Chapter 7

~Trish POV~

Life has to move on. I tried applying for a job but who would hire a high school undergraduate. I ended up working at a small diner. The pay was enough to get me through the day. I also tried to have the spare room in my house rented but without any luck. Mikel has always been supportive and even gave me extra cash. Liam never showed up again and I felt really disappointed. I know I can look for him at the club but there was no way I was going to run after him. He was just a good distraction from my crazy life. For now, I’m back to reality.

The last thing I could think off was him showing up at my workplace but one day he did. It's been what five weeks, three days since I last saw him. Anyways who's counting? I'm pathetic I know. I end up lying in bed with him speechless after he fucked me. I mean, I had no word to explain what happened. It was just amazing. But I wasn't going to tell him that. I wasn't going to feed this man's ego anymore considering how easily he got to fuck me after not showing for a couple of weeks. I am a cheap easy slut. But I'm not complaining. It was perfect. And I wouldn’t mind doing it again.

"Hi." I greeted him when I woke up around ten in the morning.

"Good morning, love." He kissed my lips tenderly. 

"How can you look so good in the morning," I stated and embraced him tightly. "I'm hungry. Do you want something to eat?" I stood up and put on my robe.

"I'll eat you for breakfast if you'll let me." He stood up and embraced me. 

"May be later for now, I'll make breakfast." I replied.

"I'll just buy breakfast and you can freshen up." He offered.

"Okay. Even better, I just realize I haven't gone to the groceries this week yet. Thanks." I replied cheerfully.

"I'll be back as fast as I could." He stated as he put on his clothes.

I showered and enjoy the cool water running down my body. I felt sore from our early morning activity and I was thinking of wanting more. I stare at myself in the mirror and looked at the love bites Liam left on my body. I got dressed and fixed the bed. Then I notice two small holes in my pillow. I heard a car parked in front of my house. I looked out the window and saw Liam getting out his car. I went downstairs and welcomed him. We ate breakfast together.

"So do you have any plans for today?" He asked casually.

"No. But I have to look for another job. I hate being Mikel's charity case. He always hands me extra cash and I can't even say no since I really need it." I admitted.

"Would you take money from me?" He asked.

"You'll pay me for having sex with you," I replied seriously.

"No, I can have sex with you for free. Don't get me wrong but we did have sex without any arrangements." He stated calmly. "I just want to help you out. I think going back to school would suit you better. After that, you can find a better job." He explained.

"What are you, my dad? I'm not a kid." I stated in disbelief. "Why would you want to give me money? We're not related. I'm just some random girl you had sex with. Do you offer money to every girl you fuck?”

"Well, I won't give it to you for free, consider it as a loan. You can pay me back when you're more stable financially." He stated seriously.

"Or I can just have sex with you for money," I replied playfully. "Are you feeling guilty because of what happened between us earlier? Listen, we both wanted it. I may be only twenty one and you what thirty-ish but trust me, you did not take advantage of me. So you don't have to offer me anything in return for a one-time thing. I'm mature enough to make my decisions."

"What one-time thing? I don't think I'll ever want to stop being around you." He responded. "I'm not offering my help because of what happened between us. I'm offering it because you deserve it. You have a long way to go in life."

"Thanks but no thanks. I appreciate the concern but my financial problems are not something you should worry about. I'll figure something out."

He seemed upset with my rejection but he didn't insist and just stayed quiet. I didn't want to rely on another man for money. I already did that once with Stanley. Yes, the guy that seems to have existed only in my imagination. But I had a feeling that he really did exist. I even googled him once but there were so many results that I gave up. There was no way I'm using my body again for some cash. I can't stoop that low. My trains of thoughts were then cut when my cell rang. 

"I need to go to meet Mikel. He said he had good news for me."

"Can I come?" He replied smiling at me.

"Sure. Let's meet them for lunch." We arrived at the restaurant and Mikel immediately spotted me and run in my direction. 

"Hey, baby girl." He embraced me tightly and literally dragged me to a private room. "Guys, here she is the infamous Patricia Louise Andrews. Of course, you've met Sam, Benjamin, and Oliver and they are Lexy, Tanya." He introduces them to me and they all smiled at me.

"This seems to be a very interesting group you're meeting," Liam spoke announcing his presence and all of them seemed surprised by his presence.

"Oh fuck." I forgot to mention to Mikel that I was bringing Liam with me. "Liam, I’m so sorry. Mikel this is Liam. Liam this is Mikel and his friends."

"I know them." He stated seriously. "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you." He extended his hand to Mikel and smiled at him.

"The pleasure is mine," Mikel replied blushing while shaking his hands. 

"You know them?" I asked Liam once we were all seated.

"Yes. Don't you remember, I told you before that Mikel left with Samuel and that Oliver is his brother, from the club?" I frowned trying to remember. "You're too young to be very forgetful, love." He chuckled and I laughed along with him.

"Sorry, I had so many things in mind. I don't really remember." I felt everyone was looking at us so I decided to change the topic. "So, what's the good news?"

"I told them that I know someone who used to organize the best events ever. They need someone to help them organize a masquerade. And I recommended you." He said excitedly.

"Really, I haven't really been organizing anything for a long time. My life is a total wreck and I can't even piece my stupid life together. How can you expect me to organize anything?" I replied panicking.

"Snap out of it, bitch," Mikel stated playfully. "You are panicking, just relax. The events in two months and you can have all the help you need."

"The masquerade?" Liam butt in. "Have I approved that? It seems like it's the first time I'm hearing about this. Can anyone please explain?"

"Mikel, I'm sorry," Sam replied. "I think we need to discuss it with Liam first before we can push through with the plan."