manners Jesse?” she asked
“I left them standing as I sat down”
Louisa laughed and mom shook her head
Louisa💌💌
I washed the dishes after dinner was over. I was really excited to be in London. I was even more excited that Mr Mariano accepted to sponsor my education. Finally I can go to school, graduate and have a good life. Papa would be so proud of me.
As I washed the dishes and hummed to my local songs, I heard someone clear their throat so I looked back
“Mr Mariano” I said. He was leaning against the wall with his hand resting on the cabinet. Mr Mariano was tall, but I was taller.
“great dinner today” he said and I smiled
“you cook excellently Louisa” he added
“thank you. I’m glad you liked it” I said and he grinned and left.
So he just came to compliment my food? Hmm
I resumed the dishes and soon I was done. I arranged them in the dish rack after drying them with a dish towel and I rinsed my hands and left the kitchen.
Mrs Mariano was watching TV and her son was seated beside her on the wide and long couch. I looked at the television and it was an action movie. I would have loved to watch but I was really tired and I wanted to stretch myself on that huge, soft white bed upstairs. Besides, I was shy of the young man and I couldn’t possibly watch a movie with him.
“come join us Louisa” Mrs Mariano said
“thank you ma’am but I am tired. I want to go to bed” I said
“you’re right. The flight and cooking must have made you tired. You can go to bed my darling”
“thank you” I said and went to the stairs.
Mr Mariano didn’t even look at me. His eyes were glued to the TV and he was taking sips from his orange juice.
I went upstairs and located the room his mother gave me. I entered and closed the door then heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God I’m finally alone.
I undressed and took a shower then laid on the bed and I soon slept off.
**
I had woken up quite early and I showered and braided my hair into two straight rows. I had long waist length hair and I loved to style it.
I wore a black pair of trousers and a white shirt. I then headed down and began to make some barley bread for breakfast. I also brewed some coffee that Mrs Mariano had brought.
Barley bread goes well with peanuts and thank God I saw a peanut jar in his fridge.
Before 7 am I had finished cooking and I began to set the table. That was when Mr Mariano came down with his office suit.
“good morning sir” I greeted him as I filled a mug with hot coffee
“wait. Breakfast is set? So soon? Wow” he said looking at the table
“yes sir”
“cool” he said and sat down. I gave him the mug I had just filled and I covered the remaining food
“you’re not gonna eat yet?” he asked
“I’m waiting for Mrs Mariano”
“why? You’re scared of eating with me?” he asked
“no. I just don’t want Mrs Mariano to eat alone” I replied
“okay, wh@??ver you say”
I then entered the kitchen.
It’s not like I’m really waiting for Mrs Mariano. I’m actually scared of eating with him. I might pour hot coffee on my white shirt.
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To Be Continued
Written by Hossy