I think back to my younger years, which seem so long ago. "I learned when I was fourteen. That makes us equal. With age comes experience."
"And when was the last time you got to use that experience?"
I laugh and she gives me an odd look I can't quite interpret. "Okay, you've got me there. It's been a while."
Rising to her feet, she takes the board and replaces it where it lives. "Well, perhaps I can help you dust off your skills while I'm here," she suggests. "We'll see if you can beat me before I leave." She waggles her eyebrows, and it's so endearing, words fail me, so all I do is nod.
"Right, I'm going to bed, if that's alright with you." Is that speculation on her face?
Damn, I think she just propositioned me.
"I'll be right there."
And that's how it starts. The slow, gradual sharing of small things is so much more intimate than sex.
"So, what do you do that you can just take three weeks off work... Or have you been saving up all your holidays for this fantasy of yours?"
I quirk an eyebrow at her, and she shrugs.
"Okay, forget I said that. Obviously you have an upmarket place, and Primal Fantasies charges top whack, so you must have a few bob."
She's cheeky and inquisitive, and I should hate her poking her nose into things that don't concern her.
But I don't.
I even provide the answers.
"I own a fortune 500 company, and after I made my first million, I invested in the stock market. I worked my socks off for twelve years before I started to delegate. That was two years ago, but I'm still very involved, I just balance it better."
And it's been a lonely two years if I'm honest, during which I've done much more in the company than I planned to because there's nothing else to monopolize my time. All the things I thought I wanted to do, I managed within the first six months.
Juno whistles. "Wow, so you started your company when you were just eighteen?"
I nod, and not wanting to delve into it any deeper, turn the tables on her. "And what about you? How did you end up doing a gig like this? Or... what do you normally do?"
She purses her lips. "Ironically, I clean people’s houses. Not quite a maid, but close."
Her response surprises me. "Would you think I was being rude if I said I expected something a little more... um... okay, forget I said anything," I finish, not able to think of a polite way to put it and not wanting to insult her.
Being Juno, she just laughs out loud. "You were going to say you expected more from me, weren't you?"
It's not really a question.
"Well, you've proven your intelligence. I'd have thought that warranted more than a low paid, no skill job."
"I'll take that as a compliment. And you're right. I had all these big plans."
Her expression shutters and she folds in on herself. I hate it.
"What happened?" I know there's a story there. A harsh one.
Her bottom lip trembles. "My mom got sick a few years ago - cancer. My dad couldn't care for her and work, so I quit college. I planned to go back, but..."
"But then your dad died?"
She swallows convulsively, and I know she's trying to hold back the tears. "Something like that. Anyway, college was no longer an option, and I had to find a job that put food on the table."
There's more, I know, but I don't push. But I hope she’ll tell me before she leaves.
