Chapter 7: day of work
The first light of dawn filtered through the upper corners of the blackout curtains, painting the edges of the enormous rustic log cabin bedroom with warm light. It was a gradual invasion against the heavy darkness of sleep, a tender seduction by daylight against the stronghold of restful dreams.
Cameron Collett wasn't the kind of man to let daylight win.
He rolled out from beneath the hefty down comforter and landed on his feet. The room radiated chilly air, and Cameron barely stifled a shiver.
It had been a long time since he'd slept in a cold room, but he shook off the discomfort. He had a mission to complete.
He quietly crept into Jade's room, making sure not to wake her. Her chest rose and fell in the gentle rhythm of sleep, her dark hair splayed out on the pillow. Cameron felt a strange urge to touch her, to run his fingers through the silken strands and feel the warmth of her skin.
But he resisted.
Instead, he placed the credit card and note on the nightstand, taking a moment to ensure they were within her line of sight. With one last glance at Jade's peaceful form, he slipped out of the room, leaving her to her dreams.
Bill was waiting for him in the kitchen, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. Cameron accepted it gratefully and took a sip.
The warm bitter brew spread down his throat, jolting him awake in a pleasant way.
"She's still asleep?" Bill's voice was a low rumble in the quiet of the morning.
"Yes, she's not an early riser. I've left a credit card and a note for her. I need her to go shopping for warmer clothes, it gets cold up here in the mountains." Cameron replied, taking another sip of his coffee.
"Understood.
I'll make sure she knows the plan." Bill said, nodding his head in agreement.
"Good. I'll be back by dinner, I've got a busy day ahead. Make sure Jade gets settled and knows her way around. She's never been to a place like this before." Cameron said, with a hint of concern in his voice.
He knew Jade was out of her element in the grand log cabin. The mansion, as they called it, sat atop a hill, nestled in tall firs, overlooking the snow-capped Rocky Mountains.
It was a breathtaking sight, one that Cameron never took for granted. He'd grown up in a house like this, but it never lost its charm.
Jade, on the other hand, was far from her world. Growing up in Dallas, her only experience with the mountains was a field trip to the museum when she was in the sixth grade.
Cameron had met Jade by chance during one of his business trips to Dallas. She had been working as a waitress at a local restaurant and had caught his eye with her flowing dark hair, deep green eyes, and slender figure.
He had been drawn to her shyness and adventurous spirit, and they had spent the last few days exploring the city together.
Cameron started heading out the door and stopped to ask Bill one last question, "Bill, I think of you as a father figure, and you know my past. But I think Jade is getting too close. What do you think I should do?"
Bill, the mansion manager, was a wise and trusted man. He had known Cameron since he was made his first million, and he had seen him go through many relationships. He looked at Cameron thoughtfully before responding, "Cameron, I understand your concerns. But remember, Jade is a special person. She has a pure heart and a kind soul. Don't let your past blind you to the possibility of something real."
Cameron nodded, taking in Bill's words. He knew Bill was right.
Jade was special, and he wanted to protect her from his past.
Cameron had a reputation, one that he had worked hard to build. He was the CEO of Collett Enterprises, a multinational conglomerate that had a hand in everything from real estate to technology.
He had made billions, but it had come at a cost. .
But Jade was different. She made him feel things he hadn't felt in a long time. She made him want to be a better man.
"Thank you, Bill, I'll keep that in mind," Cameron said, as he turned to leave. "I have to go to work now. Keep Jade safe for me."
With that, he walked out the door, leaving behind a wake of unspoken words and unfulfilled promises.
Jade woke up to the sound of a door closing. She sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and saw the credit card and note on the nightstand. She picked it up, reading the instructions with a furrowed brow.
Shopping for warmer clothes, huh?
She glanced at the clock and saw that it was already past noon. She had slept in later than she had intended.
Jade groaned and threw off the covers. She couldn't believe she had slept in so late.
Jade had never been one to oversleep, but the unfamiliarity of her surroundings and the sheer comfort of the massive bed had lulled her into a deep slumber.
As she made her way to the kitchen, she was greeted by Izzy, the maid, who was preparing a late breakfast. The aroma of bacon and eggs filled the air, and Jade's stomach rumbled in response.
"Good morning, Miss Jade. I hope you slept well," Izzy said with a warm smile.
She was a stout, cheerful woman in her mid-fifties, with a kind face and bright eyes. Her grey hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and her apron was covered in flour.
"Good morning, Izzy. I did, thank you. And please, call me Jade. I'm not used to being called 'Miss'." Jade replied, feeling a little overwhelmed by the formalities.
"Alright, dear. Would you like some breakfast?
It's still warm," Izzy asked, motioning to a plate of food on the kitchen table.
Jade nodded gratefully, taking a seat at the table. As she ate, she couldn't help but feel a little out of place. This was all so new to her. She had never been to a place like this before, and she didn't know what to expect.
But as she looked around, she couldn't help but be in awe of the mansion's beauty.
The grand log cabin was filled with rustic charm, from the high ceilings adorned with antler chandeliers, to the large windows that offered breathtaking views of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. It was a sight to behold, and Jade found herself feeling grateful for the opportunity to be here.
After finishing her breakfast, Jade decided to take a tour of the mansion. She wandered through the various rooms, each one more impressive than the last.
She saw the grand living room, with its massive stone fireplace and plush leather couches. She saw the dining room, with its long wooden table that could easily seat twenty people. And she saw the library, with its towering bookshelves filled with leather-bound books.
Just then, Bill came in and asked, "Jade, are you ready to go shopping? I think Cameron wants to take you to the cabin in the woods tomorrow, and it gets cold in the fall in Colorado. Cameron wants you to stay warm. He said you may spend up to 100 K if you want!"
Jade's eyes widened at the thought of spending that much money. "Are you serious? I can spend that much on clothes?"
"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Collett wants to make sure you're comfortable and warm during your stay," Bill replied.
Jade couldn't believe it.
Never before had she encountered such an exorbitant amount of money being allocated towards clothing. It was mind-boggling for her; after all, she hailed from a modest background where frugality was ingrained into every aspect of daily living. Her parents had instilled in her the importance of saving and budgeting wisely. Growing up, she had learned how to be resourceful when it came to shopping. Finding bargains and taking advantage of sales were second nature to her. This innate sense of practicality had led her to become quite adept at stretching her dollar further than most people could imagine. But now, as she stood there staring at the figure - 100 thousand dollars - her heart raced with anxiety and apprehension. The magnitude of this sum was enough to make anyone's head spin. How would she go about selecting these garments? Would they even fit within the confines of her limited understanding of fashion? And more importantly, what if she made a mistake?
"Okay, Bill. Let's go shopping. I want to make sure I'm dressed appropriately for the cabin," Jade said, trying to hide her excitement.
than Bill said ill make shore you also get the assents for survival that you may need
and the bridle for the horse i think i know which one cameron wants you to have.
Jade's eyes widened in surprise. "Horseback riding? That sounds amazing, but I don't know how to ride a horse."
"Don't worry, Jade. I'll teach you everything you need to know," Bill said with a reassuring smile.
With that, they set off to go shopping. Jade couldn't believe what was happening. She had never been on a shopping spree like this before, and she was a little overwhelmed.
Bill took her to the best boutiques in town, and they spent hours trying on clothes and accessories. Jade had never felt so pampered before.
Bill guided her towards the most expensive and luxurious pieces of clothing, insisting that Cameron would want her to have only the best. Jade couldn't deny that the soft fabric felt amazing on her skin, and the designs were stunning.
However, she couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt as they made their way through racks of designer clothing.
"Why are we buying so much?" Jade asked Bill, who had become her confidant in the short time she had been at the cabin.
"Cameron wants you to have the best.
He wants you to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. And, let's be honest, he can afford it," Bill replied, winking at Jade.
Jade couldn't argue with that. She had never met anyone like Cameron before. He was successful, confident, and generous. He had a way of making her feel special, and she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
But she was also confused. She was still a virgin and had never been in a relationship before.
Jade didn't know what to make of Cameron's intentions. Was he just being kind and generous, or was there something more between them? She couldn't deny the spark she felt whenever she was around him, and the way he looked at her made her heart race.
But she was hesitant to let herself fall for him.
She had always been a romantic at heart, and the thought of being with someone who had a reputation for being business man like him was unsettling.
Jade had watched from afar as her friends dove into relationships, only to come out the other side damaged and disillusioned.
As they continued to shop, Jade couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. The sheer amount of clothes and accessories they were purchasing was staggering. She had never spent so much money on herself before.
But, as she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't deny that she felt good. She looked good. The clothes fit her perfectly, hugging her body in all the right places and making her feel confident and sexy.
But as Bill looked back at Jade, he noticed something was off.
"Jade, is everything okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face. "You seem a little distant."
Jade looked up from the dress she was holding, surprised. She hadn't realized that she had been so lost in thought.
"I'm fine, Bill," she said, forcing a smile. "I just have a lot on my mind."
Bill nodded, understanding. He had known Jade for only a short time, but he could tell that she was a deep thinker. She was always analyzing and reflecting, trying to make sense of the world around her.
"Well, if you need to talk, I'm here," he said, patting her on the shoulder. "Now, let's get back to shopping.
I know Cameron has a surprise for you later," Bill said, changing the subject.
Jade's curiosity was piqued. "A surprise? What is it?" she asked.
Bill shook his head. "I can't tell you that, it's a surprise. But trust me, you're going to love it," he said with a wink.
Jade felt her heart flutter with excitement. She couldn't wait to see what Cameron had in store for her.
after checking out jades clothes bill ask jade to sit with her to talk
Jade obliged and sat down next to her, curious about what Bill had to say.
"Jade, I've known Cameron for a long time now. He's a good man, but he has a past," Bill said, looking at her intently.
Jade furrowed her brow, confused. "What do you mean?"