Page 30 of Goodbye To Tomorrow

“But every woman would be more than happy to be in a place like this. You don’t need to be rich to behave like you are rich. Look at yourself...maybe that’s not the most expensive dress but it’s still better than any other which can be seen every day,” he explained slowly.

“You mean, better than any other I can see every day…” I whispered, not knowing why I am even holding on to that.

“Karine,” he sighed.

“Sorry… I am just trying not to do something stupid here. I want to go home…” I said while the tears were collecting in my eyes.

“It’s okay. Let’s go. Whatever you want to do is fine with me,” he consented slowly, feeling sorry for causing these emotions in me.

“But the food hasn’t arrived….” “Don’t worry, put that on my bill,” he said to the waiter as he fulfilled my request.

“Are we going home?” I asked once outside the restaurant, feeling guilty about the money wasted on the dinner. Jiraiya signaled the valet to bring up his car.

“Nope. I have been waiting to escape that house for too long to return there so fast,” he replied with a mischievous grin on his handsome face.

“Where are we going then?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Somewhere quiet,” he said. We drove off and, a few minutes later, we reached our destination.

Near the small lake, he exhaled a deep breath and switched off the engine.

“Come on, you said that you wanted to leave and now I say I want to sit,” he stated while he gazed out towards the shimmering lake. The moon was full, giving the lake a perfect glow.

“You’re right,” I agreed and sat next to him.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“For what?” Yes, I am poor and no, I don’t like standing out in a crowd. Call me the Queen of Irony; I am a wanna-be nurse but instead I’m a nursemaid of probably one of the richest men in the country.

“Don’t do that. Never put yourself down, Karine. You are perfect and I’m grateful to have you here taking care of me. I’m sorry for making you spend time in a place that you weren’t comfortable,” he said causing a smile to appear on my lips.

“It’s okay.” I replied. “I’m a simple woman; an Applebee’s or Red Lobster type of woman. The less flash and frills there are, the more comfortable I am,” I added for clarification.

“Got it,” he looked at me and grinned. My heart dropped in that moment and my breath caught midway in my chest. “Well, while we are here, let’s use the time in the best way we can. Suddenly he faced me and asked, "Tell me more. About who you are, Karine,” he added startling me in the process with his statement.

“I am your nursemaid, Karine Banks. One day soon, I hope to go to college and become a registered nurse," I answered, still confused.

“Nice to meet you, Karine Banks. My name is Jiraiya Sampson,” he replied in good humor. “Tell me more,” he chuckled.

“Come on… you know who I am,” I responded, barely controlling my laughter.

“I don’t. All I know is that you are my nurse. That’s boring. You’re young, I am guessing that your life hasn’t started the moment you became someone’s nurse,” he said.

“No, but...” I paused.

“So, let’s start again. Who are you?” He asked again.

“Karine.” I said.

“Tell me something about yourself, Karine…” He continued to ask questions...maybe he had had more than just one sip of wine I had never seen him like this, laughing and having fun, if this can even be considered as fun.

“Well, I am your caregiver...” I started but his facial expression became fake serious, so I stopped while I was laughing.

“Okay, okay. I’ll play your game. I am in love with chasing rainbows, reading books, walking in the rain, smiling, being happy, walks on the beach. Oh and I love chocolate," I said while I was trying to say the first things that came to mind.

“Okay, very well. If you love to be happy, like any other person on the earth, do you also love to be loved?” He asked.

“I don’t really trust in love anymore—well, not the romantic kind anyway,” I answered carefully, not wanting to make this conversation feel even weirder than it was.

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