CHAPTER 3 ~ SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

FLAVIA'S POV

I am not going to take this, I have put in too much effort in trying to plan Louis's wedding and he can't just call his wedding off and expect me to understand, I need some sort of compensation for my efforts... We had a business arrangement and I kept to my end of the bargain, it's his fault the wedding is not holding, so I still deserve to be paid.

"What are you doing?" Jazmine asked but I don't really want to tell her my plan because I know she will try to talk me out of it.

"Packing my breakfast."

"I can see that but why, are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, I am going over to Louis's office. I am going to stay over at his office for as long as it takes till he pays me for my efforts." I said categorically. "And please, don't try to stop me because my mind is already made up." I informed before she could say anything else.

"I'm not going to stop you, he needs to pay some compensation for the effort but please don't create a scene over there. I know you hate him because of what he did to you back in highschool and especially because he can't remember you but it's either you remind him or you move on maturely, there is really no need to be petty." She pointed out but honestly, Louis is the petty one here.

"I am not being petty jazz, he is the one acting like he can't remember me but I don't care, all I really need is my money... It's so disappointing that I got really close to getting the money for our house rent and my office space and then he suddenly ruined everything like he ruined prom for me years ago." Why did he have to be my client to begin with?

"Well it's not exactly his fault for not remembering you, have you seen yourself? Girl, you have changed so much and for the wedding, I actually feel bad for him. He is probably feeling like shit right now, his fiancee dumped him a few weeks to their wedding, so cut him some slack." I mean I am not a monster, so I feel bad for him.

I don't know why she left him and I don't think he deserves it but I am too upset to sympathize with him, I just need my money.

"Anyways, I don't care what the situation with him is. I just need him to compensate me for the wasted effort." I checked myself in the vanity to make sure I still look good before carrying my handbag and breakfast. "I have to go now, I will see you later."

"Alright, all the best and remember to be civil." She pointed out but I didn't bother to reply.

My attitude depends on him, if he acts mature then I will be mature but if not, then I am ready for anything.

...

"Come in." I touched my hair one last time before stepping into his office but the moment I stepped in and he saw me, the smile on his face vanished and I knew immediately that my visit here today won't be nice or civil.

"What the hell are you doing here? I can't remember inviting you over." I didn't bother to respond as I walked over to his desk and I made myself comfortable on the chair in front of him.

"Well, you haven't been picking my calls, so I decided to pay you a visit." I clarified.

Since he left my fake hired office on Friday, he has ignored all my calls and I know it's because he doesn't want to pay, so here I am.

"You tried to scam me by posing in a fake office and you expected me to pick your call after barely escaping a fraudster like you? Anyways, now that you are here, what the fuck do you want?" He asked in a condescending manner but the most annoying part is that he called me a fraudster.

"First of all, I am not a fraudster and I didn't try to scam you. The only reason I hired that office space and pretended like it was mine was because you insisted on not doing business with me until you visited my office but it's fine. I am here so you can pay me for my efforts so far in planning your wedding." I pointed out.

I must have said something funny because he suddenly started laughing, I mean he has a cute laugh but it's so annoying right now and I just feel like saying something that will hurt his feelings.

"You want me to pay you for a wedding that's not holding, I don't have a fucking bride and you are here asking for money. You are so ridiculous and silly to think I will pay you for anything." He laughed some more, so I decided not to say anything.

I picked up my food flask and I brought out the turkey sandwich I made, his eyes went wide when he saw me eating. "What the fuck do you think you are doing?" He asked angrily.

"Eating of course, it's obvious that I will be here for a long time, so it's better to get comfortable." I pointed out before having a sip of my drink.

"Look Flavia or whatever it is you call yourself, this is an office space and you can't stay or eat here. Get the fuck out of my office before I call the security to throw you out." I can tell that he is pissed off but I don't care and I won't leave.

"I have read what people are saying about you but I promise you, if anyone touches me or trys to get me out of this office, what they are saying about you right now will be nothing compared to what they will say about you by the time I am done with you... The earlier you understand that I am not leaving here without getting paid, the better for you but if you think I am bluffing, please go ahead and call your security guards." I challenged confidently.

"I can tell that you are very razz and you can do anything for money, so let's do this. I don't have a bride for my wedding day, so how about I pay you to be my substitute Bride for a period of one year. It's going to be a win win situation, you get the money you are desperately looking for and I get married on the 28th as planned, what do you say?