It was a bright, golden afternoon when Jake arrived at my company to take me to meet his mother, and his dog.
He'd told me his mother had been very eager to meet me, and from the soft excitement in his tone, I could tell he meant it.
Jake walked straight into my office, his easy smile lighting up the glass-walled space. Without a word, he took my bag from my hand and gestured toward the car waiting outside. It wasn't a luxury one like mine, just simple, clean, and maybe, his.
He opened the door for me like a gentleman.
I couldn't help smiling. "Well, thank you," I said cheerfully as I slipped inside.
Jake's car smelled faintly of mint and something warm, like sunlight trapped in fabric. He got in beside me, shot me a look that melted something inside me, and said, "She's going to love you."
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling the smallest flutter in my chest. "I really hope so."
He drove carefully, unlike me when I was behind the wheel. I was used to speeding through traffic, rushing through everything. But Jake… he drove like every second mattered.
By the time we stopped in front of a small, cozy cottage wrapped with neat flowerbeds, I was already smiling.
He turned off the ignition, glancing at me with those calm, beautiful eyes that made something wild inside me stir.
"My home," he said simply. "I know it's small, but it gives me shelter."
He didn't need to explain himself. I didn't care about how big or small his house was. I only cared that it was his.
"Where's your mother?" I asked, stepping out of the car with his help.
"She's inside," he said as he unlocked the front door. His smile was soft, genuine. I caught the faint trace of his cologne when he leaned close, it made my heart skip.
Inside, the house was tidy, bright, and smelled faintly of lavender. Jake called out, and within seconds, a large white dog came bounding toward him, tail wagging and tongue out.
Jake bent to rub the dog's fur, laughing. "Bob, easy, girl!"
I hesitated at first. I wasn't much of a dog person. But Jake looked up at me, reassuringly. "She's friendly."
So I crouched down. "Hi, Bob," I said with a laugh, reaching to pet her soft fur. The dog immediately pressed against me, playful and affectionate.
I couldn't help laughing again. "She's adorable."
"She likes you already," Jake said, smiling proudly.
We were still playing with Bob when the door opened somewhere deeper in the house. Footsteps echoed softly, and then she appeared, Jake's mother.
She looked stunning for her age, no more than in her forties, with kind eyes and an ivory dress that made her glow.
Her face lit up when she saw me. "Oh, you must be her!" she exclaimed, arms wide open.
I dropped my leather bag instantly and hurried to hug her. She smelled like fresh linen and vanilla.
"I've heard so much about you," she said warmly, cupping my face after we pulled apart. "You're so pretty… and—oh my, rich too." Her gaze flicked over my diamond earrings and bracelet.
I regretted wearing them instantly. I wanted her to see me as me, not as my father's daughter or a company heiress.
"Jake talks about you all the time," she added.
My heart leaped. I turned to glance at Jake, who was pouring himself a glass of water, smiling when our eyes met.
"Mum," he said fondly, and she laughed.
"Come, sit with me," his mother said, leading me by the hand to the small sitting area, a cozy parlor with single couches, throw pillows, and a slow-turning ceiling fan. It wasn't grand, but it felt more like home than any mansion I'd ever been in.
She held my hand as we sat. "Thank you for helping with Bob's medication. You're the reason she recovered. Jake told me everything."
"You don't have to thank me, ma'am," I said softly, squeezing her hand. "I'd do it again and again. Money's nothing when it comes to saving a life."
Her eyes softened with gratitude. "Jake must've told you, I had him as a teenager. He's always loved music. It's his passion. I could never stop him from singing."
I smiled. "He has an incredible voice. I've heard him sing—he deserves recognition. He should be under the spotlight."
"Yes," she said wistfully, "but it's hard. The industry is cruel. I don't know if he'll ever climb that high."
I leaned closer, my tone gentle but firm. "And that's why I'm here, Mum."
She blinked, surprised. "Did you just call me… Mum?"
I nodded. "Yes."
Her laughter was warm, her hand brushing my cheek. "You're sweet."
Jake came over then, sliding an arm around me, his breath brushing my skin. "And I'm glad you found me," he murmured near my ear.
I smiled, heart thudding. His mother smiled too, content.
We talked for hours, about my father's company, my responsibilities, about Jake's dream to sing before thousands. I told him I couldn't wait to see him on that stage, the crowd chanting his name. His eyes lit up at that.
His mother served me freshly baked pastries she'd made just for me. It was… perfect. Warm. Real.
Later that evening, I returned home. My father was in his room resting, so I went to mine, sat on the bed, and picked up my phone. I dialed Miranda, my personal assistant at the company.
She picked up before it even rang twice.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Miranda," I said, "I want to get Mr. Valentino—you know, that top producer in the music industry. How do we make that happen?"
She paused. "Mr. Valentino? The biggest name in music right now? That would cost a lot to fly him here." I could almost hear her typing fast on her keyboard. "It'll be around three million dollars, approximately. What do you need him for?"
I hesitated for just a second. "I want him to hear a singer perform—personally."
There was silence. Then Miranda's voice came back, shocked. "Wait—three million dollars for an upcoming singer? Who is he?"
My gaze drifted to my reflection in the mirror, my lips curving into a small smile.
"He's not just any singer, Miranda," I said quietly. "He's someone worth it."
She inhaled sharply. "So… are you sure?"
"Yes," I said firmly. "Put a call through his agency. I'm flying him in."
And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was about to change someone's life forever.
But little did I know, that decision would change mine too.