All I remember from last chapter is that they went shopping. I feel like that’s a good enough recap.
The Mister Chapter 17 Summary:
Maxim announces to us at the very start of the chapter that he’s in love with Alessia. And that he has been since “[He] first laid eyes on her standing in my hallway clutching a broom.”
Footage not found? I’m sorry, but Maxim was not IN LOVE with Alessia at this point. Attraction? Sure. But I don’t understand the weird need to re-write history into fitting the LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT in order to make a romance seem bigger than it really is and to distract us from the fact that even now I’m doubtful about these two being truly in love with each other.
I remember how disconcerted I was … How angry. How the walls closed in on me and I had to escape because I didn’t understand the depth of my feelings. This is what I was running from. I thought I was just wildly attracted to her. But no. It’s not just her body I crave. It’s never been just that. I’m drawn to her in a way I’ve never been to any other woman. I love her.
James, E L. The Mister (p. 290). Random House. Kindle Edition.
Okay. If you weren’t JUST drawn to her body when you first laid eyes on her, then what was it inside of her you were drawn to given you hadn’t even introduced yourselves yet? AND OF COURSE MAXIM DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE DEPTH OF HIS FEELINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ALL THAT DEEP!
Fuck.
It’s a revelation.
James, E L. The Mister (p. 290). Random House. Kindle Edition
Even after all this time James still doesn’t trust her readers enough to be able to deduce that something is a revelation by themselves…then again maybe that is a legitimate concern.
I’ve fallen in love with my cleaner.
Well, this is a fine fucking mess.
James, E L. The Mister (p. 291). Random House. Kindle Edition.
I mean…is it? He doesn’t really explain why it’s such a mess–if it’s because they’re still on the run from the world’s most inept human traffickers I guess that’s a valid concern, but Maxim’s endless supply of money seems like it’s perfectly capable of solving all those problems. Is it because of SOCIETY? I’m not entirely sure, but again, it’s not really clear what the consequences would actually be for Maxim. Would he need to give up his family money and instead focus on being a DJ-slash-actor-slash-model-slash-photagrapher full-time? Would that be a bad thing?
Later in the chapter, during their car ride home, they have my favorite exchange of the book so far.
‘What is this music?’ she asks.
‘It’s from the soundtrack of Arrival .’
‘Arrival?’
‘The film.’
‘Oh.’
‘Have you seen it?’
‘No.’
‘It’s great. A real headfuck. About time and language and the difficulties of communication. We can watch it at home. Do you like the music?’
James, E L. The Mister (p. 293). Random House. Kindle Edition.
This is so delightfully random. I am not at all against pop culture references in stories, but many times I do find them jarring like now. I could see a way in which it could have been better brought into the story–if Maxim had something specific in mind about language/communication difficulties and was reflecting on that perhaps. But it feels weird here that he’d be listening to the soundtrack and then leave us to draw any parallels we’re meant to (not to mention how…there’s a major difference between learning to communicate with aliens vs two humans from different countries where one said human has a pretty great grasp on a common language.)
Back at the house, Maxim frets about Alessia’s past a bit.
The anguish in her eyes in the restaurant. It was … affecting.
James, E L. The Mister (p. 295). Random House. Kindle Edition.
The writing here was…lazy.
Think. What to do?
First. We have to make her legal here. And I have no idea how to do that. My solicitors should know the answer. I can only imagine Rajah’s face when I tell him I’m harbouring an illegal immigrant.
Her grandmother was English. Maybe that will help.
Fuck. I don’t know.
What else could I do?
I could marry her.
What?
Marriage?
[…]
I could make Alessia my countess.
My heart starts hammering. That would be a bold move. And maybe a little sudden.
James, E L. The Mister (pp. 295-296). Random House. Kindle Edition.
YEAH MAYBE JUST A LITTLE BUT GO FOR IT, BRO!
I don’t even know if she has feelings for me.
I could ask her.
I roll my eyes.
James, E L. The Mister (p. 296). Random House. Kindle Edition.
What a ridiculous notion! To ask someone what their feelings are rather than make ridiculous assumptions and internally debating their future prospects without consulting them. Obviously that’s a terrible plan.
Maxim’s solution is to start Googling Albania so that he can understand Alessia better. This is definitely the right course of action. Personally, I know that the true way to get to know me is to start Googling Pennsylvania. Knowing where it is on the map is the most important thing.
It does lead to a nice scene, though, where Maxim asks Alessia questions about her life in Albania while she cooks. I’m not at all saying his attempts to get to know her are misguided, I just find it hilarious that Maxim’s train of thought seems to be: Should I marry her? I don’t even know if she has feelings for me! LOL I can’t ask her how she feels! I better start Googling her home country as a starting point.
The chapter ends with Alessia revealing that she can’t go back to Albania because…SHE IS BETROTHED!!! DUN DUN DUNNNNNN!!!!