BXBX NOVEL Chapter 222 - Jeff-Jeff
~Reno, White family home~
Jeff is in his room, on the phone, frustrated that Aiden exposed to Sarah his interest in JoAnna's contact information.
"You traitor!" He growls at the phone before hanging up. This state of anger is unfamiliar to Jeff. 'Am I ashamed? When was I shy? Why am I angry?' No matter what the reason is, Jeff's anger is directed towards his brother. His brother who should have kept this information between them. His brother who created all this commotion... It's all his fault! If Aiden didn't give description of love that reminded him of JoAnna, none of this would happen. His brother who... is dating JoAnna's sister. Sarah is JoAnna's sister! Sarah who works at White corp.
Suddenly an idea exploded in Jeff's mind, and he hurriedly called his assistant. "Steve, send me all personal information we have on employee Sarah Hill... Yes, from White corp... Now... I know it's Sunday, but this is urgent... thank you."
Jeff is pleased with his plan... he will get address from Sarah's file, and that will be JoAnna's info. It's logical.
Jeff started pacing through his room and glancing on his phone every few seconds. 'Why is Steve taking so long?' After some time, he got an email with Sarah's information. He looked up her home phone number on file, and delight overwhelmed him when he confirmed that it's a number with Seattle area code. 'It's her home! Where JoAnna lives!'
Without much thought he dialed the number and listened intently to the phone ringing on the other side... once... twice... trice...
Someone picked up! "Hill residence.", deep male voice answered the call in a formal way. It was Mr. Joe, the butler.
Jeff realized that his throat is dry, and he has difficulty making a sound. He grabbed a glass of water on his bedside table and rushed a gulp down his throat, almost choking on it. After few coughs, he put phone back to his ear.
"May I speak to JoAnna, please?", Jeff was surprised that his voice had a much higher pitch than usual.
After few seconds of silence from the other side of the line comes deep male voice, "Uhm, Miss JoAnna does not live here. You can reach her at her residence."
Jeff's brain is processing what he heard, "Can you give me phone number where I can reach her?"
Delay from the other side made Jeff want to reach out through the phone and force that man to spill out everything he knows about JoAnna. "I don't have a permission to give any contact information related to Miss JoAnna." Man's voice was final.
Jeff's heart fell. "Can't you give me anything?", he blurted out in desperation.
"Excuse me?" Man on the other side of the line was obviously surprised.
Jeff sighed in defeat and hang up. 'No use... it's no use... this will not work... How can I find her? Should I go to Seattle and look for JoAnna at Franciscan Medical Center? Or wait for at the parking lot? Maybe I can follow her home? How much of a stalker can I be, before becoming a stalker? ...'
Jeff's thoughts are interrupted by a series of knocks on his door.
"Jeff-Jeff..." Melodious female voice called from the other side of the door. "Jeff-Jeff, are you awake?"
'Oh, no!', Jeff thought. Female voice belongs to his mother, Elanor. And she calls him Jeff-Jeff only when she wants something from him. Normally she calls him Jeff, and when she is angry then it's Jeffrey. But Jeff-Jeff is very dangerous... he shivered at the thought that his mom wants to force him do something. His dread is amplified at the thought that Isabella and her father are staying in Reno until evening.
Female voice sounded again, "Jeff-Jeff, I'm coming in..."
Jeff didn't have time to react before Elanor's eyes landed on him. "Here you are, Jeff-Jeff. Why are you not answering?" She was smiling, but Jeff shivered subconsciously. That was a chilling smile.
Jeff shrunk a bit while looking at his mom, cautious of her next words.
Elanor observed Jeff. She could guess what he is thinking, she is his mother, after all. Elanor walked up to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Jeff-Jeff... relax... why are you acting as if I have bad intentions?"
Jeff forced a smile. "Why are you looking for me?"
Elanor gave Jeff the sweetest smile, and Jeff braced himself. He knows that the sweeter that smile is, the harsher the request will be. Well, his mom would make it sound like a request, but it was an order. When she spoke, Jeff realized that he was not wrong. "You know that Isabella is here until tonight, right? It would be nice if you meet her for lunch... at the WV steakhouse... at one o'clock."
"You already made a reservation?", Jeff expected this.
"I hope you don't mind..." Her words were sweet, but her eyes threatening.
Jeff sighed. "Of course."
"Then it's settled. Dress up casually." Elanor advised, as she left the room.
Jeff helplessly looked at the closed door. 'Lunch with Isabella? That sounds like a torture at this point. Sarah said she is a sweet girl, but I can't see it... and it's not her fault. She is nice, it's just that...' He exhaled and imagined if this lunch was with JoAnna... Jeff could see her sitting at the table opposite from him, or maybe in a booth, next to him… his heart skipped a beat. How he wished that today's lunch is with that sharp-tongued woman who can drive him crazy... 'When we have lunch together, will she eat my food again?' He smiled at his own thoughts. He would not mind... He imagined JoAnna smiling at him, looking at him affectionately with her deep blue eyes, and chatting… 'What would we talk about? It does not matter, really… if she is talking, I will listen…' And then, maybe, their hands touch, accidentally. Jeff felt that he is losing himself.
'I need to focus. Today's lunch is with Isabella, and I can't escape it....' Jeff's eyes flashed with an idea and he dialed a number on his phone.