Chapter 207: Showing Off

After talking to Heidi, Lindsay returned.

"She had another call, that’s why I took longer. Heidi agreed, but only as a friend."

I gave a slight nod.

"Lindsay, I’ll be upfront. I almost never do this with girls I go out with, and I don’t want you to get the wrong idea," I began, holding her hand. "I want to give you a few gifts so you look even more stunning tonight."

"Okay..." she murmured, still processing. "I guess I can live with presents," she added playfully.

We walked into the kitchen to say goodbye to Uncle Charlie and Dad.

As soon as we stepped inside, Alan spoke first.

"Cynthia said yes. I have a date tonight," he announced smugly.

"I helped him tone down the excitement," Charlie chimed in with a wink.

"Well, I better head home and get ready," Alan continued, rising from his chair. "Nice meeting you, Lindsay. Take care, son."

We exchanged farewells with Dad. Once he was gone, I turned to Uncle Charlie. "Dad's really improving."

"Yeah, almost a respectable human now," he quipped.

"Uncle Charlie, Lindsay found someone to accompany you tonight," I revealed.

"Only as a companion. Anything beyond that, you’ll have to earn it," Lindsay clarified with a smirk.

"That, I can handle," he grinned. "We're really doing this?"

"Of course! We need to show what being a Harper means. I even invited Gramma."

"What??" Charlie exclaimed, wide-eyed. "You invited Mother?"

"Absolutely. If anyone knows how to make an entrance and simultaneously make people feel small, it's Gramma," I pointed out.

He exhaled slowly. "Alright... and who exactly is my date?"

"Heidi Klum."

"The Victoria's Secret angel?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow.

We both nodded.

He rubbed his hands together. "Looks like it's time for Super Charlie."

I rolled my eyes. (Uncle Charlie is just like me in this regard—we don’t believe any woman is out of reach.)

"Call Heidi and meet me back at the Santa Monica house. Aside from Gramma, we’re bringing a few other senior ladies," I added, pulling Lindsay by the waist as we exited the kitchen.

Uncle Charlie looked momentarily puzzled.

---

"Wait, your family owns a Ferrari and a Lamborghini?" Lindsay asked, surprised, as she spotted the two cars in the garage.

"Yep."

So far, she had only seen the Rolls-Royce I picked her up in. Even though it's ultra-luxurious, sports cars tend to impress non-experts more (despite my Rolls-Royce Park Ward being pricier).

We climbed into the car, and Sarah drove us to South Coast Plaza.

---

"You're buying me a Dior??" Lindsay said in disbelief.

"Yes. I want you to be absolutely radiant tonight," I replied, greeting the attendant.

"What will it be today, Jake?" Alana asked with a warm smile.

I’d been here before with Cher and Regina (not exactly Paige’s style).

"Only the best for my lady here. As you can see, she’s a model. Something fit for a high-end gala," I told her, and Alana immediately gestured for Lindsay to follow.

Afterward, we visited Tiffany & Co. and a few other stores.

---

"What’s on your mind, Lindsay?" I inquired, noticing her a bit spaced out.

"I kinda feel like a high-class escort..." she admitted. "I know girls in my circle who do that... I used to judge them."

I tapped her forehead. "You’re not an escort. Don’t you remember what I said earlier?"

"I thought the gifts would be Swarovski, not Tiffany!" she replied, half-serious, half incredulous 

"I really want to make an impression tonight," I told her sincerely. "And I’d never expect anything from you just because I gave you a few shiny stones."

Then I leaned in. "But can we resume our make-out session? You were giving me kisses for free, so it should be fine without you feeling like a little hoe."

She snorted, then burst into laughter and gave me a playful slap. "Little hoe? At least say escort."

We kissed.

---

Back at my house in Santa Monica, after another round of making-out, Lindsay went to change.

A while later,

"Woow," I breathed, giving a soft whistle as I saw her in the new Dior dress.

"You’re not half bad either," she teased back.

I offered my arm, and we walked to the front door to greet Charlie and Heidi, who had just arrived.

Charlie stepped out of the Lamborghini and, being a gentleman, helped Heidi out. We approached them.

"Jake Harper," I introduced myself to the stunning woman.

"Heidi Klum," she replied, shaking my hand. "So you’re the infamous Jake Charlie’s been talking about? And Virginia too..." Her eyes scanned me briefly.

Then she narrowed her gaze, noticing Lindsay—and probably her dress and the subtle Tiffany necklace.

"Heidi," Lindsay greeted her a little sheepishly.

"Lindsay, what have you gotten us into?" she asked with amused curiosity.

They both entered and started chatting.

"Now I’m really looking forward to seeing Archie’s face when he sees all of this," Charlie said smugly.

"Supermodel, Lamborghini, Brioni, Rolex... he can keep his menorah," he added.

"Come on, Uncle Charlie, let me introduce you to the older ladies," I beckoned.

---

Uncle Charlie, Heidi, and Lindsay were admiring my private wine cellar. The other one in the house is less curated but holds a much larger stock.

My cellar has: 3 bottles of Dalmore 62-Year, 3 bottles of Macallan 1926, 6 bottles of Glenfiddich 1937, 3 bottles of Springbank 1919, and 10 bottles of Macallan 50-Year. For wines, 100 bottles of DRC Romanée-Conti (multi-vintage) and 15 bottles of Henri Jayer Richebourg 1985. Among cognacs: 60 bottles of Louis XIII Black Pearl and 20 bottles of Hennessy Timeless.

A $2 million worth of collection, totaling 222 bottles — not that I actually paid that much for it.

"Did we just walk into a treasure cave?" Uncle Charlie remarked, eyes wide.